Thunder in the Smokies this Weekend in Maggie Valley

May 3-5  Thunder in the Smokies Spring Rally   Come ride in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Enjoy Tour Rides, Music Concerts, Bike Builders, Bike Games, Bike Show, Prizes, Vendors and much more during our three day rally.

All bikes and ages welcomed. Gates open at 11AM - 11 PM on Friday, 9 AM - 11 PM on Saturday and 9 AM - 4 PM on Sunday.

Get links for Maggie Valley NC restaurants, rentals and attractions HERE.

Tweetsie Railroad Tickets - Save $15

There are only a few days left to save $15 on Tweetsie Railroad Golden Rail Season Pass Tickets. This discount is valid until May 5, 2013. Pay only $75 for adults (regular $90) and $55 for kids age 3 - 12 (regular $65) for an entire season of Tweetsie fun. Tickets at the gate for a one-day admission is $37 for adults and $23 for Kids 3-12 (2 years and under are free).

Tweetsie Railroad Theme Park Adventure is now open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM. The Park will be open 7 days a week beginning May 31.

Tweetsie's first special event of the season is A Day Out with Thomas, May 31 through June 9.

Get a link for Tweetsie Railroad and other local NC attractions on the Blowing Rock Visitor Guide.

French Broad River Festival this Weekend in Hot Springs

May 3 - 5   16th Annual French Broad River Festival   The Festival is a benefit for American Whitewater, The Mountain Area Child and Family Center and Hot Springs Community Learning Center.  Located just 35 minutes north of Asheville at Hot Springs Campground and Spa, this family-friendly weekend includes great regional and national recording artists.

Enjoy shopping for new outdoor gear at the Live Auction or with one of the many art and craft vendors. Try participating in the "Paddle with the Pros", the 8th Annual FBRF Mountain Bike Race, or the 16th Annual French Broad River Raft Race. The River Festival is an entire weekend of fun, family, art, music and adventure.

Learn more about Hot Spings NC lodging, restaurants and attractions on the Hot Springs NC Visitor Guide.

  

This year's featured music line-up includes:
Langhorne Slim & The Law
Sol Driven Train
Yarn
Col. Bruce Hampton & the Realms of Ventilation
The Jeff Sipe Trio
The Mosier Brothers
Marley Carroll
Snake Oil Medicine Show
Brushfire Stankgrass
Chalwa
Hank West & The Smokin' Hots
The Hermit Kings
The Swayback Sisters
The Mad Tea
Hillstomp
The Fritz
The Evergreen Multi-Cultural Beat Ensemble
The Reckoning
The Paperhand Puppet Intervention
40 Fingers & A Missing Tooth

            

Jazz Festival Today at Western Carolina University

April 27    WCU Jazz Festival   The 11th annual Jazz Festival will feature open to public dress rehearsals, clinics, and performances by the WCU Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Pavel Wlosok with featured artist Donny McCaslin on tenor saxophone. 

Pavel Wlosok will also lead his trio featuring former WCU student Mike Holstein on acoustic bass and guest artist from Bratislava, Slovakia Marian Sevcik on drums to accompany Mr. Caslin during the final concert. Afternoon clinics/masterclasses beginning at 4pm will be free of charge and will take place in the Bardo Arts Center classrooms. Held at the Bardo Arts Center Theatre on the Western Carolina Campus.

Learn more on the Sylva NC Visitor Guide.

Chimney Rock Park Hosts 3rd Annual Buzz on Bees

April 27   3rd Annual Buzz on Bees at Chimney Rock Park   Did you know that more than one-third of the world’s food supply, including fruits and vegetables, depends on honey bees for pollination? Head for Chimney Rock Park to observe enclosed live bee hives, chat with local beekeeping experts, learn about the basics of beekeeping and honey production and bring home local honey and beeswax products.

Kids can enjoy “busy bee” crafts and activities, and a costume prize is awarded to the “best dressed” bee. Learn more about how our survival depends on honey bees, why they are disappearing and what you can do to help.

