Valle Crucis, NC

Travel Guide

This photo was also at the General Mast store at Valle Crucis. However, this was a picture of the outside of the building. I thought it was unique because it shows a lot of character to the Appalachia region. The building is an old historic building itself and it shows. The wood of the building is very rustic showing the physical history, and then there’s also various historic signs too. These signs include old ads that were used back in the day, and they’re very rusted which means they’ve been on the building awhile. I think this picture is pretty cool because it shows how the region sticks to it’s past, and its past architecture is used as a memorable trait for the region.
This photo was also at the General Mast store at Valle Crucis. However, this was a picture of the outside of the building. I thought it was unique because it shows a lot of character to the Appalachia region. The building is an old historic building itself and it shows. The wood of the building is very rustic showing the physical history, and then there’s also various historic signs too. These signs include old ads that were used back in the day, and they’re very rusted which means they’ve been on the building awhile. I think this picture is pretty cool because it shows how the region sticks to it’s past, and its past architecture is used as a memorable trait for the region.
This photo was taken just entering Valle Crucis, near Banner Elk. It is the famous Ham Shoppe, known for its delicious deli sandwiches and homemade jams. I took this photo because a classic family owned mountain shop. It has the rustic wooding for the outside of the building, and outdated red draping on the window, showing its age. I personally love the background with the woods and a mountain. I just think it’s a classic picture of Appalachia in my eyes. I have the stereotypical perspective of the region which is old, classic, country, and family friendly, and this photo represents all of those things.
Nature was not designed by man but simply was created as is. However, eventually man came in to add developments, such as buildings or roads, or in this case a playground. One may think this is harmful to the untouched beauty that has always been there, but I see it more as an enhancement. It gives children and adults a place where he or she can enjoy each other’s company while simultaneously spend time in the outdoors, amongst the beauty. I took this picture after carefully viewing the playground, the mountains, and the open field that lay around it. In this frame, viewers not only get a glimpse of the mountainous background and the playground in the distance, but a tree branch that is hovering at the top of the frame. I did this, so viewers may get the sense that he or she feel as if they are engulfed in the content of this image, not just looking at it on a screen. #appalachianechoes
This picture was taken in the Original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis. This is probably my favorite photo for this project because I had never been to this store before. I have only been to the new Mast General Store on King Street., but you could feel the history and authenticity in the original store. I was immediately drawn to this wall as I walked through the store because I love how all of the jars are perfectly aligned, and I like the old scale that is hanging from the ceiling. As I walked through and explored the store I tried to imagine how what opening day was like for the store and for the people of Appalachia. I wonder if the owner knew that this 1883 store would be such a historic figure for the people of Boone and such a tourist attraction. #appalachianechoes
Heritage Hill Cabins

Heritage Hill Cabins

3 out of 5
161 Alnic Ln Banner Elk NC
Stay at this cabin in Banner Elk. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Beech Mountain Resort and Alta Vista Gallery ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (39 reviews)
Very comfortable. The showers were great, the stairs were cool, the Kitchen was clean, the Heat worked well, and the blackout curtains were a great plus.

Reviewed on 2026/1/13

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Heritage Hill Cabins
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Boone University

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Boone University

3 out of 5
165 Highway 105 Extension Boone NC
The price is NT$3,209 per night from Jan 25 to Jan 26
NT$3,209
NT$3,618 total
Jan 25 - Jan 26
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Boone. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and wired Internet (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,011 reviews)
Tge breakfast was phenomenal berter than the waffle house no kidding nicest hotel staff ever and maintenance was roghg on the issue woth the fireplace we just didn't know how tl operate it lol

Reviewed on 2026/1/18

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Boone University
Graystone Lodge, an Ascend Collection Hotel

Graystone Lodge, an Ascend Collection Hotel

3 out of 5
2419 NC HWY 105 South Boone NC
The price is NT$3,837 per night from Jan 26 to Jan 27
NT$3,837
NT$4,327 total
Jan 26 - Jan 27
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Boone. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,251 reviews)
Loved my stay here. Staff was very polite. The place was very clean & the breakfast was great. A lot of great restaurants in the area. Would definitely stay again.

