At 5,506 feet above sea level, Beech Mountain, North Carolina is a truly unique village that sits, quite literally, high above any other town in Eastern America. They enjoy snow in the winter, mild springs, cool summers, and stunning fall color shows. This gorgeous town is about a 2.5-hour drive from Upstate, South Carolina.
Thank you to Beech Mountain for inviting us to experience this beautiful town and for arranging accommodations and activities!
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If you’ve read about Beech Mountain, NC here at Kidding Around before, it was likely because of their amazing Autumn at Oz festival in September. We are huge fans of the Land of Oz and absolutely loved getting to visit that magical world of the Yellow Brick Road and the Emerald City. But Beech Mountain is just as cool during other seasons.
We had the chance to spend a gorgeous summer weekend at Beech Mountain and found that this special place really has everything a family could need for a respite from the heat. The mountaintop village is quite magical, quaint, and just beautiful.
About Beech Mountain
Beech Mountain is the highest town in the Eastern United States, which easily puts it on the map of being pretty cool. Literally. Temperatures hardly get over 72 degrees all year in this gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountain town. They were a little higher on some parts of the mountain when we were there and one of the restaurant owners told us he felt like it was a heat wave at 78 degrees. Meanwhile, it was in the high 90s in Greenville. But, I digress. Beech Mountain is perhaps best known for its winter activities like skiing and snowboarding at the Beech Mountain Ski Resort, a free sledding hill, as well as the location of the Land of Oz.
But there’s a lot more to this beautiful mountaintop village. It has incredible mountain biking trails that bikers use the ski lift to get up to. There are miles of hiking trails on the mountain with views of the peaks of Grandfather Mountain and into Tennessee. There is kayaking and fishing and lots of family-friendly activities.
Everyone knows each other and it has a very small town, welcoming feel. I cannot say enough good things about every single person we met there. They were so kind and helpful and just a happy group of individuals.
Where To Stay in Beech Mountain
We stayed at the Pinnacle Inn Resort, a collection of condos and rentals right in the middle of the action at Beech Mountain, provided by Beech Mountain Chalet Rentals. We could walk to three restaurants, the general store, playgrounds, the Visitor Center, and the Mountaineer Adventure Tower. It was the perfect location.
Our rental had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large deck, dining area, full kitchen, and living room. This place is a great option for those who want to cook a few meals while on vacation (pro tip: make meals at home, freeze them, and bring them with you to heat up) to save a little money.
I think our favorite part about staying at the Pinnacle Inn Resort was the indoor pool, small arcade, hot tub, and ahhhh, the steam and sauna rooms. I haven’t been in a steam or sauna room in many, many years and I just love them so I really enjoyed that aspect of the resort. The indoor pool was a big hit with my kids as well and something fun to do to wind down at the end of the day after lots of adventures.
BOOK IT!
Beech Mountain Vacation Rentals at Pinnacle Inn | 301 Pinnacle Inn Road, Beech Mountain NC 28604
More Places to Stay in Beech Mountain
Where To Eat in Beech Mountain
We so enjoyed all of our meals on Beech Mountain. For such a small town, the dining options were impressive.
Fred’s Backside Deli
Once again, Beech Mountain hospitality made me so happy to be visiting when we went to Fred’s Backside Deli for breakfast. They were so nice. What’s in the water up there? I had to wonder.
This place is a gem of Beech Mountain. It has multiple purposes: a hole-in-the-wall restaurant downstairs, a general store on the first and second floors. I was wondering if there was anything this cool spot doesn’t do or have. Their tagline is actually, “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.” Nailed it.
For breakfast, we got the breakfast buffet. I was particularly smitten with their biscuits and gravy because even though I’m from New Jersey, I’ve become a full-fledged Southern girl in my food choices and could not be more excited to try all the biscuits I can get my hands on. These were delicious. Fred’s also has breakfast sandwiches and bagels. You can even order to-go breakfasts if you want to get a head start on your adventures.
