Rustic, Rural Charm and Rich History
Offering historic, rural charm, Valle Crucis was first settled over 200 years ago. The community itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as North Carolina’s first rural national historic district.
When Levi Ives, the second Episcopal bishop of North Carolina, visited the area in the 1840s, he noticed that three streams formed the shape of St. Andrew’s Cross. Ives then deemed the location Valle Crucis, which is Latin for “Vale of the Cross.”
Valle Crucis, with its friendly residents and rustic landscape, evokes spirit of a simpler time. The area’s vast countryside is perfect for outdoor activities. Spend an afternoon at the Valle Crucis Community Park. There you can bird watch from the benches, let little ones play on the playground or follow the trail that leads you through the wetlands and banks of the Watauga River. The Watauga River is also a popular spot for anglers to enjoy fly fishing. From the Valle Crucis Conference Center, you can hike to the picturesque Lower Crab Orchard waterfall.
Valle Crucis offers charming bed and breakfasts, inns and cabin rentals, as well as delightful restaurants serving Appalachian fare, historic sites, art galleries and more. The area is also home to the highly anticipated Valle Country Fair in October, an authentic harvest celebration at the peak of fall.
A trip to Valle Crucis is not complete without visiting the centuries-old Mast General Store. This historic building is brimming with old-fashioned favorites, gifts and souvenirs, along with modern apparel, home décor, travel necessities and more.
The serenity of Valle Crucis is complemented by the community’s proximity to the more bustling parts of the High Country. Breathe in the crisp mountain air and embrace the rural charm and heritage of Valle Crucis.
