Valle Crucis

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 It has the rustic wooding for the outside of the building, and outdated red draping on the window, showing its age.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 Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Beech Mountain Resort and Alta Vista Gallery ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (38 reviews)
Very cozy cabin , clean . Kitchen was great since we cooked most days .

Reviewed on 3 Jan 2026

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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 €106 per night from 15 Jan to 16 Jan
€106
15 Jan - 16 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Boone. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and wired Internet (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
Great place to stay and affordable, the rooms are clean and the staff is friendly. The parking is not ideal because it shares a parking lot with a sister hotel. There’s sometimes limited parking that fills up quick.

Reviewed on 8 Jan 2026

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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €118 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
€118
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Boone. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,250 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 12 Jan 2026

Graystone Lodge, an Ascend Collection Hotel
See all 5,354 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 Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Beech Mountain Resort and Alta Vista Gallery ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (38 reviews)
Very cozy cabin , clean . Kitchen was great since we cooked most days .

Reviewed on 3 Jan 2026

Heritage Hill Cabins
Smoketree Lodge

Smoketree Lodge

3 out of 5
11914 Highway 105 Banner Elk NC
Stay at this aparthotel in Banner Elk. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Sugar Mountain Resort and Grandfather Mountain ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (262 reviews)
Clean rooms, plenty of space for 2 adults and 1 kid. Indoor pool and rec area was clean. Game room was neat amd spacious.

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2026

Smoketree Lodge
The Highlands at Sugar

The Highlands at Sugar

3 out of 5
2173 Sugar Mountain Drive Banner Elk NC
Stay at this family-friendly apartment in Banner Elk. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (767 reviews)
Clean, good value for the price, great proximity to ski resort, good views

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2026

The Highlands at Sugar
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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

Beech Mountain Resort

Beech Mountain Resort

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
The Greene

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
Tate-Evans Park

Tate-Evans Park

You can learn about the history of Banner Elk with a stop at Tate-Evans Park. Discover the area's mountain views or seek out its ski slopes.

Tate-Evans Park

Sugar Mountain Resort

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

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

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
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