Get links for Chimney Rock NC cabins, inns, attractions and complete visitor information HERE. 

Greening Up the Mountains NC Spring Festival

April 27  Greening up the Mountains  This annual spring festival, named for the way the “spring green” creeps up the mountainsides, is a celebration of the local economy, sustainability, and traditional heritage crafts. Three full music stages will feature local bands, children’s performances, and heritage dance, along with the annual Youth Talent Show and more. 

Storytelling, face painting, an inflatable slide, the recycled materials Superhero Costume Contest, volunteer projects and more add to the fun events in this festival. Come out to participate or watch the Annual Greening Up the Mountains 5K Run. Greening Up the Mountains also celebrates the greening of the environment, with information about sustainable living and presentations by environmental groups.

The Festival is held on on Main and Mill Streets in historic downtown Sylva NC  from 10 AM to 4 PM.

Nantahala Outdoor Center Freestyle Kayaking Shootout and Demo Days this Weekend

April 26 - 28   NOC Freestyle Kayaking Shootout & Demo Days  The Southeast's biggest freestyle kayaking competition, held on the new 2013 Wave, teams up with the Southeast's biggest preseason gear sale. The first official Freestyle event to be held at the newly enhanced Nantahala Wave, designed for the upcoming 2013 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships

Cherokee Trout Fishing Tournament this Weekend

April 26 - 28  Cherokee's Summer Kickoff Trout Fishing Tournament   offers $10,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters).   Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters. 

When a tagged fish is caught it can be redeemed for cash prizes ranging from $20 to $500 based on the color of the tag. Redemption location and times to be announced. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration is necessary to redeem  tags for cash prizes. $11 entry fee - available everywhere Cherokee fishing permits are sold.

Get a link for the Cherokee Summer Kickoff Fishing Tournament, Cherokee lodging, restaurants and attractions HERE.

MerleFest 2013 this Weekend

April 25 - 28   MerleFest   Celebrate spring and help kick off the NC festival season at MerleFest, considered one of the premier music festivals in the country. MerleFest is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College. The four-day festival features over 90 artists performing on 14 stages, including memorial tributes to Doc Watson and performances by Vince Gill, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives and the Tedeschi Trucks Band.

Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown presents "Cotton Patch Gospel"

April 24 - May 19   Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown presents "Cotton Patch Gospel"   Kicking off the 2013 Downtown series is "Cotton Patch Gospel". Called the Greatest Story Ever Retold, this bluegrass musical is a modern retelling of the Gospel in the setting of rural Georgia with songs that are the final, and perhaps best work of Harry Chapin (best known for the number-one hit, “Cat’s in the Cradle”).

Herod is recreated as Governor of Georgia, Caiaphas as Dr. Caiaphas, a member of a board of politicians, and Pilate as a local governor who sentences Jesus and sends him to Lee Correctional Institute. Witness a unique retelling of the story of Jesus, brought to life through bluegrass music and imaginative storytelling.

Find more information about Hendersonville NC, events, attractions and lodging HERE.  

Classic Car Cruise Inn today in Old Fort

April 20   3rd Saturday Classic Car Cruise-Ins   Held in downtown, historic Old Fort NC (at the Hardees on Catawba). Sponsored by the Route 70 Cruisers, all makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles are invited to join the fun, no entrance or admission fees. There will be food, crafts and a "swap meet" area for treasure hunters.

Andy Roddick meets Jim Courier in Cashiers NC for a Tennis Exhibition

Tickets for the Roddick - Courier Tennis Exhibition are available beginning April 19.

Tennis greats Andy Roddick and Jim Courier will face off in an exhibition match in Cashiers NC on July 27, 2013 at the Cedar Creek Racquet Club.  These two great tennis competitors will play a charity exhibition match that will benefit the newly formed "Mountain Youth Charities" while thrilling tennis fans with a rare opportunity to see the world's best compete again.

tennis great Andy Roddick

Recently retired superstar and new Cashiers homeowner Andy Roddick takes the court against good friend and fellow superstar Jim Courier in The Mountain Challenge, sponsored by United Community Bank. The event is hosted by the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce and benefits Mountain Youth Charities.

