Activities

Ashe County Cheese, W Jefferson

Sounds cheesy, right? It's actually a destination! Watch cheese being made and visit our old-fashioned general store to find over 20 varieties of original Ashe County Cheese. There’s also our own country butter, homemade fudge, ice cream and a wide variety of other local delicacies, including jams, salsas and gourmet treats like fresh cheese curd! 106 E Main St.

Riverside Canoeing, Crumpler

Find adventure and relaxation on the New River, with this full-service outfitter! Riverside’s friendly staff offers tubing, kayaking and canoeing trips for all ages. Outings last 2-8 hours and the slow current is safe for children. Lessons available. We also offer OVERNIGHT guided trips! Reservations recommended.  2966 Garvey Bridge Rd.

Lansing Creeper Trail, Lansing

Easy hike! The town of Lansing is in the process of expanding their park from 10 to 65 acres. The expanded park will provide a variety of outdoor experiences from walking trails to camping spots to an adventure playground. It will also feature the work of local craftsman and a venue for dances and live music. Check it out!

Zaloo's Canoes, Jefferson

In business for over 40 years, Zaloos is the region’s oldest canoeing, kayaking and tubing outfitter. Located on a beautiful stretch of the New River, just upstream of the New River State Park, Zaloos will accommodate your quest for adventure. Canoe and kayak camping trips also available. Call in advance for reservations.

Parkway Theater, West Jefferson

Right next to the Ashe County Cheese Factory in downtown West Jefferson is the Parkway Theater – a quaint and cozy theater playing first-run movies straight from Hollywood. Several showings daily, including Sundays. Enjoy this charming entertainment experience with friendly staff and great seats and prices! 10 E Main St.

Mountain Aire Golf, West Jefferson

This gorgeous public course offers 18 holes of beautifully-maintained fairways, with amazing scenery and very reasonable prices. Rental clubs, carts and lessons available, as well as a full distance driving range and a practice green with a sand bunker. Two-hole junior course also available for free. 1396 Fairway Ridge Drive.

RiverGirl Fishing, Todd

At RiverGirl Fishing Company, we’re passionate about sharing the joys of the river with all outdoor adventurers. We offer fly fishing on the New River, with friendly, personalized instruction, high-quality rentals, and the experience of a local. Tubing, kayaking and canoeing rentals also available. 4041 Todd Railroad Grade Rd.

Ashe Wildlife Club, Laurel Springs

This non-profit educational, sporting and wildlife conservation organization is located in the Peak Creek community of Ashe County, NC. Our 59-acre facility has a trout pond, skeet field, sporting clays, 5-stand sporting, wobble tower, trap field, 300-yard rifle range, and a 50-yard pistol/rimfire range. We are an NRA Gold Medal Club. Membership is open by approved application to anyone. 3220 Big Peak Creek Rd.

New River State Park, Laurel Springs

Our beloved New River winds through some of the best North Carolina mountain scenery. New River State Park is base camp for exploration of this river at two principal spots—Wagoner Road Access and US 221 Access. River excursions can be arranged with private outfitters like River Girl!

Grandfather Mountain, Linville

Don’t miss one of the Blue Ridge’s most fascinating and well-known mountains, known for its unique shape, resembling an old bearded man’s face (lying down, facing the sky). Plan to spend a day here, with hiking, the MILE HIGH swinging bridge, the nature museum, zoo, Mildred's Grill & more. Check their FB page daily as weather affects what is open daily.

Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock

Open April thru December. Take a trip through the Old West when cowboys and Indians roamed. Tweetsie Railroad is an amazing experience for families, complete with carnival rides, a petting zoo, dinners and live entertainment, and the notorious train ride through the trees and into the past. A perfect component of your Blowing Rock day trip.

Mystery Hill, Blowing Rock

Prepare to be amazed as your family experiences the only natural gravitational anomaly in North Carolina! There’s also Mystery Hall with all sorts of surprises. You can also explore early area history, Native American artifacts, or the Appalachian fossil museum. A must-see for the family during your Blowing Rock day trip.

Disc Golf, Jefferson & New River

Both Ashe County Park and the Wahoo New River Outpost offer a disc golf course with 18 tees, on a 5-acre hillside. Join this latest healthy and inexpensive sporting craze! But don’t call it “Frisbee golf” or they’ll know you’re a newbie. 626 State Road 1583.

Paragliding @ Sky Retreat, Purlear

At the Sky Retreat in Purlear (between West Jefferson and Wilkesboro) you can learn to fly! A certified USHPA tandem paragliding pilot will help you soar above the Blue Ridge, seeing these amazing mountains from a whole new perspective. No experience necessary. 

Doc's Rocks Gem Mine, Blowing Rock

Family owned and operated since 2007, the Doc’s Rock staff’s mission is to teach basic geology to the general public while supporting the Board of Education in all aspects of the field. Geology is fun and exciting at this family attraction near Blowing Rock, where you can mine your own gems and then turn them into stunning jewelry.

