Welcome to North Carolina’s High Country
Refresh in North Carolina’s High Country
Moving Forward After the Storm
The High Country community has banded together and reopened for business since the havoc Hurricane Helene wreaked in September 2024.
High Country Hiking Trails
The High Country has hundreds of miles of hiking trails to explore with varying lengths, terrain and difficulties.
Music in the Mountains 2025
The music scene in North Carolina’s High Country is hot all year long, even when the temperatures outside are at their lowest.
High Thrills in the High Country
A lot of people look to the High Country as a place to relax and unwind, and it’s certainly an ideal location for kicking back. By Arielle Patterson, with updates by Julie Matthews However, others are born with a yearning for adventure, and it’s these people who look to the High Country as a place to […]
Gem Mining in the High Country
A Modern Day Treasure Hunt
Destination: Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock has been a tourist destination for more than 130 years.
Destination: Boone
Recognized as an Ultimate Outdoor Adventure Destination in the Southeast
Get to Know APP State
Appalachian State University, also known as App State, is a top-ranking public university located in downtown Boone
Sips and Trips of the High Country
Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries in North Carolina’s High Country Give You a Taste of Mountain Character
Destination: Banner Elk
Artsy Summers, Colorful Autumns & Snowy Winters
Destination: West Jefferson
Escape the hustle and embrace a relaxed pace in West Jefferson
Destination: Valle Crucis
Rustic, Rural Charm and Rich History
Middle Fork Greenway
Naturally Connecting the Communities of the High Country By Julie Matthews The Middle Fork Greenway, a Blue Ridge Conservancy project, is a significant community endeavor in progress in North Carolina’s High Country. With the goal of “Connecting Blowing Rock to Boone Naturally,” the multi-use recreational trail is currently in development with initial segments already open […]
Behind the Lens
Meet Photographer Leslie Restivo By Julie Matthews / Photo above courtesy of Leslie Restivo We are beyond grateful to professional photographer Leslie Restivo for allowing us to feature her images once again as the cover photography of the High Country Visitors Guide. As a seventh generation resident of the Boone area, Restivo takes local expert […]