The marquee matchup brings together players who have been both been ranked number one in the world. Roddick held that position following his victory in the 2003 U.S. Open, one of 32 ATP titles in his career. Courier was the world's number one player four times in the 1990s. He totaled 23 ATP victories, including four Grand Slam titles.

The UCB Mountain Challenge will also include two preliminary matches featuring local up-and-coming mountain players and top-ranked juniors Thai Kwiatkowski of Charlotte and Korey Lovett of Brevard, and the second is a doubles match pairing the winners of a local pro-am versus Roddick/Courier.

Other festivities include a Friday evening Mountain Dinner Gala, and a Saturday morning VIP breakfast with Roddick and Courier.

Tickets for this unique event go on sale Friday, April 19. Reserved seat tickets are $100. Fans can also choose from an array of luxury box tickets, VIP tickets and group packages.

"This is exciting for our club and the Cashiers community," said Scott Handback, general manager of Cedar Creek Racquet Club. "We're thrilled to provide tennis fans in the Carolinas and Georgia with a rare chance to see two of the world's best tennis players compete in a  beautiful, scenic mountain setting." The stadium at Cedar Creek will seat 2,000 for the match. Handback estimates a third of the tickets have already been purchased during a pre-sale for chamber members.

The charity match came about when Roddick and his wife, actress Brooklyn Decker, decided to live in Cashiers on a seasonal basis. They wanted to make a difference locally by helping young people, so they met with long-time Cashiers resident and philanthropist William McKee. "The goal is to establish a long-term program for all kids in this area," McKee said. "A new non-profit - Mountain Youth Charities - has been formed for that sole purpose."

Grounds open at 9 AM. on Saturday, July 27. The VIP breakfast and the junior match begin at 10 AM., followed by Roddick and Courier against the local pro-am doubles champs at 11 AM. The main event, pitting Roddick versus Courier, is at 11:30 AM.

Find Cashier lodging and links for local restaurants and attractions on the Cashiers NC Visitor Guide.

Steeplechase Race this Weekend in Tryon NC

April 20    67th Annual Steeplechase Race at FENCE   The Steeplechase is the area's biggest and most exciting equestrian event of the year. Join the crowds that come for the thundering of hooves as they navigate a challenging course over several races. Contestants for best tailgate show off their best country, most unusual and most elegant. Special hats turn heads with competitors vying for the funniest (adults) and the most unusual and most appropriate for adults and kids.

Learn more about Tryon FENCE horse shows, lodging, restaurants and attractions on the Tryon NC Visitor Guide.

Maggie Valley hosts the Smoky Mountain Oyster & Seafood Festival this Weekend

April 20   Smoky Mountain Oyster & Seafood Festival   A Food and Music Festival open to all ages. Steamed, Raw, BBQ'd Oysters and other Seafood. Oysters and other types of seafood will be sold by the 1/2 dozen. Additional taste treats include Hotdogs and Brats, a Grits Bar and BBQ for non-sea consumers. Enjoy NC Craft Beer and Wine, Live Music, a Silent Auction for Charity and more.

Hendersonville NC Barbeque Expo this Weekend

April 20   4th Annual Henderson County Boyd  BBQ Expo  A family festival with vendors, BBQ cooking competitions, children's activities, arts and crafts, and entertainment. The Henderson County Boyd BBQ Expo allows BBQ teams compete in one of two divisions: Professional (Restaurants, Caterers and those that compete on the Professional BBQ circuit) and Back Yard (all others).

Back again for 2013, The Circle C Racing Pigs will be running their little legs off in quest of the ultimate prize…. an Oreo cookie.  This attraction is sure to once again be fun for all ages. Enjoy the BBQ festival grounds by riding in the Little Blue Choo, with all ages welcome.  For Wrestling Fans, High Velocity Wrestling is coming to the BBQ Expo with their high flying fast paced action.

