HIGH COUNTRY ATTRACTIONS [Performing Arts - Cultural Resources]


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Attractions and Amusements

You’ll find exciting attractions in Boone and all around the High Country. The region is the home of several "firsts": North Carolina’s original family theme park Tweetsie Railroad, the state's very first golf course, Linville Golf Club, the state’s oldest travel attraction The Blowing Rock, the state’s only public caverns Linville Caverns, the nation's oldest Revolutionary War drama Horn in the West, and the world’s first privately-owned biosphere reserve Grandfather Mountain.

The High Country boasts some of the best in music, dance, theatre and the arts, too. From world-renown guitarist and seven-time Grammy winner, Doc Watson, to the Moscow Festival Ballet to Broadway-quality productions, premier entertainment is always available.

The Blowing Rock
432 Rock Road
P.O. Box 145
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 295-7111
(828) 295-4007
Contact: Sara Golini;
E-mail: info@theblowingrock.com
www.theblowingrock.com
North Carolina's Oldest Travel Attraction. Beautiful Short Scenic Walk With a Garden Waterfall, Gardens, Observation Tower and Unique Gift Shops. Open daily March-December and Open Weekends January and February, Weather Permitting.

The Children's Playhouse
400 Tracy Circle
Boone, NC 28607-3846
(828) 263-0011
Contact: Kathy Parham, Executive Director
E-mail: kathy@goplayhouse.org
www.goplayhouse.org
Non-Profit children's museum, art center, and play space. Enjoy rain or shine fun with climbing wall, vet clinic, art room, & more. $5/person.

Country Retreat Family Billards & Grill
9021 Hwy. 105 South
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 963-6260
(828) 963-6260
Contact: Chris Aldridge, Owner-Manager;
E-mail: piblettwo@skybest.com
Family Oriented Restaurant and Award Winning Upscale Billiard Room. Non-Smoking & Non-Alcohol.

Dutch Creek Trails
3287 Hwy. 194 South
Sugar Grove, NC 28679-9283
(828) 297-7117
(828) 297-1708
Contact: Keith Ward, Owner
E-mail: dutchcreektrails@lycos.com
www.dutchcreektrails.com
Guided Horseback Rides. 1 hour/2 hour Trail Rides. Special treat of Cowboy Poetry. Enjoy your Birthday Party or Family Gathering here. Open Monday-Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Ecos of the Blue Ridge
Birdwatching and Bird Walks
Contact: Curtis Smalling
(828) 265-0198
E-mail: csmalling@audubon.org

Foggy Mountain Gem Mine
3452 U.S. Hwy 321 South
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 265-3099
Contact: Dana G. Morace;
E-mail: emerald@boone.net
Gem Mining, Stone Cutting, Fine Jewelry.

Foscoe Fishing Company & Outfitters
9400 NC Hwy 105 South
Banner Elk, NC 28604-8646
(828) 963-6556
(828) 963-6569 (fax)
Contact: Scott Farfone, Proprietor/Professional Orvis Guide
E-mail: info@ncorvisguide.com
www.foscoefishing.com
Full line Fly Shop, outdoor clothing and gear. Offering guided wade and float trips, fly fishing classes, fly fishing school, and an Orvis endorsed outfitter. State authorized to sell fishing & hunting licenses and assist the state in stocking the hatchery supported streams in and around Boone. Let us show you the many wonderful locations to fish in our area!

Fun 'N Wheels
2788 Highway 105 South
P.O. Box 3456
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 262-3780
(828) 264-2277
(828) 262-0499
High Country's Action Center for Family Fun! NASCAR and Formula "K" Go Cart Rides, Amazing Gyro, "Krazy Kars", the Goodliest Game Room and Kiddie Ferris Wheel. Full-time Supervision by Trained Staff. Open Until 10:30 pm Daily. Seasonal.

Grandfather Mountain, Inc.
2050 Blowing Rock Highway
P.O. Box 129
Linville, NC 28646
(828) 733-2013
(828) 733-2608
Contact: Teresa Cody;
E-mail: nature@grandfather.com
www.grandfather.com
"Carolina's Top Scenic Attraction" Featuring Mile High Swinging Bridge, Animals, Museum, Restaurant and More.

Grandfather Trout Farm
10767 Hwy. 105 So.
Banner Elk, NC 28604-8657
(828) 963-5098
Contact: Bill Wilkinson, Owner;
E-mail: info@grandfathertroutfarm.com
www.grandfathertroutfarm.com
Trout Fishing at its best! You pay only for what you catch and there's no license needed. The trout pond is stocked to the brim, so you're sure to catch one. Clean them yourself, or the staff can do it for you, packing your catch on ice and you'll be ready for a fresh mountain trout dinner. Have your trout smoked and be ready for a picnic. Grandfather Trout Pond supplies the rods and reels, bait, towels, ice, and bags. Let your kids catch their first fish and bring your camera or use the courtesy camera on-site... also on-site are a Gem Mining facility and a Putt-Putt course.
Open Year Round!