Be sure to browse the store when you’re there. They have so many great apparel options plus hiking shoes, hats, puzzles, fishing gear, kitchen gadgets, coffee, wine, cheese, fruits. Their sale section is up the stairs.
Fred’s Backside Deli | 501 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain NC 28604
Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria
If you want to eat and have some fun before or after, head to Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria. Every employee here was so, so nice and happy and just lovely. We absolutely loved our time here because you can eat and play!
Their menu includes pizza, wings, salads, sandwiches, pasta, the largest beer selection on the mountain, a full bar, a bakery, and an ice cream counter. We enjoyed a delicious cheese pizza split with a four cheese pizza, a Greek salad, and amazing hand cut fries. Fries are my weakness and oh my gosh, these were delicious.
But before we even sat down, my daughters tried out the bounce house and inflatable basketball that was part of their free Friday night entertainment series. I also tried to teach them to sing along to “Rocky Top” with the live band but I think they may have cringed at my attempt to be cool. But whatever, it was awesome.
We also played a round of mini-golf on their Oz-themed course with a few gnomes and Bigfoot thrown in. The whole course is a big yellow brick road with various, random obstacles that usually involve animals of some kind. It’s a lot of fun and my kids really enjoyed it.
Afterwards, we ate dinner and then tried our luck at the arcade. We shot lots of basketballs and my daughters raced motorcycles. They had enough tickets to choose a small toy from the futuristic prize machine, which I think is their favorite part of any arcade.
I was amazed at just how many things this place had to do. We stayed a couple hours at least and had such a blast. When you go to Beech Mountain, be sure to check their schedule for special events, which they host several times during the year!
The Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria | 402 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC
5506’ Skybar
I knew 5506′ Skybar had to be good because the only way to get there is by the chair lift at Beech Mountain Resort. I was absolutely not disappointed!
The views at Skybar are worth it alone, but the food was also really good. My daughters had burgers and I had a chicken wrap. It came with fruit or chips, and we each enjoyed a Shirley Temple while taking in stunning views of the surrounding mountains. You’re so high at 5,506’ that you really feel like you can touch the clouds.
You can also order drinks while you’re up there, which would be a beautiful way to end the day. They offer sunset dining and Mile High Yoga, so check the website for special events when you head up to Beech Mountain.
5506’ Skybar | Beech Mountain Resort, 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC
Holy Smokes BBQ
If you like BBQ, you’ll probably smell Holy Smokes BBQ before you actually see it because the wafting aroma for smoking meat permeates the Beech Mountain Parkway around the restaurant. It’s located at the White Wolf Lodge, and like most places on the mountain, it serves multiple purposes!
There is the BBQ restaurant of course, plus a gift shop with Beech Mountain apparel, Oz trinkets, shirts, and key chains, and a fudge shop. Upstairs rooms are rented out as part of the lodge at the same building.
My favorite part about Holy Smokes BBQ were all the different sauces. It’s a fun experiment to try all of them and see which ones are the best. It makes eating a game. A tasty game. The restaurant has your typical BBQ dishes like pulled pork sandwiches and brisket plus a kids menu and sides like mac & cheese, mashed potatoes (these were delicious), and cole slaw. We got to try a bite of the homemade chocolate fudge and it was heavenly.
Holy Smokes BBQ | 3363 Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mountain, NC
Slope View Cafe
I was sad to leave Beech Mountain when it was time to go home, but at least we got to end with a bang at the Slope View Cafe for breakfast. This is a small establishment that is currently only open Friday-Sunday from 8 am – 11 am but that serves up awesome pancakes and omelets. The manager, once again, was as kind as could be, and made us feel right at home – except I didn’t have to cook!
We had bacon, pancakes with blueberries, and an amazing veggie omelet. Everything was really good and it was close to our rental, so we basically just rolled out of bed and drove the two minutes down the road to eat.
When you go in, the restaurant will be at the Alpen Restaurant. The signage is a little confusing, but you’re at the right spot.
