Banner Elk, NC
Banner Elk, North Carolina is a charming mountain town in the Blue Ridge Mountains’ High Country that dates back to the early 1800s, when the first non-Native settlers — led by Martin L. Banner — made it home. Originally a farming and self-sufficient community, tourism emerged as a key part of town life in the early 20th century, and it incorporated as Banner Elk in 1911. Today the town blends southern Appalachian history with outdoor adventure, notable local food and arts, and proximity to major ski resorts and scenic attractions.
Things to Do & Places to Visit
- Historic Banner House Museum (19th-century homestead tour)
- Downtown Main Street — shops, galleries, restaurants
- Art on the Greene (summer arts festival)
- Apple Hill Farm — alpacas, animals & farm store
- Proximity to Sugar Mountain Ski Resort & Hawksnest/Ski Beech Mountain for winter sports
- Wine tasting at Banner Elk Winery
- Hiking, biking & scenic drives in the High Country
- Nearby Grandfather Mountain, Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville Caverns
Annual Events
- Banner Elk 4th of July Celebration (Parade & Festivities)
https://applehillfarmnc.com/events/ (scroll to “Banner Elk 4th of July Celebration”)
- Art on the Greene (Summer Art Festival Series)
https://townofbannerelk.org/ *(search “Art on the Greene” or see “News”) *
- Woolly Worm Festival (October — worm races & fall fun)
https://highcountry.guide/annual-events-in-the-high-country/ (see Woolly Worm Festival entry)
- Banner Elk Concerts in the Park (Summer weekly music)
https://www.bannerelk.org/events.html (look for “Concerts in the Park”)
- Avery County Farmers Market (Seasonal weekly market)
https://www.bannerelk.org/events.html (search “Farmers Market”)
- Memorial Day Art on the Greene & Easter Bunny Selfies (seasonal community events)
https://www.bannerelk.org/events.html (see “Calendar of Annual Community Events & Highlights”)
