NC High Country Top Group Activities List
Here is a fully detailed list of group activities and attractions in the NC High Country Mountains near Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, West Jefferson and Wilkesboro! The High Country Regional Visitor Center staff created this easy-to-use grid with helpful group travel planning information. All links go directly to group tour pages with more information.
| Group Attraction | Hours | Group Size | Group Rates | Blackout Dates | Restaurant | Handicap Access | Coach Parking | Meeting Space | Meeting Capacity | Guided Tours | Group Tour Contact | |
| BLOWING ROCK | ||||||||||||
| Appalachian Ski Mountain 10 Slopes, 2 Terrain Parks Outdoor Ice Skating |
Late Nov- Mid March |
9am-10pm | 15 & Up | Yes | Major Holidays | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | 800-322-2373 appskimtn.com | |
| Blowing Rock Art & History Museum Art & History Exhibitions | Closed Mondays | Varies | Max 40 | Guided tours $25 per group | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 828-295-9099 blowingrockmuseum.org | |
| The Blowing Rock NC's Oldest Attraction A Rock Cliff at 4,000 ft, overlooks |
Year Round | Vary by Season | 20 & up | $4 & Driver Free | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | 828-295-7111 theblowingrock.com | |
| Chetola Sporting Reserve Clay shooting, archery, and firearm experiences |
Year Round | Vary by Season | chetola.com/sporting-reserve | |||||||||
| Doc's Rocks Heated indoor gem mine, mini golf, virtual reality | Year Round | 2 wks out | Max 150 | $9 per person | Major Holidays | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 828-264-4499 docsrocks.net | |
|
High Gravity Adventures |
April 1-Oct 30 *Open some wkds Sept-Mar | 10am-8pm | Up to 250 | Yes, depends on group size | Major Holidays | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | 828-266-0151 highgravityadventures.com | |
| Moses Cone Manor NPS Guided home tour of the "denim king" | Daily April-Nov | Vary by Season | Up to 30 | Free | Major Holidays | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Call a park ranger to schedule: |
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| Mystery Hill Mystery House, Gem Mining, Bull Riding & Native American Artifacts | Year Round | Vary by Season | Min 12 | Yes, call | Some holidays/ weekends | Picnic Area | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 828-264-2792 mysteryhill.com | |
| Sky Valley Zip Tours Zip line canopy adventure, cliff jumping, waterfalls |
First Friday in April-End of Nov | Vary by Season | 10+ | Yes | Winter | Catering available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1-855-475-9947 skyvalleyziptours.com | |
| The Spa at Chetola Resort Full-service spa, sauna, fitness classes |
Year Round | 9am-6pm | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 30-160 | No | 800-295-5531 chetola.com | |
| Westglow Resort Spa Full-service European Style Destination Spa, Fitness, Salon | Year Round | 8am-6pm Daily | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 828-295-4463 westglow.com | ||||
| BOONE | ||||||||||||
|
Appalachian Tubing Co. Only tubing located in Boone |
June-September | Trips at 11, 12 & 1pm | 30-100 | Yes | Major Holidays | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | 828-263-4297 appalachiantubing.com |
| Horn in the West Outdoor Revolutionary War drama | Late June-Mid August Nightly Tues-Sunday | Gates open 7:30 | 15+ | $10 per person | Summer only | Catering available | yes | Yes | No | Yes | 828-264-2120 horninthewest.com | |
|
Hickory Ridge Museum |
April-Nov Closed Mon | 10am, 2pm or by appt | 15+ | Yes | Major Holidays | Catering available | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 828-264-2120 horninthewest.com | |
| Land of Milk & Honey Farm 45- 60 min Guided Farm Tours |
Year Round | Tours at 11, 1pm | No | No | Yes | 828-773-6429 landofmilkandhoneyfarmnc.com | ||||||
| Mast General Store Boone A two story landmark in downtown Boone |
Year Round | M-Thur: 10-6 Fri-Sat: 10-7 Sun: 12-6 | Varies | Free | Some Football Game Wkends | No | Limited | Yes, Call Ahead | No | No | Sheri Moretz: 828-963-6511 mastgeneralstore.com | |
| Shankara Ayurved Wellness Spa Meditation, Ayurveda, Yoga |
Year Round | 10-600 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | artoflivingretreatcenter.org | ||||
| Turchin Center Appalachian State University's Premier Art Museum | Year Round | Closed Sun-Mon | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
828-262-3017 |
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| Shipley Farms Guided walking & livestock feeding tours |
Year Round | Daily 10-5, Closed Sunday | No, Store on site | No | Yes | 828-484-1872 shipleyfarmsbeef.com | ||||||
| BANNER ELK, BEECH MOUNTAIN AREA | ||||||||||||
| Apple Hill Farm Guided farm tours featuring illamas, goats, donkeys & horses, yarn shop |
Mon-Sat | 12pm-4pm | 15-30 max | $10/ Adult | CC to Secure | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Lee Rankin: 828-963-1662 applehillfarmnc.com | |
| Beech Mountain Resort Skiing, Snowboarding, Tubing, Summer Scenic Lift Rides and Mountain Biking | Nov-March: Daily June-Oct: Thurs-Sun | Vary | 15+ | Vary by activity | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | [email protected] 1-800-438-2093 ext 205 |
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| DeWoolfson Down Local manufacturer of custom filled down pillows & comforters and fine european linens | Year Round | Mon-Sat | Any | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | 800-833-3696 dewoolfsonlinens.com |
