The Old Hampton Store & Village is located at the foot of Grandfather Mountain and just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our 1920 general store and gristmill features its own 100% natural stoneground cornmeal, grits and buckwheat pancake mix. You'll also find homemade jams, jellies, preserves, apple butter, and dozens of pickled products, cheeses and country ham.

If you're in the mood for shopping, the country store carries pottery, baskets, enamel ware, handmade rugs, cast iron and a variety of unusual kitchen products.

Ready for a whitewater adventure the whole family can enjoy? Join us on a rafting adventure down the scenic Watauga River. We've been rafting there for 23 years, and it's just as fun summer after summer! We've got everything covered from gear to professional whitewater guides to photos of your family to a real home cooked lunch, straight from April's kitchen.   The Watauga River is dam-controlled, which means that the water level is great from spring to fall, guaranteed! For a little extra adventure, ride rodeo at the biggest rapid, Anaconda, or reserve a torrent (a sit on top kayak, no experience necessary) to take down with the rafters in your group when you make your reservation. We suggest calling in advance for reservations. Thursday, Friday and Saturday are our busiest days, and July and August our busiest months, so be sure to call us to ask any questions and make a reservation!

Our Toll-Free # is 1-800-789-3343.

"Mild to Wild" Whitewater Rafting in NC & TN with USA Raft/Mountain Adventure Guides.

NC & TN whitewater rafting on the French Broad River, Nolichucky River Gorge, Lower Nolichucky River, Nantahala River and Watauga River.

You can also enjoy Caving and Climbing adventures in groups with them as well as explore a cave, climb a mountain, raft a wild river, cook a delicious dinner over a camp-fire and then sleep under the stars by signing up for one of their summer camps!

Find rejuvenation, excitement and family memories in a natural haven that will endure forever. Endless vistas, the Mile high Swinging Bridge, native wildlife and alpine hiking trails. Open all year. Located on U.S. Highway 221, two miles north of Linville and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway: Milepost 305.  Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge and a globally recognized nature preserve.  Open all year.  Located on U.S. Highway 221, two miles north of Linville and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway: Milepost 305.

828-733-2013 is the office, but 828-733-4337 is the number at the gate.  If they are selling tickets, someone will answer.  Whereas the office is closed on weekends. 2050 Blowing Rock Highway is the address of the ticket gate.

The Banner House Museum is the renovated home of one of the founding families: Samuel Henry Banner, his wife Jane, and their 7 children. Period rooms have been recreated to display objects used and the culture of the time. Docent-led tours offer information and stories about life in the mountains during the mid-to late 1800s. Founding Families highlight the pioneers who first settled this Elk River Valley through photographs, letters, deeds, family documents, and objects.

 
The Banner House Museum houses a gift shop. Visitors may visit the shop without touring the museum. Walking tours of the Banner Elk historic district leave from the Banner House Museum at 2:00 PM on the days the museum is open. House visits prior to the walking tour are included in the walking tour fee.

 
Check our website calendar for information about a children's workshop series, Elk Camp. The Banner House Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For more information, call 828-898-3634 or email them at bannerhousemuseum@yahoo.com.

Banner Elk Winery marks the genesis of the wine tradition in the High Country of North Carolina as the first commercial winery built in Avery and Watauga counties. In July 2006, the age-old winemaking tradition officially made its debut in a corner of the New World previously overlooked for the craft.  Please join us for a tasting and tour.  We are open for Wine Tastings Wednesday thru Sunday from Noon until 6 PM. 

Apple Hill Farm sits on top of Valle Mountain on the site of a 45-year-old apple orchard. The remaining apple trees serve as the focal point for the property that is now home to alpacas, cats, chickens, dogs, donkeys, goats, horses, llamas and miniature donkeys.

Apple Hill Farm conducts a farm tour every Saturday at 2:00 p.m. from mid-May to mid-October. The 1.5-hour guided walking tour starts at the horse barn, winding around the farm to visit the main barns and animal sheds. Tour guides will give information about the specific species and personalities of animals living on Apple Hill Farm and explain the fencing, feeding and grazing practices. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10. Reservations are requested, so please call 828-963-1662. There is a store at the farm and also at The Great Train Robbery in Banner Elk, featuring alpaca products, such as scarves, hats, gloves, vests, ponchos, stuffed animals, finger puppets, sweaters, and socks.

Apple Hill Farm is "A place where animals talk and people listen."

For more information, call them at 828-963-1662, email: leester96@aol.com or visit their web site at www.applehillfarmnc.com.

Enjoy wooded trails, old farm fields, valley views along Dutch Creek, and southern hospitality. Whether you are an experienced cowboy or a little "green," our skilled staff and gentle horses make for a pleasant visit.

Gather 'round the fire and give your "dogs" a rest while Cowboy Keith delights you with stories about life on the farm. Round up your kin folk and strap on your spurs for some down-home fun!
Open Monday through Saturday year round.

E-mail or Call for reservations:
(828) 297-7117
(828) 297-1708
(828) 773-1034

We are promoters of fine art and fine crafts - all handmade in our shows - in Banner Elk.  Check out the Events on this site for the dates and locations of our shows.  Some of them are listed below:

June 27 - 28 - Great Train Robbery in Banner Elk: (All shows are Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM: - Fine Arts & Crafts Award Show - 5th Year - Awards given out on Saturday afternoon; July 4-5 (Independence Weekend) - Fine Arts & Crafts Show - After Downtown Parade - Come see all the Artists; Sept. 5-6 (Labor Day) - Fine Arts & Crafts Award Show - 5th Year -  Awards given out on Saturday afternoon - Great way to spend the holiday walking around and see all the fine artists' crafts.  For more information including directions, please call the Banner Elk Chamber at 828-898-8395, the Great Train Robbery at 828-898-8645 or Promoter, Pat Fay, at 828-733-0675.

July 25 - 26 - Old Cannon Memorial Hospital Grounds in Banner Elk on Tynecastle Highway (Hwy. 184) - (Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM) - Summer Fine Arts & Crafts Show - 70 artists coming in from all over the country showing their hand-made crafts.  For more information including directions, please call the Banner Elk Chamber at 828-898-8395 or Promoter, Pat Fay, at 828-733-0675.

Nov. 27, 28 & 29 - Boone Mall - Christmas Show - (Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM; Sunday from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM); Thanksgiving weekend, come and see all the artists coming in from all over the country with one of a kind hand-made work; a great place to buy some unique Christmas gifts!  For more information including directions, please call the Boone Mall at 828-264-7286, Banner Elk Chamber at 828-898-8395 or Promoter, Pat Fay, at 828-733-0675.

As the twilight fades to night, the cast of Kermit Hunter's Outdoor Drama, "Horn in the West" takes the stage and presents the history and dreams of our forefathers in drama, dance and music. 

8:00 pm, June 20-August 16, 2008, Tuesday-Sunday