Slope View Cafe | 606 Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mountain, NC
Things to Do in Beech Mountain, NC
Regardless of the season, there’s plenty to do in the Beech Mountain area. While the colder months are the most popular because of the ski resort, there are plenty of things to do in warmer months. You could have two different vacations in the same location, depending on the time of year.
Beech Mountain Resort
To get amazing views of the surrounding mountain peaks and valleys, take the chair lift up to the top of Beech Mountain Resort. The views are unreal, especially on clear days. The round-trip chair ride ($20/person) is smooth and takes about 15 minutes to get to the top. We liked watching the mountain bikers tackle the trails below us and people making their best attempts at disc golf.
At the top, you can grab lunch or drinks at the Skybar. They also offer sunset dinners, which we didn’t do, but which I imagine must be unreal. We saw a sunset from our resort and it was gorgeous. I bet the views from the Skybar for sunset would be stunning. The only way to get to the Skybar in the summer is by chair lift. During the winter, you’ll need a ski pass to get there, and you’ll have to ski or snowboard down. I’m not a good skier so going in the summer and taking the chair lift up and down was right up my alley.
We really enjoyed the deck at the Skybar with its high chairs and delicious food. The menu is limited but it’s really good. My daughters had burgers and I had the chicken wrap with some kind of cilantro sauce that was excellent.
Beech Mountain Resort | 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC
Buckeye Recreation Center
The Buckeye Recreation Center offers a great selection of activities for families. Beech Mountain is a great destination for larger families looking for something more affordable. This is one of the reasons why.
The Buckeye Recreation Centers offers two free ropes playgrounds, free kayak rentals, free canoe rentals, free hiking trails, and free fishing. Buckeye Lake is a small lake, but you can’t really get better than free boat rentals there. It’s perfect for families to paddle around. You can also fish and rent fishing gear for free (bait not included).
If the weather is bad or you just want a break from outdoor stuff, you can buy a day pass ($10) and play inside. There’s a huge basketball court, weight room, kids playroom, and pickleball courts indoors. The lobby has lots of puzzles, games, and books if you need some family entertainment. My daughters enjoyed playing Twister! There are also pickleball and tennis courts outdoors for use. And there are several hiking trails at the Rec Center, including one with a waterfall.
If you are a fan of bird watching, the Buckeye Recreation area is home to almost 130 species of migratory birds. The space features an official North Carolina Birding Trail.
Buckeye Recreation Center | 1330 Pine Ridge Road, Beech Mountain, NC
Emerald Outback Hiking Trails
There are about eight miles of hiking and biking trails at Emerald Outback and several overlook points. The map is honestly quite fun with all of the Wizard of Oz-themed trails with names like Ruby Slippers, Oz Forest, and Wizards Way. They all have different colors as well ,and the trail system is well-marked. However, I highly recommend using a good hiking app on your phone because we had some issues going in the right direction on some of the trails.
We didn’t hike the full length of every trail at Emerald Outback, but we did step foot on every trail there. None were too difficult or steep, and the overlooks were gorgeous. We tracked almost 3.5 miles in a couple hours. Definitely bring water and snacks. Maps are available at the Visitors Center for free, and all the hiking trails are also free of charge.
May is “Hike On Month” which means the town offers free guided hikes and goodies at the Visitor’s Center. Be sure to stop by when you get to town to take advantage of it!
Here is a breakdown of other trails on Beech Mountain:
Upper Pond Creek Trail is a one-mile trail near Lake Coffey that offers a different experience every season, with snow in the winter, foliage in the fall, and wildflower blooms in spring and summer. Stations throughout the trail offer quick facts about the different flora and fauna along the trail.
Lower Pond Creek Trail is just over half a mile and is a step up in difficulty from Upper Pond Creek trail but is not too challenging for an experienced hiker. On this trail ,old hemlock trees surround cascading streams and small waterfalls. Seating areas and a large observation deck make it a great spot for picnickers.
Wild Iris Trail stretches for 2.2 miles along old roadbeds and through lush forests. This is a great trail to look for wildflowers and, in the summer months, fresh blackberries!
