Our region boasts a wealth of activities throughout the year, and many of the finest attractions in the Blue Ridge mountains. Here's a list with some of our favorite things to see and do:

The Avery County Chamber of Commerce calls this area “The Balcony of the Blue Ridge.” That’s because visitors and residents see the changes of nature unfold magnificently throughout the year. Spring brings the opportunity to enjoy arts and crafts festivals, trout fishing and bird watching, with hundreds of species of birds arriving through May. Summer comes with opportunities for hiking, exploring Linville Caverns, fishing, horseback riding or going on day trips that include shopping and dining. Always wanted to learn how to fish? Instructors have a school nearby. In the fall, leaf looking is popular, but it’s not your only option. And even in winter, there are gatherings of bluegrass musicians and a snowman building contest, along with ski and snowboarding specials.

We’re close to the towns of Boone (named for the famous frontiersman, Daniel Boone), Blowing Rock, and Banner Elk. Asheville is about an hour's drive south of the Inn, with its well-known arts scene and the famous Biltmore Estate. From the Inn’s central location you can plan a vacation as sophisticated or as relaxed as you like. Here are just a few of the local attractions:

The Blue Ridge Parkway through North Carolina is renowned for its mountain elevations and rugged beauty. Parkway attractions near The Inn include The Moses Cone and Julian Price Memorial Parks, which comprise the largest developed area along the Parkway. They offer a wide variety of recreational activities, including miles of hiking and horse trails, boating and fishing, camping and picnic areas, mountain handicraft demonstrations, guided walks and evening campfire programs.

Grandfather Mountain: The highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountain range (elev. 5,964 ft) is a scenic attraction and an internationally recognized nature preserve. The mountain features the Mile High Swinging Bridge, native wildlife, a Nature Museum and Naturalist Programs, picnicking, a restaurant and gift shop, and more than 12 miles of hiking trails. Grandfather Mountain is located on Highway 221 two miles north of Linville, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 305).

Linville Falls is a beautiful 120-foot waterfall, in a series of dramatic falls that drop to a deep gorge. It is accessed by a wooded trail where Carolina Rhododendron grows wild. There is a campground and picnic area, along with various trails and a visitor center. The road to the Linville Falls Recreation Area is accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 316.5.

The Blowing Rock Stage Company presents professional theatre productions including drama, music and comedy, with a host of shows from June through September, and holiday performances at the Blowing Rock Arts Center.

The Appalachian Cultural Museum in Boone highlights the natural and cultural heritage of mountain people through displays, educational programs and special events. The museum is a great place to learn about the rich traditions of the region. Exhibits include mountain music, the craft of storytelling, and more.

Music & Art: Enjoy singing on the Mountain (fourth Sunday in June) and the Highland Games (second full weekend in July), both at MacRae Meadows at the base of Grandfather Mountain. The Avery County Chamber of Commerce also sponsors two art festivals in Banner Elk each July and August.

The Penland School of Crafts schedules a number of public events, including an annual benefit auction in August, a kids’ camp, a wood auction and community showcase. Penland also has an art gallery open March through mid-December, except for Mondays.

Appalachian State University sponsors a music and arts festival each summer that earns rave reviews. The Appalachian Summer Festival is a multi- and inter-disciplinary arts festival presenting and producing programs in music, theatre, dance, and visual arts.

Roughing It: The wilderness of the Linville Gorge is rich in both plant and animal life, with species of rare plants and plentiful wild animals. Hikers should also be wary of copperheads and timber rattlers. Hunting and fishing are allowed but permits are required. The Linville Falls Visitor Center is open April 15 - November 1, from 9AM-5PM. The center is well stocked with maps, and the rangers are a great source of "inside" information about the gorge.

Can you canoe? Wilson Creek is part of the Grandfather District of the Pisgah National Forest. Looking at a map, the area is just south of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Grandfather Mountain and east of NC 181, north of Morganton. Wilson Creek was added to the National Wild and Scenic River System in 2000. Activities here include hiking, car camping, and backpacking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, tubing and swimming.