15 Things To Do In Banner Elk, North Carolina, In Any Season

A conveniently located retreat for adventure enthusiasts and Blue Ridge fans, Banner Elk, North Carolina, has earned a name for itself as one of our favorite places to explore in the outdoors. Tourists flock to Banner Elk in the winter, when the Blue Ridge Mountains are dusted in snow, but the summertime also has its draws. In the warm weather, it promises excellent hiking, laid-back dining, and even blueberry picking at one of the town's favorite wineries.

This small mountain town may only be home to around 1,300 residents, but that makes it all the more charming. In fact, visitors from North Carolina and beyond travel to Banner Elk for some of the area's best skiing and hiking. Situated in North Carolina's High Country, Banner Elk is set within driving distance of the South's two largest ski resorts: Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain. Read on for the best things to do during your visit to Banner Elk.

What To Do

Hit The Slopes At Beech Mountain

These slopes are full of superlatives. Just a short drive north, Beech Mountain is the highest ski resort town in the eastern United States at 5,506 feet. At Beech Mountain Resort, guests embark on biking excursions, tubing adventures, disc golf, and rides on the scenic lift to see the scenery from new vantage points. Besides skiing, other winter activities include snow tubing and a freestyle terrain park for beginner through advanced snowboarding. The resort also has North Carolina's only mountain-top ski bar, 5506' Skybar.

beechmountainresort.com, 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC 28604

Have an Adventure At Sugar Mountain

A visit to Sugar Mountain Resort offers plenty of opportunities to ski the slopes. A short drive south from Banner Elk, Sugar Mountain has 125 skiable acres and the only double black diamond slope in the state. At 5,300 feet, it also has the state's largest vertical drop of 1,200 feet. Summer brings food truck festivals, summer music series, fireworks, and mountain biking. It's also a good time to hike surrounding trails.

skisugar.com, 1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain, NC 28604

See Grandfather Mountain's Mile-High Views

Spend a day at Grandfather Mountain State Park and walk the gentle in-park paths or take a journey through the back country, with ladders and cables guiding you up cliff faces. Grandfather Mountain and Mile High Swinging Bridge, a suspension bridge built for adrenaline fanatics, are not part of the state park and a fee is charged to visit these attractions. On a clear day, visitors can see the peaks of Hawksbill, Table Rock, Sugar Mountain, and Mount Mitchell.

The park is also home to several hiking trails varying in difficulty. Don't leave this spot without seeing the town's namesake elk at the Mildred the Bear Wildlife Habitats, home to black bears, elk, cougars, bald eagles, and river otters (the name comes with its own sweet history).

grandfather.com/state-park, 4198 N.C. 105 North, Banner Elk, NC 28604

grandfather.com/visit/things-to-do/wildlife-habitats, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646

Ride The Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster

As an added bonus, Banner Elk is also home to North Carolina's first alpine coaster. Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster is a family owned and operated thrill that whirls you through the NC landscape. The 3,160-foot track ramps up the excitement with waves, twists, and three circular loops—they don't go upside down. This thrill ride for all ages is rider controlled and can reach up to 27 mph.

wildernessrunalpinecoaster.com, 3265 Tynecastle Highway, Banner Elk, NC 28604

Friend An Alpaca At Apple Hill Farm

On this working farm, all of the animals have jobs. Visitors can connect with animals like alpacas, angora goats, llamas, donkeys, zebu cattle, horses, and livestock guardian dogs. Guided walking tours allow visitors to get up close to the animals. Some will come and let visitors pet them, while others are a little more private. Stop by the farm store for alpaca, mohair, llama, and cotton yarns and knitting supplies. If you’re not a knitter, you can also pick up socks, hats, and dryer balls made with alpaca fiber.

applehillfarmnc.com, 400 Apple Hill Road, Banner Elk, NC 28604

Race Worms At The Woolly Worm Festival

In fall, plan your visit around the annual Woolly Worm Festival. The event draws nearly 20,000 visitors to Banner Elk. Woolly worms are the larva of the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella). Festival goers can visit 160 vendors and watch the woolly worm race, where nearly 1,000 participants register their woolly worms to race along three feet of nylon string. Legend has it that the size of the colored bands of woolly worms predict the weather—the more black there is, the more severe the winter. The race’s winning worm earns the distinction of predicting weather for the upcoming winter. 

