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North Carolina Attractions in the Mountains Florida's Carolina Connection
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North Carolina attractionsoffer year-around
mountain fun, adventure and cultural experiences. Some of
the most visited NC attractions areThe Biltmore in
Asheville, The Blowing Rock, Tweetsie
Railroad, Grandfather Mountain, Chimney Rock Park and the Cherokee
Indian Village.
Discover
North Carolina history and traditions through North Carolina Museums, the
beauty and excitement of a
train ride through the
mountains or the wonder of the
earth beneath the mountains in
caverns. Check out
our Events Calendarfor North
Carolina
special events and
attraction activities
THE
BILTMORE,America's
"Castle", was built in 1895 by George Vanderbilt and is preserved and
maintained today by his descendants. With interior square footage over 4 acres,
250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, 43 bathrooms and an impressive collection of art and
period furnishing it is well worth the admission fee and a day's time. Once a
working dairy farm the estate now includes a winery, 8,000 acres of trails,
gardens and grounds to explore, an on site Inn, fine and casual dining. ASHEVILLE North Carolina
Christmas at the Biltmore
OCONALUFTEE
INDIAN VILLAGEwhere the wood smoke drifting on the breeze isn’t like any you’ve smelled before. It’s not the pure tang of hardwood burned
for heat. Nor is it the aroma of a cooking fire, fragrant with baking bread or bubbling broth or roasting meat. There’s something earthy about this fire, because it’s smoldering pitch pine, firing local
Cherokee clay into gleaming blackware pottery. Then again, all the sights, sounds, and scents surrounding you today are novel. Here in the
Oconaluftee Indian Village, it’s 1750. Cherokee
NC
THE FOLK ART
CENTER is home base for the Southern Highland Craft
Guild. The Center includes a permanent collection, theme exhibits, demonstrations,
education, special events, and a shop. The beautiful grounds are nestled
in the woods along the Parkway in West Asheville. A short trail surrounds
the building and features exhibits of native trees. Another trail connects
with the Mountain to Sea trail. The Center also
houses a Parkway Visitor Information booth and book store. ASHEVILLE NC
WHITEWATER
FALLS on the Whitewater River is the last
river in the Jocassee Gorge area just before you reach South Carolina.
It's the highest falls east of the Mississippi River (411 ft) according to
some sources and is truly a very beautiful waterfall. Drive 9 miles south
of Hwy 64 on Hwy 281 and look for a sign and parking area on the left.
There is a $2 fee per vehicle here, a good view of the falls is handicap
accessible, and there are restrooms. This tends to be a
tourist attraction, but is a must stop if you are in the area. The walk to
the top viewing area is less than 1/4 mile and is on a paved path. Cashiers
WESTERN
NORTH CAROLINA NATURE CENTER
is a living museum of plants
and animals native to the Appalachian region. Our
purpose is to increase public awareness and
understanding of all aspects of the natural environment
of Western North Carolina through hands-on and sensory
experiences. WNC Nature Center strives hard to meet the
needs of our adopted 'critters' and our community. Each
year we welcome 100,000 visitors through our doors - of
which 30,000 are school children attending the Nature
Center in conjunction with their classroom curriculum.
ASHEVILLE NC
CHIMNEY
ROCK PARKis named for Chimney Rock, a 500 million-year-old giant granite monolith
overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge. Visitors are awed by the breathtaking view
that spreads 1200 vertical feet beneath them and 75 miles across
the Carolinas. The now state owned park, located in Chimney
Rock North
Carolina, encompasses 1,000 acres, including the Chimney itself and
Hickory Nut Falls. Chimney Rock Park is the natural fulfillment of your trip
to the mountains. The Park, located 25 miles
southeast of Asheville North
Carolina, offers the best of the mountains
in one place-spectacular 75-mile views, hiking trails for all ages, a
404-foot waterfall, a variety of special events and much more.
