Moses H. Cone Memorial Park preserves the extensive country estate of its namesake, a noted conservationist whose dedication to the preservation of the region's natural heritage drove him to plant the white pines, hemlock hedges and apple trees that form a part of the estate. Several carriage, horse-riding and hiking trails traverse the expanses of the 3600-acre (1457-hectare) estate, centered around the majestic Flat Top Manor. Open seasonally, the historic manor is now the home of the Parkway Craft Center, which showcases the work of regional artists and hosts quilting, glass-blowing, weaving, pottery and other craft demonstrations. Visitors can also fish for bass and trout at the estate's artificial lakes, or join in a guided tour of the manor.
Located inside the Appalachian State University campus, the Turchin Center For The Visual Arts was opened in 2003, and named after its benefactors Robert and Lillian Turchin. Comprising a well-equipped lecture hall, 2 charming sculptured gardens and 6 galleries, this center boasts a choc-a-bloc calendar of events each season. Though admission is free, donations are heartily encouraged.
Not far from the original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, lies the Boone branch. Selling everything from clothes, sports equipment, local products and coffee, the store is a great example of traditional businesses before corporations took over.
Set in a pristine location along a scenic river, Grandfather Vineyard and Winery sits atop 3,300 feet ( 1006 meters). This gorgeous vineyard located near Banner Elk is known to produce world-class wine from the region. The charming little winery is a family-owned property that opened its doors in 2011, and ever since, there is no looking back. Tour the vineyard, and taste their delicious wine collection. Buy a bottle or two as a souvenir.
Featuring a series of exhibits and displays retelling the stories of the Banner Elk’s first settler’s family and their lives in the 19th Century, the Banner House Museum is a fantastic attraction for history lovers and amateur anthropologists. Tour the historic house Built in 1865 by Samuel Banner and marvel at the displayed artifacts. The decor is filled with period furniture, and each room has interesting exhibits like photographs, clothes, paintings, and tools. The museum provides a guided tour to get insightful details on the founding family.
Doc's Rocks Gem Mine is an antique geology store in Blowing Rock. The historic store and fossil museum aims to educate visitors about the intriguing geology of the Appalachian Mountains. When in town, pay a visit to this exciting attraction and learn more about the formation of the majestic mountains and the rocks that form its terrain. The stunning fossil museum is home to rare fossils, minerals and gemstones collected from all over the country along with toys, specimens, puzzles, candy, souvenirs, and other memorabilia that are sure to delight the little ones.
Located close to North Toe River in Spruce Pine, Cross Street Commerce Center is a great place to host events. Some of the events that can be held here are weddings, gatherings, award functions, competitions and workshops. Spreads across an area of 11000 square feet (1021.9 square meters) this building also offers flexible spaces for offices, art studios, stores and more.
The mountain town of Bakersville, North Carolina is home to rustic micro-diary known for its aged and fresh goat cheeses. Made using ancient lactic method, the farm produces several raw milk, natural mold-ripened rustic-aged cheeses incorporating only natural and sustainable techniques. In addition to being open to visits, the farm also offers workshop sessions in cheese making and basic goat husbandry. Black Oak Boulette, Mountain Mediterranean, Roan Rime and Ambiance are some of the speciality cheeses made here. OakMoon Creamery also has several retail outlets throughout North Carolina.
Doc's Rocks Gem Mine is an antique geology store in Blowing Rock. The historic store and fossil museum aims to educate visitors about the intriguing geology of the Appalachian Mountains. When in town, pay a visit to this exciting attraction and learn more about the formation of the majestic mountains and the rocks that form its terrain. The stunning fossil museum is home to rare fossils, minerals and gemstones collected from all over the country along with toys, specimens, puzzles, candy, souvenirs, and other memorabilia that are sure to delight the little ones.
Part of Appalachian State University, this venue hosts a variety of live music events throughout the year.
English Farmstead Cheese is a farm store known for its speciality farmstead cheeses made from Holstein cow's milk. The charming farm store houses a variety of hard cheeses and soft cheese spreads such as Buttercup, Pepper Jack, Cheddar Curds, flavoured cheese spreads and Ashford Preserve just to name a few. Made in small-batches to retain freshness, the farm store often sells out within hours of opening.
The Holmes Center at the Appalachian State University in Boone is a source of entertainment for the small town. Concerts, plays, blood drives, sporting events, feasts, meetings and more take place here, thus, making the venue a multi-purpose one. Though Boone is a small town, the kind of events that take place here are usually large scaled, thus, making the Holmes Center a significant landmark to the city. To know more about the venue, visit their website.