Quit your search for good vacation spots in North Carolina – it’s waiting for you in West Jefferson. Small town North Carolina will give you a three-day weekend trip away from your busy life. Located in the northwest corner of North Carolina, West Jefferson is a small town adventure full of amazing local restaurants, a vibrant art scene, and small town charm. One of the largest towns in Ashe County, its main river, the New River, has been designated an “American Heritage River” and is the perfect place to add kayaking, fly fishing, canoeing, and back-country trails to your weekend adventure.
West Jefferson, North Carolina is a relaxing town with more than enough places to keep you busy. The town of West Jefferson is the type of place where the dogs come to work with the shop owners, where the artist-owned West Jefferson shops give advice on hiking, and where friendly faces love their hometown. West Jefferson is the relaxing mountain vacation you’ve been looking for.
Looking to book some top West Jefferson adventures right now?
- Plan a kayak adventure on the New River with River Girl Fishing
- A mountain driving adventure with Unseen Pass
Want to jump right to booking a memorable NC vacation rental in West Jefferson? There are lots of beautiful vacation homes to choose from, but I think you should check out the 4 Creeks geodesic dome who hosted my family April 2024.
Where is West Jefferson, North Carolina?
West Jefferson and Ashe County are also the ideal North Carolina vacation destination because of their location. The drive from West Jefferson, NC to Boone, NC is only thirty minutes, and it’s forty minutes from Blowing Rock. This area is also only 30 minutes south of the Virginia border and 45 minutes east of the Tennessee border. Let West Jefferson in Ashe County, NC be a day trip on your North Carolina family vacation.
With the Blue Ridge Parkway running on the east side of Ashe County, this is your mountain vacation set among the rural farmlands. Ashe County exports more trees than any other county in the eastern United Stated, and your drives throughout Ashe, NC will surprise you with Christmas tree farms scattered throughout the mountains.
Looking for things to do in West Jefferson, North Carolina this weekend? Check out the Ashe County calendar of events and grab info from Visit West Jefferson to make your weekend trip even better.
Day One in West Jefferson
The first day of your West Jefferson, NC vacation will take you to three special meals, one amazing outdoor adventure, and some unique local sights.
Visit the Church of the Frescoes
On the way into town, take a quick detour to St. Mary’s Church of the Episcopal Parish of the Holy Communion to see the beautiful frescoes by artist Benjamin Long IV. This lost art of painting on wet plaster is shown at the front of this church through the life-sized paintings of a pregnant Mary, a crucified Jesus, and a seeking John the Baptist. This quaint church will most likely be empty and unlocked, waiting for some of the thousands of visitors who come every year.
Allow about ten minutes for this quick stop. Push the button at the entrance to hear the story of the paintings while you take a pew to admire the paintings and stained glass. This is a lovely little church on the outside and inside. If you want to see even more frescoes, head to the sister church at Holy Trinity Church in nearby Glendale Springs, North Carolina.
Grab Breakfast at Hole Lotta Doughnuts
Start your adventure day with the biggest donut you’ve ever seen! Hole Lotta Doughnuts, located right off the main street in downtown West Jefferson, offers hand-crafted old-fashioned donuts and amazing cinnamon rolls in a unique setting. These aren’t just your average donut flavors! Cuddle up in front of a cozy fireplace or grab a chair inside while eating your new favorite donut. Don’t forget to grab your morning coffee or specialty drink inside too.
Shop Local at Mudslingers Pottery
Located right across the street from your donut breakfast in West Jefferson, wander into Mud Slingers Pottery to see the assortment of pottery cups, plates, and specialty pieces. This local business sells pottery from multiple area potters and is a great place to take home some beautiful souvenirs. This is just one of the many WJ art galleries in this artist-heavy town.
Climb on the Train
Only blocks from Mudslingers, you’ll walk right past the train at the Backstreet Park, and kids will want to climb aboard. Originally located at the end of the Norfolk and Western railroad (the “Virginia Creeper”), the town of West Jefferson was a major stop on this railway. Let the kids explore the old train parked one block behind main street in West Jefferson.
Visit the Ashe County, NC Library and Playground
Looking for a quiet rest on your family vacation, head up the hill to the local Ashe County Library. Let the kids run the stairs up the hill – because kids always do – while reading about the role of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Once inside, the kids can curl up under the stairs with a new favorite kid book while you check out the magazine collection or have some quiet time. This is also a great place for some internet if Mom or Dad have some work to get done.
If you’re new to the area or just seeking some kid activities, make sure you check out the schedule for story times and activities. In addition to the typical books to borrow, this West Jefferson library also offers some perks including a seed library, a local artist gallery, and rental of laptops, hot spots, and even ukele!
If the weather is good, head behind the library to the Bowie-Seagraves Municipal Park, also known simply as the West Jefferson Park, which offers something for everyone. Head to the disc golf course, playground, skate park, or nature trail.
