Attractions Near Beech Mountain NC
November 10, 2016
Beech Mountain
While enjoying the peacefulness of mile-high Beech Mountain accommodations and views on your family vacation, you’re never far from a variety of mountain activities, all of which are within a 35-minute drive from Beech Mountain:
Grandfather Mountain
— A popular tourist attraction with a nature center, animal habitats, hiking trails, gift shops and the famous Mile-High Swinging Bridge.
The views are ancient. The experiences are all brand new.
Anyone who visits Grandfather Mountain discovers a place that inspires awe through natural wonders. You’ll never experience the same mountain twice: today you might come face-to-face with an owl, another day you may see rare wildflowers in bloom. Just talk to one of our naturalists to understand more about these living treasures and learn where to find them. There’s nowhere else on Earth that you can enjoy such a variety of mountain life in one amazing place.
Visit Grandfather Mountain Website
Tweetsie Railroad
— Western North Carolina’s historic wild-west family theme park!
Visit Tweetsie Railroad Website
Blue Ridge Parkway
— 469 scenic miles of America’s Favorite Drive!
Outstanding scenery and recreational opportunities make the Blue Ridge Parkway one of the most visited sections of the National Park System.
Split-rail fences, old farmsteads, mountain meadows and scenic overlooks with endless vistas make the Blue Ridge Parkway a popular attraction.
The Parkway incorporates numerous campgrounds, picnic areas and trails.
Named “America’s Favorite Drive,” the Parkway offers:
– 469 miles connecting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia
– Stunning views, abundant hiking trails, picnic areas, campsites, and interpretative exhibits
– Ample recreational opportunities for all ages and abilities
– Natural beauty featuring one of the world’s most diverse display of flora and fauna
Visit Blue Ridge Parkway Website
Linville Caverns
— North Carolina’s only cavern attraction that’s open to the public!
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”.
Visit Linville Caverns Website
Linville Gorge
— Hike and explore the deepest chasm east of the Grand Canyon!
The Linville Gorge Wilderness, in the mountains of Western North Carolina, is part of the Pisgah National Forest. The gorge is formed by the Jonas Ridge on the east and Linville Mountain on the west and is bisected by the Linville River which drops 2,000 feet into the valleys below. The terrain is steep and rugged with numerous rock formations. It is covered by dense hardwood/pine forest and a wide variety of smaller trees and other plants.
Mystery Hill
— Bend the law of gravity in this mind-blowing attraction!
Mystery Hill has been amazing visitors since 1948 with a fun and educational tour that explores the natural gravitational anomaly where objects held in midair take more force to move in one direction than they do the other along with an amazing collection of optical illusions that make you question the phrase “Seeing is Believing“! Entertaining for all ages – Plan your visit today and prepare to be amazed.
Penland School of Crafts
— The center for crafts education in the Blue Ridge Mountains!
Penland School of Crafts
is an international center for craft education dedicated to helping people live creative lives. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Penland offers one-, two-, and eight-week workshops in books and paper, clay, drawing, glass, iron, metals, photography, printmaking and letterpress, textiles, and wood. The school also offers artists’ residencies, community collaboration programs, and a gallery and information center.
Visit Penland School of Crafts Website
Blue Ridge Music Trails
— Find the best venues to hear bluegrass, old-time and traditional mountain music in Western North Carolina.
Traditional music is flourishing across many parts of America, but in the mountains and foothills of North Carolina, more so than elsewhere, the music is part of the fabric of community life.
If you look around, you’ll find:
– Fiddles and banjos ringing on stages and front porches every night of the week
– Music halls where local musicians and music lovers gather to swap tunes and stories
– Teams of cloggers, young and old, dancing up a storm
– Ballads being sung as they were hundreds of years ago
Visit Blue Ridge Music Trails Website
And be sure to check out all the great area options for dining and shopping. Shoppers will find plenty to explore in the 35 stores of Tanger Outlet Center Shoppes on the Parkway in Blowing Rock, Boone Mall, the historic Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, and the fine shopping districts located in the neighboring towns of Boone, Banner Elk and Blowing Rock.
Beech Mountain is also home to a variety of dining choices ranging from brick-oven pizza and freshly-cut steaks to Appalachian signature dishes and gourmet meals by candlelight. Nearby, you’ll find everything from French to fusion in upscale restaurants, bars and pubs located throughout the surrounding High Country.
For more info on exploring Western North Carolina attractions or planning your next family vacation in Beech Mountain, NC, contact the Beech Mountain Visitors Center at 800-468-5506.
Beech Mountain is located within the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. For more info on cultural, historical and artistic pursuits within the BRNHA, click the logo below …