Benefits of Living in Banner Elk, North Carolina

Deciding to move out of the hustle and bustle of city life and move to the mountains of North Carolina is one of the best decisions you could make. That decision is made even better when you find a hidden gem like Banner Elk, North Carolina. Living in a mountain town such as Banner Elk offers many benefits and surprisingly is close to a multitude of attractions, activities, and provides easy access to major highways. In this post, we’ll cover some of benefits of why you should move to Banner Elk, North Carolina.

Banner Elk, North Carolina is a small town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains at approximately 4,000 feet above sea level, about 25 minutes from Boone, North Carolina. Banner Elk is home to approximately 1,332 full time residents. The town is a North Carolina tourist hotspot throughout the summer, fall, and winter months. Banner Elk is home to many people’s “second homes” as the mountain town is close enough to major metropolitan areas that short weekend getaways are easily do-able. For being a small mountain community, Banner Elk boasts some of the regions most popular ski resorts, family attractions, hiking trails, and most exclusive gated communities in North Carolina.

Banner Elk is located in between two of the Southeast’s most popular and highly rated Ski Resorts: Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain. Each of these reorts attract thousands of visitors each ski season.

While many folks choose to invest in Banner Elk real estate, thousands of tourists visit this quaint mountain town each year thanks in part to the plethora of activities and attractions located nearby. Check out some of our favorite Banner Elk attractions below:

• Hawksnest Zipline – Hawksnest offers over four miles of zip-line cables for you to experience. The park offer different level tours to match experience and comfort levels. Hawksnest also offers snow tubing during the winter months with 40 lanes for tubing!
• Wildcat Lake – Wildcat lake is a beautiful little lake, that has a beach and on-duty lifeguards. Located right in Banner Elk, this lake is FREE is to visit. Around the lake you can find beautiful hiking trails as well as places for grilling and picnics.
• Linville Caverns – Experience the beauty of Linville Caverns while also learning about their history, such as the caverns’ role during the American Civil War. Tours are guided which provides a fun learning experience for all ages. This is definitely a family friendly activity!
• Foscoe Fishing Company – Banner Elk boasts multiple rivers that are perfect for fishing, and especially Fly Fishing. If you are looking to learn all about fishing this is the place! Foscoe Fishing Company has guides that will take you out on the rivers and teach you how to fish properly, while teaching you about the area and local wildlife.
• Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster – New to Banner Elk in 2020, the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster is the first alpine coaster in North Carolina. Catch a unique view of the mountains as you decided how fast (or slow!) you traverse down the coaster. Reservations are required!
• Grandfather Mountain – Billed as North America’s oldest attraction, you likely saw Grandfather Mountain as you traveled into Banner Elk. Grandfather Mountain is a privately owned wilderness preserve. It is most famous for the Mile High Swinging Bridge (for the bravest of visitors!). Grandfather Mountain is also home to otters, black bears, bald eagles, cougars, elk and more.

Elk River Club is Banner Elk’s premier gated community featuring the state’s best horse stables, a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, a private airport for guests, and so much more. Get the most out of living in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains when you buy a home in Elk River. Contact our Banner Elk real estate office today to learn more.