Things to Do

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469.1 miles (755 km) through the famous Blue Ridge Mountains, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains. Land on either side of the road is maintained by the National Park Service, and in some stretches by the United States Forest Service.

Grandfather Mountain is a scenic travel destination, a globally recognized nature preserve, and the highest peak in the Blue Ridge mountains (elv. 5,946 feet). The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation that operates the park. The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain. All proceeds from sales of tickets and souvenirs go toward caring for and presenting Grandfather Mountain in a manner that inspires good stewardship in others. Click here to see our most recent annual report.

The Original Mast General Store opened in 1883 in the rural community of Valle Crucis, North Carolina. Storekeepers tried to have everything the community needed… from cradles to caskets. Downtowns in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, the same friendly and knowledgeable service that welcomed neighbors in Valle Crucis can be found in all of our communities. As a general store, Mast Store offers a variety of goods from fashion to fried chicken cookbooks and toffee to tents. Our employees are knowledgeable, experienced, and excited about the products we carry and many have crossover interests in several departments. They are happy to provide advice on outdoor gear, fashion accessories, and even cooking tips. The experience that our guests have both in our stores and in our communities is very important to us. As ambassadors, we want to share some of our favorite places to hike, enjoy a meal, or catch some live music. We have fun at work, and we want to share it with our customers and guests.

From the unmatched, far-reaching views along the Blue Ridge Parkway, to the quaint storybook mountain village, Blowing Rock, North Carolina is truly deserving of the title: "Crown of the Blue Ridge." Here you'll find popular family attractions including Tweetsie Railroad and The Blowing Rock, a plethora of unique downtown shops and outlets, and outdoor adventure ranging from hiking and biking to spelunking and bouldering. It's a venue for adventure, but also a place for ultimate relaxation. Indulge in a spa treatment, sample scrumptious vittles at our award-winning restaurants, or enjoy the hospitality at our local inns, bed and breakfasts, resorts, cabins or hotels.

The surrounding area offers many different outdoor activities and attractions including: Fishing, Hiking, Cycling, Skiing, Kayaking, and etc.

There are over 50 independent restaurants in our area - something for everyone to enjoy!

Linville Falls is a beautiful series of dramatic waterfalls that drop into a deep gorge, accessed by a trail lined with rare virgin stands of white pine and hemlock. The area around the Falls is one of the few places in these mountains where the rosebay, Catawba, and Carolina rhododendron grow side by side.

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, preserves the country estate of Moses Cone, a prosperous textile entrepreneur, conservationist and philanthropist of the Gilded Age. In 1901, Cone built Flat Top Manor, the gleaming white 20-room mansion in the grand Colonial Revival style. The Manor is now the home of the Parkway Craft Center, one of five shops of the Southern Highland Craft Guild which features handmade crafts by hundreds of regional artists. Turned bowls, ceramic tableware, woven garments, and more handmade crafts are displayed throughout the first floor in different rooms. Come enjoy our seasonal craft demonstrations on the front porch while soaking up the views.

Relax and unwind at one of the three wineries in the area.

Appalachian State University, in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The transformational Appalachian experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and embrace diversity and difference. As one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina system, Appalachian enrolls about 19,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.