Things To Do

Our goal is to help you escape, unwind and indulge. So, go ahead … choose your adventure. All of our vacation rentals in the Blue Ridge Mountains are just a short drive to some of the region’s top destinations. Here’s a short sampling of a few things you can do:

Limitless Recreation

Activities flourish year-round including hiking, biking, rafting, tubing, horseback riding, antiquing, fine art festivals, art galleries, gem mining and more.

Skiing

Enjoy the skiing at one of two mountain resorts – Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain – in the high country of the quaint mountain town of Banner Elk. At the end of the day, enjoy a hot toddy in one of our NC cabin rentals.

Hiking

Hike to see some epic views of Linville Gorge Falls. The Linville Falls Trail is about two miles and it’s easily one of North Carolina's best waterfall hikes. Our Linville rentals are just a few miles away.

Boating

Rent a boat on beautiful Lake James. Nestled in the rolling hill country at the base of Linville Gorge is Lake James, a stunning lake with more than 150 miles of shoreline. After a day on the water, kick back at one of our Lake James State Park cabins.

Parkway

Hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are miles and miles to discover with breathtaking mountain vistas at just about every turn. Or just take a drive. It’s one of America’s favorite driving experiences.

National Parks

Explore the Pisgah National Forest. Our Pisgah cabins serve as the ideal home base. The Pisgah National Forest is a land of mile-high peaks. It’s made up of more than 500,000 acres and is primarily a hardwood forest with whitewater rivers, waterfalls and hundreds of miles of trails.

Caverns

Experience Linville Caverns. It’s a hidden wonder. See amazing stalactite and stalagmite formations, an underground stream with native trout and stand over the bottomless pool. It’s fun for all ages.

Biking

Hit the trails on your mountain bike. The Linville Gorge Area offers some of the most strenuous mountain biking anywhere in the east, with a variety of routes ranging from 8.2 miles to 49 miles and some incredible scenery along the way.

Fishing

Wade in the water. Fly fishing is a great way to explore the back country. You’ll find an abundance of rainbow, brook and brown trout in the many nearby rivers and creeks.

Festivals

Take in some top-notch summer theatre. An Appalachian Summer Festival brings together top dance, theatre, film and visual art performers. The festival has grown from a regional event to one of national recognition.

Music

Listen to big city music in the high country. Music festivals abound. The FORUM at Lees-Mcrae College is just one place that visitors can enjoy world-class performances.

Spas

Spoil yourself at one of the areas welcoming spas or take a yoga class to unwind. You’ll be melting away in pure bliss in no time.

College Football

Watch a fall football game at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. The crisp mountain air in the high country just adds to the ambiance when you cheer on the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

Highland Games

Check out the Highland Games at Grandfather Mountain. This gathering of the Scottish clans includes dance competitions, piping and drumming, sheep herding, music in the groves, a Parade of Tartans and much more. We have some of the best cabin rentals near Grandfather Mountain.

Wooly Worm Festival

Attend the world famous Wooly Worm Festival in beautiful downtown Banner Elk. There are worm races, crafts, foods and rides. The High Country has hosted this fun event for more than 40 years. It takes place in the fall and is a great way to kick off the holiday season.

Antiquing

Go antiquing in Blowing Rock and bring your treasured finds back to your cozy cabin rental in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains.

Food

After you’ve worked up an appetite, explore any one of the numerous casual eateries and fine dining restaurants in the area. The Linville Gorge Falls area has many charming places to dine or you can always visit one of our local markets and cook up a delicious meal in one of our Linville Falls cabin rentals.

Golf at Mountain Glen

The layout follows the native terrain, creating the perfect combination between challenging golf and unforgettable views. The distinctly different nines will test every aspect of a player’s game, while all 18 holes reward accuracy.

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Fishing

The Linville Gorge area boasts some of North Carolina's best inland fishing opportunities. Our hatchery supported water ways are rich with trout and bass. Getting your permit is easy, just click below for details...

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Hiking

WNC is known for its beautiful scenery. The Linville Gorge Wilderness is the third largest wilderness area in North Carolina, one of only two wilderness gorges in the Southern United States, and it is yours to explore.

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High Country Happenings

Avery County, created in 1911, is nestled in the majesty of the Appalachian Mountains, the oldest mountain chain in the world! Avery County also has the highest elevation of any county seat located east of the Rocky Mountains, reaching 5500 feet above sea level. Newland, the County Seat, is 3621 feet above sea level, making it the highest county seat in the Eastern US.

Recreational opportunities abound in Avery County, with numerous lakes, rivers and waterfalls, all testaments to the beauty and splendor of nature. Approximately half the county lies within the Pisgah National Forest, making it ideally suited for hiking, camping, fishing and hunting. We are the home of Grandfather Mountain and the “Mile-high Swinging Bridge.” If sports are more to your liking, there are several golf courses for your warm weather enjoyment, and Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain ski resorts for cold weather fun.

The Town of Banner Elk and its surrounding areas offer a quality of life that is sought by many folks today; a beautiful mountain retreat away from the busy crowds where one can still have access to the finer conveniences found in larger metropolitan areas. This beautiful Avery County setting is surrounded by some of the highest mountains east of the Rockies including Grandfather Mountain and Beech Mountain. The Blue Ridge Parkway traverses the county just six miles from town. Banner Elk is home to Lees McRae College and features a lively arts and crafts cultural scene, complete with an intimate pedestrian shopping district of upscale boutiques and outstanding restaurants, several of which are regularly featured in national travel and food magazines.

This area offers a wonderful year-round climate, with four distinct seasons. Spring blossoms beautifully with rhododendron and mountain laurel. Summer features sunny days for outdoor activities and cool evenings for relaxation. Fall bursts forth in a palette of brilliant colors while Winter provides skiing and cozy nights by the fireside. The higher elevations of this region make for cooler summer temperatures. In fact, Avery County’s seat, the Town of Newland, and neighboring Beech Mountain are the highest county seat and incorporated town, respectively, in the eastern United States. Don’t be fooled by other mountain towns that claim cool summers but have lower elevations. If you are looking for cooler summer temperatures, you can’t do any better than the High Country.

The Town of Boone is a university town in Watauga County, atop the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and serves as the county seat and market town. Boone acquires its name from the famous pioneer and explorer Daniel Boone, who on several occasions camped at a site generally agreed to be within the present city limits.

The town  was incorporated in 1872 and its current population is 17,751. Boone has the highest elevation (3,300 feet) of any town of its size (over 10,000 population) east of the Mississippi River. During summer, high temperatures in Boone are typically 76°F or below, noticeably cooler than the lowland areas to the east and south. Summers are also considerably cooler than most parts of the Carolinas. Winters are colder with sleet and snowfall common.

Located off the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, Boone offers its residents and visitors a four-season playground for sports and outdoor activities. Boone is recognized by travel journalists as an “ultimate outdoor adventure destination” in the Southeast.

For additional attractions and information, visit :

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Come Stay with Us in One of Our Comfortable, Well Appointed North Carolina Cottage/Cabin Rentals

So, as you can see the options are really limitless. No matter what you choose to do, we hope you’ll decide to make your home base with us. We just know that you’ll love what our Continental Divide Cottages have to offer. We look forward to helping you create some wonderful mountain memories.

Let the adventure begin!

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