Serving the High Country area with the finest of ladies fashions for 26 years. Bogner, Basler & Belford ready to wear & jewelry by John Hardy, Stephen Dweck & Michael Dawkins. Drop by and be tempted.
When visiting our Olive Oil & Balsamics store, you’ll find a great selection of imported olive oils and vinegars, salts, exotic herb mixes and more; together with a host of handcrafted ceramics and culinary accessories that are guaranteed to enhance any home dining experience. To enjoy the Olive Oil & Vinegar experience you don’t have to be a culinary expert. Our knowledgeable staff are there to provide advice and offer helpful tips for preparing flavorful dishes using any of the products you will find in our stores.
Counter-service chain offering egg sandwiches, soups, salads, baked goods & a variety of bagels.
Epic Nature Tours is a family owned and operated birding and travel company based out of Banner Elk, North Carolina. We specialize in creating private and small group birding tours here in the mountains, around the country, and in Costa Rica. We offer high quality, hand-crafted, nature tours that are led by professional naturalist guides. Our tours are not just another big bus tour. We think it’s important for our guests to have the opportunity to truly connect with the people and places they visit.
BBQ plates & Cajun dishes, plus craft draft beer, offered in a relaxed setting with outdoor seating.
Casual family-run eatery supplying Italian comfort food & pizza in an art-lined space with a patio.
The History of the recipes at Sorrento’s Italian Bistro in Banner Elk, NC goes back over 100 years to Sicily; making the family at Sorrento’s the third generation using these traditional recipes that we taste on a nightly basis. The family was located in the Southern part of Italy near the ocean, where the Italian influence of cooking included many seafood dishes; whereas the Northern region of Italy was influenced by the French using lots of butters and creams.
Sorrento’s Italian Bistro is a family run business and has been serving Italian dishes since 1983 to locals and travelers to the quaint town in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Sorrento’s Italian Bistro has evolved in to an eclectic gourmet Italian restaurant.
Now third generation family chefs, Nicole and Anthony Palazzo, continue the family recipes and have added their own new exciting dishes that are featured on our nightly specials.
Barra Sports Bar and Lounge offers a little bit for everyone in The Village of Banner Elk. Barra has the following amenities; the Main bar with its elegant Boston wood look, karaoke lounge, mini stage, tequila bar, a new pool room, and an outside fire pit.
Throughout the year Barra hosts art festivals, beer and wine festivals and more. Barra also features weekly pizza, prime rib, lobster and fish & chips specials that you don’t want to miss!
Welcome to the Chef’s Table Restaurant of Banner Elk offering an eclectic menu featuring American, Italian, and Japanese dishes. Featuring fresh farm to table ingredients, award winning chef Nicole Palazzo creates a menu that offers the best of western North Carolina’s heritage and cuisine. Casual yet upscale atmosphere, the restaurant is perfect for a family dinner or a night out with friends. Available for catering and private parties.
Nestled in beautiful downtown Banner Elk, North Carolina above the famous Sorrento’s Bistro are the new exciting flavors of the Chef’s Table restaurant.
The restaurant started with the concept of cooking with fresh, seasonal, local foods and produce—pairing these exceptional recipes with local and regional wines. The ultimate wine country dining experience awaits you at the Chef’s Table restaurant.
Make plans to enjoy the beauty of the High Country and Chef Nicole’s magnificent wine country cuisine. We recommend making reservations to ensure that we can accommodate your desired dining time.
Breakfast and lunch, outside patio,
Refined American fare, such as quail & oysters, offered in an elegant, artsy space with a mural.
Charming coffeehouse with dining, an espresso bar & an ice cream shop connected by outdoor decks.
Steaks, seafood & cocktails offered in a long-running restaurant with an old-school vibe.
Stonewalls Restaurant serves Prime Rib, Seafood, Gourmet Steaks, Fine Wines and Fine Olive Oils & Balsamics. Although we are located in Banner Elk, North Carolina, we serve locals who come from Blowing Rock, Boone, Newland, and Linville, North Carolina. Stonewalls Restaurant is located in downtown Banner Elk, North Carolina located in the heart of The High Country in western North Carolina.
Stonewalls has been locally owned and operated since 1985 and we pride ourselves on our exceptional service and value. Stonewalls offers the finest cuts of beef found in prime rib, sirloin, rib eye, New York Strip and Filet Mignon. Our chicken & ribs are second to none and we have a great lineup of seafood. Our chefs have been performing for years, and our buyer selects the best cuts available. Our salad bar is a destination for locals and for tourists.