| Fred's General Mercantile "Purveyor of fine quality goods" | Year Round | 7:30am-10pm | No | Free | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | 828-387-4838 fredsgeneral.com | |
| Hawksnest Zipline One of the Longest Zipline on East Coast | March-Nov | Open 9am | 12+ | Vary depending on group size | Major Holidays Some Weekends | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 828-963-6561 hawksnestadventures.com | |
| Hawksnest Whitewater Raft the Lower Nolichucky | April- October | Tours at 9am 2pm | 12+ | Vary depending on group size | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | 828-963-6561 hawksnestwhitewater.com |
| Hawksnest Snowtubing Over 30 tubing lanes of fun! | Mid Nov- Late March | Open 9am | 12+ |
|
Weekends/ |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 828-963-6561 hawksnesttubing.com | |
| High Country Wine Trail Features 5 wineries |
Year Round (some wineries) | Vary | Varies | Vary by activity | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 423-768-0345 HighCountryWineTrail.com | |
|
Original Mast General Store A rural destination on the National Register of Historic Places |
Year Round *Reservations Appreciated | Vary | Varies | Free | October Wknds Some Other dates |
No | Limited | Yes, Call Ahead | No | Limited | Sheri Moretz: 828-963-6511 mastgeneralstore.com | |
| Sugar Mountain Resort Skiing, Snowboarding, Ice Skating, Tubing - Summer Mountain Biking - Fall Scenic Lift Rides | Nov-March: Daily May-Sept: Fri-Sun | Vary | 15+ | Vary by activity | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 828-898-4521 x 202 SkiSugar.com | |
| Wilderness Aerial Adventure Park & Gem Mining |
May-Oct | 11am-6pm T-M |
10+ | $5 OFF Climb Tickets | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 828-898-7866 wildernessrunadventurecourse.com |
| Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster Gravity Coaster Thrill Ride | Daily Year-Round | Vary by Season | 15+ | $3 OFF | No | Yes, 30 max | Yes | Yes | No | No | 828-898-7866 wildernessrunalpinecoaster.com | |
| LINVILLE AREA | ||||||||||||
| Crossnore Weavers Watch hand weavers work & shop for fine textiles |
Year Round | Vary- 5pm | 40-50 | Free | N/A | Bakery | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 336-733-4305 crossnoreweavers.org | |
| Emerald Village Gem Mining, Mine Tours, Museums, Gifts | Apr-Oct | Vary by Season | 20-150 | $17 Student $22 Adult | No | No | Not Mine Tour and Museums | Yes | No | Yes | 828-765-6463 emeraldvillage.com | |
| Linville Caverns NC's Only Show Cavern | Mar-Nov: Daily Dec-Feb: Wknds | Vary by Season | Min 25 & up | $7 Adults $5 Child |
No | No | No | no | No | Yes | 800-419-0540 linvillecaverns.com | |
| Gem Mountain TLC & Travel Channel Filmed Mining, General Store | Mar-Dec: Mon-Sat |
Vary by Season | 15-150 | $25 bucket is $10 | Call Ahead 2 weeks | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 888-817-5829 gemmountain.com | |
| Grandfather Mountain Mile High Swinging Bridge, Wildlife Habitat, Museums, Hiking, Dining |
Year Round | Vary by Season | 15- 150 | Yes, call for details | Major Holidays, April/Oct Weekends | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 800-468-7325 grandfather.com | |
|
Orchard at Altapass On the Blue Ridge Parkway, Live Music, Hayrides, Education Center |
May-Oct | Closed Tues | 25- 150 | Yes | Closed Mon/Tue | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (100 max) | Yes | 828-765-9531 altapassorchard.org |
| WEST JEFFERSON | ||||||||||||
| Ashe County Cheese Factory Viewing Room, Cheese Shop | Year Round | M-Sat 8:30-5:00 | 25-30 at a time | Free | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 336-246-2501 ashecountycheese.com | |
|
Ashe County Frescoes View works by internationally known artist, Ben Long, in 2 antique churches |
Year Round | Any | Any | Donations accepted | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Look for the narration button. Open to public daily. | |
| Lantern Farm Hayrides, Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, Christmas Wreath Building | September-December | Any | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | 828-278-4489 lanternfarm.com | |||
| West Jefferson Downtown Mural Walk | Year Round | Any | Any | Free Maps at Ashe County Arts Council | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ashecountyarts.org/downtown-murals/ | |
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Zaloo's Canoes Kayaks & Tubing Adventures |
May-Sept | Vary by season | Any | Yes | Winter | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 336-246-3066 [email protected] |
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| WILKESBORO | ||||||||||||
| Wilkes Heritage Museum Tom Dooley Jail, Log Home and Music Hall of Fame | Year Round | Vary by Season | Any | Yes | Some Holidays/ Call Ahead | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 336-667-3171 wilkesheritagemuseum.com |
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| Leatherwood Mountains Guided Horseback Trail Rides Saddlebrook Restaurant |
Year Round | Vary | 30 | Indoor 30 |
336-973-5044 |
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| Call Family Distillers View history of Call Family Moonshiners, factory tour + tasting | Year Round | Vary | Any | Yes, call for details | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 336-990-0708 callfamilydistillers.com | |
