Downtown, NC

Banner Elk

Downtown
Downtown
Downtown
Downtown
Downtown

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
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

Hawksnest Tubing Park

Hit the slopes in Seven Devils with a visit to Hawksnest Tubing Park. Discover the area's mountain views, or seek out its hiking trails.

Hawksnest Tubing Park

Other neighborhoods around Downtown

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Charter Hills

While there might not be top attractions in Charter Hills, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Beech Mountain Resort and Land of Oz.

Charter Hills
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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