Valle Crucis, NC

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 It has the rustic wooding for the outside of the building, and outdated red draping on the window, showing its age.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 WiFi, 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 Jan 3, 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 ￥17,328 per night from Jan 15 to Jan 16
￥17,328
￥19,536 total
Jan 15 - Jan 16
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Boone. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and wired Internet (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,009 reviews)
Nice breakfast quiet room confortable beds

Reviewed on Jan 10, 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
The price is ￥19,216 per night from Jan 25 to Jan 26
￥19,216
￥21,666 total
Jan 25 - Jan 26
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Boone. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,247 reviews)
Everything was clean, the decor attractive, the beds comfortable and the breakfast buffet was awesome! Enjoyed our stay! The staff was courteous and friendly!

Reviewed on Jan 10, 2026

Graystone Lodge, an Ascend Collection Hotel
See all 5,353 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 WiFi, 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 Jan 3, 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 WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. 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 Jan 5, 2026

Smoketree Lodge
The Highlands at Sugar

The Highlands at Sugar

3 out of 5
2173 Sugar Mountain Drive Banner Elk NC
Book a stay at this family-friendly apartment in Banner Elk. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (768 reviews)
Great place , will come back

Reviewed on Jan 8, 2026

The Highlands at Sugar
See all 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.

Popular places to visit

Ever wonder where the Land if Oz is? It is in Beech Mountain, N.C.! This former amusement park opens twice a year - in June for the Journey with Dorothy and in September for Autumn at Oz. #landofoz #Adventure #yellowbrickroad #amusementpark #northcarolina #LocalSecrets #trovember

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
Yellow brick road Beech Mountain, North Carolina

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
Time to make some wine!

Grandfather Vineyard & Winery

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Grandfather Vineyard & Winery during your travels to Banner Elk. Discover the mountain views in this family-friendly area, or enjoy its hiking trails.

Grandfather Vineyard & Winery
This is the headstone of Banner Elk, North Carolina. This elk has been in the town forever, but this past year the elk has been refurbished and installed as the centerpiece of the town. This elk frames Appalachia in the sense of this small town pride in the mountains. In the background you can see the historic elementary school and rolling mountains and once again the North Carolina pride of the state flag surrounding this elk even though about 100ft to the right there is another flagpole with the same flags raised high and proud. This is where every child in this town went to school in this picturesque location but as time rolls on is Appalachia move on too? #appalachianechoes

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
Throughout my childhood I spent so much time at this park. I always remember of thinking of it as the park in the middle of the mountains. What I never noticed as a child was how every single aspect of this park was planned out and put there for a reason. Likewise before studying the photographic image I had never thought about how we construct a image and its affordances and constraints. One thing I really want to point out in this image is that while we have this beautiful park there is a huge ugly pipe in the middle of the photograph. It is part of the necessity of the planning of the park, just like the frame is a necessity of an image. We sometimes want to forget it is there but it is a necessary part of an image and still has meaning. #appalachianechoes

Tate-Evans Park

You can learn about the history of Banner Elk when you stop by 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