High Country

HIGH COUNTRY SPLENDOR - BANNER ELK, BLOWING ROCK and BOONE Banner Elk, with a population of less than 1,000 is the center of the High Country and is located at 3,700 feet in the Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina, approximately an hour’s drive from Charlotte.   It is known as the ski capitol of the South, but is also the destination for thousands of visitors and summer residents who enjoy the great outdoors and southern culture.  In addition to the cool summer temperatures, main attractions include hiking, golfing, horseback riding, rafting and fishing.  With a number of fine accommodations to choose from, world-class restaurants and unique shops, Banner Elk has something for everyone. Blowing Rock, another small town gem with a population of around 1,500 full time residents, sits astride of the Eastern Continental Divide and is the only full-service town on the 470 mile Blue Ridge Parkway.  With unique accommodations including B&B’s, charming inns, chalets and rustic cabins, a getaway to Blowing Rock is an unforgettable experience.  Fascinating shops offer everything from local crafts to antiques.  Cultural events include performances by professional summer stock theatre, concerts and arts and crafts shows. The Town of Boone, with a population of about 14,000, is the home of Appalachian State University, the fifth largest campus in the sixteen-campus University of North Carolina system.  Boone offers year-round recreational activities including skiing, golfing, fishing, hiking, rock climbing and bird watching.  There are a number of attractions in Boone and the surrounding “High Country” area.  The region is the home of several unique attractions such as the world’s first privately- owned biosphere reserve, Grandfather Mountain; the state’s only public caverns, Linville Caverns; and the state’s oldest travel attraction: The Blowing Rock.