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Families at Beech Mountain
Family Adventure Awaits In Beech Mountain, North Carolina
BEECH MOUNATIN, N.C.- As spring approaches, it's time to forget the winter chill and enjoy the cozy lodging, brisk mountain air and outdoor adventures in the beautiful mountains of Beech Mountain, North Carolina. Whether you want to explore the "Old West," take a whitewater adventure, go fishing, explore underground caverns or enjoy a "kid's night" at the recreation center, Beech Mountain has a host of family-friendly activities and is a central location to explore various mountains attractions.
"Beech Mountain is a haven for children of all ages because of the wide range of activities the area has to offer, including outdoor adventure, unique attractions and kid-friendly events, as well as the natural mountain surroundings that make the town a great escape," said Peggy Coscia with the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Beech Mountain offers a wide variety of guest rooms, ranging from mountain inns and lodges to private chalets, cabins and condos.
"The weather is typically nice during the day, allowing families to get out and play, but it's still cool, which is ideal for snuggling up next to a fire in the evening," said Coscia. "And, a lot of the properties offer discounts this time of year, so you can find great deals for a weekend get-away."
Golf:
For golf enthusiasts, the Beech Mountain Club opens in May. The facility offers 18-holes of mountain golfing that was designed by Willard Byrd. Although it is a private course, certain accommodations provide membership as a guest of the owner, allowing visitors to golf and use the pool facilities. There are also many other courses within a short driving distance of Beech Mountain. For more information, contact the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce at (800) 468-5506.
Buckeye Lake:
Buckeye Lake, a seven-acre lake located at the base of the town, offers a combination of outdoor activities, including fishing and bird watching. Buckeye Lake is also a starting destination for several of the hiking and biking trails the town has to offer.
Fishing season begins the first Saturday in April, and in the month of June a popular event for kids and family is the Kiddo Fishing Derby, a free event for children ages four to 12. The competition awards trophies in the categories of the first trout, largest trout, heaviest trout and the first to catch the limit of four trout. Vendors are also on site selling hot dogs and soft drinks or picnic tables are available for families that want to bring their own food and snacks.
Recreation Center:
The Recreation Center, a 22,550 square foot facility, includes indoor basketball, volleyball, track and tennis courts, as well as a fitness room for adults. Children under seven can use the kid's playroom, a specially designed room filled with soft playground equipment.
"There are also outdoor tennis courts, a playground, softball field and 1/3 mile walking path directly adjacent to the center," said Coscia.
The center hosts kid's craft nights twice a month and a Friday kid's night featuring pizza, games and movies.
The center is also available for parties, receptions, reunions or meetings. For a complete list of the facility's activity schedule, visit www.townofbeechmountain.com.
Hiking and Biking:
To fulfill the child's sense of adventure, set out on any of the 20 miles of designated hiking trails or ride the 50 miles of paved bike paths.
"Beech Mountain has beautiful mountain terrain, which provides a variety of activities for families of all skill levels," said Coscia.
Beech Mountain offers guided hikes, which are both educational and fun, allowing families to explore the great outdoors while beating the heat. The first Tuesday of each month from April through October, the town of Beech Mountain hosts guided hikes, which are perfect for all skill levels.
Tuesday Hikes on Beech Mountain appeal to both the experienced and novice hiker and range from two to four miles in length. Each hike is led by a volunteer that has the knowledge and expertise to give visitors an insider's look at the mountain. Each hike is designed to showcase the nature and unmatched beauty of Beech Mountain. Trails range from 3,800 feet to 5,000 feet and wind past creeks, waterfalls, old growth timber, and other natural wonders. Participants can also expect to see wildflowers and wildlife, such as white tail deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, red squirrels, and grouse.
For more information on Beech Mountain hiking, visit www.hikebeechmountain.com.
For experienced bikers, trails of Beech Mountain follow the same routes that Lance Armstrong traveled as he prepared for the Tour De France while recovering from cancer in 1998. Beech Mountain bike trails cover more than 50 miles of paved bike routes and scenic trails designated for mountain bikers.
"The bike routes are definitely challenging, and we would recommend them for older children who are experienced riders," said Coscia.
The town's five major bike routes start from the visitor's center, located near the top of the mountain next to the town hall. While most routes are through residential neighborhoods, others take riders on a journey through nature, such as the route by Buckeye Lake, and each trail offers riders unique aspects that can't be found elsewhere.
For more information on Beech Mountain biking, please visit www.bikebeechmountain.com.