Chimney
Rock NC
THE
YMI CULTRUAL CENTER is an Asheville landmark in the heart of
downtown, convenient to City Hall, Pack Square, Pack Place and
art galleries and other cultural centers. Listed on the
National
Register of Historic Places, the YMI has served Asheville's
minority citizens since it was first established in 1893 as
the Young Men's Institute. It
houses numerous exhibits, many dealing with the history of
African Americans in Western North Carolina, and sponsors such
cultural events as Asheville's Goombay! Festival, an Annual
Kwanzaa Celebration and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
Celebration. We invite all people to come share in the rich
heritage and celebration of African and African American
culture. ASHEVILLE NC
THE
APPALACHIAN TRAIL is the nation's
longest footpath and stretches 2,159 miles
from the Southern most point at
Springer Mountain, George to the Northern tip in Katahdin, Maine. It
crosses 6 national
parks, 8 national forests and touches 14 states.
Visit the site for
more information and locations to access the Trail.
TWEETSIE
RAILROAD, North Carolina's
first theme park, to take a trip back into the days
of the Old West. Hop aboard the train for an
unforgettable three-mile journey through the scenic mountains. Even in today's high-tech world, there's
still a place for old-fashioned fun. That place is Tweetsie
Railroad, where we're celebrating 50+ years of
unforgettable family memories! Tweetsie Railroad
is a unique attraction that allows children and families
to explore their imaginations and a whole lot more. Be a
cowboy, Indian or an engineer. And of course, every
guest will want to take a ride on our historic steam
locomotive, Number 12, listed on the National Register
of Historic Places. Blowing
Rock NC
FLAT
ROCK PLAYHOUSE. has been operating
for more than 53 years. This State Theatre
of North Carolina has been thrilling audiences with
Broadway musicals, comedy and drama. From the Youth Theatre
education program to our professional main stage performances,
Flat Rock Playhouse offers the best live entertainment in
Western North Carolina. Flat Rock NC
PISGAH
CENTER FOR WILDLIFE EDUCATION has mountain
streams
where water and life begin, the theme of this state-of-the-art
educational facility dedicated to exploring
the wonders of North Carolina's wildlife. The wildlife center
is a program of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission and admission is free. The wildlife center's
attractions include aquariums, a 20-minute video, hand-on
exhibits along a paved walkway, garden displays, educational
programs, viewing and feeding of trout, and a gift shop.
Brevard NC area
THE
PACOLET RIVER BYWAY begins
at the South Carolina state line and traces its way through
the Tryon Thermal Belt, an area with an unusual
climate that is usually free from dew or frost. The route
crosses the Pacolet River several times and runs parallel with
the Saluda Grade, the steepest mainline railroad grade in the
United States. Old railroad depots, log cabins and other
historic buildings can be found in the towns of Saluda and
Tryon, while Pearson
Falls Natural Heritage Site is a 259 acre botanical
wonderland where visitors can hike, bird watch or just enjoy
the outdoors. Tryon houses the Polk County Historical
Museum,
whose 1906 train station was once the center of activity for
the area. Tryon
NCarea
LINVILLE
CAVERNS, located at the base of
Humpback Mountain
in the beautiful Linville Valley, is a natural wonder. After remaining a mysterious secret
for centuries, the caverns have been opened for safe and
convenient public touring. Deep beneath Humpback
Mountain, nature has sculpted a veritable masterpiece in
stone. Toiling many centuries, slowly moving ground water has
been the primary artist for this creation of underground
labyrinths. The water dissolved out an incredible series of
rooms and passages, and created spectacular formations. Linville NC
JOHN
C CAMPBELL SCHOOL. John C. Campbell Folk School
provides experiences in non-competitive learning and community
life that
are joyful and enlivening. Located in scenic Brasstown, North
Carolina, the Folk School offers year-round weeklong and
weekend classes for adults in craft, art, music, dance,
cooking, gardening, nature studies, photography & writing.