Ensemble Stage, a 99-seat Professional Theater, was conceived out of an unfaltering love of the performing arts and the unquenchable desire to share it with the North Carolina High-Country Community.
The 45th Annual Woolly Worm Festival takes place the 3rd weekend of October, falling on the 15th and 16th in 2022, in the quaint mountain town of Banner Elk North Carolina. We think it’s the perfect time to share some tips that will make your experience a good one while at the festival and getting to the festival.
- Yes. There is an admission cost to get into the festival because all proceeds are given back to our community to enhance our schools, children’s programs, and to promote businesses and tourism in Avery County.
- Yes. There is ample parking, but the free parking is on a first come first serve basis and non-profit organizations are authorized to charge parking fees for overflow parking.
- Pets are not allowed, other than Woolly Worms. We regret that Doggie Daycare will not be available. PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR PETS.
- Yes. VISA and Mastercard are accepted for festival admission.
What a great time to think of the holidays. Purchase great handcrafted wares from our juried artists, ranging from fun items to those for decorating your house with amazing furniture. Who wouldn’t love a nice piece of jewelry or pottery under the Christmas tree? Admission tickets can be purchased online at WoollyWorm.com so there is no need to stand in line as there is a limited number of races, it is important to register to race your worm as soon as you arrive at the festival! Remember, the winning Woolly Worm on Saturday earns the esteemed honor of predicting the High Country’s winter weather and receives a huge pot of $$$ – $1000 to be exact! If you can’t make it to the festival on Saturday – don’t worry – we begin the fun again on Sunday from 9am until 4pm. The fun starts Saturday morning at 9am and the woolly worm races begin shortly after with Mr. Woolly Worm and Merryweather leading the fun! On Sunday at 1:00 is the Corporate Woolly Worm Wace. The winning worm earns a trophy and bragging rights for its business. Call the Avery County Chamber of Commerce at 828-898-5605 for more information.
Blind Elk Tap Room is the prime spot in Banner Elk to enjoy an impressive menu of rotational craft beer on tap, Prosecco on tap, and wine by the glass. We also feature a fridge full of even more beer labels, hard ciders, and hard seltzers.
Relaxed operation offering a range of Japanese & Vietnamese eats such as noodles & soups.
Bodega’s Kitchen & Wine Bar offers Caribbean-inspired fare and tapas style dining. Nestled in the beautiful mountain setting of Banner Elk, Bodegas has a casually sophisticated atmosphere that caters to date night and family time all at the same time!
Welcome to KETTELL BEERWORKS Banner Elk’s Brewery
Brewed in our facility by Banner Elk Brewing Company at 3715′ above sea level in beautiful Banner Elk, NC.
The brewery has a small kitchen serving some delicious goodies! Stop by the taproom for a pint and try some of our new menu items including pizza, pretzels, wings, and more!
We carefully create our beer on a 20 barrel steam driven system in our brewhouse which is all visible thru a giant window in our taproom.
We welcome patrons to visit and to donate or borrow books. Masks are not required, but you may wear one if you prefer.
We sponsor an academic tutoring program as well as summer enrichment classes at Banner Elk Elementary School, funded by a High Country Charitable Foundation grant .
Established in 1993 in the Western North Carolina Mountain community of Banner Elk, The Art Cellar Gallery has continued to offer the artwork of the area’s most beloved artists, reaching throughout the Southeast and nationally to present an exciting variety of works in a broad range of styles and mediums. From primitive to realistic, impressionistic to abstract, the gallery features fine quality artwork by both established and emerging artists that is unlike anywhere else in the Southeast.
The Art Cellar Gallery provides our clients with a relaxed and comfortable exhibition space in which to select art which becomes treasured additions to their collections, large or small. We also provide corporate and private consulting and placement as well as purchase on approval and payment options. Our in house Frame Shop offers museum quality conservation framing services, consultations, and other specialty custom framing services.
Hardin Fine Jewelry features one of a kind pieces made by artisans around the world including regional and American Craft Council artists.
Since 1959, Holston has hosted summer camps in North Carolina for kids seeking refuge from the seasonal heat and a sanctuary for spiritual, mental, and physical growth. Now, as a year-round facility, we welcome groups of any faith to respond to a higher calling and join together in the wooded mountains of Holston Camp and Retreat Center in Banner Elk, North Carolina.
Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria isn’t just a pizza place, it’s a destination all on its own! Along with the best pizza in western North Carolina, there’s an unbeatable selection of beers, a full bar, sandwiches, salads, desserts and more. The menu has Greek and Italian influences, and all meals are hand-crafted. This family-friendly destination has indoor and outdoor seating, free live music on Thursdays and Fridays in the summer, seasonal outdoor movies, an arcade and a mini-golf course with enough skills challenges and photo ops to please the whole family. Located adjacent to the Town’s free sledding hill, the restaurant is the go-to spot for an after-sledding hot chocolate or cup of espresso. Dog lovers will be happy to know that pets are welcome at the outdoor seating area.
Artisanal has developed an exclusive partnership with one of the top, 100% certified organic farms in the mountains of NC. With our exclusive agreement, the restaurant and farm coordinate the growing seasons to insure that the freshest ingredients are available daily. We can also experiment with produce that has never before been commercially grown in the Western North Carolina mountains.
Banner Elk Winery & Villa is the original and most celebrated winery in North Carolina’s High Country. Quality wine, beautiful scenery, and warm hospitality; it’s a perfect place to relax, host an event or to just get away for the day. Stop in for a tasting year round, open daily from noon until 6:00 PM.
We are happy to announce that our properties, Banner Elk Villa, and The Azalea House are now featured as VACATION RENTAL PROPERTIES. Enjoy the serene pleasures of luxury accommodations, tranquility and beauty, in an idyllic setting while still being minutes away from downtown Banner Elk. If your dream vacation is linked to adventure or wine tastings our Banner Elk Villa is the perfect place for you. If you prefer to stay in the heart of a neat, little, mountain town, the charming Azalea House will add to your unforgettable vacation atmosphere. If, right now you are looking for a relaxing, quiet place, we are excited to announce that we have a new property that will offer you the perfect place to enjoy the stunning rolling mountain views into the Pisgah National Forest and Tennessee Valley.
At 5,506 feet in elevation, Ski Beech remains the highest ski area in the East. Always a favorite with families, Ski Beech offers skiing, snowboarding, or skating on a 7,000 square foot outdoor ice rink. 15 slopes, 3 beginner, 7 intermediate, 4 advanced & 1 freestyle terrain area, as well as a High Speed Quad Chairlift! We
also offer shopping & dining.
Sugar Creek Gem Mine makes prospecting for gemstones fun and enjoyable for all ages, from the amateur to the advanced rock collector. For beginners, we have a knowledgeable staff that will guide you through the process, and the advanced miners will appreciate our first-class equipment. You’ll find many take-home treasures to last a lifetime.
Mining for Authentic North Carolina Gemstones
Do you want to experience the thrill of prospecting for your very own North Carolina authentic gemstones? Then join the fun at Sugar Creek Gem Mine, where we guarantee you will find precious and semi-precious gemstones in every bucket. With Sugar Creek Gem Mine you can expect the highest quality service, experienced gemologists on staff and first class mining equipment. Call to reserve your Gem Mining experience at 828.898.GEMS. Walk-ins are welcome, but you may experience a wait time before you can start gem mining – as gem mining in the summer is very popular! The covered gem mine is open year-round in Banner Elk, NC.
Your local Banner Elk Subway® Restaurant, located at 3579 Tynecastle Hwy brings new bold flavors along with old favorites to satisfied guests every day. We deliver these mouth-watering flavors with our famous Footlongs, 6” sandwiches, wraps and salads. And we offer a variety of ways to order—quick and easy in the app or online, convenient delivery, come into your neighborhood shop for an in-restaurant meal, or pick up curbside. We’re proud to offer a change from same old fast food with fresh cut veggies and toppings with protein choices, fresh-baked bread and let’s not forget cookies! And we’re happy to help you with any catering needs as well. All Subway® Restaurants are independently owned and operated by business owners who employ talented Sandwich Artists™.
Relaxed Italian dining spot in a shopping mall with Italian entrees, pizza, wine & craft beer.
Locally roasted, non-GMO, top 1% coffee beans, espresso, Lattés, Smoothies, Kratom, Kava. Live music, local art and awesome customers!
Welcome to Hawksnest Tubing Park, the largest snow tubing park on the East Coast! Enjoy our 30 Lane Snow Tubing Park with four different areas to snow tube and lanes from 400 – 1000 feet long. We have 2 conveyor lifts to bring you back to the top! Hawksnest has 100% snow making and lighting on all lanes to provide the best possible conditions and fun for the whole family.
Over 4 miles of ziplines and 20 cable runs, heights over 200 feet. Open year round and one of the longest ziplines in the U.S. Reservations recommended. Buy tickets on line.
