Karen's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Located at the base of Sugar Mountain, you can find the first-ever Alpine coaster in North Carolina.
The Alpine Coaster is a cross between a roller coaster and a toboggan sled run.
206 locals recommend
Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster
3265 Tynecastle HwyLocated at the base of Sugar Mountain, you can find the first-ever Alpine coaster in North Carolina.
The Alpine Coaster is a cross between a roller coaster and a toboggan sled run.
Great place to take the family. Incredible views from swinging bridge. Also, some great and fun animals to see!
716 locals recommend
Grandfather Mountain
2050 Blowing Rock HwyGreat place to take the family. Incredible views from swinging bridge. Also, some great and fun animals to see!
Views from the condo look at this ski resort. Shuttle will take you to the ski slope.
295 locals recommend
Sugar Mountain Resort, Inc
1009 Sugar Mountain DrViews from the condo look at this ski resort. Shuttle will take you to the ski slope.
Right up the road is the other ski resort that is close by.
367 locals recommend
Beech Mountain Ski Resort
1007 S Beech Mountain PkwyRight up the road is the other ski resort that is close by.
Beech Mountain Sledding Hill
Great for the young ones in the winter time.
Blowing Rock
Great views of the surrounding area of Blowing Rock
Amazing views of the area. Great hiking area, and waterfalls
85 locals recommend
Linville Gorge Wilderness
Amazing views of the area. Great hiking area, and waterfalls
Visit inside of a mountain. Great hour long tours of the only caverns in the area.
317 locals recommend
Linville Caverns, Inc.
19929 U.S. 221Visit inside of a mountain. Great hour long tours of the only caverns in the area.
Great stopping spot on the blue ridge parkway
18 locals recommend
Blue Ridge Parkway, Price Lake Overlook
Price Lake TrailGreat stopping spot on the blue ridge parkway
Easy to Moderate hike in the Town of Seven Devils. Great waterfall!
53 locals recommend
Otter Falls Trail
825 Skyland DrEasy to Moderate hike in the Town of Seven Devils. Great waterfall!
Linville Falls
Great hike to an amazing waterfall
Elk River Falls
Elk River RoadGreat hiking to the waterfall
Great theme park for the kids or kid at heart. Open in the summer. and in the Fall open for the "Ghost Train". For Christmas they have train rides to see Santa.
242 locals recommend
Tweetsie Railroad
300 Tweetsie Railroad LnGreat theme park for the kids or kid at heart. Open in the summer. and in the Fall open for the "Ghost Train". For Christmas they have train rides to see Santa.
Make sure to make reservations online ahead of time. They usually sells out on weekends
238 locals recommend
Hawksnest Snow Tubing and Zipline
2058 Skyland DrMake sure to make reservations online ahead of time. They usually sells out on weekends
The Apple Hill Alpaca Farm is located 8 miles away from the main entrance of Sugar Mountain.
You can join an informative tour of this alpaca farm and store situated on a mountainside near Sugar Mountain.
Grab the opportunity to have a hands-on experience with the animals on the farm, especially the alpacas and llamas.
This entertaining and informative tour lasts for about 45 minutes, where you can do a little patting, and you can also give a little treat to the cute and friendly animals.
74 locals recommend
Apple Hill Farm - Alpaca Farm
400 Apple Hill RdThe Apple Hill Alpaca Farm is located 8 miles away from the main entrance of Sugar Mountain.
You can join an informative tour of this alpaca farm and store situated on a mountainside near Sugar Mountain.
Grab the opportunity to have a hands-on experience with the animals on the farm, especially the alpacas and llamas.
This entertaining and informative tour lasts for about 45 minutes, where you can do a little patting, and you can also give a little treat to the cute and friendly animals.
Great Hike to some amazing views! Moderate hike. get there early as this trail is always busy.
105 locals recommend
Rough Ridge Lookout - Grandfather Mountain, NC.
3218 Blue Ridge PkwyGreat Hike to some amazing views! Moderate hike. get there early as this trail is always busy.
This tranquil 14-acre forested park is located in the village of Sugar Mountain.
Residents and visitors can have a picnic, hike, and enjoy nature in the park free from commercial establishments.
The park provides recreational and educational activities, as well as environmental and scenic protection for forests and wildlife in the area.
The type of forest in J. Douglas Williams Park is a rare kind and localized.
J. Douglas Williams Park also has a nature trail which consists of a gravel path that circles around the picnic area.
J. Douglas Williams Park
1804 Sugar Mountain DriveThis tranquil 14-acre forested park is located in the village of Sugar Mountain.
Residents and visitors can have a picnic, hike, and enjoy nature in the park free from commercial establishments.
The park provides recreational and educational activities, as well as environmental and scenic protection for forests and wildlife in the area.