Greater Foscoe Mining Company
Highway 105 South
Foscoe, North Carolina
828-963-5928
http://facetsoffoscoe.com/
Located about 8 miles from Boone on N.C. 105, the Greater Foscoe Mining Company features daily mining from 9am until 6pm. We offer great fun for the entire family! You'll find Emeralds, Sapphires, Rubies, Topaz, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Green Tourmaline and tons more. We offer Gem Cutting on the premises.

Horn in the West/Hickory Ridge Homestead
591 Horn in the West Drive
P.O. Box 295
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-2120
(828) 264-9089
(828) 264-4529
E-mail: horninthewest@hcnc.net
www.horninthewest.com
Outdoor Historical Drama & 18th Century Living History.

J & B Trout Lake
Crumpler, NC
336-982-4447
Email: jbtroutlake@hotmail.com
www.jbtroutlake.com
J&B Trout Lake will supply everything you need to fish, and customers only pay for what they catch. Individuals are welcome as well as school, civic and church groups. No license required and there is no limit on catch. And if you need a lesson, whether it be for beginners or just trying to remember the old steps, our expert and owner Blair Barber, accompanied by his staff, will be glad to help in either area. We are located near the Shatley Springs Inn restaurant in Crumpler, North Carolina.

Lees-McRae Summer Theatre
P.O. Box 128
Banner Elk, N.C. 28657
(828) 898-8721
(828) 898-8709 Box Office
Contact: Pam Joslin
Email: joslinp@lmc.edu
www.lmc.edu
Lees-McRae Summer Theatre in Banner Elk plans a season filled with music and memories for the whole family.

Linville Caverns
19929 Highway 221 North
P.O. Box 567
Marion, NC 28752
(800) 419-0540
(828) 756-4171
(419) 818-7836
Contact: Ms. Sarah Davis, President;
E-mail: cavetwin@wnclink.com
www.linvillecaverns.com
N.C.'s Only Caverns. Your Only Chance to See Inside a Mountain. Very Reasonable Rates. Outstanding Gift Shop. Open Daily March Through November. Weekends Only, Dec., Jan., and Feb.

Magic Mountain Mini Golf & Gem Mine
1655 Highway 105
P.O. Box 2745
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-6959
(828) 963-7016
Contact: Mr. Jerry Garlock, Partner
Challenging Miniature 18-Hole Golf Course for the Family. Latest Video Games and Fun. Restaurant, Gem Mine, Gift Shop in Park Type Atmosphere.

Mariam and Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center
P.O. Box 2170
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 295-0112
(828) 295-0113
Contact: Jeff Clark, Executive Director;
E-mail: execdir@brcac.org
www.brcac.org
Adjacent to US 321 Bypass in Blowing Rock, a 25,500 Square Foot Facility that will benefit the entire community by providing a permanent home for a multitude of arts groups In a facility in which to host live theatre, dance groups, a variety of musical performances, visual arts displays, and children's theater workshops. In addition, it will offer a gathering place for civic and cultural activities as well as a resource for local commercial interests.

Moretz's Mountain Orchard
2820 Big Hill Road
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-3424
Contact: Bill Moretz, Owner
www.wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org
Fruit, Produce, Honey Grower

Mystery Hill
129 Mystery Hill Lane
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 264-2792
(828) 263-0507
(828) 262-3292
Contact: Mr. Wayne Underwood, Owner;
E-mail: info@mysteryhill-nc.com
www.mysteryhill-nc.com
Area Attraction that defies gravity!

Orchard at Altapass
1025 Orchard Road (Spruce Pine)
P.O. Box 245
Little Switzerland, NC 28749
(828) 765-9531
(828) 765-1668
(828) 766-9455
Contact: Bill and Judy Carson, Owners;
E-mail: carsonw@bellsouth.net
www.altapassorchard.com
Historic Apple Orchard on the Blue Ridge Parkway Offering a Large Selection of Family Activities, June - Oct. 7 days 10-6

River Girl Fishing Co./New River Adventures, LLC
4041 Railroad Grade Rd.
Todd, NC 28684
Telephone: (336) 877-3099
rivergirl24@skybest.com
www.rivergirlfishing.com
Fly Fishing Supplies, Lessons and Guiding, Bait and Tackle for Conventional Fishing, Fishing/Hunting Licenses, Fishing Kayak and Pontoon Rentals, Kayak, Canoe, Tube and Bicycle Rentals (Daily or Weekly). Come on down to the old Train Depot in Todd and Let's Go Fishin' on the Oldest River in North America!