Both divisions will be competing in four separate categories: Ribs, Chicken, Pork & Brisket.  Meats are blind judged on taste, texture and appearance with cash prizes  awarded for the top 5 competitors in each category.

The BBQ Expo is held at the Hendersonville High School Stadiu, 1 Bearcat Boulevard in Hendersonville, NC.

WNC Chef's Challenge Quarterfinals in Asheville

April 16  WNC Chef's Challenge: Quarterfinals: Tomato Jam Café vs. DoubleTree Catering.Diner participants will enjoy six plated culinary creations (three from each team) that incorporate a special ingredient and will score each dish. The diners' votes are then tallied along with those from a panel of judges and the weekly winners will continue to participate in the competition.

The Chef's Challenge just keeps getting better and better as local restaurant teams head for the ultimate prize to be earned during the 2013 Asheville Wine & Food Festival held each August. Western North Carolina is known first for its incredible mountain experiences, but the quality of food, art and entertainment run  a close second  and the WNC Chef's Challenge has become an acknowledgment of that high level of achievement.

Reservations for the WNC Chefs Challenge are $49 per individual, and can be purchased online at http://wncchefschallenge.eventbrite.com. Sales tax, and gratuity ($67.97 total) are included in ticket purchase. Held at the Chestnut Restaurant in downtown Asheville NC.

Tweetsie Railroad Now Open for the 2013 Season - All Aboard!

Tweetsie Railroad has opened for the 2013 Season.  Join the fun at NC's oldest theme park for another season of wild-west adventures and excitement.   April 12 through May 27, 2013 hours: Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and Memorial Day Monday, May 27, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.  May 31 through August 18, 2013: Open 7 days a week, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.   August 23 through November 3, 2013: Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and Labor Day Monday, September 2, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. 

Get a link for Tweetsie Railroad and nearby lodging on the Blowing Rock NC Visitor Guide. 


Tweetsie Railroad, North Carolina's first theme park, takes a trip back into the days of the Old West. Hop aboard the train for an unforgettable three-mile journey through the scenic mountains. Even in today's high-tech world, there's still a place for old-fashioned fun. 

Tweetsie Railroad is a unique attraction that allows children and families to explore their imaginations and a whole lot more. Be a cowboy, Indian or an engineer and take a ride on historic steam locomotive, Number 12, listed on the National Register.

Special events are offered throughout the 2013 Season including:

May 7-9 and 15-16 : Letterland Days. See your favorite Letterland Characters come to life. From Talking Tess's Train to Eddie Elephant's gem area, each area of the Park is an opportunity for children to learn and play.

May 31 - June 9: Day Out with Thomas. All Aboard for a 25 minute ride with a full size Thomas the Tank engine. Meet Sir Topham Hatt and enjoy storytelling, live music and build with Mega Bloks.

June 21-23: Meet Dora and Diego. Kids can meet Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer and her cousin Diego from 11 AM through 3 PM throughout the weekend.

July 4: 4th of July Celebration. The Park gates will be upon until 9 AM for the most exciting fireworks display in the High Country. Specialk dinner options are offered.

July 6, 13, 20, 27: Cool Summer Nights. The Park stays open until 9 PM and features special train show rides at dusk and the chance to make some cool summer memories.

July 12 - 14: Sponge Bob Square Pants and Patrick Star. Kids can meet Nickelodeon's Sponge Bob and Patrick Star from 11 AM through 3 PM throughout the weekend. 

Asheville City Market Open in Two Locations Today

April 13   The Asheville City Open Air Market  will be open at the Public Works Building, 161 S. Charlotte Street in downtown Asheville NC and Town Square Blvd in Biltmore Park Town Square . Find the the freshest, best-tasting food around and local artisan products in two locations for your convenience, downtown and South Asheville.

