Hilltop Haven at Echota - Chalakee

09/06/2026

Come on up and enjoy the cool crisp air and Pumpkin Mania! https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1JJuqb3ZYK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

09/05/2026

08/31/2026

08/30/2026

Come on up and enjoy these festivals!

🍁The Fall Festival Season begins in a couple weeks! Plan your fall fun around these NC High Country 2026 Top Fall Festivals. View our fall festival guide:
https://highcountryhost.com/NC-High-Country-Fall-Festival-Guide-2026

> Land of Oz Autumn at Oz
> Brushy Mountain Apple Festival
> Art in the Park
> Woolly Worm Festival
> Valle Country Fair

08/01/2026

Appalachian folklore says that the number of snows we’ll have this coming winter is foretold by the foggy mornings we see during the month of August. ☁️

The Original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis has tallied each August fog for decades by placing a bean in a jar. With each snow, as folklore claims, “deep enough to track a rabbit,” a bean comes out of the jar.🫘

Count along at home using beans (or pennies if you don’t have dried beans on hand) and see how accurate this time-honored tradition is at predicting snow in your region! We’ll keep you updated on Mast’s Valle Crucis count throughout August and let you know how things balance out at the end of Winter 2027.

07/18/2026

It's about time to JUMP into another amazing High Country weekend, hopefully filled with rivers, trails, and time in nature.

If you haven't been yet, we recommend you check out Watauga County's newly reopened Howard K**b Park and the overlook. 👀

Congrats to all the partners that made this project possible- we're looking forward to The K**b Boulders and Nature Preserve being neighbors with this lovely and historic public space in the near future.

07/04/2026

06/24/2026

Celebrate America's 250th birthday the elevated way in the High Country! It’ll be non-stop fun for the whole family! Ready? Let's go 👇

🍓 Farmers Market
📍 Parking lot across from Fred's
📅 Friday, July 3rd
⏰ 2-6pm
🎟️ FREE

🎉 Family Fun Night
📍 The Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria - Beech Mountain, NC
📅 Friday, July 3rd
⏰ 4-10pm
🎟️ FREE

🪁 Mile High Kite Festival Redo
📍 Field behind The Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria - Beech Mountain, NC
📅 Saturday, July 4th
⏰ 10am-3pm
🎟️ FREE

💦 July 4th Water Party
📍 Sledding hill
📅 Saturday, July 4th
⏰ 12-3pm
🎟️ FREE

😎 Fourth of July Event
📍 The Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria - Beech Mountain, NC
📅 Saturday, July 4th
⏰ 1-10pm
🎟️ FREE

🍖 55th Annual Hog Roast
📍 Beech Mountain Ski Resort
📅 Saturday, July 4th
⏰ 4-7pm
🎟️ Purchase tickets, here: https://bit.ly/4vwA7Kr

🇺🇸 Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks Display
📍 Beech Mountain Ski Resort
📅 Saturday, July 4th
⏰ 5-9pm, fireworks at dusk
🎟️ FREE

SUMMER VACATIONS: BEECH TIME Want to know the best way to beat the summer heat? “Coolcationing” is a trend on the rise as travelers search for an escape to cool off. East summer, while the rest of Southeast is sweltering, Beech Mountain’s temperatures barely reach 80 degrees. , making it a per...

06/04/2026

🚂 THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE HAS ARRIVED IN THE HIGH COUNTRY

Thomas rolled through Boone early this morning on a flatbed — face covered, identity technically concealed — headed for Tweetsie Railroad just up the road on US 321.

Right place, right time this morning as Thomas was spotted making his way through the intersection at Tweetsie Railroad — a sight you don't see every day on US 321. Photographer Joe Dombrosky had just enough time to get to the gas station and capture the moment as the blue engine made his grand — if slightly undignified — arrival.

Thomas the Tank Engine visits are a fan favorite at Tweetsie Railroad, one of the High Country's most beloved family attractions. Kids who grew up watching Thomas on television get to ride alongside him in person, making for one of those rare childhood moments that actually lives up to the hype.

📷 Joe Dombrosky