Wild West family theme park featuring a three-mile, steam-powered train ride through the North Carolina mountains. Shopping, live entertainment, amusement rides and a petting zoo. Open on weekends in May (Fri.-Sun.). Open 7 days a week after Memorial Day weekend through mid-August. Mid-August through October, open weekends (Fri.-Sun.). Operating hours are 9AM to 6PM. Ghost Train Halloween Festival runs weekend evenings in October. Please call ahead to verify operating hours and rates, or visit our website for more information.

The 192,000-acre Grandfather District of Pisgah National Forest stretches from near Black Mountain, along the east side of the Blue Ridge Parkway, to just south of Blowing Rock. The forest provides outstanding recreation, spectacular scenery, a vast array of wildlife habitat, and sustainable timber.

It's a fascinating exploration of science, optical illusion and natural phenomena. Tour includes the Mystery House where visitors stand at a 45° angle, the Hall of Mystery, the Puzzle Room, and Bubble-Rama. Also features Appalachian Heritage Museum and the Native American Artifacts Museum with 50,000 relics. Open 7 days a week, year-round, rain or shine. Four miles from Blowing Rock.

Nestled in a secluded mountain valley, you'll discover a place Charles Kuralt calls"...a destination." Mast General Store in Valle Crucis. Outfitting the Appalachian since 1883 with traditional mercantile goods, comfortable clothing, rugged footwear and quality outdoor gear for all mountain seasons. Warm up by our potbellied stove, mail a letter at our antique post office, and discover why some times are just too good to leave behind. Original Store/Mast Store Annex, Hwy 194, Valle Crucis. Also, King Street, Boone.

Guided tours through a natural limestone cavern featuring stalactite and stalagmite formations, underground stream and blind trout. North Carolina's only show caverns. Open year round (weekends only December, January, February). Hwy 221 North, Marion, NC

The NC High Country’s 1st Ski Area. Skiing since 1962. 2 Quad Chairlifts, 1 Double Chairlift, 1 Conveyor Lift, 1 Handle Pull Lift. 10 slopes including 2 Terrain Parks. Season: Friday before Thanksgiving through the first Sunday in April. Open 7 days a week. Night skiing beginning first Friday in December. Refrigerated Outdoor Ice Arena w/ 3 sessions daily @ Noon, 2:30 & 7pm. 2200 Sets of Ski Equipment rentals, 450 Snowboard rentals, clothing rentals, & helmet rentals. Home of the French Swiss Ski College, the Southeast’s largest independent Ski School, offering daily group and private lessons & the SKIwee Childrens Program. Facilities include: 46,000 sq ft Bavarian-style base lodge is smoke-free w/ wireless internet, Restaurant, Ski Shop, Gift Shop, Nursery for Ages 1 to 4, Lockers, Video Game Room, Meeting Rooms, & 200 foot observation deck. Off season wedding receptions. Slopeside lodging and ski-and-stay packages available. Special rates for groups. Early and late season rates.