Brasstown
NC
THE
ORCHARD AT ALTA PASS.The
Orchard at Altapass is an Appalachian cultural and historical
center
celebrating the people, music, art, and natural beauty of the
Blue Ridge mountains. Over 100 years old, the Orchard sits
right on the Blue Ridge Parkway providing some of the most
amazing scenery in North Carolina. near Little Switzerland
CROUSE
HOUSE PICKERS. Whether to play or just to listen you can participate
in a 20-year musical tradition at the Crouse House in Sparta
NC every Monday
night beginning at 6 p.m. Bluegrass and traditional musicians
gather to jam. No two Monday night bands are the same but the
music is always good. No admission but donations are accepted
to defray expenses. The Crouse House is located two blocks
north (behind) the Alleghany Courthouse at the corner of
Grayson and Cherry streets.
CLINGMAN'S
DOMErises 6,643 feet above the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park. Clingman's Dome is the highest point along the
Appalachian Trail and provides a 360º view of the surrounding
mountains. From
it's 54 foot observation tower the average viewing distance is
about 22 miles, but on a clear pollution free day, views can
amplify as far as 100 miles into 7 states. It is located on the state line ridge of North Carolina and
Tennessee, the observation tower sitting equally in both
states. Bryson
City NC
CADES
COVE. Cades Cove is a lush valley surrounded by
mountains and one of the most popular destinations in
the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park. A wide array of historic buildings
dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries is
scattered through-out the cove. These include a grist
mill, a variety of barns, three churches, and a
collection of log homes and outbuildings. A wide array
of historic buildings dating back to the late 19th and
early 20th centuries is scattered through-out the cove.
A visitor center (open daily), restrooms, and the Cable
Mill historic area are located half-way around the 11
mile loop road. Andrews NC area.
GEM
VALLEY NC. The
Gem Valley NC Mine is a family business and one of North
Carolina's newest attractions and is the only public
gem-mining / gold-panning facility in the beautiful
mountains of Ashe County, NC! Located at the historical
mine of Ore Knob, you can find us at 2489 Little Peak
Creek Road off of Highway 88 in Jefferson/Laurel Springs
(look for the signs). Gem Valley is only minutes away
from the Blue Ridge Parkway and one of the oldest rivers
in the world, the New River. If you like gem mining,
you'll LOVE Gem Valley.
THE BLUERIDGE
PARKWAY, at 469 miles long is the
nation's longest scenic rural parkway. Now 70 years old it is administered
by the National Park Service and host to approximately 20 million visits
annually. It connects the Shenandoah Valley National Park with the Great
Smoky
Mountains National park in North Carolina and Tennessee. Along the route are
opportunities for lodging, dining, camping, hiking and simply enjoying
breathtaking views from easily accessible overlooks and picnic areas. For
additional information visit :The Blueridge Parkway Association
THE MUSEUM OF THE
CHEROKEE INDIAN.So begins your trip through the Museum of the Cherokee
Indian. Totally renovated in 1998, the new museum tells the story
of the Cherokee people using high-tech wizardry along with an extensive
artifact collection. Follow the "Trail of Tears" and
learn about the language, customs and crafts of a remarkable
civilization and people. Cherokee
NC
MT MITCHELL STATE
PARK, at an elevation of 6684, is the
highest peak in the Black Mountains. Named for Dr. Elisha Mitchell, a
professor of sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill who first suggested that the peak
that bears his name was the highest in the range. Dr. Mitchell died at a
waterfall on the western slope of the mountain while returning from one of
many exploratory trips to western North Carolina. Between Ashevilleand Little Switzerland
SLIDING
ROCK is a recreation area set up by the US Forest Service. It's a
60' natural rock slide with a 6-7 foot deep pool at the base. Lifeguards
and staff
are on duty from Memorial Day week end to Labor Day and there is a fee of
$1 per person to access the area, which is 7.5 miles north of Hwy 64 on
Hwy 276. For more info, call the US Forest Service at 828-877-3350. Kids