EBT, credit, and debit cards are accepted. Additional activities include live music, cooking demonstrations and food tastings from local chefs. The little ones will enjoy the Kids Corner Market activities, and more.

Get more information about Asheville events, attractions and lodging HERE.

Opening Day for Tweetsie Railroad this Weekend

April 12   Tweetsie Railroad    Opens for the 2013 Season   All aboard for NC's oldest theme park and another season of wild-west fun & excitement!   April 12 through May 27, 2013 hours: Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and Memorial Day Monday, May 27, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.  May 31 through August 18, 2013: Open 7 days a week, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.   August 23 through November 3, 2013: Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and Labor Day Monday, September 2, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. 


Tweetsie Railroad, North Carolina's first theme park, takes a trip back into the days of the Old West. Hop aboard the train for an unforgettable three-mile journey through the scenic mountains. Even in today's high-tech world, there's still a place for old-fashioned fun. 

Tweetsie Railroad is a unique attraction that allows children and families to explore their imaginations and a whole lot more. Be a cowboy, Indian or an engineer and take a ride on historic steam locomotive, Number 12, listed on the National Register.

Some of the special events offered throughout the 2013 Season include:May 7-9 and 15-16 : Letterland Days. See your favorite Letterland Characters come to life. From Talking Tess's Train to Eddie Elephant's gem area, each area of the Park is an opportunity for children to learn and play.

May 31 - June 9: Day Out with Thomas. All Aboard for a 25 minute ride with a full size Thomas the Tank engine. Meet Sir Topham Hatt and enjoy storytelling, live music and build with Mega Bloks.

June 21-23: Meet Dora and Diego. Kids can meet Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer and her cousin Diego from 11 AM through 3 PM throughout the weekend.

July 4: 4th of July Celebration. The Park gates will be upon until 9 AM for the most exciting fireworks display in the High Country. Specialk dinner options are offered.

July 6, 13, 20, 27: Cool Summer Nights. The Park stays open until 9 PM and features special train show rides at dusk and the chance to make some cool summer memories.

July 12 - 14: Sponge Bob Square Pants and Patrick Star. Kids can meet Nickelodeon's Sponge Bob and Patrick Star from 11 AM through 3 PM throughout the weekend. 

Mountain View Cabin Rental in Hendersonville

Welcome Spring in the North Carolina Mountains and enjoy beautiful sunset views of the Blue Ridge Mountains - 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, sleeps 8. Fireplace, deck with gas grill, ping pong, whirlpool tub in master, WIFI. Pets considered. Beautifully furnished with all the extras.

This wonderful cabin rental is only 3 miles to Cummings Cove golf course and 8 miles to historic downtown Hendersonville NC,  $190 - $260 per night, $1402 - $1540 per week.   See cabin photos, details and rental availability

Learn more about Hendersonville lodging, attractions, restaurants and events HERE.

Run for Wildlife Half Marathon on Sugar Mountain this Weekend

April 13   Run for Wildlife Half Marathon The half marathon run will begin at Sugar Mountain Resort's lower parking lot and travel through Banner Elk, Lees McRae College's Campus, Matney, and ending back in Banner Elk at the Best Western Mountain Lodge where there will be live entertainment as runners cross the finish line.

Registration will be from 12 PM until 8 PM on Friday April 12, 2013 at the Best Western Plus Mountain Lodge in Banner Elk, NC. All proceeds will benefit Lees McRae's Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation, environmental education, and research.

The Best Western Plus Mountain Lodge in Banner Elk offers friendly customer service, updated guest rooms and convenient access to a variety of Western North Carolina attractions. This Banner Elk area hotel boasts 100 spacious, well-appointed guest rooms featuring cable television and wireless high-speed Internet access.

