High Country
Around High Country
Illustration made for Popchat
Countryside and towns · North Carolina · 38k people
High Country
“Apple Capital of North Carolina”
High in the Blue Ridge, where the New River runs clear.
Blue Ridge blueForest greenHarvest gold
Welcome to the High Country! Whether you're here for the apples, the bluegrass, or the mountain air, you'll find a friendly wave and a story to share. Come sit a spell and join the conversation.
Clubs for High Country
No clubs for High Country yet.
The room
One room for everyone around High Country. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around High Country. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic highway with overlooks crossing both counties.
- New River One of the oldest rivers in the world, popular for fishing and paddling.
- Mount Jefferson State Natural Area Mountain summit with panoramic views and hiking trails.
- Stone Mountain State Park Granite dome, waterfalls, and camping in Alleghany County.
- Ashe County Courthouse Historic 1910 courthouse in Jefferson, now a museum.
- Alleghany County Courthouse Century-old courthouse in Sparta with a distinctive clock tower.
- Outdoors Hike Mount Jefferson
- Outdoors Fish the New River
- With kids Visit the Museum of Ashe County History
- With kids Go apple picking at local orchards
- Evenings Bluegrass jam sessions
- Evenings Live music at community centers
- Locals love Apple orchards
- Locals love Country stores
Through the year
- Ashe County Apple Festival September Celebrates the apple harvest with crafts, music, and cider in West Jefferson.
- Alleghany County Fair July A traditional county fair with livestock, rides, and local food in Sparta.
- Sparta Christmas Parade December Holiday parade through downtown Sparta with floats and local groups.
- Jefferson Christmas Parade December Seasonal parade in Jefferson with community bands and church floats.
- Bluegrass Jam Sessions at the Old Courthouse Year-round Weekly informal pickin' sessions held at the historic courthouse in Jefferson.
Four distinct seasons with mild summers and cold winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall for mild temps and color. Best: Spring and fall offer mild temperatures and vibrant colors, perfect for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “crick”
- A small stream or creek.
- “holler”
- A small valley or hollow between hills.
- “fixin' to”
- About to do something.
- “High Country”
- A term for the mountain region itself.
Getaways
- Galax, VA Old-time music capital with the Blue Ridge Music Center.
- Boone, NC College town with Appalachian State, shops, and outdoor gear.
- Mount Airy, NC Mayberry-inspired downtown and the Andy Griffith Museum.
- North Wilkesboro, NC Racing heritage at the historic speedway.
Local flavour
Teams
- Ashe County High School Huskies High School
- Alleghany High School Trojans High School
Also rooting for Appalachian State Mountaineers, Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets
Eat and drink
- Ashe County cheese The famous local cheese from West Jefferson.
- Apple cider From the region's many orchards.
- Country ham A mountain staple.
- Sorghum molasses Drizzled on biscuits.
Where people go
- Apple orchards U-pick and roadside stands.
- Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks Scenic pull-offs with sweeping mountain views.
- New River A National Scenic River for fishing and canoeing.
- Old country stores General stores with creaky floors and local goods.
- Bluegrass jam sessions Informal gatherings at community centers and churches.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaGalaxVirginiaWhere the mountains sing old-time tunes.North WilkesboroNorth CarolinaWhere the Blue Ridge meets the backroadsMount AiryNorth CarolinaWhere Mayberry lives on, with a touch of granite.WythevilleVirginiaWhere the mountains keep their secrets and the music never stops.BooneNorth CarolinaHigh country air, mountain town heart.Mountain CityTennesseeHigh country charm and mountain air.BluefieldWest VirginiaTwo states, one mountain home.HickoryNorth CarolinaWhere the mountains meet the furniture craft.
Ashe and Alleghany counties, NC. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.