1.4 mi from the house
Original Mast General Store
The original 1883 general store in the middle of Valle Crucis, with a candy barrel of over 400 old-fashioned sweets, outdoor gear and a potbelly stove. An easy first-day stop.
These are the places we send our own family and friends, all within an easy drive of Valle View Retreat in Valle Crucis. Pick a category below to see our favorites, how far each one is from the house, and where to book. Ski Sugar and Beech Mountain in winter, swim in the Watauga River in summer, cross the Mile High Swinging Bridge or spend a slow afternoon at the Mast General Store.
The places guests ask about most, from the Mast Store down the road to Grandfather Mountain and the mountain towns.
1.4 mi from the house
The original 1883 general store in the middle of Valle Crucis, with a candy barrel of over 400 old-fashioned sweets, outdoor gear and a potbelly stove. An easy first-day stop.
1.5 mi from the house
A 28-acre nonprofit park on the Watauga River with walking paths, a playground, wetlands and picnic shelters. Home of Music in the Valle on summer Fridays.
5.2 mi from the house
Wine tastings and flights on the banks of the Watauga River, with bottles to take back to the porch.
6 mi from the house
Tastings and wine flights in the hills outside Banner Elk, with bottles to take home.
7 mi from the house
North Carolina's ski town: a small, walkable center with shops, cafés, a brewery and some of the area's best dinner restaurants.
8 mi from the house
Cross the Mile High Swinging Bridge, visit the wildlife habitats and hike some of the most dramatic trails in the Blue Ridge.
9 mi from the house
Game day at "The Rock" with the Mountaineers on fall Saturdays. One of the best college football atmospheres in the South.
About 9 mi from the house
Scenic overlooks, picnic spots and easy leg-stretcher trails, with the Linn Cove Viaduct curving around the side of Grandfather Mountain.
9 mi from the house
Historic King Street next to App State, lined with independent shops, outfitters, coffee and places to eat.
12 mi from the house
A Wild West theme park with a 3-mile ride behind a historic steam train, live shows and rides for younger kids.
13 mi from the house
A picture-postcard mountain village with boutiques, galleries, antiques and great restaurants along Main Street. Lovely in every season.
About 13 mi from the house
Blowing Rock's outlet center (the one locals still call Tanger) with brands like Gap, Columbia and Carter's. An easy rainy-day outing.
About 40 mi from the house
North Carolina's only show cave: guided 35-minute tours inside Humpback Mountain at a steady 52 degrees, whatever the weather outside.
Rivers, trails and slopes within half an hour of the house. Where you can book, the button goes straight to the operator.
1.5 mi from the house
A 28-acre nonprofit park on the Watauga River with walking paths, a playground, wetlands and picnic shelters. Home of Music in the Valle on summer Fridays.
1.5 mi from the house
Shallow, slow-moving water for wading, splashing and cooling off on a summer afternoon. Free to visit; donations keep the park running.
8 mi from the house
Cross the Mile High Swinging Bridge, visit the wildlife habitats and hike some of the most dramatic trails in the Blue Ridge.
8 mi from the house
Long, fast snow tubing lanes for ages 3 and up, with night sessions under the lights. Sessions sell out on weekends, so book ahead.
About 8 mi from the house
Free backcountry trails like the Profile Trail and Daniel Boone Scout Trail. Some sections are still recovering from Hurricane Helene, so check trail status before you go.
8 mi from the house
20 ziplines and more than 4 miles of cable. The Hawk Tour suits ages 5 and up; the Eagle Tour has lines over 2,000 feet long.
About 9 mi from the house
Scenic overlooks, picnic spots and easy leg-stretcher trails, with the Linn Cove Viaduct curving around the side of Grandfather Mountain.
10 mi from the house
Skiing and snowboarding on the biggest vertical drop in North Carolina, about 20 minutes from the house.
10 mi from the house
Groomed tubing lanes with a lift back to the top. Tickets are sold online only, so book before you head up.