have to be a certain size to slide alone, otherwise they can sit on the
lap of an adult and slide. NearBrevard NC
THE
NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUMa 434-acre site, is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural settings in
the United States. Mountain peaks bound the property's visual perimeters
and 1.8 miles of the Bent Creek stream run through the center of the
Arboretum. A wide variety of classes and workshops are taught by the staff and other
plant experts. Educational programs target all ages and range from bonsai
demonstrations to nature walks. ASHEVILLE NC
GREAT
SMOKY MOUNTAINS RAILROAD offers the romance and mystique of an era gone
by. Guests on board
the Great Smoky
Mountains Railroad will enjoy scenic train journeys across
fertile valleys, through tunnels and across river gorges in a spectacular region
called the Great Smoky Mountains. This section of western North Carolina
offers
a wide array of ever changing vegetation and fantastic landscapes.Bryson
City NC
HENDERSONVILLE
HISTORIC TRAIN DEPOT.The
first steam engine puffed up the Saluda Grade to the
Hendersonville Depot in 1879. The steam engine needed a
“help engine” attached to the rear of the train at Melrose
for additional power to push the train up the Saluda Mountain
Grade, the steepest main-line standard gauge railroad in the
United States. The Carolina Special ran between Charleston,
South Carolina and Cincinnati, Ohio from 1911 until 1968.Today the exterior paint has been
restored to its original color. A Southern Railway caboose is
located at the south end. The depot's baggage room houses the Apple
Valley Model Railroad Club and
their HO scale model railroad.
BREVARD
MUSIC CENTER opens each summer to more than 400 students,
ages 14 through post-college, join professional musicians to
eat, breathe and sleep music for seven weeks. In addition to a
rigorous schedule of instruction, students collaborate with
faculty and guest artists in more than 80 public
performances. Brevard NC
GRANDFATHER
MOUNTAIN is the highest mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountain
range
at an elevation of 5,964 feet. The Mountain is privately owned
and is operated as a scenic travel attraction and a
world-class nature preserve. The Mile High Swinging Bridge was
built to give visitors easy access to the breath-taking view
from Grandfather Mountain's Linville Peak.
Linville NC
THE
BLOWING ROCK
ATTRACTION is North
Carolina's oldest travel attraction (since 1933). Short scenic
walk includes views
of Grandfather Mountain, Table Rock, and Hawksbill. Also enjoy
a small garden waterfall, observation tower and unique gift
shops. Open daily April-December. January, February and March
open weekends only, weather permitting. Located on Highway 321
South across from Green Park Inn. Handicap accessible. Blowing
Rock NC
TRYON
EQUESTRIAN NATURE CENTERwelcomes you to the
Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, a 390-acre nature
education and recreation center nestled in the beautiful
foothills of Tryon
North Carolina. Whether you're interested
in outdoor recreation, nature education or preservation of
precious open space, you'll find something of interest at
FENCE. FENCE came into being in 1985 as a non-profit
nature education and recreation center. Since
then, FENCE has grown to its present 390 acres& serves some
5,000 people each year with programs in nature study,
outdoor recreation and equestrian competition.Tryon
NC
LINVILLE
FALLS islocated at the head of
the Linville Gorge and is actually two falls:
Upper Falls
(50 feet) and Lower Falls
(60 feet). A well used (and maintained) trail leads you in the
long climb to both lower and upper falls. The climb is
strenuous but the rewards are great. They have placed benches
along the way for those of us needing to take the climb in
stages. The view of the Linville Gorge from the upper vantage
point is well worth the effort. Linville NC
PENLAND
SCHOOL OF CRAFTSis a national center
for craft education located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of
Western
North Carolina. Penland offers one-, two-, and eight-week
workshops in books & paper, clay, drawing, glass, iron,
metals, photography, printmaking, textiles, and wood. The
school also sponsors artists' residencies, educational
outreach programs, and an exceptional craft gallery.