Lunch at New River Brewery
Grab lunch at one of the two New River Brewery locations. Right off main street, the New River Brewing Smokehouse and Eatery offers a broad selection of great beer and yummy food including smoked ribs, fried fish, burgers, and ribs. The New River Brewery Smokehouse Taproom, located on the north side of downtown, is a cool hangout complete with indoor and outdoor seating. This is a great place for kids with games and occasional live music.
Adventure on the New River with River Girl Fishing
Let’s take a quick drive over to Todd, North Carolina to float down the New River with RiverGirl Fishing, the world’s second oldest river, that flows south to north through the town. Call ahead, and make a reservation for a tubing, fly fishing, or kayaking adventure with Kelly McCoy and her team for the afternoon. This is a group of passionate nature lovers want to equip and educate you to truly love your experience.
Pull up to the headquarters at the old Virginia-Carolina railroad station to start your trip. Check in here to be supplied with life jackets, kayak supplies, and even water shoes if needed. After a quick van trip up-river, you’ll load up into your kayak or tube. These nature-loving guides will take you on a several hour trip as you float back to the headquarters.
~~~> Check out my detailed post all about why you should pick our RiverGirl fishing for your West Jefferson kayak trip!
Looking for something even more special for your Ashe County trip? Just ask River Girl. There may be a special night float, naturalist class, floating dinner experience, or even floating pain class on the schedule. If you’re looking to bike down the Railroad Grade Trail, they even have bikes to rent.
If you are early for your New River trip, stop off at the Todd Island Park for a relaxing one-mile walk around this 10-acre natural area only minutes from the River Girl headquarters.
Relax at Old Barn Winery
End your busy evening with a relaxing drink at Old Barn Winery where you can relax to live music in a beautiful setting. With the family Frosty’s Christmas Tree Farm climbing up the mountain behind the winery, this beautiful barn setting has huge indoor and outdoor seating areas. This is the perfect place for relaxing with drinks, enjoying live music, and hanging out for several hours. During the warmer weather, you will also find a local gourmet food truck.
If you have more time, contact the winery to schedule a tour or wine pairing tour. Staying nearby at the geodome On the Rocks? Ask at the winery about a trolley back to the rental!
Day Two in West Jefferson
This second day exploring Ashe County, NC and West Jefferson will bring you some local foods, a backcountry adventure, a picnic in nature, some local shopping, a pizza dinner, and a movie! If it sounds like something for every member of your party, you are right. This is a day that the kids will love.
Find Your Morning Coffee at Bohemia
On the main street of West Jefferson downtown, grab your morning coffee at Bohemia as well as a baked treat like a danish, scone, bagel, or muffin. Non-coffee drinkers (like me) can enjoy a delicious frozen treat or iced drink. I highly recommend the frozen hot chocolate! This cozy coffee shop right on Jefferson Avenue is a great place to work for a couple of hours or hang out with family. Or maybe finalize some road trip plans.
Picnic Food from Ashe County Cheese Factory
Lunch time bring a country adventure, and you’ll need a picnic. Load up on picnic supplies at Ashe County Cheese store for cheese, crackers, and salami. This West Jefferson, NC cheese factory was founded originally in 1930 by the Kraft Corporation, the Ashe County Cheese factory and cheese store brings tourists to the area to buy speciality cheese products, grocery supplies, candy, and even fresh ice cream parlor. This is the place to stock up on all kinds of treats and grab some souvenirs for the friends back home.
If you arrive when they open at 8:30, you’ll have time to watch the production of the local cheddar cheese from the factory viewing room before adventuring. Check the online cheese-making schedule that happens across the street from the actual store. If you miss the posted hours of production, it’s possible they will see be working at the factory, and if not, there’s a video showing the process.
A Mountain Driving Adventure with Unseen Pass
Let’s get off the main roads of Jefferson and Ashe County, NC to explore the surrounding mountains and tiny towns. Unseen Pass in West Jefferson is your gateway to renting a utility vehicle (UTV), also known as a street-legal side-by-side, for a 4×4 outing. This is the Jeep trip of today, and the staff at Unseen Pass will go above and beyond to make your day of exploring perfect.
With Unseen Pass, there is no guess work. There are two self-guided trips that they have already mapped out for you. Choose from the River Route or the Mountain Route, and they can even track you in the unlikely case of emergency. For our river road adventure, we were given a 5-seater Mohindra Roxor, downloaded the full GPS directions to my phone via the REVER app, and were even provided a charging cord and phone mount.
With the picnic loaded into our UTV, we headed off on a three-hour adventure following along the New River and Helton Creek. If you’re visiting in the warmer months, this is a great path to find a stop for a swim! Find a spot alongside the river to eat your picnic, and you’ll be back in downtown West Jefferson by early afternoon.
This is one part of your weekend in West Jefferson that needs to be planned ahead of time. Call for a rental from Unseen Pass before your trip!