Falls Trail is a popular adventure for those who can’t get enough waterfalls. One mile in length, Falls Trail is a moderate hike that takes you around the Buckeye Recreation Center’s full property. As you descend from the trail’s start, you’ll slowly come to Buckeye Creek Falls, a beautiful, 20-foot cascade that’s part of Buckeye Creek. From this trail, you can access the Buckeye Lake Loop. The Grassy Gap Creek trail is also nearby.
Other great trails to explore on Beech include the Sassafras Trail, Red Fox/Arrowhead Trail, Smoketree Trail, Overlook Trail, Westerly Hills Hiking, and the Mountain Biking Area.
For more information and a free trail map, you can stop by the Beech Mountain Visitors Center at 403A Beech Mountain Parkway.
Emerald Outback Trails | 328 N Pinnacle Ridge Road, Beech Mountain, NC
Mountaineer Adventure Tower
I had seen this cool three-story climbing tower on my trips to Beech Mountain before but had never done it with my kids until this trip. It’s even more fun than it looks!
The Adventure Tower is three stories of rope obstacle courses and climbing structures. The topmost level has giant beach balls and Eno hammocks. The second level has rope obstacles and rope swings along with a 25-foot high slide. The first level has lots of bouncy dodge balls, and the ground level has several lawn games and oh-so-relaxing nest swings. It was so relaxing to swing on them in the mountain breeze.
To get to each level, you’ll have to climb up rope tunnels. The Adventure Tower is for all ages. Check their Facebook page for current operating hours and prices.
Mountaineer Adventure Tower | 502 Beech Mountain Parkway, NC
Fishing in Beech Mountain
If fishing is something your family enjoys, Beech Mountain offers a great deal on fishing licenses. You can fish from two different lakes included in the High Country Mountain Heritage Trout Water Trail.
We saw someone pull in quite a few big catches when we were canoeing on Buckeye Lake. It looked like a lot of fun! Anyone can purchase a 3-day pass to fish along with the included bodies of water.
Blackberry Jam Summer Festival
The summer season just got sweeter at Beech Mountain with the new Blackberry Jam, a vibrant summer celebration that combines the town’s lively music scene, cool mountain temperatures, abundant outdoor adventure, and the sweet tradition of blackberry picking. With live performances, blackberry-themed treats from local restaurants, and monthly farmers’ markets, Blackberry Jam offers a fresh take on summer fun.
Summer concerts include:
- Beech Mountain Resort Summer Music Series – Featuring nationally acclaimed headliners such as Red Clay Strays, Jason Isbell, Lake Street Dive, Charley Crockett, 49 Winchester and many more.
- Additional Weekend Music Across Town:
- Fridays – Free live music at Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria
- Saturdays – Scenic lift rides at Beech Mountain Resort to enjoy live music at 5506’ Skybar
- Sundays – Free sunset concerts at Fred’s General Mercantile Gazebo and Concerts on the Lawn at Top of the Beech Inn
Blackberry specials at these local restaurants are available through July and August:
- Beech Alpen Inn – Rotating blackberry dessert specials
- Slopeview Restaurant – Blackberry pancakes
- Bullwinkle’s Tavern – Rotating blackberry dessert specials
- Brick Oven Pizzeria – Blackberry ice cream
- Fred’s General Mercantile – Lemon cupcakes with blackberry buttercream frosting, assorted blackberry desserts, and specialty blackberry wines
- Holy Smokes BBQ – Blackberry BBQ sauce and blackberry cheesecake fudge
- Whistle Pig Pub – Blackberry specialty cocktail
- First Chair Coffee Shop – Blackberry drink special
Additionally, Beech Mountain’s monthly farmers market offer the perfect chance to savor the flavors of blackberry season. From June through October, on the first Friday of each month, the market pops up in town feature fresh, locally grown produce, blackberry-infused goodies, artisan goods, and more.
