The High Country Offers Endless Summer Fun
From exhilarating whitewater rafting adventures to relaxing walks and picnics by lakes, waterfalls, and streams – The High Country offers endless summer outdoor activities!
Adopt a more local lifestyle and support the local community at various farmers markets throughout the county. Each market offers something distinct for local residents; all have one thing in common though – locally-grown produce and homemade goods!
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games bring a little slice of Scotland to North Carolina each July on the second weekend in July, offering visitors an enjoyable array of Scottish dance competitions, piping contests, athletic events and much more in MacRae Meadows at Grandfather Mountain’s base. Organized and run by GMHG–a not-for-profit corporation licensed under state law–since 1956 to promote traditional dancing, piping and Gaelic culture while providing scholarships to encourage Avery County high school students of Scottish heritage study at American colleges and universities.
At the four-day Highland Games event, spectators are treated to an impressive showcase of professional strength from male and female competitors in ancient tests of strength such as highland wrestling; putting the stone – throwing a granite ball attached to a wooden shaft; hammer throw; and turning caber (tossing an end-over-end tree trunk endwise). There will also be highland dance, piping and drumming performances, bagpipe parades, etc.
Visitor can enjoy musical performances, cultural lectures and exhibitions such as the Scottish Cultural Village every day of their visit. There will also be specialty food vendors selling everything from haggis and shepherd’s pie to scotch eggs and bagpipe-shaped candy! Additionally, booths selling memorabilia with clan crests of each participating family offer additional forms of entertainment.
Highland Games events run from Thursday through Sunday with Saturday being the busiest. At Thursday evening’s opening ceremonies, representatives of 100 clans and 16 societies that comprise the Gathering of Clans announced their presence at this festival through torchlight ceremonies, while 800 participants ran the Bear 5 mile footrace up and over Grandfather Mountain’s steep switchbacks.
The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games will return from July 6 to 9, 2023, offering visitors an opportunity to discover and register for events through gmhg.org. Although admission to the Games is free, parking permits may be required in some areas of attendance and visitors should bring cash since some craft and merchandise vendors cannot process credit cards.
The Symphony by the Lake
The High Country is home to an eclectic group of artisans, craftspeople and designers who showcase their works at local art and craft markets or public events. Visitors can find everything from furniture and pottery to jewelry crafted by these local artisans that allow them to take a piece of their vacation back with them as a keepsake from this special place.
Symphony by the Lake returns to Chetola Resort this summer for another unforgettable event that is sure to become a summer highlight. Audience members will embark on an amazing musical journey “From the Alps to the Appalachians.” Cornelia Laemmli Orth once more takes command of this beloved summer event!
Attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets for comfortable seating, food vendors will also be on site and guests are also encouraged to purchase box picnic dinners from Timberlake’s Restaurant for easier preparations. A limited cash bar will also be open during the performance for those interested.
Local farmers, growers, and producers come together each week at multiple area farmer’s markets to showcase their bounty and offer it for purchase – such as locally-grown and raised produce, pastured meats, homemade cheeses, fresh baked goods, gourmet jams & jellies as well as gourmet jams & jellies! Visitors to the High Country will appreciate experiencing all these tasty offerings first-hand at these tasty markets!
Farmers’ markets provide more than delicious local cuisine – they also offer exquisite arts and crafts that local artisans are so proud to showcase to the community. Visitors will have an opportunity to peruse hundreds of booths filled with unique specialty items. Local artisans are passionate about what they do and love sharing it.
The High Country offers travelers looking for an adventure a variety of outdoor activities, from exhilarating whitewater rafting trips to scenic hiking. Its natural splendor serves as the ideal setting for summer getaways; hiking trails, golf courses, lakes and miles of golf courses make nature accessible at their leisure. Indulge yourself with nature while unwinding at a slower pace amidst beautiful surroundings – its stunning natural surroundings also providing inspiration to local artists and craftsmen who showcase their work at art fairs throughout the region!
Beech Mountain Brewing
Beech Mountain Resort now features western North Carolina’s newest craft brewery: an alpine village craft brewery! Open year round, Beech Mountain’s Beech Mountain Brewery produces three distinct ales made on site using expert advice from award-winning Blind Squirrel Brewing of Plumtree, NC’s Will Young (5506 Pale Ale, Liberty Ale and Yard Sale Ale are high-quality craft brews that can be bought by pint or growler; flight tastings include pint and keepsake glass!). Additionally, Beech Mountain offers brewery tours with pint and keepsake glasses!
Beech Mountain Brewing is dedicated to outdoor enthusiasts and their passion for beer. As one of only a handful of ski areas that own and operate breweries in the US, Beech Mountain is one of the few that owns and operates its brewery in order to foster community connections among those who engage in activities like skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, mountain biking, ice skating and disc golf across all four seasons. Their bi-level space boasts an inviting ambiance which customers have described as providing them with a relaxing place where they can meet friends while creating lasting memories in North Carolina’s mountains.
Beech Mountain Brewing hosts live music throughout the winter months at their brewery. Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers is an eclectic band who can transport you on an incredible musical adventure from pop lyricism, folk fjords and Americana archipelagos – not forgetting traditional roots music such as rock n roll, vintage country bluegrass and Appalachian mountain music!
Beech Mountain Brewing is an essential stop if you want to experience the high country while skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing or mountain biking in summer. Their open brewhouse and bar provide an intimate atmosphere and boast eight taps; their adjacent taproom offers several indoor tables as well as live entertainment on stage plus foosball tables; additionally they have an inviting fireplace where you can sit with cold beer from their extensive menu accompanied by delicious food offerings! They host various events including Friday Night Live Music performances; Trivia nights; Karaoke performances as well as Beer Bingo during ski season!
Beaver Field at Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University is situated in Boone, North Carolina in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Distinguished for equipping its students to live purposeful lives as global citizens who understand their responsibilities towards creating a sustainable future, the university offers transformational Appalachian experiences which bring people together through inspiring ways that encourage knowledge acquisition, holistic growth and acting with passion and determination.
Students can participate in fall, spring, and summer short-term faculty-led study abroad programs in either one week to one month programs that last from one to four sessions on campus before and after travel. In addition, an academic credit-bearing internship may also be available at local businesses or community organizations.
The School of Health Sciences provides students with practical experiences through practicums, internships and field placements that equip them to become effective health care providers. Furthermore, its $80 million health science facility opened in Fall 2018. This impressive structure houses 14 of 16 disciplines as well as simulation laboratories, assessment rooms and treatment rooms.
Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium is home to Appalachian State Mountaineers baseball team. The stadium features state-of-the-art AstroTurf Diamond Series playing surface which allows games to continue even under adverse weather conditions that would render natural surfaces unplayable.
The stadium is an ideal spot to watch a game and picnic with family and friends alike. The parking lot is large with ample seating in either direct sunlight or under trees for shade. Concession stand offers snacks like hot dogs, nachos and popcorn – plus there is the Health Promotions Association to promote health and wellbeing on campus!
Boone is a fun destination, easily reachable from campus. Boone features a bustling downtown with shops and restaurants as well as its proximity to Tweetsie Railroad and Cherokee National Forest. There are taxi services that offer pick up service directly at campus if driving is not an option for you.