Snacking and Shopping in West Jefferson, NC
Once you return your off-road vehicle, wander downtown until the many WJ stores close at 5 PM. If your kids are like mine, a cold treat after a couple of hours adventuring is needed. Start your shopping at Third Day of Christmas where you can grab a Christmas ornament to remember your trip while the kids enjoy some rolled ice cream. Eating their special ice cream while laughing along to the movie “Elf” is a great start to some adult shopping.
Shopping in West Jefferson has something for everyone. I love that most of the stores are local shops owned by locals! Check out these options.
- Grab your hiking gear at Mountain Outfitters or Footsloggers.
- Upgrade your western wear or grab a new pair of cowboy boots at Bulls Boots and Western Wear.
- Pick up a new outfit, home decor, or pet the puppy at Maizy’s on Main.
- Explore the several West Jefferson antique stores.
- Choose a new favorite tea or spice at Spice and Tea Exchange.
Looking for another kid-friendly shopping experience? At the Honey Hole, they can sample various honeys, dips, and treats while Mom and Dad buy a tasty souvenir. This store can be a little difficult to find in a small alley over near the Ashe County Cheese Factory, so follow your GPS map.
Ashe County Mural Walk and Arts
Visiting Ashe County, North Carolina, you can’t help but notice the huge murals decorating the sides of main street West Jefferson buildings. With a current total of twelve murals, task the kids with finding the next one. They might even discover a few sculptures and take a picture with Bigfoot!
The art scene is alive in the small town of West Jefferson where you can buy pottery, art, textiles, and photography from Ashe County artists. Don’t just look at the art though; it’s possible the actual artist or photographer is behind the counter! Ask the questions about their works.
- Check out the rotating exhibits and local art at the Ashe County Arts Council.
- Join an art workshop or class at the Florence Thomas Art School.
- Choose an original art work at the Originals Only Gallery.
- Admire the photography from multiple local photographers at CatchLight Gallery. (in photo below)
Share a Pizza at Slice WJ
There are so many options for supper in downtown West Jefferson, but on family trips, grabbing a pizza is definitely an easy win for kids. Check out West Jeff’s Slice WJ, a local hangout known for its yummy pizza, pasta, good beer, and a full bar.
Wrap Up The Night with a Movie at Parkway
IF you’re looking for a full movie experience, the two West Jefferson movie theaters are more than just another chain movie theater. Parkway Theater is a cash-and-check-only local movie theater with two screens, cheap ticket prices, and affordable buckets of popcorn. Check out the Parkway Theater movie schedule to see what movies are showing at 7 PM nightly. Blue Ridge Movie Lounge is only a couple of blocks away.
Day Three in West Jefferson
Let’s start your last day in West Jefferson with a hike at Mount Jefferson. If your last day is on a Sunday, you may find many stores closed up or opening only at lunch time. Plan ahead so you don’t leave the shopping for this last day!
Mount Jefferson State Park
Hiking near West Jefferson, North Carolina starts only ten minutes away up the mountain. Start your morning out with a short hike at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area. From this overlook, you can see across three states on a clear day. This free morning adventure has a road that leads to the summit where you will pass multiple overlooks and can choose from several short hikes at the mountain. If you’re visiting at meal time, you will find many wooden picnic tables at the top of Mount Jefferson including some at a picnic shelter overlooking the land below.
Where Should I Stay in West Jefferson?
When researching fun family destinations in North Carolina, a unique NC vacation rental must be considered. While there are many beautiful places to stay in the area, an amazing luxury glamping dome is waiting for you at 4Creeks Cabins Co “On the Rocks”, a modern North Carolina geodome rental located only ten minutes west of the town of West Jefferson, NC.
Surrounded by the woods of North Carolina, this unique geodome’s wall of windows allows you to be surrounded by nature while enjoying the luxury inside. When you’re tired from your adventure in West Jefferson, come back to this vacation rental to relax in front of the fireplace, cook in your fully-equipped kitchen, or relax in the luxury bedding. The kids will love exploring the surrounding ten acres of woods while you sip coffee from the patio.
Set among the trees only fifteen minutes outside of downtown West Jefferson, this is glamping NC in nature while surrounded by luxury. Elevated among the rocks, you’ll feel like you’re floating fourteen feet above the floor of the forest. With the 20-foot wall of windows, the sunlight of “On the Rocks” naturally floods the space and gives you a view out to the trees while cuddling in front of the fireplace on the couches. You’ll stay warm even in winter. Contact the owners at 4 Creeks Cabins to make your reservation today!
Thanks for stopping by my little corner! Here’s to your next adventure.
I’m Bobbie. As transplants from Texas, my family of six is on a mission to discover all of Georgia’s amazing places, experience amazing road trips across the United States, and create a homeschool life along the way.
Want to adventure like me? Reach out! I’d love to chat. Stop by my Instagram or Pinterest page to discover more of our adventures.
Want to work with me? I’d love to work with your destination and tourism board to help other family travelers see all you have to offer.
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