The High Country is waiting for you. Grandfather Mountain, Mystery Hill, High Country Roundup and many others are open year round. Linville Caverns and Emerald Village have also opened up for the season, and Tweetsie opens April 29 on weekends (and open every day starting May 31). The whitewater rafting, canoeing and kayaking are also gearing up--they start running as soon as the water warms up and the water tables are high enough--usually mid-April. And of course golf, hiking, biking, and birdwatching are in full swing.

You might also check out performances and exhibits in the local arts scene. The Turchin Center has many interesting exhibits going on during April and May, and Lees McRae College, Appalachian State University, and the Blowing Rock Stage Company all offer some excellent performances. And then there's the music. From banjos to violins, dosie-does to pirouettes, local storytellers to Neil Simon plays, and hand-thrown pottery to towering steel sculpture, the High Country offers a unique blend of traditional and modern culture.
Bluegrass, gospel and traditional music provide the perfect soundtrack for the mountains. Grandfather Mountain’s Singing on the Mountain presents many of the top names in gospel music the last weekend of each June. Other festivals like the Old Timey & Bluegrass Fiddler’s Convention in Sparta and the Doc Watson MusicFest in Cove Creek, feature the best in bluegrass, gospel or traditional music. Joe Shannon’s MountainHome Music and the brand new Blue Ridge Celtic Festival at Chetola Resort in May, offer performances from celtic to bluegrass to traditional Americana music. Fun family places including High Country Round-up and Mountain Music Jamboree offer live music with square dancing for hours of entertainment.