Hotel guests are welcome to take advantage of a variety of hotel amenities including a seasonal outdoor heated swimming pool open mid-June through mid-September, guest laundry, fitness center, picnic area, business services and meeting/banquet facilities accommodating up to 300 guests. The BEST WESTERN PLUS Mountain Lodge at Banner Elk is the only pet-friendly hotel in the area. Get hotel details and current best rates

9th Annual Herb Festival in Old Fort this Weekend

April 13-14    9th Annual Herb Festival   Savor the smell and taste of fresh-grown herbs with a selection including several unique medicinal, cooking and ornamental herbs. The herbal combination planters include the Scarborough Fair Combo, the Indoor Herbs Combo, and several other attractive and useful assortments.

More than 25 craftsmen, vendors and musicians will exhibit and entertain both days. The event is held at Painters Greenhouse, approximately 5 miles south of I-40 at exit 73 in Old Fort NC.

Waynesville hosts Melange of the Mountains Culinary Gala this Week

April 11 -13   Melange of the Mountains Culinary Gala -  Experience the culinary talent of some of Western North Carolina's most well regarded Restaurants and Vendors. Attendees are invited to sample delicious items directly from the menus of area Restaurants and to feast their eyes on expertly plated specialties entered in the competition. Coffee, beer and wine will also be available for sampling.

Get a link for details about the Melange Culinary Gala, lodging and attractions on the Waynesville NC Visitor Guide.

Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival this Weekend in Blowing Rock

April 10 - 14   Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival  takes place in and around Blowing Rock NC.  For this year's Festival The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute is partnering with the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival to bring Alaska Seafood to the Festival. Enjoy wine tastings, seminars, cooking classes, wine makers' dinner and much more.

Look for special Winemaker's Dinners featuring cold water delicacies, Seafood Presentations at Uncork & Grillin' and Chillin', Cooking Demos by the Executive Chef of Harris Teeter, and samplings at The Grand Tasting. 

Get links for the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival and Blowing Rock lodging and attractions on the Blowing Rock NC Visitor Guide.

Flat Rock Theatre Music on the Rock Series Presents "A Tribute to the Music of Creedence Clearwater Revival"

April 9 - 13   Flat Rock Theatre Music on the Rock Series: "A Tribute to the Music of Creedence Clearwater Revival" Performances are at the Playhouse Downtown, 125 Main Street in historic Hendersonville, 8:00 PM. The 9 concert 2013 series is produced by The Flat Rock Theatre and offers a celebration of music from country to pop to folk.

Get a link for the Flat Rock Theatre Music on the Rock Series on the Hendersonville NC Visitor Guide.

Name the New Eagles at Grandfather Mountain

April 5, 2013 - Grandfather Mountain has announced two new additions to the Grandfather Mountain Animal Habitats: two bald eagles.  The currently unnamed raptors will be christening a brand new eagle habitat, slated for completion in the coming weeks, and are the subject a naming contest.

The two bald eagles are a pair of male and female birds acquired from the Nebraska Raptor Recovery Center.  Both animals were injured in the wild and deemed unfit for release because of their inability to hunt and survive on their own.

An online naming competition kicked off April 5 in which the public can submit name ideas for the two eagles along with a one-dollar donation online.  Submissions will be due by April 22. Habitat staff will select the two winning names and the winners will receive a pass for four to Grandfather Mountain as well as a complimentary Behind the Scenes Tour for their group.  The new names will be announced in late April when the Eagles move into the new eagle habitat.

Learn more about Grandfather Mountain and other NC Mountain Attractions HERE.

Swan Creek Vineyards host Herb Festival This Weekend

April 5 - 7    Vineyards of Swan Creek Herb Festival     Visit each of the five vineyards of Swan Creek and sample a unique food made with each vineyard's signature herb and paired with one of the vineyard's wines. Take home a potted herb from each vineyard to cultivate at home and enjoy with your favorite Swan Creek Vineyard wine.
Yhe Cineyards of Swan Creek are all within 5 miles of one another, makes for an incredible day!