Reviewed on 2026/1/12

Graystone Lodge, an Ascend Collection Hotel
See all 5,353 properties in Valle Crucis
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Heritage Hill Cabins

Heritage Hill Cabins

3 out of 5
161 Alnic Ln Banner Elk NC
Stay at this cabin in Banner Elk. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Beech Mountain Resort and Alta Vista Gallery ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (39 reviews)
Very comfortable. The showers were great, the stairs were cool, the Kitchen was clean, the Heat worked well, and the blackout curtains were a great plus.

Reviewed on 2026/1/13

Heritage Hill Cabins
The Highlands at Sugar

The Highlands at Sugar

3 out of 5
2173 Sugar Mountain Drive Banner Elk NC
Book a stay at this family-friendly apartment in Banner Elk. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (768 reviews)
Great place , will come back

Reviewed on 2026/1/8

The Highlands at Sugar
Smoketree Lodge

Smoketree Lodge

3 out of 5
11914 Highway 105 Banner Elk NC
Stay at this aparthotel in Banner Elk. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Sugar Mountain Resort and Grandfather Mountain ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (265 reviews)
Well located, near Sugar Mountain. The room was confortable and with very good amenities.

Reviewed on 2026/1/13

Smoketree Lodge
See all properties in Valle Crucis
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

8/11/2017

Beech Mountain Resort

4.5/5(113 reviews)

Hit the slopes in Banner Elk with a visit to Beech Mountain Resort. Discover the mountain views in this family-friendly area, or enjoy its hiking trails.

Beech Mountain Resort
This is the headstone of Banner Elk, North Carolina. This elk has been in the town forever, but this past year the elk has been refurbished and installed as the centerpiece of the town. This elk frames Appalachia in the sense of this small town pride in the mountains. In the background you can see the historic elementary school and rolling mountains and once again the North Carolina pride of the state flag surrounding this elk even though about 100ft to the right there is another flagpole with the same flags raised high and proud. This is where every child in this town went to school in this picturesque location but as time rolls on is Appalachia move on too? #appalachianechoes

The Greene

The Greene is just one of the places to see in Banner Elk, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels?

The Greene
Throughout my childhood I spent so much time at this park. I always remember of thinking of it as the park in the middle of the mountains. What I never noticed as a child was how every single aspect of this park was planned out and put there for a reason. Likewise before studying the photographic image I had never thought about how we construct a image and its affordances and constraints. One thing I really want to point out in this image is that while we have this beautiful park there is a huge ugly pipe in the middle of the photograph. It is part of the necessity of the planning of the park, just like the frame is a necessity of an image. We sometimes want to forget it is there but it is a necessary part of an image and still has meaning. #appalachianechoes

Tate-Evans Park

You can learn about the history of Banner Elk when you stop by Tate-Evans Park. Discover the area's mountain views, or seek out its ski slopes.

Tate-Evans Park

Sugar Mountain Resort

4.5/5(161 reviews)

Hit the slopes at Sugar Mountain Resort, a top ski area in Sugar Mountain. Discover the area's mountain views, or seek out its hiking trails.

Sugar Mountain Resort

Hawksnest Tubing Park

4/5(54 reviews)

Hit the slopes in Seven Devils with a visit to Hawksnest Tubing Park. Discover the area's mountain views, or seek out its hiking trails.

Hawksnest Tubing Park

Land of Oz

4.5/5(29 reviews)

Enjoy a fun-filled day at Land of Oz during your visit to Beech Mountain. Discover the area's mountain views, or seek out its ski slopes.

Land of Oz

Cities near Valle Crucis

Another #hiddentreasure of Appalachia is this view from Vilas Overlook. I managed to snap a picture at the perfect time—the leaves are changing colors, the goldenrod is in full-bloom, and the cloudy sky is covering the hills like a blanket. That’s right—not even the cloudy skies can diminish the incredible view that this is. I found it on my way to Trashcan Falls, and it is up a dirt road. The view was different than other overlooks like Thunderhill and Howard’s Knob in my opinion because this one was nestled right in a residential area. You can even see the house I had to park above to get this shot! Luckily it was a lazy Sunday and nobody seemed to notice I was there—they were all probably napping after church! #appalachianechoes #vilas #overlook #appalachia #mountains

Vilas