Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather Mountain is a major landmark as well as a key destination because of its 12-plus miles of hiking trails and Mile-High Swinging Bridge. It’s the highest peak (5,946 feet) in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A few minutes’ drive away is the Blowing Rock, a huge cliff above the Johns River Gorge. Strong currents of air rushing up through the gorge have made Blowing Rock known as “the only place in the world where snow falls upside down.”
Grandfather Mountain, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, N.C. 828-733-4337, grandfather.com, @GrandfatherMtn.
The Blowing Rock, Highway 321 S., Blowing Rock, N.C. 828-295-7111, theblowingrock.com.
Beech Mountain
One of the quickest ways to hit the slopes from Atlanta is by visiting North Carolina’s ski resorts, such as Beech Mountain Resort, touted as the highest ski resort in eastern North America. Other popular winter destinations are Sugar Mountain and Hawksnest Snow Tubing.
Beech Mountain Resort, 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, N.C. 1-800-438-2093, beechmountainresort.com, @BeechMtnResort.
Sugar Mountain, 1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain, N.C. 828-898-4521, skisugar.com.
Hawksnest Snow Tubing, 2058 Skyland Drive, Seven Devils, N.C. 828-963-6561, hawksnesttubing.com.
Nantahala River
Whitewater rafting brings folks to North Carolina rivers and outposts, including the Nantahala Outdoor Center’s main campus near Bryson City, at the intersection of the Appalachian Trail and the Nantahala River. In addition to rafting, there’s zip-lining, waterfall hikes, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. Accommodations are available for overnight stays.
Nantahala Outdoor Center, 13077 Highway 19 W., Bryson City, N.C. 828-488-7230, noc.com, @noc.
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