Explore by town
Every town page shows what's on this week, what's open all year, and places to stay nearby.
Watauga County
College town on King Street with live music, App State games, breweries and quick access to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Walkable mountain village known for Art in the Park, Main Street shops and Parkway views.
Historic valley village with the Mast General Store, Music in the Valle and the Valle Country Fair.
The NC-105 valley beneath Grandfather Mountain, with riverside wine and live music, waterfalls and snow tubing.
Avery County
Ski-town hub between Beech and Sugar Mountain, home of the Woolly Worm Festival.
Eastern America's highest town, with skiing, summer mountain biking and the Autumn at Oz party.
Ski and tubing resort town that hosts the Oktoberfest and summer chairlift rides.
The Avery County seat, home of the farmers market and courthouse-square festivals.
Gateway to Grandfather Mountain, the Highland Games and Linville Falls.
Gateway to Linville Gorge at Parkway milepost 316, with winery concerts, waterfall trails and limestone caverns.
Ashe County
Ashe County's arts town with murals, galleries, a cheese factory and the Christmas in July festival.
The Ashe County seat at the foot of Mount Jefferson, with markets and courthouse-square events.
Tiny creekside town with the Lansing Creeper Trail and a lively music-and-markets calendar.
Historic hamlet on the South Fork of the New River known for summer music in the park, river floats and the old general store.
Mitchell County
Mineral and craft capital near Penland School, with gem shows and Parkway access.
Mitchell County seat known for the Rhododendron Festival and Roan Mountain access.
Historic Blue Ridge Parkway village at milepost 334 with sweeping views, the Switzerland Inn and orchard festivals at Altapass.
World-renowned craft community anchoring the Toe River arts corridor, with studios, gallery shows and workshops.