Located at 3,700 feet in the sky, Banner Elk encourages you to leave the stresses of day-to-day life behind and fully immerse yourself in this quaint mountain town. Really, there's no way you can't. As soon as you get out of the car you'll feel a cool mountain breeze on your cheek and get lost in the surrounding High Country views. While the downtown is laid out quite simply, there's so much adventure, cuisine, and experiences waiting...you'll want to make this a 2-day getaway.

Banner Elk is a haven for amazing cuisine, shopping, and year-round adventure. Start with a stroll through the town, or even hop on the greenway to immerse yourself in nature.

On your stroll through the streets, you might hear piano music playing from a distance, or even be delighted to see vintage and antique pianos decoratively designed and placed throughout the town. This is in part to a local art project "Go Ahead, Play Me" started by Tom McMurray, husband of Banner Elk Chamber President, Jo-Ann McMurray. He had found similar projects in large cities and decided to bring the music and magic to Banner Elk. Lees-McRae students and locals painted the pianos, and if you see one sitting on the street, go ahead, play a tune!

After your moment in the spotlight, grab lunch at Banner Elk Cafe. This long time favorite of visitors and locals combines indoor and outdoor dining in a rustic yet cozy setting.

A delicacy of the area is fresh mountain trout, which often appears on the menu. Banner Elk Cafe offers a wide array of cuisine, ranging from a simply delicious chicken salad sandwich, to five-star shrimp scampi. There truly is something for everyone here and you're guaranteed to enjoy your meal.

Banner Elk is home to the gorgeous and historic Lees-McRae College. Take a stroll through the beautiful campus, and pay a visit to the Dan and Dianne May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

Over 1,400 wild, injured animals are treated here each year. You'll witness owls, falcons, songbirds, reptiles and small mammals.

A large glass window allows you a glimpse behind the scenes. Pictured above, a baby bobcat being bottle fed. Adorable! The center also serves as an educational facility for Lees-McRae students, with many specifically choosing this school for the program. Inside a classroom setting at the center, visitors are educated on the center and the type of animals cared for here. It's a truly amazing pit stop on your journey of Banner Elk.

By this point, you're probably starving. The one restaurant you absolutely MUST try in Banner Elk is Artisanal.

Open May-November, this farm-to-table restaurant is completely unique to anything you'll find in North Carolina and has received many accolades since opening ten years ago.

Chef Bill Greene grew up in the area, and returned with his wife, Anita, to open Artisanal. It has found itself on Open Table's Top 100 list and Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Artisanal moved to its breathtaking location at Diamond Creek Country Club in 2009. Although the country club is private, Artisanal is open to the public. It's suggested to make reservations in advance, as the restaurant stays consistently busy and booked. It's even greeted famous faces, most recently, Michael Jordan.

The main focus is fresh, local ingredients. Everyday the menu changes, but you'll find yourself delighted in the freshness, originality, and attention to detail in each dish. It is by far one of the best meals you'll have in the High Country.

If you're looking for a place to rest your eyes, the Azalea Inn Bed & Breakfast is quaint and homey.

Or stay at the gorgeous Perry House and conveniently stroll right down to a late breakfast or early lunch at Dunn's Deli.

Dunn's Deli is that classic, old school deli experience with fresh cut slices of meat served between juicy tomatoes and crisp lettuce. While the sandwiches are the feature, breakfast here is amazing. You can choose from breakfast sandwiches, burritos, or even breakfast bowls (my reccomendation) consisting of french toast, sausage, eggs, and anything you can imagine. You'll see Mike Dunn (also the owner of Perry House) tirelessly working in the kitchen. He'll be sure to share a smile and a story with you about the area, the deli and Perry House.

After your hearty meal, take a 'wild' afternoon adventure to Apple Hill Farm. This 42-acre farm welcomes visitors yearround. It's not your average farm....

The farm is home to alpacas, donkeys, goats, chickens, horses, and the adorable pet pig Mr. Pickles. Owner Lee Rankin bought the property in 2001 and since has turned it into both a unique haven for one-of-a-kind wildlife and convenient shopping for yarn and even honey. Tours are given daily at 2PM and you'll be wanting to visit this little farm time and time again after your experience.

As if an alpaca farm isn't enough adventure, take a trip to Beech Mountain and ride the ski lift to 5,506 ft. in the sky. At the top you're greeted with amazing mountain views. The scenery in the summer takes on a completely different aesthetic from its ski resort, winter counterpart.

At first you might wonder what that strange circular structure is doing on top of a mountain, but it's actually the 5506 Sky Bar. A large deck with comfy adirondack chairs makes for the perfect opportunity to grab some brews and enjoy some mountain views.

If you see a keg making its way up on the ski lift, don't be alarmed, Beech Mountain Brewery (located at the base of Beech Mountain in the main village) supplies beer for the sky bar. This craft beer is simply amazing, and paired with a gorgeous atmosphere, it's a perfect afternoon experience.

If you consider yourself more of a sommelier than a craft beer connoisseur, pay a visit to Banner Elk Winery.

Stop by for a tasting of this award-winning wine, and enjoy gorgeous mountain views, live music, and a nice buzz.

Just when you thought you couldn't possibly fit more into a day, at some point, you'll have to eat dinner. Louisiana Purchase Food & Spirits is a mix of classic cajun cuisine with a high country touch. The interior is decorated and approachable, and same goes for the food. Enjoy classics like gumbo and jambalaya, or try a daily special like hangar steak or fresh-caught mountain trout.

After two full days of amazing food, great views, and plenty of beauty, there's a few options for a final goodbye to this gorgeous mountain town. The first is Wildcat Lake, a 13-acre public lake that has been compared to an old-fashioned community swimming hole. There's a white sand beach, canoes and kayaks, and even a few docks to cast a line and reel in a fish!

If you prefer history over a cool dip, stop by the gorgeous and historic Banner House Museum. Built in 1865 and once home to Samuel Henry Banner, history is still very much alive once you step inside. The house demonstrates what life was like during this time. Comprehensive tours give you an inside peek into the life of the Banner's. You'll see vintage clothing, vintage relics and furniture, display cases filled with regalia and photographs of the town's first settlers.

Or if you're looking for a way to work off all that delicious food and beverage you've consumed, take a short drive to gorgeous Grandfather Mountain. The Bridge Trail allows you to take a short but gorgeous hike to the mile-high suspension bridge. At the top, you can walk across the bridge, stand along the rocky outcrops, and enjoy some of the best views the High County has to offer.

There's really no way NOT to love everything Banner Elk has to offer. It's a favorite destination for vacationers, retirees, adventurers and even travelers passing through. While it's a jam-packed two days, you can add or subtract to the list. Once you're in the town, you'll realize there is so much to offer in terms of getting away from it all. One thing that is true though, there's no way you won't feel relaxed and rejuvenated after two days spent in a place that feels a million miles away from it all.

Have you visited Banner Elk before or live here now? What else would you add to the 2-day itinerary?

If you find yourself in the mountains within the next two months, take a dip at these amazing waterfall swimming holes before it's too late!