Support these western North Carolina mountain towns for Spring Break 2025

These six Western North Carolina towns are ready to welcome visitors for spring break. Tourism dollars help support the recovery efforts throughout the region.

Although beach and spring break are usually spoken in the same breath, Western North Carolina towns need tourism dollars to continue the recovery and rebuilding effort after Tropical Storm Helene’s devastation in September 2024.

“Businesses are open,” says Jesse Pope, president and executive director of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, Inc. in Linville. “They’re hungry for visitors.”

The loss of fall’s leaf season affected Grandfather Mountain, known for its Mile High Swinging Bridge. The nature park closed from Sept. 26 through Oct. 23, and when visitors returned, numbers were 43% lower in November compared to the previous year. This downward trend has continued through the winter months with a reduction of 20% or more in visitors. Pope estimates the park has lost $2 million in revenue.

“The business just hasn’t returned since the storm,” Pope says. “It’s a huge impact on retailers, restaurants, and a lot of small service industries like house cleaning businesses, catering companies, and photographers. All of these small businesses that have meaningful employment up here have really been impacted since the hurricane.”

At a recent meeting with the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, 200 small business owners discussed how to come back from the storm. Voluntourism, which combines the traditional aspects of tourism with voluntary service, was suggested to attract visitors and help with rebuilding. Organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Samaritan’s Purse, and Volunteer Avery are heading up recovery efforts and can connect people to projects.

“Come to the mountains and experience it, but you can get involved in what’s going on up here,” Pope says. “There are a lot of cool opportunities for stream cleanup, trail rebuilding, and general recovery activities.” 

Whatever adventure gets you to WNC, these six mountain towns are ready to welcome you for spring break and beyond.

1. Jefferson
Ashe County

Do: Families can enjoy the ¼ mile nature walk at Ashe Park and the Ashe County Story Walk, a trail with pages of a book displayed along the trail. Ashe Park coordinates a Youth Trout Derby on March 22, for kids 1 to 15 years old.

Ashe Park’s nationally recognized 18-hole disc golf course is free and open to the public. A disc golf tournament to raise money for disaster relief is on April 5. 

The Museum of Ashe County History hosts Terry Harmon, author of “Convoluted: The 1972 Durham Family Triple Homicide,” on March 22 and David Patteson, author of “The Old Home Place,” on April 5. On April 12, learn about civilian life during World War II at Life on the Homefront, an educational program with reenactors, displays on topics such as civilian defense, air raid wardens, volunteer nurse aides, scrap drives, and women factory workers.

Jefferson’s Life on the Home Front, a 1940s living history event. (Museum of Ashe County History)

Dine: Head to the neighboring town of West Jefferson for Black Jack’s Pub and Grill, Boondocks Brewing, and Smoky Mountain BBQ.

Dream: Haven at Greenwood Glen and High Mountain Cabin Rentals offer cabins and vacation homes. Jefferson Landing rents condominiums, private homes, and rooms at Jeremy’s Lodge. 

2. Linville
Avery County

Do: Walk across Grandfather Mountain’s iconic Mile High Swinging Bridge, visit the Wildlife Habitats and the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, or reserve a space for a Behind-the-Scenes Tour, including Meet the Bears, Paint With an Otter, and Keeper for a Day for an additional cost. On April 26, the nature park is hosting “The Sounds of Nature,” a family-friendly event with live music, nature programs, and arts and crafts.

Twenty minutes north of Linville is Grandfather Vineyards & Winery and Banner Elk Winery & Villa for wine flights, tastings, and outdoor views. Fifteen minutes south in Newland is Linville Falls Winery, featuring a trail for walking dogs, food trucks, seating around the pond, and live music. 

Dine: Mildred’s Grill on Grandfather Mountain’s property serves burgers, hot dogs, salads, soups, and sandwiches. Smokey’s Fillin’ Station opens for lunch, Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Dream: Find cabins, farm stays, and vacation rental homes on AirBnB, Booking.com, and VRBO. Banner Elk Winery & Villa rents private suites or the entire villa. 

The lush beauty of Linville. NC. (Janna Avery)

3. Maggie Valley
Haywood County

Do: Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum, a 38,000-square-foot exhibit hall, opens for the season on April 3. Rumor has it they will start up any bike you want to see run.