Land of Oz [CLOSED FOR THE 2025 SEASON]
The Land of Oz is only open for three weekends in September and features performances by characters in the Wizard of Oz movie, an actual yellow brick road, lots of photo ops, and a truly magical adventure. Tickets go on sale in June and will sell out. Read our full review of the Land of Oz for everything you need to know.
Land of Oz | 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC
Things to Do Near Beech Mountain, NC
Beech Mountain is surrounded by beauty and fun activities in every direction. There’s hiking, historical places to visit, festivals, nature centers, and even an alpine mountain coaster.
Hiking
I can’t get enough of the great outdoors, and Beech Mountain is the perfect base camp for exploring beautiful trails. Some of the best ones nearby are Rough Ridge, Linville Falls, Flat Top Fire Tower, Elk River Falls, Roan Mountain, Otter Falls, and Grandfather Mountain. The AllTrails app can show you even more.
Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather Mountain is one of the coolest parks I’ve ever been to in North Carolina and home to the real life Chutes & Ladders trail. My kids are experienced hikers, and we’ve done this trail twice. Both times I’ve questioned my life decisions, but wow, it’s worth it if you are experienced and take proper trail precautions. If you don’t like hanging off the sides of mountains, Grandfather Mountain also has a fantastic nature center, Ranger talks, special events, and the Mile High Bridge. You can also see the curve where Forrest Gump ran in the movie. Read our review on Grandfather Mountain to learn how to experience this cool place.
Moses Cone Manor
An old, stately manor sits on this property that has miles of trails and beautiful places to rest and enjoy the views. We really enjoyed our hike to Flat Top Firetower. It’s a moderate 5-mile trail and you can climb the fire tower, although it has open sides at the top so hang onto little kids.
6570 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Blowing Rock, NC
Original Mast General Store
The very first Mast General Store, built in 1883, is located in nearby Valle Crucis. It’s so neat to see and still has a working post office on site. The Mast General Annex is 2/10 of a mile down the road and they have tons of the signature candy barrels.
3565 Hwy 194 S, Sugar Grove, NC
Linville Caverns
For a unique perspective inside of a mountain, Linville Caverns is the place to go. It’s a really cool tour half a mile inside of a mountain. And it’s always a comfortable temperature year round. Read our Linville Caverns review to learn more.
Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster
The Wilderness Run Alpine Mountain Coaster is the first of its kind in Western North Carolina. The track is over 3,000 feet long, and the coaster reaches speeds up to 27 miles per hour. Riders are in full control.
You can buy a single ride ticket or get a three-pack. We did the latter after reading reviews, and it was such a mountain high to do this coaster. My youngest daughter, 9, and I rode together and she kept yelling at me to go faster. I thought we were going to fly off the tracks, but it’s very safe and we didn’t fly anywhere. Mission accomplished.
You have to make a reservation online as the place is very popular and often crowded. You may be able to get a walk-on ticket during the slower season, but if you really want to go, make an online reservation. They also have a ropes course there but we didn’t do that.
Adult (ages 14+) single rides are $16, and a three-ride bundle is $35. Youth (ages 7-13) single rides are $13, and a three-ride bundle is $29. Child (ages 3-6) single ride tickets are $5, and three-ride bundles are $12. The rides are fast. It took us about three to four minutes to complete the whole track. The alpine coaster is open daily.
3265 Tynecastle Highway, Banner Elk, NC
Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival
This is a really neat festival that showcases Plein Air art – art made outdoors – and where you can hike local trails and stroll through town and see lots of artists creating beautiful paintings outdoors. The festival culminates with an art show and sale on the last of the festival at the Blowing Rock Museum.
Ready to Visit Beech Mountain?
We enjoyed our time at Beech Mountain immensely and really cannot wait to go back. It’s very peaceful, beautiful, and welcoming – the perfect family trip! There is plenty to do, but if you just want to rest and relax, there are also lots of opportunities to recharge.
For more information about Beech Mountain, see their website. They have more detailed information on specific events, markets, and dining that we were not able to visit.
We truly hope you enjoy your visit to Beech Mountain, North Carolina!
