Lady Elaine's Guidebook
Food scene
Rustic brewery with lots of choices. Dress for the weather!
141 locals recommend
The Appalachian Mountain Brewery
163 Boone Creek DrRustic brewery with lots of choices. Dress for the weather!
Superb beers & quality food!! Cool vibe inside, party tents outside.
137 locals recommend
Booneshine Brewing Company
465 Industrial Park DrSuperb beers & quality food!! Cool vibe inside, party tents outside.
Lost Province Brewing Co.
130 N Depot StWarmest, coziest brewery we've been to.
Stick Boy Bread Company
345 Hardin StGreat for breakfast/brunch (but closed Sundays).
The Rock Sports Bar & Grill
276 Watauga Village DrGood spot on football weekends to see all the games.
Lunch/light dinner spot that we often find ourselves in, with a decent & rotating beer selection.
68 locals recommend
Our Daily Bread
627 W King StLunch/light dinner spot that we often find ourselves in, with a decent & rotating beer selection.
City/town information
Blowing Rock
Cute shops and a great park.
West Jefferson
Great revitalized little town. Visit Ashe Co. Cheese shop!
Historic town - free concerts on many Saturday evenings. Visit our friend Helen at the Todd Mercantile - and enjoy a scone, cookie, or piece of cake!
18 locals recommend
Todd
Historic town - free concerts on many Saturday evenings. Visit our friend Helen at the Todd Mercantile - and enjoy a scone, cookie, or piece of cake!
Boone
Quintessential mountain college town.
Sightseeing
Great mountain campus, friendly students, superb football game-day experience!
113 locals recommend
Appalachian State University
287 Rivers StGreat mountain campus, friendly students, superb football game-day experience!
Great drive that runs through the High Country. Dozens of beautiful lookouts.
757 locals recommend
Blue Ridge Parkway
3884 Blue Ridge ParkwayGreat drive that runs through the High Country. Dozens of beautiful lookouts.
Great little amusement park with an old-timey Old West theme. Steam engine train ride is the highlight, along with other rides and fair food. Thomas the Train usually visits once/year, and the "Ghost Train" in October is fun for all ages, though the Ghost Train ride can be frightening at night.
242 locals recommend
Tweetsie Railroad
300 Tweetsie Railroad LnGreat little amusement park with an old-timey Old West theme. Steam engine train ride is the highlight, along with other rides and fair food. Thomas the Train usually visits once/year, and the "Ghost Train" in October is fun for all ages, though the Ghost Train ride can be frightening at night.
Outdoor Activities
Rocky Knob
285 Mountain Bike WyGreat mtb trails for all abilities.
RiverGirl Fishing Co.
4041 Todd Railroad Grade RdSuper-friendly!
Ski in the winter, bike in the summer! Best vertical drop in the area. Bike downhill via ski lift, or on the surrounding trails.
190 locals recommend
Beech Mountain
Ski in the winter, bike in the summer! Best vertical drop in the area. Bike downhill via ski lift, or on the surrounding trails.
Sugar Mountain Resort, Inc
1009 Sugar Mountain DrGood night skiing. Downhill biking in the summer too.
App Mountain is the closest skiing to the cabin, and they have a great ski school.
251 locals recommend
Appalachian Ski Mtn
940 Ski Mountain RdApp Mountain is the closest skiing to the cabin, and they have a great ski school.
Fun ropes course outside Tweetsie Railroad. You can easily spend a few hours here, and wear yourself out. Suitable for all ages and skill levels.
61 locals recommend
High Gravity Adventures Zip Line & Aerial Park
215 Tweetsie Railroad LnFun ropes course outside Tweetsie Railroad. You can easily spend a few hours here, and wear yourself out. Suitable for all ages and skill levels.
Birdwatching & Nature
Nearby natural setting with easy access. The Easter Bunny has been known to kayak here - ask the River Girl in Todd about this.
8 locals recommend
Todd Island Park
1219 Todd Railroad Grade RdNearby natural setting with easy access. The Easter Bunny has been known to kayak here - ask the River Girl in Todd about this.
The Greenway Trail
The Greenway TrailProtected trail in a semi-urban area.
Elk Knob State Park
5564 Meat Camp RdNice park near to the cabin.
City advice
Customs and culture
Be sure to wave!
Most people in the mid- and smaller towns in NC are friendly and personable. When you're driving or walking in the neighborhood or on a smaller road or trail, you'll fit right in when you give a wave to those you pass.