• Dobbins Creek: 4430 Vineyard View Lane Hamptonville NC 27020.
• Laurel Gray: 5726 Old US Hwy. 421 West, Hamptonville, NC 27020
• Raffaldini Vineyards 450 Groce Road, Ronda, NC 28670
• Shadow Springs Vineyard: 5543 Crater Road, Hamptonville, North Carolina 27020
• Windsor Run on your right: 6531 Windsor Road, Hamptonville, NC 27020

The cost is $25+tax per ticket. One ticket is good for one herb, two samples of food, and two, one-ounce pours of the wine selected to be paired with the food sample. Tickets can be redeemed at any time during the weekend and are good for one visit to each vineyard.

Tweetsie Railroad Ticket Discounts - Save $15

Pre-season Discounts for Tweetsie Railroad are now on sale. Purchase your Golden Rail Season Pass from now through May 5, 2013 and save $15 on adult passes and $10 on Kids (3-12). Regular daily admission for adults is $37, Kids 3-12 $23 and 2 or under free.

Tweetsie Railroad and Theme Park opens for the 2013 season on April 12, Friday through Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM. Beginning May 31 the Park is open 7 days a week with a variety of special events and special themes.

Tweetsie Railroad was North Carolina's first theme park and today still manages to blend fantasy, nature technology into a fun and educational experience for kids of ALL ages. Hop aboard the train and let good ol' number 12 take you on an unforgettable three-mile journey through the scenic mountains. You'll arrive transported back into the days of the Old West.

Even in today's high-tech world, we all still have a need for old-fashioned fun and pretend. Tweetsie Railroad is a unique attraction that allows children and families to explore their imaginations and a whole lot more. Be a cowboy, Indian or an engineer on an historic steam locomotive, Number 12, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Get a link to get a link for Tweetsie Railrod, tickets and other local attractions on the Blowing Rock Visitor Guide.

Annual Trout Derby in Blowing Rock NC

April 6   The 34th Annual Trout Derby   The Derby begins at sunrise with awards at 4:30 PM. No pre-registration necessary. Public waters only, no ponds - nearby fishing spots include Price Lake, Bass Lake, Trout Lake and the Middle Fork River along Highway 321.

Licenses and bait can be purchased at Village Hardware on Green Street.. Fishing at Mayview Lake (Broyhill Park) for children 11 and under and persons with disabilities. Fish weighed and measured at American Legion Building on Park Avenue.

Get a link for the Trout Derby and learn more about Blowing Rock lodging, restaurants and attractions on the Blowing Rock NC Visitor Guide. 

The Flat Rock Theatre Presents "The Odd Couple"

 April 3 - 21  The Flat Rock Theatre Presents "The Odd Couple"    Compulsive neat freak Felix Unger is thrown out of his house by his divorce-bound wife. He wanders aimlessly through the streets of New York before gravitating to the apartment of his best friend, incorrigibly sloppy sportswriter Oscar Madison. Oscar, himself in the process of a divorce, invites Felix to move in with him. Within a few days, this mismatched pair find themselves on the verge of mutual murder.

Flat Rock Playhouse, The State Theatre of North Carolina, has been thrilling audiences for more than 50 years with Broadway musicals, comedy and drama. From the Youth Theatre education program to the professional main stage performances, and the Playhouse Downtown in Hendersonville,  the Flat Rock Playhouse offers some of the best live entertainment in Western North Carolina.

Nantahala Hosts Appalachian Trail Founders Bridge Festival

April 4-6   Appalachian Trail Founders Bridge Festival   Enjoy trail-steeped speakers sharing their experiences, a vendor village staffed by industry representatives, skills clinics, as well as some great product giveaways and door prizes and live music nightly. Held at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC).

The 2,181+ mile-long Appalachian Trail is America’s most beloved footpath. The AT crosses the Nantahala River along NOC's Founder's Bridge,  at the Wesser Campus, mile 134 along the AT, before the steep climb into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. NOC Wesser is a friendly, comfortable spot for hikers to rest up, fill their bellies and warm their bones before embarking along the challenging section of the trail to the north. 

Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is located on US Highway 19, approximately 12 miles west of Bryson City NC.