Spruce
Pine NC
MUSIC
IN THE VALLEoffered in
the summer provides free
music concerts in the Valle Crucis Community Park every Friday
evening. Bring a chair or blanket and a friend for the potluck
dinner at 6 p.m., with music starting at 7 p.m. The Park
includes a walking trail and recreation facilities. Valle Crucis
NC
SPARTA
TEAPOT MUSEUM will expose
its visitors to an unexpected art form-the teapot. The Kamm
Collection is
comprised of more than 6,000 teapots and has an estimated
value exceeding $5 million. The collection is the largest
teapot collection “of its kind in America and arguably the
world.” The collection’s teapots run the gamut from
traditional antiques, to classic production pieces, to
one-of-a-kind artist-made works. The collection includes
thousands of twentieth century pieces as well as many
eighteenth and nineteenth century gems, and every possible
medium or material is captured. Sparta
NC
THE
CHEROHALA SKYWAY was completed in the fall of 1996
after nearly thirty-four years. It is
North
Carolina's most expensive
highway carrying a price tag of $100,000,000. Winding up and
over 6,000 foot mountains for 15 miles in North Carolina and
descending another 21 miles into the
deeply forested backcountry of Tennessee. The road crosses
through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests thus the
name "Chero...hala".
SCOTTISH
TARTANS MUSEUM. A visit to the Scottish Tartans
Museum and Gift Shop in
the Smoky Mountains is a stroll through the history and
culture of Scotland. Our 4800 square foot location on
Main Street in downtown Franklin NC, showcases a large
Museum
area as well as an expansive Gift
Shop .
GHOST
TOWN. Nestled at the foot of the Great Smoky
Mountains in Maggie Valley, Ghost
Town in the Sky
features a mile-high roller coaster, staged gunfights, live
music and shows, crafts, food and lots of fun. Step
back into the Wild West at this timeless, family-fun
destination located in a beautiful mountain setting surrounded
by breathtaking views. Ghost Town in the Sky is fun for all
ages. Maggie Valley NC
TSALI
RECREATION CENTERis an outdoors lover's
paradise.Probably
the most popular features of Tsali Recreation Area are
the 39 miles of trails suited for mountain bikers and
horse-back riders, as well as hikers. The 4-loop system
offers a variety of landscapes. You can climb 1-foot
wide rugged paths or travel flat, well-beaten roads. The
four trails--Right, Left, Mouse Branch, and Thompson
Loops--meander through mixed pine and hardwoods on a
peninsula stretching into Fontana Lake. Nantahala
NC,
Fontana area
UNTO
THESE HILLS is an outdoor drama
presenting the history of the Cherokee Indians in a beautiful
Mountainside Theatre, mid-June thru late August each year.
2006 schedule is nightly, except Sundays, June 8 thru August
19. This play is marking its 57th season, but the vital,
compelling production you see has never been seen until now.
In 2006, “Unto These Hills” began a new script, new
director, new score, new choreography, new set design, new
costuming and new cast members all aimed at conveying a
more culturally authentic, historically accurate and Cherokee-centered experience.
Cherokee
NC
WHEELS
THROUGH TIME MUSEUMthe museum that runs, is
easily the finest collection of all American vintage
motorcycles in the world and an astounding collection of rare
American made automobiles. A collection of over 250 rare
antique American
Motorcycles and Automobiles. Equally as astounding is the
memorabilia collection. A ride
through history has something for everyone. Open 7 days a
week. Maggie Valley NC
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Corbin Publications, 2007, 2008, 2009 All rights reserved
ClimbEveryMountain.com 5800 Beach Blvd., B-183 Ste 203, Jacksonville,
FL 32207 This site is dedicated in loving memory to
Teacher Beth,
whose spirit still
climbs every mountain
CHIMNEY
ROCK PARK