For over three decades this establishment at the cross roads of state routes 105 & 184 has welcomed locals, visitors, newcomers, and students alike…and all have been made to feel at home. Through over 120 passing seasons this gathering place has become as integral to the landscape as Grandfather Mountain itself.
We are proud to present a modern reimaging of this “High Country” tradition: “Highlander’s Grill & Tavern!” Whether you hail from the coast, the mountains, the north, the south, the east or the west, no matter who you are or where you are from…. When You Are Here You Are A Highlander!
Laid-back fixture with locally sourced, hickory-smoked BBQ dishes, plus regional wines & microbrews. The Pedalin’ Pig opened its Banner Elk location in 2014 bringing fresh gourmet flair to some smoky down south favorites. With an entrepreneur at the heart of the business, owner Ethan Anderson set his sights to the smokehouse on Highway 105 last spring. The concept was simple-combine gourmet ingredients with a splash of High Country style. The unique dining area is fit to sit 185 of your closest family, friends and sightseers. We offer cozy inside seating or enjoy the color of the season on our patio —and don’t worry, our parking lot has room for the party.
Reid’s Café is a labor of love from Tina Houston, owner of Reid’s Catering Co. which has been established here in the High Country since 1999. At the base of Grandfather Mountain, Reid’s is centrally located between Banner Elk, Linville, Foscoe, and all the gorgeous Grandfather communities. Just as we value beautiful ingredients in our catering, the café procures the highest quality of ingredients for their seasonal menus. We value the handmade and fashion from scratch details as small as the aioli and dressings we use, to housemade focaccia and pastries, slow roasted meats and naturally fermented pickles. We avoid industrially grown and processed foods.
We serve regional seafood, farm goods from our local friends, amazing coffee from Bald Guy Brew of , as well as loose leaf teas and tisane from Bellocq Tea Atelier, with rustic handmade French pastries. We have all the things you need for lunch, dinner and in between–soups made to order, carefully crafted sandwiches, homemade sides and light, elegant salads, grilled whole fish, oysters on the half shell and hand crafted cocktails. Toward evenings, our emphasis on natural wines, sustainable, traditional, and with minimum chemical additives, compliment the Chefs’ choice of cured meats and cheeses. We have handmade cocktails and beer, too! The vivacious heart of the cafe resides in Jerry Cantwell’s paintings — exemplary compositions with colorways that resound and subject matter that is uncannily, but joyously soothing.
Something for the whole family. Trout fishing, you only pay for what you catch, and there’s no license needed. Our trout pond is stocked to the brim, so your sure to catch one. Clean them yourself, or we can do it for you. We supply rod and reels, bait and towels, ice and bags, all at no extra charge. Also try your luck at the gem mine. You can use our flume with wooden screens to find your precious gems. It’s fascinating and fun. Hours of operation: Mon-Fri 11am-5pm and Sat-Sun 10am-5pm. Open Year Round
We are the proud new owners of Mountain Warriors UTV, a UTV Tour Guide company located in Elk Park on the 3 lane highway. We have redone the entire property to ensure a safe and fun ride for all participants.
We offer Polaris Razor 1000cc 4-seater vehicles to anyone looking to book a tour. These are state-of-the-art, top notch, best UTV anyone can ride.
Mountain Warriors UTV is a recreational UTV touring business located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, directly in between Sugar Mountain Resort, Beech Ski Mountain Resort, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Mountain Warrior UTV experience offers top of the line Polaris XP 1000 4-seater vehicles to the extreme thrill seekers visiting the beautiful Boone/Banner Elk areas. This is a journey like no other that brings you in touch with the Appalachian Mountains in the most intimate way possible!
Mountain Warriors UTV, provides customers with a tour experience lasting 1.5 hours with a guided scenic tour, while driving one of our state of the art Polaris Razor XP 1000 Sport 4-seaters. Reservations are booked by individual vehicles, and each vehicle can hold up to 4 people maximum.
If driving is not for you, or you have an extra family member that can not fit in your 4-seater vehicle, this is your solution! Each tour guide has 3 additional seats available as ride-alongs in their own Polaris Razor XP 1000 Sport 4-seater.
