On weekends, tickets will only be available online. round trip but we stopped to take a lot of pics). Senior (age 60+): $20 Guests must purchase tickets online to guarantee admission. Grandfather Mountain | Home to the Swinging Bridge, Animal Habitats and Nature Museum. These benefits are available on your membership but are not available for redemption online at this time. Owned & operated by Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. #right-sidebar { Blue Ridge Parkway, 15.71 million visits. That was my only complaint about this experience. Asutsi is the only access to these trails when the Blue Ridge Parkway closes during winter. Sincerely, On Thursday, Dec. 2, ticket sales will end at 2:30 p.m. and the park will close at 4 p.m. to prepare for the company holiday party. In an email update, Grandfather Mountain stated ticket sales would be moved to a third-party platform to ensure that technical issues would not happen again. Once inside the park, you will be unrestricted as to the amount of time you wish to spend. For your next visit, I'd suggest checking out an animal encounter, during which our habitats staff will deliver a brief presentation on a particular animal before giving them an enrichment, which can be a special treat, favorite food or unfamiliar scent basically something interesting to break up their day and keep them active and intellectually stimulated. However, Grandfather Mountain will honor the monetary value of one's ticket(s) for a future visit. The views are spectacular. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave such a positive, thoughtful and descriptive review! Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times. 100+ of the Best Hiking Trails in North Carolina, The Wild and Wonderful WNC Nature Center in Asheville. Proceeds from admission tickets benefit theGrandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the park for future generations. What attractions are near Grandfather Mountain? We recommend booking Grandfather Mountain tours ahead of time to secure your spot. The items in your basket are listed below. Grandfather Mountain is in Avery County, in the northwestern corner of North Carolina. Again, thank you for the kind and thoughtful words. You may also access the state park trails for day hikes . We were hesitant to go because of the cost but in the end decided to do it because it had been recommended to us by several people and we felt that at least the money was going to a good cause. What hotels are near Grandfather Mountain? Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 15.64 million. Learning opportunities are available for all ages. .sidebar a { Tickets are $21 a person (not cheap). Disclaimer: This site uses demographic data, email opt-ins, display advertising, and affiliate links. Enter Keyword. The top 10 for 2022 (numbers are rounded): 1. Yes, you have to pay the $30 admission fee to get on the bridge, but having access to the mountain (without having to hike in from outside) is so worth it! GPS: 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646 Mailing: PO Box 129, Linville, NC 28646 1-800-468-7325. Throughout the four day weekend you and your family will sample Scottish music, dancing, foods, costumes, field games and much more, and you can shop for tartans and kilts in the vendors tents. VIP pass holders and those with pre-paid or complimentary tickets are also not required to book a time-slot. Answering the call, as hundreds of tartan banners unfurl, are the sounds of bagpipes echoing through the valley, and once again, thousands of kilt-clad Scots make their way to MacRae Meadows for their annual gathering and games. Base Days: These are quieter days, mostly in the winter months. Read More: 20 of the Best Day Trips from Boone (Within a 2-Hour Drive). Regarding weather, we'll close the bridge and top area when gusts reach a certain level, and it sounds like the day you visited must have been close. Admission tickets are needed to visit Grandfather Mountain. Hi, there. her great grandfather's birthplace. } Parking at the top is limited and can get full on a busy day. Here are a few stops nearby, starting with those north of the junction: Read more: How to Find Wisemans View of the Linville Gorge Wilderness. For more information on the positions and how to apply, please visit our Jobs page. It is a bit pricey, however, it is a day trip and they provide a CD with a tour to guide you through the mountain. } Ticketholders are also welcome to gift their passes to friends or family. You also get other great benefits, like discounts in the Park and the Old Rock Cafe, invitations to Annual Passholder events and special offers from Biltmore, Tweetsie and Grandfather Mountain to name a few. We arrived early so that wasn't a problem for us. This trailhead is located inside the privately-owned Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, which charges admission. UNC-Chapel Hill also exhibits Mortons photographs and films. Learn more about event permits and fees on the Facilities page. Growing up, she spent a lot of time with him, so it was special to see . Peak Days: These are the in-demand days, usually around a holiday or fall color season, that also typically feature extra experiences in the park. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Unused tickets will be valid for one (1) year from the original visitation date printed on the tickets. Read More: Summer in North Carolina (and 50+ Great Events!). Prices are as follows: Member of Southern Highlands . guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. they give you an audio guide for the drive up the mountain which is informative, and let you know that there is a LOT there. We also do require masks for guests as well and keep social distancing signs scattered throughout the park to ensure safety. //-->. Do you need to book in advance to visit Grandfather Mountain? To guarantee admission, visitors must book online in advance. Click here to see daily rates & book your visit. 99% of travelers recommend this experience. The mountain has a long proud heritage of private ownership, and they have done a good job to accentuate the views and nature at every opportunity. What is the best time to visit to see fall colors/foliage in October ? Thanks so much for taking the time to share such positive feedback! When we got there at 8:30 am, there was maybe 10-15 people there which allowed us to get nice views & pics of the mountain from the bridge. We do offer other activities, however, including environmental wildlife habitats, which are home to rescued black bears, cougars, elk, river otters and bald eagles; access to 12+ miles of hiking for practically any skill level; a Junior Ranger program for the kids; 100+ picnic areas; a restaurant; gift shops and more, all included with admission. No discounts are given at the Gate. The private attraction (with the Mile High Swinging Bridge) is the closest parking area to a few trails and charges entrance fees. I went to Grandfather Mountain with my kids ages 8-19 in September of 2020 and we had a blast. Thanks again. Speaking of Blowing Rock, its one of a few interesting small towns near Grandfather Mountain. Let us know how your hike on the Grandfather Trail goes! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Carl and Christina started NC Tripping. There is a small food service area in the museum area, limited choices with a high mark up. Ceud mile failte to you and your family as you join us in celebrating the history of our Scottish ancestry and cheer as you watch the clans compete on MacRae Meadows . GPS: 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646 Mailing: PO Box 129, Linville, NC 28646 1-800-468-7325. I would have appreciated some kind of weather/wind condition advisory being posted somewhere before purchasing the $22/person tickets. To purchase tickets, make reservations and get the latest info, go to the Grandfather Mountain website. As of now, reservations are only available through Feb. 28, 2022. LINVILLE, N.C. - Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation , has announced that it has shifted to a new ticketing system and . Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. We've done a lot of hiking & MacRae's peak & Grandfather trail was an entirely different experience and well worth the work (3.5 hrs. Search for Events by Keyword. "Grandfather Glows" viewing nights will take place on June 26, June 29, and July 1 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Unused tickets will be valid for one (1) year from the original visitation date printed on the tickets. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed your visit to Grandfather Mountain. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card) Proceeds from admission tickets benefit theGrandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the park for future generations. .ai-viewport-1 { display: inherit !important;} Morton made improvements to the trail that led to the top of Grandfather Mountain and led the construction of the 228-foot Mile-High Swinging Bridge. Our weekly newsletter shares weekly updates and tips on upcoming events. It is near the border of both Watauga and Caldwell counties and near the following towns: Read More: The NC Tripping North Carolina Travel Map. By that time, it was too late. The swinging bridge was a neat experience although it was so crowded we enjoyed the more private overlooks on the Black Rock Trail. VIP pass holders and those with pre-paid or complimentary tickets are also not required to book a time-slot. I'm so sorry to hear you didn't enjoy your visit to Grandfather Mountain. 2021 Park Admission Phone: 828-733-4337 (Gate) 800-468-7325 (Office) Adult 13-59 $22 Senior 60+ $20 Child 4-12 $9 Children under 4 Free Can you go to Grandfather Mountain for free? Guests wishing to visit Grandfather Mountain must purchase their tickets and book their visit online. Regarding the animals not showing up, you may be interested to know that they reside in environmental wildlife habitats, most of which are built around actual native environment, offering the animals acres to roam as they please even if that means being out of sight for a bit of privacy. Staff and wire report. It was the first privately owned property to receive this recognition. Fortunately, the state stepped in and passed a law providing an exemption for his school in 2013. {{packageItem.event.formattedEventInfo | htmlToPlaintext}}, {{viewModel.itemSelected.event.formattedEventInfo | htmlToPlaintext}}, Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. GPS: 36.0851, -81.8462, Manny's Steakhouse Closing, Articles G