A county that enjoys tourism and some of the places to visit.
Ashe County has been my home for all of my life (33 years) and counting! If you ever come to visit through the Blue Ridge Parkway you will see the immediate first place to stop after leaving the Parkway.
When you turn off the Blue Ridge Parkway you are in a small community known as Glendale Springs. There you will find your first stop into Ashe County. The Nortwest Trading Post deals in the home-crafted products of Ashe and ten neighboring counties of northwest North Carolina.
If you are wanting to take in a lazy afternoon Canoe ride then Zaloo's Canoes is the best place to learn about the beauty of Ashe County while exploring the New River. During June, July and August it is open 7 days a week. April, May, September and through approximently October 15 they are open weekends only.
The Church of the Fresco's is also a beautiful place to start after leaving the trading post. There is one wall is entirely dedicated to The Last Supper. Admission is free and is open twenty-four hours a day, 7 days a week. There are also picnic tables close by if you would like to bring a picnic lunch. There is also another church St. Mary's Episcolpal Church on Beaver Creek School Rd in the Beaver Creek Community. The Fresco's shown there are "Mystery of Faith", "John the Baptist", and "Mary, Great with Child". Parking is limited around the church below the church is a field that you can park at and walk the rock and brick path into the church. Admission to St. Mary's is free as well.
If shopping is on your mind then Downtown West Jefferson should cater to most of your needs. There is an antique mall as you get with in the city limits of West Jefferson, also there is the Jefferson Station shops the old Thomasville Wood Products building was closed down and has been revamped all the way through where not only condo's alot hosuing for our citizens but also shops, salons, just to name a few are inside the building. Also the Ashe County Public Library is located at Jefferson Station until the new library is ready to be reopen.
Mt. Jefferson State Park, always a gorgeous place to visit in any season. Mt. Jefferson has beautiful walking trails, stunning views, and was also part of the Underground Railroad for runaway slaves. Admission to the park is Free.
If you looking for a place to canooe or tube or camp or just spend a relaxing day with your family the New River State Park has it all. Twenty-six miles of the scenic South Fork of the New River makes a breathtaking view, while it also host primitive camping sights, hiking trails, fishing areas, picnic areas to name a few of the things located at the facility. Admission is free so if you would lilke to become one with nature this is definetly the place to do it.
If you happen to find yourself in the area around the 4th of July then you must make the trip to see Ashe County's Christmas in July Festival. Food vendors, crafts, arts and Christmas tree is what this festival is all about. During the festival local and area farmers and owners show their very best trees and begin taking orders for the upcoming Christmas season. It's an even that you don't want to miss!
Also beginning Thanksgiving weekend and not ending until the day before Christmas enjoy our local Christmas Tree Festival. Choose, cut, we wrap and help load onto your vehicle your personally chosen Christmas Tree. This is fun for the whole family. Prices vary.
Last put certainly not least is the areas old courthouse. Being renivotaed by the public come and see the history of Ashe County through the eyes of a building that has seens pretty much everything in the count. Also come by to see the new court house that also has dedications to our verterans from past wars, POW's, just to name a few.
Ashe County has a lot of history for it with being such a small area. If you ever find yourself driving down the parkway and see that small road sign take the turn and see what a small rural community has to offer.
