Seven Devils Area

A 1.5-mile roundtrip hike takes you to the beautiful Crab Orchard Falls waterfall in Valle Crucis. While the trail is short, it has some steep sections and will give you a good workout. The trail is well-maintained, so it’s great for most fitness levels and kids! Generally, it takes about 45 minutes to complete, and you can take a dip in the pools at the Falls!

Grandfather Mountain & Linville Area

The profile trail was our first hike on Grandfather Mountain! It is a challenging, well-marked and designed 7.2 mile hike, without a doubt. But it’s an incredibly rewarding one, with amazing views of the mountain’s face-like outline at Profile View, ascending through a rocky, wildflower and hardwood-filled forest, and scrambling over a boulder-filled fir forest to exceptional views. The trail summits Calloway Peak, the highest mountain on the Grandfather ridge and typically takes us about 6 hours with a stop at the peak for lunch. We find this hike to be more beginner-friendly than the Daniel Boone trail.

Grandfather Mountain & Linville Area

Grandfather Mountain’s Daniel Boone trail is a 7 mile, exceptionally well-designed and built trail, making for a fun, though challenging, hike. Although the DBT has more viewpoints than the Profile trail, be prepared to climb a few ladders on the way up. This trail also summits at Calloway peak, and typically takes us 6 hours with a stop at the peak for lunch. For experienced hikers, this trail is definitely a must-do!

Seven Devils & Linville Area

We love this spot because the trek is less strenuous and suitable for all levels and kids. Round trip it is about 1.2 miles, and hiking boots or sturdy shoes are recommended. It is more popular than most other falls, so we would recommend going early and packing a lunch (and a towel if you’re getting in)!

Blowing Rock Area

Located right by downtown Blowing Rock, Bass Lake an extremely easy, scenic, 1 mile loop on a gravel path. This is a very popular area for birding, fishing, and running! Kyle would consider this more of a “walk”, rather than a hike, but is great for a quick workout for those staying in Blowing Rock! For a longer route, check out the “Bass Lake Trail” (1.9 miles).

Blowing Rock Area

Take the Boone Fork trail to Hebron Falls for a moderate hike with popular swimming spots along the way. This is a 3.1 mile out and back trail that takes about 1.5 hours to complete. At about a mile in though, the trail passes a really nice hang-out area with a couple of small waterfalls and some rock areas. Be sure to use the Boone Fork Parking Lot near the Julian Price Picnic Area!

Grandfather Mountain & Linville Area

Visiting Grandfather Mountain is a must-do for visitors of all ages and has the best 360º views in the area. Guests to the attraction pay an admission fee to drive through the park, where you can stop along the way at various activities, such as native wildlife exhibits, scenic overlooks, short hikes, and the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge that connects two peaks at one mile above sea level. Tickets are required and we recommend booking your visit 1-2 weeks in advance. It is a great option for those who want to see the mountain without hiking to the top!

Blowing Rock

The Blowing Rock is an immense cliff 4,000 feet above sea level, overhanging Johns River Gorge 3,000 feet below. A rather quick yet fascinating attraction, visit the grounds before heading downtown for lunch and shopping. Visible from “The Rock” down the gorge to the southwest are Hawksbill Mountain and Table Rock. To the west are Grandfather Mountain (the highest peak in the Blue Ridge chain) and Mount Mitchell (the highest peak east of the Mississippi).

Blowing Rock

Almost any time of year, the streets of Blowing Rock will be bustling with visitors from all over the U.S., enjoying the quaint shops, restaurants, galleries, and museums. Grace Ann’s personal favorite shops include Finley House Couture, Monkee's, and 100 West Union when shopping for Kyle. While you’re exploring, stop into Six Pence Pub or the Speckled Trout.

Banner Elk Area

Wilderness Run offers two exciting year-round attractions for all ages, The Alpine Coaster and the Adventure Course. The Alpine Coaster’s track’s length of 3,160 feet includes three circular loops, a series of waves, and several twists! The speed is controlled by the rider and there are no ‘upside-down’ loops, so it’s great for kids too. The Alpine Course is a multi-level obstacle and ropes adventure for those brave enough to take on the challenge. We recommend buying tickets a few days in advance to ensure availability!

Hampton, Tennessee

Area Almost every year, we make the trip to Watauga Lake and rent a boat for the day to swim and go tubing! Although located in Tennessee, it is only about an hour from the Blowing Rock area. The lake makes for a great group day trip for those getting in early, and boats will fit 8-10 people. Watauga is about an hour away, but worth the drive for the 360º views of the mountains from the lake. We recommend packing lunch and beverages with you, and renting boats from Fish Springs Marina at least 4 weeks in advance as space books quickly!

Grandfather Mountain & Linville Area

Grandfather Vineyard & Winery is located in the heart of the Appalachian High Country, in between Banner Elk & Boone. With grapes growing on one side and the Watauga River on the other, the atmosphere is scenic yet laid back. They have tons of outdoor seating, covered and uncovered, and food trucks and live music on weekends.

Beech Mountain Resort offers year-round activities from mountain biking to scenic chairlift rides to the summit to grab a drink at the Skybar. Beech also has North Carolina's first lift-assisted bike park, catering to all skill levels. Beginners can enjoy smooth trails, while advanced riders tackle steep, technical terrain with rocks and tricky corners. Lessons and rentals are available.

Linville Golf Club is on the property of our wedding venue. We have 10 tee times reserved on Friday morning (6/27), and spots are first come-first serve. Please let us know if you are interested in joining the group by sending us an email!

1396 Fairway Ridge Drive, West Jefferson, NC 28694

Spectacular views of the golf course and surrounding mountains, Mountain Aire is public and offers 18 holes.

1054 Sugar Mountain Dr, Sugar Mountain, NC 28604

Sugar Mountain is a fun, par 64 course suitable for new and experienced golfers.

1 Club House Dr, Newland, NC 28657

Designed by golf course architect George W Cobb, the course has attractive layouts that the average golfer would find enjoyable, not punishing.

Tweetsie Railroad is a Wild West family theme park featuring a three-mile, steam-powered train ride through the picturesque North Carolina mountains. After taking a ride on the Tweetsie Railroad and seeing the show, head up to the amusement park for rides and kid-friendly activities! Visitors can purchase tickets in advance or at admissions.

Gem mining is an incredibly popular mountain activity for kids! You’ll find there are several places to do this, but as a kid we frequented Greater Foscoe Gem Mine, Foggy Mountain Gem Mine, or Sugar Creek Gem Mine.

One of North Carolina’s most unique attractions, Mystery Hill is an indoor and outdoor hands-on science and historical attraction located in Blowing Rock. See gravity-defying acts like balls rolling uphill instead of downhill, water flow against gravity, and see yourselves shrink and grow right before your eyes on the old cider mill platform.

The playground is a great place to stop for some kid-friendly fun while exploring downtown Blowing Rock! Stop at Kilwin’s across the street for some homemade ice cream, then head to the expansive park to enjoy swings, rock climbing walls, and jungle gyms.

Banner Elk Area

Fish in the Grandfather Mountain Trout Farm ponds and pack your catch on ice for some fresh mountain trout for dinner. The farm is ‘keep what you catch’, so know there is no catch-and-release fishing, but they’ll filet your fish on site or turn it into a dip for you to take back! Fishing licenses are not required and we recommend staying in the small and medium ponds, as you pay by the pound.