Beech Mountain is truly an outdoor playground for kids ages 2 to 102 with activities and adventures to be had year round.

Nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains of the High Country, 5,506 feet above sea level, sits Beech Mountain, the highest town in the eastern U.S. That sky-high elevation makes it one of North Carolina’s coolest spots year-round, with average summer temperatures hovering around 75 degrees.

Summers are mild and perfect for golfing or fishing. Trout anglers have multiple options on Beech Mountain with two lakes, as well as a handful of mountain streams.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to explore through more than 27 miles of hiking and biking trails and a downhill mountain biking terrain park, for the more adventurous. If birding is your thing, home to approximately 127 bird species, Beech Mountain has been designated as a perfect spot for bird watching by the High Country Audubon Society.

But it’s not all about summer on this idyllic mountain. Autumn ushers in brilliant fall colors that extend for weeks, leading to a winter playground for sledding, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and snowshoeing. This town has plenty to offer for those seeking adventure or the ones who prefer to sit back, relax and enjoy sweeping alpine views and spectacular sunsets.

Thrill or chill, it’s no wonder this cool little town has become a hot spot to disconnect, unwind and reconnect with nature.