Location: Banner Elk
Top Things to do in Banner Elk
The 10 Best Outdoor Activities in Banner Elk, North Carolina (NC)
Banner Elk is a town in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,028 at the 2010 census. Banner Elk is home to Lees–McRae College.
Restaurants in Banner Elk
1. Edge of the World
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 529 reviews
Edge of the World in North Carolina is the family-friendly white water rafting, whitewater kayaking, and climbing leader. Rafting day trips include guides, equipment, free rapids reruns, and a home cooked lunch. The Barrow Family has been delighting guests for 30+ years. Located in North Carolina Mountains convenient to Ashville NC, Boone NC, and Charlotte. Climbing and Rappelling includes a lesson from an experienced pro.
2. High Country UTV Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 441 reviews
High Country UTV Mountain Tours at Banner Elk, NC. In this exciting guided tour, you'll rent and drive your own Side-By-Side UTV on one of the most beautiful mountains on the east coast. You'll see streams, wildlife and some absolutely gorgeous views! The tour departs from Banner Elk.
3. Lees-McRae Summer Theatre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Lees-McRae Summer Theatre is committed to producing quality theatre experiences. We serve audiences who view our productions, students who are training in their craft, and we serve the community as collaborators for the betterment of our area. Season: June - August every year. This season our performances consist of: Mamma Mia!, From the Mountaintop (The Edgar Tufts Story) and Newsies.
4. Grandfather Powersports
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Grandfather Powersports is your premier Off Grid dealership, nestled perfectly off of HWY 105 under Grandfather Mountain in Fosoce, NC. GPS offers service and sales of your machines as well as UTV Rentals for visitors to explore various communities within the high country with off road trail systems. Let Grandfather Powersports help you enjoy the most the high country has to offer!
5. Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
North Carolina's First and Only Alpine Coaster nestled in the High Country. We offer single and bundle rides. Fun for all ages and opened year round 7 days a week!
6. High Mountain Expeditions
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 299 reviews
Welcome to High Mountain Expeditions. We are located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with two locations to serve you in Boone and Banner Elk, North Carolina. High Mountain Expeditions offers outdoor activities, such as whitewater rafting, caving, and hiking for every member of your group or family.The team at High Mountain Expeditions invites you to join us in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains on one of our many outdoor adventures.
7. Wahoo's Adventures
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
2 X Outfitter of the Year, 8X TripAdvisor People’s Choice Award winner. Raft, kayak, canoe or tube. River front locations with hot showers, picnic grounds and yard games. When visiting the Appalachian Mountains of TN/NC, a river adventure is a must! Mild to wild adventures for all ages and best of all no long Bus rides. Celebrating 40 years of business at the guaranteed lowest prices and highest quality on the river!
8. Banner Elk Stables
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 43 reviews
Guided horse-tours for all ages with spectacular views of Grandfather Mountain.
Reviewed By SRSHSI
We had a wonderful experience. The owners Becky and Mike were very friendly and made sure we had a safe and lovely ride. We were a party of 3 with a child, of which 2 were first time riders. There were about 4 dogs in their property which were very well behaved and friendly. The horses were so well mannered and well trained. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We will definitely be back!
9. Highland House Ski Shop
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By kimsZ5764MO
So glad we rented our ski equipment here. Service was extremely fast. We were first time skiers and they were very helpful with recommendations on what we needed and didn’t need. When asked if we needed this or that, they didn’t try to rent us items we didn’t need. They had the best prices of any shop in Banner Elk. I highly recommend. We will use them again if we return to Banner Elk.
10. Sugar Mountain Resort
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 773 reviews
Big-mountain ski resort area featuring a 1,200-foot vertical drop and ski runs of one-and-one-half miles.
Reviewed By CapeFear98 - Raleigh, United States
I don't have a lot to base this on, since I haven't really skied at a 'real' resort before...just had snow time on small hills. Me and my 10-year-old son both skied for the first time one legit runs while my wife and other son explored the area and had no interest in skiing. The night before we all did snow tubing, which the kids also really, really enjoyed at Sugar Mountain. Surprisingly, they enjoyed the smaller park rather than the incredible Hawksnest park. Anyway, me and my son rented clothes, skis/boots, etc. and enrolled in Ski School. Daniel was our instructor, and we super helpful helping us hit the ground running...or skiing. And yes, we each did hit the ground...a couple of times - ha. But that was part of the fun since no one was hurt. The staff was all very helpful, and the mask policy (during COVID times) was enforced in the lift lines, inside the rental area, and most every area. It's kind of a pain to have a mask on in certain areas, especially during physical activity, but the rules are the rules, and I can certainly respect that. We ended up doing Easy Street and Little Nell a few times. The snow was great, the lift lines were very smooth and, perhaps it was a slower day than usual, but one time we made it to the top, skied back, and were doing about three runs per hour by the end of the session. Again, my experience is very limited, but I think we skied WAY MORE than I thought we would. We practiced on the bunny hill for a while, they had a conveyor belt down below to make that situation a breeze to get back up, and we went three times each on the 'green' runs while also attending ski school, all in the matter of several hours. Money well spent. The inside might be a little on the used and older side, but the staff was certainly friendly and helpful to us, making it a memorable experience. I would highly recommend, and will definitely be back.
