Any ideal weekend getaway, or longer vacation, includes a place to call home base while you head out during the day to explore the area. In previous articles we’ve suggested such towns all the way from the mountains to the coast – and in between. But we’ve never featured the tiny little community of Linville, one of Mother Nature’s greatest gifts to North Carolina. Check it out below.

As far as towns go, Linville is as much a state of mind as it is a community.
Flickr/ Kolin Toney
Technically speaking, Linville isn't a town, although it does have its own post office.
The community itself has approximately 560 year-round residents.
Facebook/The Eseeola Lodge
And there are plenty of places for visitors to stay in the area, like the Eseeola Lodge, pictured above. All are only a stone's throw from the endless supply of outdoor adventures that await in, and near, Linville.
Within just a few minutes you can explore any number of extraordinary outdoor activities, like the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain.
TripAdvisor/management
The privately-owned attraction is located adjacent to Grandfather Mountain State Park. Together, the two offers trails, a Nature Museum, gift shop and of course... jaw-dropping views from a number of vantage points including the Mile High Swinging Bridge. The attraction hours that vary by season. Summer hours are 8:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m, with ticket sales stopping at 6:00 p.m. Grandfather Mountain is two miles from the main crossroads in Linville. The address is Grandfather Mountain, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646.
Wiseman's Overlook dishes up outrageous views of the Linville Gorge. The overlook is made of old stones cobbled together to form an enchanted tier of steps leading down a slope to the enclosed mountainside perch.
Google Maps/Jacob R
You'll love the perspective and the depths you can see of the gorge from here. But getting here is no piece of cake. For starters, you'll need this Google Map with the gps coordinates. It will lead you to the parking lot on old NC 105. From there, it's a short .4 mile hike to Wiseman's. This overlook is approximately 15 miles from Linville, and worth the trip!

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Linville Falls is a sight to behold and worth every single step of the footpath to get to the four overlooks for the falls.
Flickr/Linville Falls
The falls are owned by the National Park Service, who manages the visitor center and access paths. The mammoth waterfall marks the entrance of the Linville Gorge, and from there the Linville River travels downstream to where it enters Lake James. Linville Falls is a must-see when in the area. Getting there can be a challenge, but you should be fine if you follow the directions beginning in paragraph two at this link. You'll find conflicting directions all over the Internet, but this one is correct. The Visitors Center is approximately 11 miles from the main crossroads in Linville.
The Linn Cove Viaduct is perhaps the most photographed section of the entire Blue Ridge Parkway.
Flickr/Mark Doliner
It's only miles from Linville and should be on everyone's bucket list while in the area. (Note, in 2018, this section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed for two months, through May 24, for repairs.) The Linn Cove Viaduct was the last section of the entire parkway to be completed. It's gorgeous, and even has its own visitors center, located just to the west. To get to the viaduct from Linville, take Hwy 221 toward Blowing Rock and look for the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway and turn left. The Visitor Center for the viaduct is just head at milepost 304.4.
Head to Grandfather Vineyard and Winery for a taste of wine made from grapes grown on the backside of Grandfather Mountain.
TripAdvisor/Sweetvandygirl
The winery is located by a cool mountain stream with comfy seating right next to the babbling sounds. The vineyard scales up the side of the mountain in impression fashion. They are located at 225 Vineyard Lane, Banner Elk, NC 28604, just eight miles from the main crossroads in Linville.
Neighboring Newland is home to ASU's astronomy park, the only official star park in North Carolina.
Facebook/Dark Sky Observatory
The Astronomy department at ASU uses the Dark Sky Observatory, a star park, and its four giant telescopes for regular research. However, they do host events when the star park is opened to the public. Don't miss an opportunity to gaze at the stars from the only star park in the state. Find out more and check for public events at their official website.

From a scenic drive along the beloved Blue Ridge Parkway to a visit to two of North Carolina’s most famous bridges, the tiny community of Linville doles out natural attractions in huge fashion. Have you been to Linville? We’d love to hear about your experience! Feel free to join the discussion below.

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