Around the Area

North Carolina Mountain Vacations

“Spring is when life’s alive in everything. – Christina Rossetti

Springtime at The Baird House ushers in the blooming flowers- the brilliant yellow forsythia, pink apple & cherry blossoms, the daffodils, hyacinths and tulips- gentle breezes; warmer days and cool damp nights; sounds of the “peepers” (tree frogs) and the sweet melodies of the song birds; and the mountains bursting into a million shades of green. The spring shades of green are every bit as glorious as the brilliant autumn colors.

To be outdoors and to be warm is grand!

Notable Events

Banff Film Festival
www.banffcentre.ca/mountainculture

Trout Derby
(828) 292-5220

Blue Ridge Wine Festival
www.blueridgewinefestival.com

Merlefest
www.merlefest.org

Art in the Park (828) 295-7851

Wildflowers of Grandfather Mountain
www.grandfather.com

“Summer afternoon – summer afternoon – the two most beautiful words in the English language.” – Henry James

Summer is the time for reconnecting with nature, and the ability to be back amongst it again. The mountainsides are covered with the luscious green foliage; wild rhododendrons, mountain laurel and blackberry bushes are in full bloom; the flowerbeds and window boxes overflow with brilliant color. It is peak season to enjoy the great outdoors and all that is has to offer. From hiking or rafting to relaxing in a hammock or rocking on a porch, we can keep you as busy or as relaxed as you want to be.

Melodic strands of bluegrass, gospel, classical and traditional music drifts through the summer evening air throughout these summer months.

Notable Events

Art in the Park
(828)295-7851

Trade Days
www.tradedaysfestival.com

Blood, Sweat and Gears
www.bloodsweatandgears.org

Singing On the Mountain
www.grandfather.com

NC Symphony at Chetola
www.blowingrock.com

Appalachian Summer Festival
www.appsummer.org

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
www.gmhg.org

Musicfest in Sugar Grove
hwww.covecreek.net

4 th of July Parade
www.blowingrock.com

Horn in the West
www.horninthewest.com

Blowing Rock Stage Company
www.blowingrockstage.com

“Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower.” – Albert Cadmus

Warm days and crisp nights make fall absolutely perfect in Valle Crucis. Without a doubt, autumn in the High Country is all about two major attractions – spectacular leaves and fall festivals. It is as if God takes out His palatte and paints the mountainsides with only colors He could invent. Take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway or a bike ride down the Virginia Creeper Trail and enjoy the “show”.

There is a festival every weekend in the month October, the Valle Country Fair is a must if you’re lucky enough to be visiting on festival weekend.

Notable Events

Art in the Park
(828) 295-7851

Mitford Days
www.mitforddays.com

Bluegrass Fest
(828) 262-1188

Brushy Mountain Applefest
hwww.applefestival.net/

Valle Country Fair
www.vallecountryfair.org/

Wooly Worm Festival
www.woollyworm.com/

Autumn in Oz
(800) 468-5506

Oktoberfest
(800) 468-5506

Kraut Creek Festival

Tweetsie Halloween Ghost Train
www.tweetsie.com/special_events/

“One kind word can warm three winter months.”- Japanese proverb

Although the trees have shed their leaves, Winter is always a great time to visit The Baird House and enjoy the slower pace as we anticipate the first ‘big snow’ of the season. There is nothing more exciting than to wake up to freshly fallen snow blanketing the trees and earth. Plan a day of skiing or tubing at one of the many resorts in the area.

Holidays are main events during the winter months. Many continue their tradition of coming up after Thanksgiving and participating in one of the many Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farms. Don’t miss the Annual Valle Crucis Fireside Tour and enjoy visiting all the B&Bs and other historic places all decorated for Christmas.

For the holidays, we decorate the Inn in the style of an old fashioned Early American Christmas. We go all out with the fresh evergreens and holly – in fact it takes us several days to deck the halls. Celebrate the New Year with us and enjoy Tom’s Annual Firework Extravaganza.

Notable Events

Choose and Cut Christmas Trees
www.chooseandcutfestival.com

Old Fashioned Christmas
www.blowingrock.com

WinterFest
www.blowingrockwinterfest.com

New Year’s Celebration
www.appskimtn.com