10 mi from the house
Lift-served downhill trails and scenic chairlift rides to the summit on summer weekends.
12 mi from the house
Skiing and snowboarding at the highest ski resort in eastern North America, with a lively village at the base.
12 mi from the house
Daytime and night tubing sessions with lights and music. Riders need to be at least 42 inches tall; tickets are sold online.
12 mi from the house
Chairlift-served bike trails from late May to September, plus scenic lift rides and summer concerts at the top of the mountain.
Trips on the Watauga & nearby rivers
Wade and float trips with Due South Outfitters, a Boone fly shop. Beginners welcome. You'll need a North Carolina fishing license, sold online through Go Outdoors NC.
Trailheads 10 to 30 min away
Rough Ridge, Boone Fork, Price Lake, Elk Knob and the Cascades are all close by, from easy family walks to big-view climbs.
Trips leave from nearby outposts
Half-day family trips on the Watauga River and bigger rapids further afield with High Mountain Expeditions. Wahoo's Adventures in Boone runs Watauga trips too.
Wineries, a brewery, live music and somewhere for a drink. Evenings here are more porch-and-a-glass-of-wine than late nights.
1.5 mi from the house
Free Friday night concerts at Valle Crucis Community Park, Memorial Day to Labor Day, 6 to 8 PM. Live band, food trucks, a dessert truck and BYOB.
2 mi from the house
Photo: Valle Crucis
A cozy speakeasy-style bar in a historic Valle Crucis inn, open Friday and Saturday evenings, plus a monthly three-course dinner you book by phone.
5.2 mi from the house
Wine tastings and flights on the banks of the Watauga River, with bottles to take back to the porch.
6 mi from the house
Tastings and wine flights in the hills outside Banner Elk, with bottles to take home.
7 mi from the house
Photo: Banner Elk
A family-friendly taproom on Main Street in Banner Elk with local beer, pizza, wings, shuffleboard and pinball. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Book ahead: reservations are strongly recommended for many of the better dinner restaurants, especially on peak weekends, during fall color and around the holidays. Several fill up days or weeks in advance.
1.4 mi from the house
Our closest breakfast and lunch spot, beside the Mast Store: coffee, pastries, soups and sandwiches, plus picnic food, beer and wine to take away.
2 mi from the house
Photo: Valle Crucis
A cozy speakeasy-style bar in a historic Valle Crucis inn, open Friday and Saturday evenings, plus a monthly three-course dinner you book by phone.
7 mi from the house
Photo: Banner Elk
Farm-to-table fine dining with produce from nearby Springhouse Farm. Reservations required; open seasonally, May to October.
7 mi from the house
Photo: Banner Elk
An all-day local favorite: American breakfast and lunch, an Italian dinner menu and a tavern. Join the online waitlist on busy days.
7 mi from the house
Photo: Banner Elk
A Main Street breakfast spot since 2005: omelets, pancakes, grits and New York-style deli sandwiches at lunch.
7 mi from the house
Photo: the High Country
An old-school diner for a big country breakfast or a meat-and-two lunch, with a view of Grandfather Mountain. Breakfast and lunch only.
7 mi from the house
Photo: Banner Elk
A family-friendly taproom on Main Street in Banner Elk with local beer, pizza, wings, shuffleboard and pinball. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
7 mi from the house
Photo: Banner Elk
The former Louisiana Purchase, serving Banner Elk since 1984: NC seafood, local bison and a strong wine list. Dinner Wednesday to Saturday.
7 mi from the house
Photo: Banner Elk
Family-run Italian cooking in the Village of Banner Elk since 1983. A good choice for a relaxed group dinner.
7 mi from the house
Photo: Banner Elk
A Banner Elk steak and seafood favorite since 1985, known for prime rib and its salad bar. Open nightly from 5 PM.
