High Country

Favorites

Make the most of your stay with activities, local fare, and more.

Child wearing a helmet and harness zip-lining through trees against a cloudy sky.

Family-friendly

  • The Pottery Lot is a community pottery studio and gallery dedicated to bringing people together through clay. Their year-round studio space allows potters of all levels to create, learn, and connect with workshops and classes, and the space features a curated retail gallery showcasing the work of local potters. | thepotterylot.com

    • Book pottery classes here

    5014 NC Highway 105 S
    Vilas, NC 28692

  • Sky Valley Zip Tours sits on a stunning 140-acre property just minutes from Boone and Blowing Rock. The zip-lining course takes you through lush forest, across a hidden waterfall, and out to views that stretch over the ridgelines. | skyvalleyziptours.com

    • Book a Canopy Zip Tour (ages 10 & up) here

    • Book the Whistle Pig Kid’s Zipline (ages 4 & up) here

    634 Sky Ranch Rd.
    Blowing Rock, NC 28605

  • Hawksnest is the largest snow tubing park in the Southeast, with up to 30 lanes of snow tubing fun, each ranging from 400 to 1000 feet long. With something for everyone ages 3 and up, Hawksnest Tubing Park is a great place to wear your children out. | hawksnesttubing.com

    • Make a reservation here

    2058 Skyland Dr.
    Seven Devils, NC 28604

A woven basket filled with a variety of fruits, including green beans, guavas, eggplants, and apples, sitting on a dirt floor.

Farm-to-table

  • The best of the best for fine dining in the High Country. To impress your date or celebrate a special occasion, Artisanal is the place to go. Chef-owner and wine director Bill Greene combines his culinary expertise with a passion for wine to create an exceptional dining experience. | artisanalnc.com

    Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, May through October

    • Learn more about the prix fixe menu here

    • Make a reservation via OpenTable here

    1200 Dobbins Rd.
    Banner Elk, NC 28604

  • L.P. on Main’s food menu celebrates the seasons with locally-sourced ingredients prepared daily in-house, including NC seafood, Western North Carolina bison, and locally grown produce. Behind the bar, find craft cocktails, beer from High Country breweries, wines by the glass from an antique cruvinet system, and a zero proof menu that includes THC-infused beverages. | louisianapurchasefoodandspirits.com

    Open for dinner Thursday through Sunday

    • See the menu here

    • Make a reservation via Resy here

    171 Main St.
    Banner Elk, NC 28604

  • A restaurant and bottle shop in downtown Blowing Rock, The Speckled Trout’s offerings explore the roots of Appalachian food and beverage culture and reimagine them, preserving and reviving local heritage and ingredients. | thespeckledtrout.com

    Open for lunch and dinner Thursday through Monday (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

    • View the menu here

    • Make a reservation via OpenTable here

    922 Main St.
    Blowing Rock, NC 28605

  • Vidalia Restaurant & Wine Bar‘s mission is to source locally and provide high-end North Carolina cuisine in an approachable yet upscale environment. | vidaliaofboone.org

    Open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday, and open for brunch on Sundays

    • View the menu here

    • Make a reservation via Resy here

    831 W King St.
    Boone, NC 28607

A rustic barn with a curved rusty metal roof, surrounded by greenery and flowers, with a porch and outdoor seating area.

Laid-back vibes

  • Located close to Haven on the Ridge in Valle Crucis, the Barnyard is The Mast Farm Inn’s laidback, open-air beer and wine bar. Situated in an old barn and surrounded by garden beds and farm animals, it’s the perfect spot to kick back on a sunny afternoon.

    • See upcoming events at The Mast Farm Inn & The Barnyard here

    • Enjoy a delicious farm-to-table dinner at the Valle Tavern after hanging at The Barnyard. Call or text 828-963-5857 to make a reservation.

    2558 Broadstone Rd.
    Banner Elk, NC 28604

  • Parallel Brewing is an experimental craft beer project with a continually-rotating lineup of beers. Their tasting room and wine bar offers a unique and intimate beverage experience. Right next door, you’ll find Huzzah Used Books, another beautiful space to find something new and enjoy life at a leisurely pace. And, yes, you can take your drink in.

    Open 7 days a week

    114 Clement St.
    Boone, NC 28607

  • Find quality produce and goods from local growers — seasonal fruits and berries, jams, ferments, honey, fresh baked breads, sweets from country kitchens, eggs, goat cheeses, locally-raised meats, herbs, microgreens, mushrooms, fresh-cut and dried flowers, wreaths and arrangements, and a large selection of plants including garden starts, annuals, perennials and shrubs — at Watauga County Farmers Market. Farm-based crafts including wool, woodcarvings, birdhouses, jewelry, leatherwork, pottery, metalwork, handcrafted garden decor, and original paintings and fine art photography are also offered by local artists.

    Open Saturday mornings year-round

    591 Horn in the West Dr.
    Boone, NC 28607

Want to offload the work of planning?

Go full relaxation mode and opt in to concierge services during your stay at Haven on the Ridge. Services start at $75 for one weekend of plans, and include an itinerary and reservations tailored to your trip and guests.

Submit the form to request services.