The type of forest in J. Douglas Williams Park is a rare kind and localized.
J. Douglas Williams Park also has a nature trail which consists of a gravel path that circles around the picnic area.
Sprawling on 64-acre greenery lies the Sugar Mountain Public Golf Course.
Though the short 18-hole course gives enough challenge for experienced golfers, this place is accommodating for beginners.
Hailed as the second-best short course in the United States, the Sugar Mountain Public Golf Course is one of the best-hidden gems tucked in the mountains of North Carolina.
Sugar Mountain Public Golf Course is regarded as one of the region's most attractive courses with beautiful scenery and landscape.
31 locals recommend
Ole Esval Sugar Mountain Municipal Golf Course
1054 Sugar Mountain DrSprawling on 64-acre greenery lies the Sugar Mountain Public Golf Course.
Though the short 18-hole course gives enough challenge for experienced golfers, this place is accommodating for beginners.
Hailed as the second-best short course in the United States, the Sugar Mountain Public Golf Course is one of the best-hidden gems tucked in the mountains of North Carolina.
Sugar Mountain Public Golf Course is regarded as one of the region's most attractive courses with beautiful scenery and landscape.
Great place to go for some great gem mining. very large stones to be found.
62 locals recommend
Emerald Village
331 McKinney Mine RdGreat place to go for some great gem mining. very large stones to be found.
Great trail for gorgeous views. great place to watch a sunrise
31 locals recommend
Beacon Heights Overlook Trail
Beacon Heights TrailGreat trail for gorgeous views. great place to watch a sunrise
museums filled with optical illusions and gravity defying anomalies, and historic artifacts
79 locals recommend
Mystery Hill
129 Mystery Hill Lnmuseums filled with optical illusions and gravity defying anomalies, and historic artifacts
Food Scene
Stonewalls Restaurant
344 Shawneehaw Ave SGreat Steak restaurant in the Town of Banner Elk
Louisiana Purchase Restaurant
171 Main St EGreat restaurant with great food
Very Upscale restaurant only open from April through October. Please make reservations in advance.
85 locals recommend
Artisanal Restaurant
1200 Dobbins RdVery Upscale restaurant only open from April through October. Please make reservations in advance.
Great little Italian restaurant. Right down the mountain from the resort. Go early or call ahead for takeout
112 locals recommend
Bella's
3585 Tynecastle HwyGreat little Italian restaurant. Right down the mountain from the resort. Go early or call ahead for takeout
Blind Elk Tap Room
397 Shawneehaw Avenue SouthGreat local bar in town of Banner Elk.
Another great Italian restaurant in the town of Banner Elk
149 locals recommend
Sorrento's Italian Bistro
140 Azalea Cir SEAnother great Italian restaurant in the town of Banner Elk
Luna Thai & Sushi Restaurant
3990 North Carolina 105Great mixture of sushi and Thai food.
CoBo Sushi Bistro & Bar
161 Howard StGreat Japanese restaurant in downtown Boone
Great restaurant for all meals. This place is always busy, go early or call ahead
191 locals recommend
Banner Elk Cafe & Tavern
324 Shawneehaw Ave SGreat restaurant for all meals. This place is always busy, go early or call ahead
Cute and close coffee shop in the Food Lion shopping complex
24 locals recommend
Fred & Larry's Coffee
3591 Tynecastle HwyCute and close coffee shop in the Food Lion shopping complex
Coffee and Tea shop that is close by at the Lowe's food store
25 locals recommend
Mountain Grounds Coffee and Tea Co
3990 North Carolina 105Coffee and Tea shop that is close by at the Lowe's food store
Bocca Bistro
Great Italian food restaurant. Locals favorite
The Cardinal
1711 NC-105Great casual place to grab some of the areas best burgers
BBQ plates and Cajun dishes. Serving craft and draft beers in a relaxed atmosphere
73 locals recommend
Bayou Smokehouse & Grill
130 Main St EBBQ plates and Cajun dishes. Serving craft and draft beers in a relaxed atmosphere
Shopping
Tanger Outlets Blowing Rock
278 Shoppes on the Parkway RdGreat outlet shopping mall.
Come visit and shop at the original Mast General. Lots of stuff for outdoor activities. And a candy area for the sweet tooth!
102 locals recommend
Mast Store Annex
2918 Broadstone RdCome visit and shop at the original Mast General. Lots of stuff for outdoor activities. And a candy area for the sweet tooth!
Local Winery
Grandfather Vineyard & Winery
225 Vineyard LaneClose local winery
Banner Elk Winery & Villa
60 Deer RunLocal winery close by
Linville Falls Winery
9557 Linville Falls HwyCity advice
Getting around
Winter weather travel
Please have 4 wheel drive in winter months. Snow can happen quickly.