High Mountain Expeditions is the oldest rafting company in the high country, running rivers since 1983.  We offer a variety of trips.  The thrill seeker can enjoy a great day on the Nolichucky River.  With Class 3-4 rapids, this is the best river trip in the area!  We offer trips on the Nolichucky every day of the week.  We also offer a family rafting trip on the Watauga River.  This river is all about FUN!  The Watauga River is a dam release river, so we are guaranteed water Monday - Saturday.

High Mountain provides all your transportation to and from the river, and a deli-style lunch is included on all  of our trips.  We provide all the equipment you might need and have a guide in every raft.

We also offer tubing on the scenic New River:  Take a lazy river cruise down one of the oldest rivers in the world!

In addition to rafting trips, we also offer caving, overnight outdoor adventure trips, and hiking and waterfall tours! 

Please contact us for additional information or visit us on the web site.  For reservations, please call 828-898-9786.

Banner Elk Winery marks the genesis of the wine tradition in the High Country of North Carolina as the first commercial winery built in Avery and Watauga counties. In July 2006, the age-old winemaking tradition officially made its debut in a corner of the New World previously overlooked for the craft.  Please join us for a tasting and tour.  We are open for Wine Tastings Wednesday thru Sunday from Noon until 6 PM. 

Outfitters for guided rock climbing and rappelling trips in the North Carolina Mountains. Outdoor climbing tower in downtown Boone, NC; caving / spelunking tours in Virginia and Tennessee. Fun adventures for families, friends, groups of all ages; also specialized guiding and instruction. Summer Climbing Camps for teens and kids. Let us plan your High Country Adventure!

Located inside Footsloggers Outdoor & Travel Outfitters in downtown Boone.  Call Toll-Free at 888-595-6009.

"Mild to Wild" Whitewater Rafting in NC & TN with USA Raft/Mountain Adventure Guides.

NC & TN whitewater rafting on the French Broad River, Nolichucky River Gorge, Lower Nolichucky River, Nantahala River and Watauga River.

You can also enjoy Caving and Climbing adventures in groups with them as well as explore a cave, climb a mountain, raft a wild river, cook a delicious dinner over a camp-fire and then sleep under the stars by signing up for one of their summer camps!

The Old Hampton Store & Village is located at the foot of Grandfather Mountain and just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our 1920 general store and gristmill features its own 100% natural stoneground cornmeal, grits and buckwheat pancake mix. You'll also find homemade jams, jellies, preserves, apple butter, and dozens of pickled products, cheeses and country ham.

If you're in the mood for shopping, the country store carries pottery, baskets, enamel ware, handmade rugs, cast iron and a variety of unusual kitchen products.

Apple Hill Farm sits on top of Valle Mountain on the site of a 45-year-old apple orchard. The remaining apple trees serve as the focal point for the property that is now home to alpacas, cats, chickens, dogs, donkeys, goats, horses, llamas and miniature donkeys.

Apple Hill Farm conducts a farm tour every Saturday at 2:00 p.m. from mid-May to mid-October. The 1.5-hour guided walking tour starts at the horse barn, winding around the farm to visit the main barns and animal sheds. Tour guides will give information about the specific species and personalities of animals living on Apple Hill Farm and explain the fencing, feeding and grazing practices. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10. Reservations are requested, so please call 828-963-1662. There is a store at the farm and also at The Great Train Robbery in Banner Elk, featuring alpaca products, such as scarves, hats, gloves, vests, ponchos, stuffed animals, finger puppets, sweaters, and socks.

Apple Hill Farm is "A place where animals talk and people listen."

For more information, call them at 828-963-1662, email: leester96@aol.com or visit their web site at www.applehillfarmnc.com.

Ready for a whitewater adventure the whole family can enjoy? Join us on a rafting adventure down the scenic Watauga River. We've been rafting there for 23 years, and it's just as fun summer after summer! We've got everything covered from gear to professional whitewater guides to photos of your family to a real home cooked lunch, straight from April's kitchen.   The Watauga River is dam-controlled, which means that the water level is great from spring to fall, guaranteed! For a little extra adventure, ride rodeo at the biggest rapid, Anaconda, or reserve a torrent (a sit on top kayak, no experience necessary) to take down with the rafters in your group when you make your reservation. We suggest calling in advance for reservations. Thursday, Friday and Saturday are our busiest days, and July and August our busiest months, so be sure to call us to ask any questions and make a reservation!

Our Toll-Free # is 1-800-789-3343.

As the twilight fades to night, the cast of Kermit Hunter's Outdoor Drama, "Horn in the West" takes the stage and presents the history and dreams of our forefathers in drama, dance and music. 

8:00 pm, June 20-August 16, 2008, Tuesday-Sunday

North Carolina's largest winter resort provides skiing, snowboarding, tubing, showshoeing day and night!  Plus 100% snowmaking on 115 skiable acres; 20 slopes from beginner to expert; 8 lifts; ski and snowboard school for all ages and abilities; ski and snowboard rental shop; 2 cafeterias; the Last Run Lounge; Sugar Mountain Sports Shop selling the newest, coolest, most practical winter gear; an accommodating group sales department; winter value packages and special events for just about anyone.  Sugar Mountain Resort is conveniently located off Highway 184.

Hiking and biking trails intertwine throughout the Village of Sugar Mountain and are open and free of charge from dawn until dusk. Trail maps are located in a black, marked mailbox at the base of the Flying Mile slope. Trails are constantly being maintained so please be cautious. Also keep in mind that weather and other variables can change the condition of any trail. While riding a bike within the Village limits helmets are required.

Scenic summer lift rides begin July 4th and run every weekend through September 2, 2008.

We are promoters of fine art and fine crafts - all handmade in our shows - in Banner Elk.  Check out the Events on this site for the dates and locations of our shows.  Some of them are listed below:

June 27 - 28 - Great Train Robbery in Banner Elk: (All shows are Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM: - Fine Arts & Crafts Award Show - 5th Year - Awards given out on Saturday afternoon; July 4-5 (Independence Weekend) - Fine Arts & Crafts Show - After Downtown Parade - Come see all the Artists; Sept. 5-6 (Labor Day) - Fine Arts & Crafts Award Show - 5th Year -  Awards given out on Saturday afternoon - Great way to spend the holiday walking around and see all the fine artists' crafts.  For more information including directions, please call the Banner Elk Chamber at 828-898-8395, the Great Train Robbery at 828-898-8645 or Promoter, Pat Fay, at 828-733-0675.

July 25 - 26 - Old Cannon Memorial Hospital Grounds in Banner Elk on Tynecastle Highway (Hwy. 184) - (Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM) - Summer Fine Arts & Crafts Show - 70 artists coming in from all over the country showing their hand-made crafts.  For more information including directions, please call the Banner Elk Chamber at 828-898-8395 or Promoter, Pat Fay, at 828-733-0675.

Nov. 27, 28 & 29 - Boone Mall - Christmas Show - (Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM; Sunday from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM); Thanksgiving weekend, come and see all the artists coming in from all over the country with one of a kind hand-made work; a great place to buy some unique Christmas gifts!  For more information including directions, please call the Boone Mall at 828-264-7286, Banner Elk Chamber at 828-898-8395 or Promoter, Pat Fay, at 828-733-0675.