Rock Dimensions Climbing Guides
131-B S. Depot St.
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 265-3544
(888) 595-6009
Contact: Ryan Beasley, Owner; E-mail: info@rockdimensions.com
www.rockdimensions.com
North Carolina rock climbing guides and instructors. Climbing and rappelling in the NC Mountains; Caving/Spelunking in Virginia and Tennessee. Fun adventures for families, friends, groups, and individuals looking for specialized guiding and instruction. Outdoor climbing tower at Footsloggers Outfitters Store in downtown Boone, NC.

Todd Community Preservation Organization
P.O. Box 234
Todd, NC 28684
(828) 264-7727
(603) 687-6845
Contact: Denny Norris;
E-mail: norrisd@goboone.net
Non-profit Organization/Preserving the Todd Community. Todd General Store.

Todd General Store
9636 Hwy. 194 North
Todd, NC 28684
(336) 877-1067
Historic General Store. General Merchandise, Antiques, Crafts, Deli, Music.

Tweetsie Railroad
Highway 321
300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 264-9061
(800) 526-5740
(828) 264-2234
Contact: Ms. Cathy Robbins, Marketing Director;
E-mail: cathyr@tweetsie.com
www.tweetsie.com
Tweetsie Railroad is a Wild West theme park featuring a 3-mile train ride on an authentic steam engine, known as Tweetsie. Enjoy live entertainment throughout the park, crafts, rides, a Deer Park, panning for gold, and shopping. Open Friday through Sunday beginning May 1-May 21. Open 7 days a week May 22-August 23, and weekends (Fri.-Sun.) late August, September, & October. Operating hours are 9am to 6pm. Ghost Train Halloween Festival runs Friday, Saturday evenings in October.

 


Biking The Country Roads of Watauga With Ole Gade and Roni Ellis

Celebrate July 4th in Downtown Boone

Kids' and Teens' Climbing Adventure Camps

2009 Homes and Gardens Tour

America's Grandest: Grandfather Mountain Highland Games July 9-12

US 321 Construction Hours

Frugal Fun in the High Country

Penn Dameron Named Executive Director of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation

June 16 Birthday Party at Grandfather Mountain's Animal Habitats

Valle Arts Benefit Scheduled for June 20

Dowdy Becomes ASU-Record Fourth MLB Draftee

Hiking and Camping in Linville Gorge

Day Trips in the High Country

Music at St. John's: 2009 Summer Concerts

Barn Quilt Trail Featured in Wall Street Journal

Download the new Blue Ridge National Heritage Area brochure

John Smith Miller House added to the National Register of Historic Places

Five ASU Softball Student-Athletes Named Who's Who Among Students

Openings (and closings) of Parkway campgrounds and visitor centers

Mast Farm Inn offers special ASU Parent rates

''Goodbye Solo'' opens March 27 in Manhattan

Virginia Big-Eared Bat Count Conducted on Grandfather

Historical Perspectives - Our Community in 1790

Celebrating Romance In The Heart Of The High Country

Grandfather Mountain's Mile High Swinging Bridge on January 12

The Lodge Look - Search for Log Cabin Accommodations Here

New Mile High Bridge Plank on Grandfather's Swinging Bridge

Celebrate! Blowing Rock's Winterfest Chases Away Winter Blues

Ski Patrollers Receive Highest National Awards

Mountaineer star quarterback Armanti Edwards wins 2008 Walter Payton award

Mountaineers picked as one of the ''Top Ten Sexiest Teams in College Football'' for 2008

Sugarfest snowball-eating contest winners

Special Event Line-Up At Sugar Mountain Resort For The 2008-2009 Winter Season

Boone Is Named One of Four North American Adventure Destinations

Peregrine Falcons Raising Chicks at Grandfather Mountain

Continue Your Exercise Routine in Good Form at Local Fitness Outlets

Willis Breaks Grizzly Record

Rains Clouds Subside for Another Successful Bear Run

Highland Games Serve Up a Taste of Haggis

Road closure schedules

Grandfather's Naturalist Program

Grandfather Mountain Top Shop Demolition Begins

ASU Tabbed As One of Nation's Top Athletics Departments

Eco-tourism Blossoms During Spring in the High Country

Parkway Craft Center Opening for the Season

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail

ASU biology professor is the official ''Fall Color Guy''

The Washington Post calls Boone ''Santa's Branch Office''

Wonderful Weekdays at the Orchard

Southeast Tourism Society Adds Two High Country Events to Top 20

Hickory Ridge Homestead – Putting a Face on History

Legends of the Brown Mountain Lights

Boone & Blowing Rock make the grade, cited among America’s best small towns

There's Art in the Heart of Boone

Golf News from North Carolina's High Country

Grandfather Mountain Announces Changes Regarding Sales of Hiking Permits

Fame for the Wily Woolly Worm