High adventure awaits at the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster in Banner Elk. North Carolina's only alpine or mountain coaster opened in 2020 amid pandemic conditions that seriously limited the number of rides available each day. But this summer getting tickets has been much easier. So load up the car and take a little road trip over to beautiful Banner Elk and take a ride through North Carolina on this fun alpine coaster!
The 2,390-foot-long track is placed on a rather steep hill and doles out a thrilling ride as it twists and turns through the natural flora on the mountain as riders make their way down the hill.
Welcome to the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, the newest attraction to hit the scene in Banner Elk, the town sitting at the base of two ski areas in the Highlands (Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain).
When it's time go, the car breaks free and then, WHEEEE... it's down the mountain you go, reaching top speeds as you whirl and twirl through the figure eights in the track all the way down the mountain.
North Carolina's ONLY alpine coaster is one that shouldn't be missed. The best way to get on the schedule for a ride is to go online and register for a check-in time. Arrive at your check-in time and purchase tickets on-site upon arrival. See current pricing for ticket packages by visiting the official website for Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster. The coaster is usually open rain or shine. Sometimes, however, weather calls for temporary closures. It's best to call ahead if you're traveling a long distance.
For more reasons to visit Banner Elk, North Carolina, keep reading here!
What was once a small textile village, the Henry River Mill Village, in Hickory is valuable evidence of the industrial heritage of the surrounding area. This abandoned, eerie place in North Carolina draws visitors every year for historical tours, lodging, and other events. Withstanding so much time, there are bound to be some eager voices hoping for a sympathetic ear, which is why paranormal investigations are so helpful and popular in this village. Whatever draws you into one of the eeriest places in America, you are sure to spot something to remember. Come along as we show you why you definitely must have it on your travel bucket list!
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From its erection in 1905 to its proud place in the National Register of Historic Places in 2019, the Henry River Mill Village Historic District has stood the test of time.
And in the end it's the people we remember, as is the case with this unique and valuable remnant. In the early 1900s, the Aderholdt and Rudisill families established the Henry River Manufacturing Co.
This cotton yarn manufacturer opened up in 1905, with worker houses, a bridge, a two-story boarding house, a power-producing dam, a brick company store, and the original three-story brick mill you see behind the loyal workers who kept the place going. Notice some of the faces belong to children.
The mill burned down in 1977, just after Wade R. Sheppard purchased the property.
Since the tragic loss of that historic building, driving by the two-story brick company store, it is easy to see why it is now a starring feature of the abandoned, eerie place.
And if you are very still, you may just hear some echoes from long-ago life in the district.
In addition to paranormal enthusiasts, it has also drawn the attention of movie producers as the 72-acre village was a filming location of "District 12," "The Hunger Games."
Are you ready to visit this abandoned, eerie place in Hickory, which we think is one of the best ghost towns in North Carolina? Have you already been here? If so, what was your favorite part? Have you visited any other North Carolina ghost towns? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section below!
If you’re still in the mood for more Tar Heel State adventures, take a look at this video about Clingmans Dome:
Is the Biltmore haunted? North Carolina's most prominent and beloved attraction, located in Asheville, receives more than a million visitors every year. This family-owned estate inspires people as the tour allows an escape from everyday life. Since 1895, the family has welcomed guests to its 8,000 sprawling acres with breathtaking views of the mountains and the distinguished house and gardens. Let's take a look at some of the paranormal activity reported in the firsthand accounts of visitors to our beloved Biltmore, one of the most haunted places in North Carolina, and the country for that matter. Let's dive into the Biltmore Estate's dark history.
The Biltmore in North Carolina was constructed from 1889 to 1895 by William Henry Vanderbilt II.
In his early twenties, Vanderbilt accompanied his mother to Asheville on a visit. He fell in love with the area, of course, and decided to build a modest summer home.
His modest little summer home would reportedly use up much of his Vanderbilt inheritance. He ended up getting married, having a daughter, and living at Biltmore until his death in 1914.
The Biltmore has 178,926 square feet of floor space. That's the equivalent of four acres inside the main house alone.
Visitors touring the estate have reported many paranormal experiences, ranging from apparitions, cold spots, sensations of being pushed by something otherworldly, and strange smells — among other things.
The staircase is a common place for spotting ghosts and experiencing the haunted activity at the Biltmore Estate.
Many paranormal enthusiasts believe staircases are spiritual vortexes, attracting ascending (and descending!) spirits. At the Biltmore, visitor accounts of odd occurrences on the stairs soar in firsthand accounts detailed in online reports and comments.
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It doesn't help matters that many of the 250 rooms found at the Biltmore have headless mannequins dressed in period clothing.
Apparently, one of Vanderbilt's favorite rooms in the estate was his library. He could be found here admiring and reading books found in his vast collection. He's often seen browsing the books along the shelves, or sitting quietly and reading.
Other firsthand ghost sightings occur in the basement of the mansion.
The servants' quarters, kitchen, gym, and pool are located in the basement. Some visitors have reported seeing the staff busy preparing a meal in the kitchen.
The indoor swimming pool, located in the basement, was a popular spot for visitors to Biltmore in Vanderbilt's day.
Today, however, it's not popular at all. Soaring numbers of firsthand accounts say they had an overwhelming feeling of uneasiness when touring the pool area, the site of the supposed Biltmore Estate pool drowning. Some go on to say they clearly felt pure terror in the presence of someone who may have drowned during one of the parties the Vanderbilts were known to throw.
Clearly, this is something that a servant would do in an attempt to be attentive to any family member or guest. Perhaps a servant or two still linger, watching over the estate and her guests?
Online accounts from witnesses report seeing a headless orange cat wandering the property from time to time. There are no accounts of who the cat belonged to, or how it lost its head.
America's largest private residence is also one of the most haunted places in the country.
The next time someone inquires of you, "Is the Biltmore haunted?" you can inform them that the Biltmore has actually been included on numerous lists of the most haunted places in America, including a report from CBS News. Learn more about the fascinating history of the Biltmore when you watch the video below:
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Well, what do you think: Is the Biltmore Estate haunted? Is there a Biltmore Estate dark history? Not everyone is tuned in to their ability to see and experience paranormal activity. Have you ever had a paranormal experience at the Biltmore? We'd love to hear about it in the comments! And for further paranormal adventures, visit Pritchard Park.
