If you only make one big day trip from the house, make it this one. The Mile High Swinging Bridge is a 228-foot suspension footbridge strung across an 80-foot chasm at the top of Linville Peak, 5,305 feet up. It sways a little, the views stretch for miles, and even the kids who said they weren’t scared hold the rail.
There’s plenty more on the mountain. The wildlife habitats are home to black bears, river otters, cougars, elk and bald eagles, and the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery is a good stop for younger ones. The Top Shop beside the bridge has snacks, restrooms and an elevator, and a short paved path gets you to the bridge itself.
Good to know: buy timed-entry tickets online before you go, as that’s the only way to guarantee a spot. The mountain is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas, weather permitting, and the summit is usually 10 to 20 degrees cooler than the valley, so bring a layer. Go early on a clear morning for the sharpest views, or in October for the colour.