Sky Valley Zip Tours, Blowing Rock

If you’re truly looking for “high” adventure, try Sky Valley (our zipline recommendation!) Covering over 140 acres of Blue Ridge and offers ten different ziplines, so you can enjoy a treetop vista from every corner of the park. Experience the High Country from 300 feet as you fly across the exhilarating 1600-foot line, Big Mama! Also featuring ATV cat rides through the river and up the mountain for your zipline adventure. The venue also offers cliff jumping from one of the area’s majestic rock formations, and an exciting swinging bridge across a gorge. 634 Sky Ranch Rd.

Rock Climbing, Boone

Located in Boone and providing guided climbing trips and instruction for groups and individuals. PCIA-certified guides are dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable climbing program for climbers of all ages and skill levels. Their climbing tower is approximately 40 feet high, offering a view of beautiful downtown Boone and the surrounding Appalachian Mountains. For adventures out on the “real rock,” Rock Dimensions offers trips to a variety of climbing locations, with convenient camping nearby. Participants will learn safety skills, terminology, climbing techniques, knots, rappelling and belaying.

Ashe Park, Jefferson

This large local park includes picnic shelters, a disc golf course, trout pond, skate park, baseball fields, basketball and volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, playgrounds, trails and more. Perfect for the whole family. With lots of fun swings and slides for the kids, you’ll never run out of things to do. Ashe Park Rd. Jefferson.

Moses Cone Park, Blowing Rock

Visit the historic estate, hike the 25 miles of curated carriage trails, browse the Southern Highlands Craft Guild shop. This place is worth the trip! Parkway at MP 294 and near wonderful fishing lakes of Bass and Price!

Wilderness Coaster, Banner Elk

First gravity-propelled coaster in NC with 3 loops, twists and turns! A must-do activity for the adventure seeker. Pro Tip: Get tickets in advance as they fill up over holidays and peak summer and Fall weeks! Currently building a high ropes course next door!

Hawksnest Snow Tubing, Seven Devils

The best snow tubing in the area (and largest park in NC), located in Seven Devils near Sugar Mountain and Banner Elk. 30+ lanes ranging from 400-1000 feet long with carpet lifts back to the top. Book your date in advance and they make their own snow and operate in the evenings! They also have zip lines and whitewater rafting as summer activities!

Greenway Bike Trail, Boone

The Greenway Trail is new to the Boone area and perfect for family bike riding and walking. Fully accessible, either paved or gravel and a beautiful stroll. Note: This is not through the woods, it's an open trail for walkers and joggers as well.

Rocky Knob Bike Park, Boone

185 acres with over 8 miles of trails for mountain biking! Something for all skill levels as well as walkers and trail runners alike, so please be aware! Pump track and adventure playground too! Located off 421, west of Boone.

Old Barn Winery, West Jefferson

Winery in West Jefferson! Charming, rustic gem, locally-owned! Always happening, check out their events calendar for LIVE MUSIC and their food truck returns every May! 2152 Beaver Creek School Rd.

Local Hiking Spots

Northern Peaks State Trail (up to 40 miles): LINK: NC TRAILS

Pond Mountain Trail to Pond Mtn (5.6 miles): LINK: ALLTRAILS

Three Top Mountain Trail (3.5 miles): LINK: ALLTRAILS

Elk Knob Summit Trail (3.9 miles): LINK: ALLTRAILS

Jefferson Landing Golf, Jefferson

Private / Public. Opened in 1991, designed by Larry Nelson, but upgraded in 2019 incorporating both a creek and waterfall! Each hole takes advantage of the rolling terrain and there is a good chance one hole will remind you of the famed #17 "Road Hole" at St. Andrews. Driving Range. 4-hole warm-up.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS, W Jefferson

Updated Calendar of Events! From gallery crawls to fly fishing lessons. From Backstreet Park Concert Series to Dueling Pianos to Pickin' on the Porch! From sanctioned events to pop-ups! From Ashe Civic Center Shows to the Todd Music Series and Christmas in July Festivals... West Jefferson is up-and-coming, growing and packed-full of arts and culture! Downtown.

Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway!

Over 20 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway's 469 mile stretch meanders along Ashe County. Some nearby mile markers you won't want to miss are: Mt Jefferson Overlook MP266, Lewis Fork Overlook MP270, Cascade Falls (great hike!!!) MP 271, Elk Mountain Overlook MP 274. If you do not jump on the Parkway for at least a 15 minute drive, you are missing the point of visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains!

High Gravity Adventures, Blowing Rock

Looking for some adrenaline inducing activities? How about a 3 story High Ropes course? Or a giant, giant swing for three? They also have ziplines and are located next to Tweetsie Railroad. A full aerial adventure park for the whole family, all ages and skill levels. 215 Tweetsie Railroad Lane.

App State Athletics, Boone

You are in town to enjoy the natural beauty of the area and realize Appalachian State University is just a town or two over - why not check their calendar and see if they have a sporting event scheduled during your visit or you may very well want to plan around the town of Boone, if there is a home game scheduled during your stay (it gets busy, busy)! 287 Rivers St.