woollyworm.com, 185 Azalea Circle, Banner Elk, 28604

Where To Eat

Enjoy Fine Dining At Artisanal

When dining in Banner Elk, you have your pick of places—this town may be small, but it's known throughout the area for its culinary scene. Artisanal is your fine dining destination, driven by a farm-to-table concept. The prix fixe menu consists of three courses, with several choices for each course. Sample entrees include Atlantic halibut, grilled lamb tenderloin, and prime fillet beef Wellington.

artisanalnc.com, 1200 Dobbins Road, Banner Elk, NC 28604

Crave Cajun At Bayou

Bayou Smokehouse & Grill is serving up Cajun recipes in a pub atmosphere. The Southern hospitality welcomes you in. The comforting Southern dishes spiced with Cajun flair keep you coming back. Start with a salad topped with blackened shrimp and crawfish, and choose from handhelds like po'boys and burgers. The menu has a variety of Cajun favorites like crawfish etoufee, red beans and rice, and gumbo.

bayoubannerelk.com, 130 East Main Street, Banner Elk, NC 28604

Order Pho At Cam Ranh Bay

Vietnamese and Japanese restaurant Cam Ranh Bay is notable for its pho, but the menu is loaded with more options, from sushi and pad Thai to lettuce wraps and hot pot. It is also vegetarian and vegan friendly.

facebook.com/CamRanhBayBannerElk, 110 High Country Square, Banner Elk, NC 28604

Try Pedalin' Pig's Gourmet Barbecue

Get a taste of gourmet barbecue (yes, you read that right) at the Pedalin' Pig. Start with the chicharrones (how could you go wrong with pork rinds, queso, and green chiles?), but save room for a platter of half a chicken or brisket. Wash it all down with a local brew.

thepedalinpig.com, 4235 NC-105, Banner Elk, NC 28604

Eat Local At LP On Main

Don't miss LP on Main for locally inspired dishes like North Carolina flounder, bison meatloaf, and heirloom tomato salad. Everything is made fresh in-house with ingredients sourced from Charlotte’s Greenhouse, Trosley Farms, Heritage Farms, and Springhouse Farms. Pair the creamy Strawberry Pavé dessert with a gin cocktail.

louisianapurchasefoodandspirits.com, 171 Main Street, Banner Elk, NC 28604

Where To Drink

Stop For A Sip At Kettell Beerworks

Aprés ski in style at Banner Elk's cozy drinking destinations. Tuck into Kettell Beerworks, a welcoming local brewery with options ranging from an oatmeal stout to a bourbon barrel-aged Baltic porter. Grab a pizzadilla, soft pretzel, or wings while you sip.

kettellbeerworks.com, 567 Main Street East, Banner Elk, NC 28604

See What's On Tap At Blind Elk Tap Room

Try brews at the downtown Blind Elk Tap Room, where you'll find craft beer and Prosecco on tap, or order a glass of wine, a lesser-known beer, hard cider, or hard seltzer. With your pint, take part in a cornhole tournament or trivia, and enjoy food trucks, music, and other events.

blindelk.com, 397 Shawneehaw Avenue South, Banner Elk, NC 28604

Unwind At Banner Elk Winery

Sample fine High Country wines at Banner Elk Winery, where the award-winning wines are complemented by the stunning scenery. If you happen to visit in the summer, don't miss the Banner Elk Winery blueberry patch, where you can pick fresh fruit by the gallon.

"The High Country has an easy pace of life," Lisa Koch, property manager at Banner Elk Winery, tells Leigh Ann Henion. "It's around 70 degrees when it's sunny. All three wineries in the area have covered porches. Grandfather has a river. We have a lake. People come here for the tastings, sure, but they're really coming to enjoy summer. Life's good in the mountains."

bannerelkwinery.com, 135 Deer Run Lane, Banner Elk, NC 28604

Where To Stay

Sleep At Banner Elk Winery Villa

Stay in one of eight luxury suites at the Tuscan-style villa on the grounds of Banner Elk Winery. Appointed with queen- or king-size beds, luxury linens, jacuzzis, private terraces, and mountain views, suites are named for the wines produced on-site—Chardonnay, Bordeaux, BA AQQqlueberry, and Seyval Blanc. There are also many other hotels and vacation rentals in the area.

bannerelkwinery.com/Banner-Elk-Villa-srk, 135 Deer Run Lane, Banner Elk, NC 28604

Wherever you roam in and around Banner Elk, you'll find small-town charm and a mountain adventure waiting for you.