7 mi from the house
Photo: Banner Elk
Special-occasion dining mixing American, Italian and Japanese influences. Open Friday and Saturday evenings; reservations advised.
8 mi from the house
Photo: Banner Elk
Easy, casual Southern barbecue with a choice of sauces. No reservations, and it's great for feeding a hungry group.
8 mi from the house
Photo: Blowing Rock
Wild game and Southern fine dining in a stone cottage between Boone and Blowing Rock: elk, bison, trout and a famous bread pudding. Reservations required.
15 mi from the house
Photo: Blowing Rock
Stone-baked pizza on Main Street. An easy, kid-friendly dinner after a day of shopping.
15 mi from the house
Photo: Blowing Rock
Thai and Japanese cooking with a sushi bar, open for lunch and dinner daily. Takeout is available for a night in.
15 mi from the house
Photo: Blowing Rock
Appalachian and Southern cooking with local trout and hoecakes, plus a craft beer and wine bottle shop on Main Street.
16 mi from the house
Photo: Blowing Rock
The Blowing Rock bistro and its historic Antlers Bar, cooking from a temporary home on Sunset Drive while the original building is rebuilt.
16 mi from the house
Photo: Blowing Rock
One of Blowing Rock's oldest restaurants (since 1975), serving steaks and seafood at the Inn at Ragged Gardens. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
9 mi from the house
Family-style Southern cooking passed around the table since 1959: fried chicken, country ham, mashed potatoes and biscuits. Great for a big group.
Good options when the weather turns: shopping streets, a cave tour, museums and somewhere warm to eat.
1.4 mi from the house
The original 1883 general store in the middle of Valle Crucis, with a candy barrel of over 400 old-fashioned sweets, outdoor gear and a potbelly stove. An easy first-day stop.
5.2 mi from the house
Wine tastings and flights on the banks of the Watauga River, with bottles to take back to the porch.
6 mi from the house
Tastings and wine flights in the hills outside Banner Elk, with bottles to take home.
7 mi from the house
North Carolina's ski town: a small, walkable center with shops, cafés, a brewery and some of the area's best dinner restaurants.
7 mi from the house
Photo: Banner Elk
A family-friendly taproom on Main Street in Banner Elk with local beer, pizza, wings, shuffleboard and pinball. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
9 mi from the house
Historic King Street next to App State, lined with independent shops, outfitters, coffee and places to eat.
9 mi from the house
Photo: Downtown Boone
App State's free contemporary art museum, with five galleries on King Street. Open Tuesday to Saturday; closed on home football Saturdays.
About 9 mi from the house
Photo: Downtown Boone
Bowling for the whole group in Boone, with a bar for the grown-ups. Lanes can be booked online; closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
About 9 mi from the house
Photo: Downtown Boone
An indoor bouldering gym in Boone with gear rental and youth programs. A great way for older kids to burn off energy.
About 9 mi from the house
Photo: Downtown Boone
A hands-on children's museum in Boone for ages 0 to 8, with indoor and outdoor play areas.
13 mi from the house
A picture-postcard mountain village with boutiques, galleries, antiques and great restaurants along Main Street. Lovely in every season.
13 mi from the house
Photo: Blowing Rock
Rotating art exhibitions and the story of the region, a short walk from Blowing Rock's Main Street. Closed Mondays.
About 13 mi from the house
Blowing Rock's outlet center (the one locals still call Tanger) with brands like Gap, Columbia and Carter's. An easy rainy-day outing.
About 40 mi from the house
North Carolina's only show cave: guided 35-minute tours inside Humpback Mountain at a steady 52 degrees, whatever the weather outside.
Seasonal events worth planning your dates around.
1.5 mi from the house
Free Friday night concerts at Valle Crucis Community Park, Memorial Day to Labor Day, 6 to 8 PM. Live band, food trucks, a dessert truck and BYOB.
9 mi from the house
Game day at "The Rock" with the Mountaineers on fall Saturdays. One of the best college football atmospheres in the South.