"In addition to having a lot of family activities located right here on the mountain, Beech Mountain is a great place for families to stay while they explore the surrounding areas," said Coscia. "Within a short drive, there are several unique attractions that adults and kids are sure to enjoy."
Linville Caverns:
Linville Caverns, located only an hour drive from Beech, offers bottomless depths of undergrounds pools, streams filled with trout, sleeping bats, and nature designed shapes, textures and colors. Linville Caverns are the only public accessible caverns in the state of North Carolina offering guided tours after being opened for touring in 1939.
Linville Caverns are open daily from March to November and on the weekends in December to February. For more information, please visit www.linvillecaverns.com.
Tweetsie Railroad
Travel back into the Wild West and hang out with cowboys and outlaws at the Tweetsie Railroad, North Carolina's oldest theme park, which is located in Blowing Rock, 25 miles outside the town of Beech. Tweetsie and Yukon Queen, the park's two vintage steam locomotives, make a three-mile loop through the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The park also features live, old-fashioned entertainment, such as rowdy 1800s saloon shows, mountain dancing with the Tweetsie Cloggers and musical celebrations. Tweetsie Railroad also features county fair rides, including a carousel, the Tweetsie Twister, Mouse Mine Train Ride and Turnpike Cruisers. Visit www.tweetsie.com for more information.
Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather Mountain, located just 25 minutes from Beech Mountain, is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge mountain range. Families can enjoy mountain views from Linville Peak, a mile-high swinging bridge and a variety of wildlife, which are native to the area. Grandfather Mountain's nature museum educates visitors on the natural history of the area through more than two-dozen exhibits, including birds, Native American artifacts, photography, gems and minerals and the largest amethyst ever found in the country. Additionally, a visit to the nature theater will showcase nature films that have been filmed on the mountain.
"Along with all of the outdoor activities, Grandfather Mountain also features wonderful trails and views worth the trip on a clear day," said Coscia.
Visit www.grandfather.com for more information.
Whitewater Rafting
Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Banner Elk, High Mountain Expeditions opens for the season on March 31 and offers whitewater-rafting adventures that are sure to get the adrenaline flowing.
The Watauga River, the ideal river for families with small children, is a four and a half mile river trip filled with fast moving water, mild rapids, mountain scenery and Canadian geese and ducks. Kids can master the mighty Anaconda rapid, which ranges from a class two to class three rapid. The rafting day begins at 11:30 a.m., Monday thru Saturday. Rafters will be served lunch, have the opportunity to swim and shop when returning to Ski Country Sports at 5:00 p.m. Rafters will be provided with the transportation, a river guide, rafting equipment and snack.
For children over 12, the ride of a lifetime is on Wilson Creek, with creek drops of 85 feet per mile and five to 10 foot ledges. Rafters will have personal, one-man inflatable funyaks, which offer the chance to navigate individually down the river.
Rafting instructors will teach participants to maneuver the funyaks and rapids. The Wilson's Creek trip departs from Ski Country Sports in Banner Elk at 9:30 a.m and lasts until late afternoon.
For more information, please visit www.highmountainexpeditions.com.
Horseback Riding:
For those looking to explore the mountains and get off of your feet at the same time, horseback riding is a great option.
Chadi Farms Carriage Rides, an 18th century farm and horse breeding facility, features private trails on the family's mountain homestead. Trails vary according to skill level and riders can stay on beginner trails or advance to the mountainous twists and turns the area has to offer. Chadi Farms offers horseback riding, horse drawn carriage rides, hayrides and hiking. For a complete list of prices and schedules, please visit www.chandifarms.com.
Dutch Creek Trails, located in Valle Crucis, is complete with a 100-year-old barn and white farmhouse. The horseback riding features trail rides that will loop through various mountain trails and features scenic views. Dutch Creek is open year-round, Monday through Saturday and, along with the horseback riding, also offers visitors a rich history with building dating back to the 1880s. For more information, please call (828) 297-7117.
Beech Mountain, the highest town in the eastern United States at 5,506 feet, is nestled in the northwestern North Carolina Mountains, only two hours from Charlotte and Asheville. Known for it's unique beauty and winter sport activities, Beech is a year-round tourist destination offering visitors a variety of outdoor adventures. Throughout the year, the town also embraces a wide range of cultural activities ranging from street dances and Sunday evening sunset concerts to the town-wide 47th Annual Roasting of the Hog and arts and crafts festivals.
For more information about Beech Mountain, please contact the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce at (800) 468-5506 or (828) 387-9283 or visit www.beechmtn.com.