Just a few miles away from Banner Elk, sits atop a hill is a charming farm set against beautiful scenery. The Apple Hills Farm is a lovely animal farm that welcomes visitors and animal lovers to spend a day amid wonderful creatures. The beautiful farm is home to alpacas, goats, donkeys, and cows. Unlike a typical petting zoo and much like a farm, the Apple Hills Farm is a place to enjoy the animals in their habitat. Offering guided tours, the Apple Hills Farm makes it a lovely stopover when in town.
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.
Spread over 13 acres ( 5 hectares), Wildcat Lake is a stunning water body in Banner Elk. The Scenic spot is surrounded by Bushy trees and blue sky, where visitors can spend a whole day relaxing. Featuring a sandy beach by the shore, the lake sees moderate traffic. Locals and visitors often spend a day by the lake sunbathing and swimming. Located just outside downtown Banner Elk, the swimming hole also attracts activities like boating, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.
Unfolding around the eponymous mountain that looms over its picturesque landscape, Grandfather Mountain State Park is a beguiling mosaic of serene woods, rolling ridges, and scenic trails that slice across a stunning natural expanse. A hiker's delight, the park's namesake landmark invites adventurers to scale its slopes, with a vivid variety of foliage clinging to its inclines, painting a mesmerizing portrait of natural splendor. Visitors can also choose to pitch a tent amid the striking environs of the park and spend some time reflecting in peace and tranquility. Vantage points along the paths traversing the terrain offer unparalleled views of the surrounding vistas, making for an unforgettable outdoor experience for all those who venture here.
Gem mining is one of the thrilling and most satisfying activities to experience when in North Carolina. Guaranteeing a fun-filled family time, the gem mine assures visitors a safe mining experience. Visitors are assisted by well-experienced staff who are ready to share their expertise on this tour. The unique part of this gem mining experience is that the gems you find are cut and shaped, set into jewelry for you. This mining experience will surely keep you engaged. Open year-round, the treasure mine is a must-visit attraction in Banner Elk.
The thrill of sliding down a 2390-feet (728 meters) track, leading through forests, offering breath-taking vistas of the surroundings will leave you wanting for more. The Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster opened its door in 2020 in the scenic town of Banner Elk, which is a fantastic destination for fun family activities. Here, patrons can expect maximum thrill as they descend at 27 mph. During the ride, the two-person cart runs through a 360-degrees loop filled with hairpin turns and curves that surely builds on to the adrenaline. Check the website for packages.
The Linn Cove Viaduct is considered nothing short of a breathtaking engineering marvel. A segment of the Blue Ridge Parkway, this 1,243-feet-long (378.8 meters) bridge winds along the majestic Grandfather Mountain, snaking past several spectacular overlooks and trailheads, making it an ideal drive for the adventure seekers visiting the Grandfather Mountain State Park. Its unique, impeccable design has made it an iconic landmark and a popular tourist destination over the years. A seasonal museum and gift shop at its southern end offers interesting insights into its engineering along with souvenirs.
The Cherokee National Forest covers an area of 655,598 acres (2,65,311 hectares) across several prominent mountain ranges such as Great Smoky Mountains and Big Frog Mountain, with the Ocoee River flowing in the park confines. With multiple recreation areas, each more different than the other, the Cherokee National Forest presents one with a plethora of recreational and relaxation activities. These include camping, fishing, hiking, nature viewing and a whole lot of water and winter sports. Replete with the spectacular bounty of nature, there is something here for everyone.
Perched in the northwestern part of the state, Elk Knob State Park showcases the beauty of the North Carolina mountains. Here, a network of trails slices through the unspoiled wilderness, offering a chance to glimpse the surrounding sights, which are a marvel to behold. The park's ecological diversity is a delight to explore, beckoning nature lovers to study all that thrives within the woodlands. Bask in the vistas visible for miles on end from elevated overlooks, enjoy a picnic, or pitch a tent and indulge in a quiet getaway amid picturesque environs.
Just a few miles away from Banner Elk, sits atop a hill is a charming farm set against beautiful scenery. The Apple Hills Farm is a lovely animal farm that welcomes visitors and animal lovers to spend a day amid wonderful creatures. The beautiful farm is home to alpacas, goats, donkeys, and cows. Unlike a typical petting zoo and much like a farm, the Apple Hills Farm is a place to enjoy the animals in their habitat. Offering guided tours, the Apple Hills Farm makes it a lovely stopover when in town.
Connecting one end of the town to the other, Greenway Trail in Boone is one of the most scenic walking trails that welcome walkers, hikers, cyclists alike. The path leads one through a scenic river, green meadows, and wooded forest. Mostly flat a trail, people will all skill levels can explore the trail. There are several picnic tables and resting benches along the trail, where one can stop at a picturesque location for a quick picture. On this trail, encounter exotic birds and wildlife. Explore the natural beauty of the region as you walk down this trail.
The Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park is ideal for outdoor adventures. Sprawling across 185 acres (75 hectares), it features several mountain biking and hiking trails, a kid-friendly playground, picnic areas, and a scenic landscape. Those looking to embark on adventurous explorations of the surrounding area will relish mapping the terrain through the scenic paths winding across the park's expanse. Watch the scenery shift and transform as you glide down meandering routes on your bikes and marvel at the natural beauty of the picturesque environs.