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| Local Area Attractions (See the Local Area Map link to the left) | 
| Grandfather Mountain Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge mountain range and a globally recognized nature preserve. Stand head and shoulders above the surrounding region, be struck with awe by 360-degree views of mountain ridge after mountain ridge retreating to the horizon, and discover sanctuary for the human spirit. The Mile High Swinging Bridge was built to give visitors easy access to the breath-taking view from Grandfather Mountain's Linville Peak. The 228-foot suspension bridge spans an 80-foot chasm at more than one mile in elevation. Grandfather has seven environmental habitats for black bears, bear cubs , river otters , cougars , bald eagles, golden eagles , and white-tailed deer . |  | The Blowing Rock North Carolina's oldest travel attraction since 1933. Short scenic walk includes views of Grandfather Mountain, Table Rock, and Hawksbill. Also enjoy a small garden waterfall, observation tower and unique gift shops. Open daily April-December. January, February and March open weekends only, weather permitting. Located on Highway 321 South across from Green Park Inn. Handicap accessible. | | 
| Linville Caverns Deep beneath Humpback Mountain, nature has sculpted a veritable masterpiece in stone. Toiling many centuries, slowly moving ground water has been the primary artist for this creation of underground labyrinths. The water dissolved out an incredible series of rooms and passages, and created spectacular formations like the "Tobacco Leaves " pictured here. The caverns were discovered in the 1800's by men intrigued by the mystery of fish swimming out of the mountain. Since then, extensive research has been done to acknowledge the history, folklore, geology and biology of Linville Caverns. One can only marvel at the endless information this underground wonder has to offer. The mystery is still alive. |  
| Linville Falls
At the head of the Linville Gorge is the famous Linville Falls which is actually two falls: Upper Falls (50 feet) and Lower Falls (60 feet). A well used (and maintained) trail leads you in the long climb to both lower and upper falls. The climb is strenuous but the rewards are great.
Forests offer virgin hemlock mixed with other familiar trees such as white pine, oaks, hickory, and birch. A colorful and varied display of wildflowers decorates the trails in the spring. Red and golden leaves in fall beautifully contrast with the soothing green of hemlocks.
The view of the Linville Gorge from the upper vantage point is well worth the effort. An information station at the parking lot has brochures about the falls (read it before you start your climb) and has other reading material, etc., for sale. Off the Blue Ridge Parkway (between milepost 316 and 317). |  
| Tweetsie Railroad
Tweetsie Railroad is a unique attraction that allows children and families to explore their imaginations and a whole lot more. Be a cowboy, Indian or an engineer. And of course, every guest will want to take a ride on our historic steam locomotive, Number 12, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In addition to the park attractions listed above, be sure to visit the Tweetsie Jail on Main Street, the Arcade and Shooting Gallery or the Games in the Country Fair, and while on Miner's Mountain, enjoy the playground and face painting, and the thrill of gem mining or panning for gold.
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| The Blue Ridge Parkway
Outstanding scenery and recreational opportunities make the Blue Ridge Parkway one of the most popular units of the National Park System. "America's Favorite Drive" winds its way 469 miles through mountain meadows and past seemingly endless vistas. Split-rail fences, old farmsteads and historic structures complement spectacular views of distant mountains and neighboring valleys.
The Parkway incorporates several recreation areas, some exceeding 6,000 acres. These parks within the Parkway have visitor centers, camp grounds, picnic areas, trails and, in many instances, concessionaire-operated lodges, restaurants, gas stations and other facilities.
Building the Parkway through mountainous terrain was a monumental labor. Authorized in the 1930s as a Depression-era public works project, the Parkway was more than a half-century in the making. It was the nation's first, and ultimately longest, rural parkway, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Enduring standards for parkway engineering and design were pioneered here.
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