Celebrating 40 years in 2022 and one of the most established Fine Art Galleries in the High Country of Western North Carolina, Carlton Gallery features a spirited collection of Art Works in all media by local, regional, and national artists. Originally established as a small fiber studio in 1982, the gallery today presents an inspiring array of original artworks and exceptional gift ideas for visitors and collectors, including paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolor and mixed media, along with clay, jewelry, sculpture, wood, glass, wearable fiber and more. The gallery conveys a casually, elegant atmosphere with the spirit of the local community and summer residents. The gallery conducts Artists’ Receptions along with featured Exhibitions throughout the season. Workshops are instructed by standing gallery artists in oil, acrylic, watercolor, drawing, expressive – intuitive arts, and mixed media collage. These workshops include traditional and abstract landscapes, still life, figurative and visionary.
Gallery owner, Toni Carlton, extends a heartfelt appreciation to all the artists, literally hundreds, who have created, inspired and supported her vision to promote the work of local, regional, and national artists for 40 years. Their fine art and contemporary crafts have graced the walls, pedestals, jewelry cases and shelves of the gallery from the beginning of Carlton Gallery.
Whether you have a full day or a few hours, find a variety of things to do during your visit at Grandfather Mountain nature park – most included in your admission
Since 1883, the Mast General Store has been the center of the Valle Crucis community. Once carrying everything from cradles to caskets, it’s still packed with all you’d expect to find in an old-timey country store. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visit the nearby Mast Store Annex. Once a competing general store, it now features traditional clothing, trail and travel gear, and over 500 old-fashioned candies. Open daily.
Months of Operation:
Open year round.
Hours of Operation:
Original Store: Mon – Sat: 7 am – 6:30 pm; Sun: 12
noon – 6 pm; Annex: Mon – Sat: 10 am – 6 pm; Sun:
12 noon – 6 pm (Winter hours may vary slightly.)
Mast General Store is a Count On Me NC certified business.
Old Hampton Store, Barbeque & Tavern will open the Tavern with live music on Friday and Saturday from 3-9pm!
Music is scheduled from 5-8.
Menu fare includes homemade soups, small bites, and desserts.
Check the Old Hampton Store, Barbeque and Tavern Facebook page for updates!
Old Hampton Store, BBQ, and Tavern serving local craft beer in Linville, North Carolina. Highlighting local folk art and pottery in the gallery next door.
We offer lunch and dinner and specialize in hickory smoked barbeque.We also have for sale local, artisan goods, pottery, and folk art, and more.
Avery County’s largest annual event. A Scottish festival held on the 2nd full weekend of July, this gathering of Scottish clans is among the most colorful events in America. Athletics, highland dancing, massed bands, sheep herding, genealogy & Celtic bands.
We will constantly strive to be the premier Scottish Highland games and gathering of Clans, Guests, Families, Sponsors, Patrons and Visitors. We will work diligently to be the model games of integrity and excellence for all.
The Italian style of cooking is simply great food to be enjoyed and shared with family and friends. Our name, The Italian Restaurant, is simple and that is as it should be. We believe in fresh, premium ingredients prepared with great care to ensure”simple, great food.” We offer savory, tasty appetizers, perfectly cooked pastas and hearty specialty dinners. All menu items are made with the very best products available. Sauces are prepared fresh daily in our kitchen. Traditional Italian pizzas and calzones top the list of favorites. Beer and wine available with your order. Party trays and carry-out are available. So, whether you dine in our restaurant or in your home, it can be said that “simply great food” is to be found in the mountains of North Carolina at the Italian Restaurant. Enjoy! Family owned and operated Celebrating 26 Years 1995-202
We believe in creating an experience like no other you have had before. This is not your typical horse lessons, or trail riding company…we are friendly, personable, and strive to give you an enjoyable and safe equine experience. Whether you are a beginner, or a seasoned rider – we would enjoy creating an experience based on your skill and comfort level
Located at the southern gateway to western NC’s High Country region, Linville Caverns is an ideal destination for visitors of all ages. The beauty of our mountains is echoed within Humpback Mountain and visitors are invited to explore the splendor and wonders nature created ”inside a mountain”.
For centuries, the marvels of Linville Caverns were unknown to man. In the early 1800’s a fishing expedition headed by Henry E. Colton, of eastern NC, were astounded to see fish swimming in and out of what appeared to be rather solid rock. A small opening in the mountainous terrain allowed them to enter the subterranean recess that is still home to native trout in an underground stream.
Linville Caverns was opened for public touring in 1937. Since that time many upgrades to the pathways and lighting system have enhanced the safe touring experience that now exists. Courteous and experienced guides take you into the subterranean world, giving you the history of the caverns and allowing you to view the grand work of nature. We invite you to visit often and experience the beauty of these age-old mountains from the inside!