Downtown, NC

Banner Elk

Appalachia, where patriotism lives on. A lot of times we stereotype Appalachia to be very proud of their country and the south. This photo captures small town mainstreet flag pole. In Banner Elk there is one stoplight and on that main street is our American flag flying high with the rolling mountains in the background. The highlight of this small town is the 4th of July. This image just reminds me of how the town comes to life to be all American on that day. #appalachianechoes
Appalachia, where patriotism lives on. A lot of times we stereotype Appalachia to be very proud of their country and the south. This photo captures small town mainstreet flag pole. In Banner Elk there is one stoplight and on that main street is our American flag flying high with the rolling mountains in the background. The highlight of this small town is the 4th of July. This image just reminds me of how the town comes to life to be all American on that day. #appalachianechoes
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

Popular places to visit

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
8/11/2017

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
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
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

Elk Statue

Learn about the local history of Banner Elk with a stop at Elk Statue.

Elk Statue

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

Downtown Hotel Deals

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
$110 nightly
The price is $124 total per night from Jan 15 to Jan 16
$124 total
Jan 15 - Jan 16
Total with taxes and 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
$122 nightly
The price is $137 total per night from Jan 25 to Jan 26
$137 total
Jan 25 - Jan 26
Total with taxes and 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
4 Seasons at Beech Mountain

4 Seasons at Beech Mountain

2.5 out of 5
608 Beech Mountain Pkwy Banner Elk NC
$120 nightly
The price is $135 total per night from Jan 19 to Jan 20
$135 total
Jan 19 - Jan 20
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly aparthotel in Banner Elk. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
7.8/10 Good! (455 reviews)
Overall it all worked out and we had a good visit on the mountain. The location was perfect to rent our gear from wolf lodge and we snowboarded both Sugar and Beech mountain. There were just a few things I would have liked to seen done differently. First when we checked in and I asked about the ski ...

Reviewed on Jan 9, 2026

4 Seasons at Beech Mountain
The Lodge at Banner Elk

The Lodge at Banner Elk

2.5 out of 5
1615 Tynecastle Highway Banner Elk NC
$165 nightly
The price is $186 total per night from Feb 3 to Feb 4
$186 total
Feb 3 - Feb 4
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Banner Elk. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
The staff were very kind and welcoming however, the name was a little deceiving. It was a small motel, being renovated, but hopefully they will give the lodge atmosphere soon with a roaring fire and more amenities. The breakfast was continental and could be improved.

Reviewed on Jan 4, 2026

The Lodge at Banner Elk
Smoketree Lodge

Smoketree Lodge

3 out of 5
11914 Highway 105 Banner Elk NC
$133 nightly
The price is $151 total per night from Jan 15 to Jan 16
$151 total
Jan 15 - Jan 16
Total with taxes and fees
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
Hampton Inn & Suites Boone

Hampton Inn & Suites Boone

2.5 out of 5
1252 US Highway 421 South Boone NC
$129 nightly
The price is $146 total per night from Jan 25 to Jan 26
$146 total
Jan 25 - Jan 26
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Boone. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Appalachian ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (928 reviews)
Friendly staff and clean rooms

Reviewed on Jan 12, 2026

Hampton Inn & Suites Boone
See all 5,106 properties in Downtown
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.

Other neighborhoods around Downtown

This was taken at a shopping center in Banner Elk. The entire center is designed to have this “old timey” feel. The shops have been upkept with this sort of historic architecture. There is this idea that Appalachia is somewhat detached from modernity, and commercial architects like to play into this. The same effect is seen in other parts of Appalachia and just on the east coast in general, for example Williamsburg, VA. The reality is that this “quaint” little town is just the same as any other place in the United States. We’re looking at BB&T, a commercial bank that is far from particular to place. The region of Appalachia can sometimes be less distinct than we like to think, and I feel this image captures this sort of denial of singularity. #appalachianechoes

Tynecastle

If you're spending some time in Tynecastle, Grandfather Mountain State Park and Watauga River are top sights worth seeing.

Tynecastle
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Mill Ridge

While Mill Ridge might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Grandfather Vineyard & Winery and Julian Price Park.

Mill Ridge
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Downtown, NC

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