Play mini-golf at Fantasy Golf or Maggie Valley Carpet Golf. Fly fish with Maggie Valley Fly Shop or find a special rock at the Maggie Valley Rock Shop & Gem Mine.

Maggie Valley’s Wheels Through Time. (Visit Haywood)

Dine: Refuel at Frankie’s Italian Trattoria, Joey’s Pancake House, and Twisted Spoke Restaurant.

Dream: Reserve a Riverfront cabin on Airbnb, a home for a large group on VRBO, or a romantic stay at Andon-Reid Inn Bed and Breakfast in nearby Waynesville.

4. Mars Hill
Madison County

Do: On the first Friday of every month, Mars Hill celebrates First Fridays with live music, prizes, and vendors. Businesses stay open late. On April 4, the Bailey Mountain Cloggers will perform.

Listen to live music at the Mars Theatre Brewing Company or make your own at Camden’s Coffee House’s open mic nights. While in town, check out Twin Willows. Some nights feature live music, a food truck, and a chill place to hang out under the stars.

Hike the moderate 4.4-mile trail at Bailey Mountain Preserve, which leads you through forest and pasture to a summit. 

Sign up to volunteer at Marshall or Hot Springs, neighboring towns needing assistance in rebuilding.

Dine: Grab breakfast or lunch at Little Creek Cafe, and lunch or brunch on the weekends at Mars Hill Kitchen + Market. The Wagon Wheel, open for more than 25 years, treats guests to Southern favorites and traditional American fare.

Dream: Appalachian House, The Bald Mountain House, Black Bear Lodge, and other cabins offer mountain views and amenities such as hot tubs and access to pools and tennis courts.

An aerial view of Mars Hill, NC. (Bill Downey)

5. Spruce Pine
Mitchell County

Do: Spruce Pine hosts “The Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival,” one of the largest blacksmith festivals on the East Coast, on April 26. Watch blacksmith demonstrations and youth and adult forge-off (a competition between blacksmiths) at this free event. Shop at blacksmith vendor booths and explore hands-on tents. 

The Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival in Spruce Pine. (Mitchell County Tourism)

Bakersville, a neighboring town, brings the North Carolina Rhododendron Festival on June 20 and 21. In its 78th year, visitors can expect a 10k run, arts and crafts, car show, food, music, and pageant events.

Dine: Although much of downtown Spruce Pine flooded during Tropical Storm Helene, some restaurants have reopened or are in the process of rebuilding. 670 on OAK, DT’s Jr. Java, and Fox and the Fig are serving food and drinks. 

Dream: Reserve a spot at Spruce Pine Campground: Three renovated campers, 29 RV sites, and 21 tent sites on a 13-acre campground just one mile from downtown. 

Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel, originally a school built in the early 1900s, boasts 32 renovated rooms. A three-tiered terrace with five firepits overlooks the town and the Toe River. A restaurant and bar are in the plans for late this spring or early summer.

6. Weaverville
Buncombe County

Do: Shops on Main Street in downtown Weaverville carry local and regional art: Start with Miya Gallery, Mangum Pottery, and Shop Around the Corner. A few minutes from Main Street is Honey and the Hive with bee-keeping supplies, honey, and gift items. The outside of the building features one of Matt Willey’s bee murals.

Main Street Nature Park offers a butterfly garden and nature trail along the river in a 10-acre park parallel to Main Street. Stroll or roll around the paved loop trail at Lake Louise Park, a five-minute drive from Main Street.

If you’ve brought your four-legged family members to WNC, visit Wagbar, an off-leash dog park with space for dogs to run and humans to enjoy a beverage. Palms Cuban American Kitchen, a local food truck, joins the party on certain days. Check social media for details.

Dine: Stoney Knob Cafe’s description on Instagram sells itself: “Greek, eclectic, southern comfort, funky as hell, food for the soul!” 

Other options in Weaverville include Blue Mountain Pizza, Glass Onion, Leveller Brewing Co., Salt Face Mule Brewing, and the Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe. Find an outdoor seat on Main Street and people-watch while you dine.

Dream: Settle into a vintage camper at JuneBug Retro Resort, a private 50-acre property on the river. Ten campers are available to rent. The playground, hiking trails, firepit, and daytime use of the treehouse are included for guests. The season opens May 1.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.