For one, there’s not really much of a hike to get there. Located about 12 miles west of town in the Pisgah National Forest, Elk River Falls is one of the most popular Western NC waterfalls. READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in NC & VA Mary Strikes a Pose at Elk River Falls 4. In short, while there are a lot of great things to do in Banner Elk, there are also countless options for outdoor recreation and exploration in the NC High Country area! Head north and you’re less than 20 miles from excellent Boone hiking trails at Julian Price Memorial Park and Moses H Cone Memorial Park, with attractions like the Blowing Rock and Tweetsie Railroad located nearby.

Head south on the BRP and the Linville Gorge Wilderness and Linville Falls are less than 20 miles away, with attractions like Brown Mountain, the Orchard at Altapass, and the town of Little Switzerland a little further. So it’s really the perfect place to base yourself while exploring the NC High Country. The town of Banner Elk is located approximately 10 miles north of the Blue Ridge Parkway, providing easy access to popular attractions like Grandfather Mountain, the Linn Cove Viaduct, and more. READ MORE: The 15 Best Downtown Asheville Restaurants The Linn Cove Viaduct in Peak Autumn 3. Other noteworthy restaurants in Banner Elk include the swanky Stonewalls steakhouse, the expansive menus of the Banner Elk Cafe and Lodge Espresso Bar & Eatery (a great lunch place), the tasty traditional Cuban fare of Bodega’s Kitchen, and hearty breakfast and lunch options at Dunn’s Deli.įor dessert, don’t miss the tasty ice cream flavors on offer at Be Scooped, a quaint little shop tucked away in the back of The Village complex, right next to the arcade! The Chef’s Table is more upscale, showcasing chef Nicole Palazzo’s eclectic farm-to-table flavors, while the Bayou Smokehouse offers laid-back Texas BBQ and Cajun cuisine. Sorrento’s Italian Bistro is the largest, serving foodie-friendly fare in artfully decorated indoor and outdoor dining areas. Banner Elk Restaurantsīanner Elk doesn’t have the centralized historic downtown area you’ll find in many of the small towns in Western NC, including nearby towns like Burnsville and Boone.īut you will find small shopping centers such as The Village of Banner Elk, which is home to some of the best restaurants in town. READ MORE: The 20 Best Pumpkin Patches in the NC Mountains Sorrento’s Italian Bistro in The Village of Banner Elk 2.

On our private tour, Rankin’s friendly dogs were a constant presence, and the baby goats were as engaging as they were adorable.Īfter your tour, make sure you check out their gift shop, which features clever branded merchandise as well as fresh honey from their beehives. Touring the farm is an absolute hoot for animal lovers, and can accommodate up to 12 people. Today her gorgeous estate is home to 21 alpacas, 2 llamas, 7 donkeys, 2 zebus (a humped species of Indian cows), 2 pot-bellied pigs (Laverne & Shirley) and countless fiber goats and chickens. What she did have was a love for animals, a fascination with Alpacas, and an entrepreneurial spirit. In fact, when owner Lee Rankin moved to Banner Elk in 2001, she had no farming experience whatsoever. Animal Engagement at Apple Hill FarmĪlthough it shares a name with one of the most popular NC apple orchards for apple-picking, Apple Hill is not that kind of farm. Alpaca & Llama Feeding Time at Apple Hill Farm 1.

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