THE HIGH COUNTRY LIVING
The North Carolina High Country encompasses multiple counties (Ashe, Watauga, Avery, Alleghany, Caldwell) and the towns of Boone, Blowing Rock, West Jefferson, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Newland, and Sparta, as well as other unincorporated communities such as Valle Crucis. This area is home to Appalachian State University as well as Lees McCrae College and Caldwell Community College and offers a diverse blend of cultural, educational, and entertainment options provided by these institutions.
Our mountain music and cultural heritage are celebrated in nationally known events such as Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Merlefest, as well as other music festivals throughout the year. We have wonderful Farmer’s Markets in Boone, Blowing Rock, and West Jefferson to support our many small farms producing high-quality produce and many organic choices.
Blowing Rock
Like your upscale small scale? Blowing Rock is big enough to have multiple fine dining options, luxury boutiques, antique shops, custom jewelry, art galleries, festivals and snow skiing, but small enough to dress up the grandchildren and march in the 4th of July parade, or claim a park bench for a round of people watching any time of the year. Grand mountain scenery is the perfect backdrop for a myriad of outdoor activities, and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway is close by. With John’s River Gorge to the west and Blackberry Gorge to the east, the town of Blowing Rock and its surroundings offer some amazing views in a variety of settings. Protected by thousands of acres of Pisgah National Forest and Park Service lands, the town of Blowing Rock has its own beautiful little parks as well as access to hiking/walking at Bass Lake, Trout Lake, Price Lake and all the miles and miles of trails in the Julian Price and Moses Cone Parks.
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Boone
Boone is a bustling college town with the university literally adjacent to the town, so all the activity and shopping and dining choices one would expect in such a setting are there. The Appalcart offers free transportation to all area residents, not just the student population and the ASU Schaefer Center hosts world class entertainment throughout the year. The restaurant scene is lively and offers great choices from sushi bars to Indian cuisine and everything in between. The Greenway trail offers paved walking/biking along the banks of the New River, and Rocky Knob Park welcomes mountain bikers as well as hikers. Boone is the center of the North Carolina High Country.
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Avery County
Avery County is home to several well-known private golf clubs, such as Linville Ridge, Elk River, Diamond Creek, and Grandfather, as well as the ski areas of Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain. Grandfather Mountain towers over all and is not to be missed with its mile-high swinging bridge, nature center, vast views, and serious hiking opportunities.
Ashe County
In Ashe County, the north and south forks of the New River offer scenic building sites and canoeing, tubing, and fishing. With its beautiful mountain scenery and varied topography, this part of the High Country appeals to many and has multiple options for more rural living, with the towns of Jefferson and West Jefferson providing amenities and dining/shopping options nearby. Two golf courses– Mountain Aire and Jefferson Landing are just minutes from the Jeffersons.
YOUR HIGH COUNTRY
So whether you are looking for a remote log cabin on a little acreage, a year-round home to retire to, a second home to enjoy every season, or something in between, the High Country has it all, and we can help you find it! Some of us were born here, and the rest of us got here as quickly as we could—we love living here and love helping others find their perfect mountain property!
