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Itinerary
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Chetola Resort
Drop your bags and your responsibilities at Chetola Resort. This 78-acre resort provides the perfect setting to kick back and soak in the mountain air and hospitality. But don’t get too comfortable — there are wineries to enjoy first.
Banner Elk Winery
Follow the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway toward Banner Elk Winery, passing breathtaking views of Pisgah National Forest and Grandfather, Sugar and Beech mountains. This award-winning winery is best known for its ice wine and blueberry wine, along with reds and whites made from French-American and American grape varietals.
Erick’s Cheese and Wine
Next, stop at Erick’s Cheese and Wine to sample a variety of artisanal cheeses. Pick up a cheese board and fresh-baked baguettes to-go, creating the perfect Parisian-style picnic for your next stop.
Grandfather Winery
Settle in at Grandfather Winery, where terraced vineyards and the Watauga River provide a stunning backdrop for an afternoon of wine tasting. While enjoying the patio’s scenery, consider sharing a flight of the dry white and red wines to pair with your cheese shop finds. Check the winery’s online schedule for live music dates; shows sometimes start as early as 1 p.m. And you might want to purchase a bottle or two of your favorites, like Dovetail White or Appalachia Red, to sip on back at the resort or bring home as a souvenir.
Timberlake’s Restaurant
For dinner, stay on-site at Timberlake’s Restaurant at Chetola Resort, where a menu of steak, fresh fish, seafood and sandwiches offers something for every palate.
Antlers Bar
Post-dinner, hit Antlers Bar, thought to be North Carolina’s oldest continuously serving bar. It’s now part of Bistro Roca, one of Blowing Rock’s most popular restaurants. Formerly a speakeasy, the walls are covered with more than 500 pictures of dogs that are certainly “aww” worthy.
Art of Living Retreat Center
If a day unplugged sounds appealing, you’ll like the 380-acre Art of Living Retreat Center, where you and your friends might just reach nirvana at this picturesque, health-focused destination. You can practice yoga, sign up for a pottery class and go on a hike in between your three gourmet vegetarian meals prepared with produce from the center’s garden.
Stick Boy Bread Company
Time for a day of adventure. But first, fuel up at Stick Boy Bread Company, just a few minutes away in Boone. Choose from its beloved baked goods, breakfast plates or specialty bagels with options like Green Eggs & Ham, prepared with cheddar, basil pesto and spinach. The smoothies and specialty lattes are also a hit.
Linville Caverns
Venture underground at Linville Caverns, North Carolina’s only show caverns. A guided tour reveals subterranean streams, stalactites and stunning limestone formations, offering a glimpse into a world millions of years in the making.
Linville Falls
After exploring the caverns, lace up your hiking boots for a visit to Linville Falls, one of the most photographed waterfalls in the state. This 90-foot cascade offers multiple scenic viewpoints along two trails, providing spectacular angles of its powerful flow. Please exercise caution and follow all posted safety warnings near the falls.
Linville Falls Winery
A post-waterfall stop at Linville Falls Winery seems like the perfect way to catch your breath and support a family-owned, 40-acre farm specializing in Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling. Enjoy a tasting or a whole bottle on the patio, and see if your visit overlaps with any one of its events throughout the year.
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Your Trip at a Glance
Stop 1
Chetola Resort
Stop 2
Banner Elk Winery
Stop 3
Erick’s Cheese and Wine
Stop 4
Grandfather Winery
Stop 5
Timberlake’s Restaurant
Stop 6
Antlers Bar
Stop 7
Art of Living Retreat Center
Stop 8
Stick Boy Bread Company
Stop 9
Linville Caverns
Stop 10
Linville Falls
Stop 11