30 things to do in 30 days at Beech Mountain in June
Summer isn’t typically the time you think of heading to the mountains but with the highest elevation on the East Coast (and low humidity), Beech Mountain offers a cool alternative to the beach.
Just to be sure you have plenty to do, the town of Beech Mountain (about 2.5 hours away by car) has loaded a calendar with 30 days of family fun. If you don’t have a family, then grab some friends and hit the road!
Family Fun Month includes a 30-day lineup of outdoor adventures, concerts, picnics, movies under the stars and a fireworks finale
Here’s a look at some of the best options to consider along with a few places to eat, drink and stay to round out your trip.
EAT
Start the morning at Fred’s Backside Deli. It’s the best breakfast on Beech Mountain. The Big Country Breakfast is a favorite, although the Belgian waffles and giant cinnamon rolls are quite popular, too. The Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria is hosting several Family Fun Month activities. Along with the tasty pies, they have a dessert bar and arcade. Beech Mountain’s newest restaurant is the Beech Mountain Grille specializing in freshly-made comfort food. I am told the meatloaf, from a family recipe, is to die for!
DRINK
Beech Mountain Brewing Co. located in the Alpine Village at Beech Mountain Resort just redesigned its Taproom and Grille. Mile High Tavern features the region’s largest selection of North Carolina craft beers. It’s open seven days a week in winter and summer. For a more upscale feel you can enjoy a drink and take in the three-state mountain views or watch grazing deer at the Alpen Restaurant .
STAY
There are lodging specials the whole month of June for Family Fun Month. The Pinnacle Inn Resort has two-bedroom condos and an indoor pool located right in the heart of town. White Wolf Lodge features cozy chalets with bicycle rentals, a fudge shop and a BBQ restaurant. If you prefer traditional ski lodge rooms 4 Seasons at Beech might be your best option. For larger homes try Beech Mountain Realty & Rentals.
SHOP
Beech Mountain isn’t a mecca for shopping but you can’t go without a stop at Fred’s General Mercantile. Fred and his wife raised their five kids in the upstairs part of the store. He’s celebrating his 39th year in business this year. Fred’s a character. His motto is, “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.”
HAVE AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Try Cross Country Mountain biking and hiking in the Emerald Outback. The Emerald Outback @ Beech Mountain is a 7-mile cross country trail park open to the public year round. Bring your bike and explore on your own or start at the Buckeye Rec Center and take a guided ride ($10 an hour). If you need a lesson, the Rec Center offers that too ($40 per hour, bikes not supplied).
Get a little intense with Downhill Mountain biking: The slopes of Beech Mountain become bike trails in the summer. If you don’t have your own bike you can rent one made for extreme downhill biking at the ski resort. (Rental includes full face helmet, Body armor and a shuttle ticket to the top).
Mountain Biking. Photo by Craig Distl
Relax with guided trout fishing: For $25 an hour, a Buckeye Recreation Center fishing guide will teach you how to find good fishing holes, and catch native trout. You’ll fish either secluded streams or two stocked lakes on the mountain. Equipment is provided, (must have NC fishing license for 16 years and older. You can get a 3 day license for $5.)
Get in a game of disc golf: Ride the shuttle ($1) to the top of the slopes and play 18 holes downhill to the ski village. You can bring your own disc or you can rent one at the ski resort.
Take the family hiking on 20 miles of in-town trails.
FREE STUFF
I scoured the Family Fun Month Calendar and found a lot of free options to enjoy during June. Here are a few.
- Buy one, get one free mini golf Monday-Friday at Brick Oven Pizzeria.
- Free Paddleboats and canoe rental at Buckeye Lake beside Buckeye Rec Center – 8:30am-6:30pm.
- Friday Field Days (in kite field besideBrick Oven Pizzeria). A full afternoon and evening of free activities each Friday of the month. Friday field days begin at 2 p.m. with bounce houses and children’s games.
- Friday Family concerts by Brick Oven Pizzeria. A family-friendly concert every Friday at 5:30 p.m.
- Movies under the stars by Brick Oven Pizzeria. 8:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Sunday concerts on the lawn at the Beech Alpen Inn from 5pm-9pm
- All ages street dances. There are two planned for Family Fun Month. The DJ sets up right outside the town hall.
MORE COOL STUFF
Hang out at the 5506’ Skybar at the top of the mountain, open Friday-Sunday with live music on Saturdays. Seriously, you can’t beat the views! The ski-lifts are closed for renovation so you have to take a $1 shuttle to the top of the mountain.
Mile High Yoga at 5506’ Skybar every Saturday in June 10am. Cost for the class is $12. If you don’t have a yoga mat you can rent one for $2.
Take a short trip to Grandfather Mountain where you can walk the mile-high swinging bridge, and see live animals, including new elks. Discount tickets are available through Family Fun Month at the Visitor Center.
Hike the Rhododendron Ramble (free with park admission) at 1pm These daily hikes June 1-8 offer an up-close look at the blooming Rhododendron.
Learn to play Pickleball at Buckeye Rec Center. Come on, the name alone should pique your interest!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
June 30: 47th annual Roasting of the Hog. Grab some barbecue in the High Country at Beech Mountain Resort. Fireworks then light up the night sky above the mountain.
June 16, the annual “A Cool 5 Race” begins at Town Hall. A challenging five-mile course tops out at 5,400 feet in elevation. A less strenuous option is the 1.5-mile fun run/walk or the 1.5-mile walk and wag for families with four-legged members.
Some activities require Family Fun Month participation cards, which are available along with complimentary fidget spinners for kids 12 and under at the Beech Visitor Center.
For a full lineup of events and list of lodging specials, go to: www.BeechMtn.com.
This story was originally published May 24, 2018 at 10:00 PM with the headline "30 things to do in 30 days at Beech Mountain in June."