High Country Jazz Festival

High Country Jazz Festival

June 12-14, 2026: featuring a variety of jazz artists, from local, regional national and international stars.

Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival

©Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival

Sept. 15-19, 2026: the Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival transforms the scenic High Country into a sprawling, open-air studio, inviting artists and art lovers alike to witness the magic of creation in real-time.

Year-Round High Country

Experience everything High Country has to offer through all the seasons Photos by Leslie Restivo Spring Eventually the temperatures warm, the snow clears and the mountainside becomes lush with greenery and wildflowers. Rhododendrons brighten up the mountainous landscape with their vibrant pink and purple blooms. Springtime is a perfect time for outdoor adventures in the […]

Middle Fork Greenway

Connecting High Country Communities Through Nature and Art Editorial By Julie MatthewsImages supplied by Leila Jackson – Blue Ridge Conservancy The Middle Fork Greenway is a scenic multi-use recreational trail threading through parts of the High Country for all to enjoy the outdoors. From running and walking to rollerblading and skateboarding to cycling and strolling, […]

Banner Elk

Artsy Summers, Colorful Autumns & Snowy Winters

North Carolina’s Finest in the High Country

Experience the FINEST of North Carolina’s High Country from Silver Springs Farm Estates—a picturesque, gated community just one mile from the heart of Banner Elk. With only a limited number of homesites remaining, this is your chance to secure a ready-to-build lot in one of the area’s most desirable mountain settings. Relax in the gated […]