North Carolina: Linville, Grandfather Mountain – Going Behind the Scenes. 
The High Country is a terrific family vacation spot any time of year but fall is ideal for a quick weekend getaway that includes Grandfather Mountain.
Here’s the scoop. The Boone area offers oodles of ways for families to share time together. One of the most popular spots is Grandfather Mountain where natural beauty and learning experiences thrive. Best of all until the end of October visitors of all ages may still to go on a “Behind the Scenes” of tour of the animal habitats.
Behind the Scenes tours take place daily with each tour lasting about 90 minutes. Participants learn about black bears, cougars, deer and otters from an inside perspective while moving throughout normally restricted areas. he Mountain’s habitat staff show tour members the sleeping places for cougars and otters; watch black bears that are not commonly on display and even observe a training session. Bonus points: The animal-keeper staff members are available to answer questions from within the group. Need to know: Closed-toed shoes are required.
Here’s the deal. The cost of the behind the scenes look has been reduced for the month of October. Behind the Scenes Tours cost $25 per person in addition to regular admission into Grandfather Mountain. Annual pass holders can participate for $20 per person. Special $5 general admission discount per person is available during October. For more information, or to reserve a tour in advance, call (828) 733-8715.
About Grandfather Mountain. Grandfather Mountain is the world’s only International Biosphere Reserve, a globally recognized nature preserve known for its 360-degree vistas, native wildlife habitats, and mile-high swinging bridge. Covering 3,000 acres and operates as a nature park for public use and also participates in educational research activities.
Blanketed with trees and shrubs, Grandfather Mountain protects more than its share of green space probably offsetting the carbon footprint of a couple of thousand people per year. In addition to Mother Nature’s efforts the trustees of the Mountain have created policies and implemented changes that make the nature park even greener.
How green is green? The greening list includes serving bird-friendly coffee onsite, bamboo floors, skylights, rain barrels, and 100% compostable and biodegradable plates, cups, forks, spoons, knives and take out containers. Plus visitors will find plenty of recycling bins throughout the park.
Adopt an animal. The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation enables visitors and friends of the Mountain the opportunity adopt one of the animal residents.
Become a Junior Ranger. The park offers youngsters a chance to actively engage in their surroundings during their visit. Kids answer questions within a unique activity booklet while they visit the different areas of the park. The activities include a scavenger hunt through the Nature Museum and a quiz about the animals in the environmental habitats. Bonus points: Return the completed booklet to the entrance gate before departing and receive a Grandfather Mountain Junior Ranger button.
Location on the planet. The attraction is located in North Carolina’s High Country on US Highway 221, two miles north of Linville, NC, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305. Actual address is 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646. The GPS coordinates are 36.08502N, -81.84646W. The road to the summit is referred to as Grandfather Mountain Entrance Road, Linville, NC.
Make it happen. For more information phone toll-free 1-800-468-7325 or plan a trip at
www.grandfather.com Family Vacation Planning DetailsTweetsie Railroad's annual Ghost Train and Halloween Festival (09/30 – 10/29/2011). We have one more idea s worth mentioning. Ride the rails and enjoy the best of the season every Friday and Saturday night. For more details and information
www.tweetsie.com North Carolina High Country. The Boone Area is more than hiking and biking. Cool autumn weather makes it easy to get active outside. The Boone Area's unique stores and shops are the perfect place to find truly distinctive. The High Country’s Classic resort towns - Boone, Blowing Rock, and Banner Elk— offer amenities to rival premier resort destinations nationwide. Boone Convention & Visitors Bureau 208 Howard Street Boone, North Carolina 28607. (828) 262-3516, toll-free 1-800-852-9506 or
ExploreBooneArea.comContent and images from Grandfather Mountain. Copyright 2011.
