Grandfather Mountain

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.

Welcome to the Orchard at Altapass, one of the most visited locations on the Blue Ridge Parkway. For the last quarter century, we have diligently worked to ”save the good stuff”—the regional traditions, culture, and the land on which all was built. We’re accomplishing that by propagating the best apples possible (with the least amount of chemicals) and hosting activities for all ages that educate and entertain.

We invite you to come for a visit. Bring your dancing shoes. There’s room on the floor for all. And your walking shoes. You don’t want to leave without a walk through the apple ”forest.” Bring your appetites for the apple pie alamode and Apple Core Grill delights. Pick your own apples or purchase them in our General Store (in season). Return to a simpler time for an hour or an afternoon at the family- (and pet-) friendly Orchard At Altapass.

The mission of the Altapass Foundation, Inc. is to preserve the history, heritage and culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains; protect the underlying orchard land with its apples, wetlands, butterflies, and other natural features; and educate the public about the Appalachian experience. Altapass Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public non-profit and depends on the generosity of donors to fund programs that support this mission.

While you’re visiting us, take a beautiful and relaxing hike through our many Orchard Trails and unwind!

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.

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.

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.

Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing is a great alternative for those feeling a bit crowded at Sugar Mountain Resort or Hawksnest located in Banner Elk, North Carolina.

At Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing, jump on a specially made inner tube for an exhilarating ride, hop on the conveyor belt to the top and do it again and again and again! Snow tubing in North Carolina can be an exciting winter activity for you and the whole family. And remember: we have snow guns! Even if it looks like no snow where you are, chances are we have it here in the cold mountain air!

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.