West Jefferson Travel Guide

Surrounded by striking scenery with the Blue Ridge Mountains as the backdrop, West Jefferson is a quaint, pedestrian-friendly North Carolina town that offers much for travelers to experience. Along with the quintessential Americana feel, this pretty place on the National Register of Historic Places actually has a vibrant arts and culture scene, as well as quaint specialty shops, community events, and easy access to pristine nature and outdoor activities. After antiquing, another thing to do is to spend time at the Ashe County Farmers Market where friendly vendors are busy showing off freshly baked pies, jars of jam, loaves of bread, and colorful produce. When it comes to dining, there is something to satisfy any craving from comfort classics at Smoky Mountain Barbecue to hearty Mexican at Monte de Rey.

Things to Do in West Jefferson

Set in the downtown area, the Arts District is a dynamic destination with the Ashe Arts Center being at the heart of it all. A great way to see amazing works by local and regional artists is to go on a fun gallery crawl. These crawls take place on the second Friday of the month from June through October, and once more on the first Friday in December. Of course, some of the best artwork is on display outside with more than 15 murals that feature different themes. Another fascinating spot worth visiting is Ashe County Cheese, which has been around since 1930. Tours of the facility include watching the cheese-making process and a stop in the shop which features 20 different varieties of cheese to bring home. Nature lovers definitely don’t want to miss visiting the Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, a national landmark with scenic views, picnic grounds, and several hiking trails to explore. As far as entertainment goes, Ashe Civic Center offers entertaining programming including concerts, recitals, and productions at the Ashe County Little Theatre.

Best Time to Visit West Jefferson

The turning of the leaves is a sight to behold and fall is a favorite time for many people to visit West Jefferson. Although, winter is known for its festive spirit.

Cabins in West Jefferson

Buried deep within the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, West Jefferson has retained its original charm, and is a quintessentially American town. West Jefferson NC is currently listed on the National Register of Historical Places, which undoubtedly influences the large number of crowds that flock here for a vacation home in Ashe Country.

The town has a bustling art district, where numerous galleries and studios feature both local and regional artists’ work. Elsewhere, the Parkway Theatre is a great place to catch a show. Tweetsie Railroad is one of the oldest, continuously operating theme parks in the country, with people visiting since 1957 on their High Country vacation. If you want to get out of town for a while, the Mount Jefferson State Natural Area offers stunning mountain views of the North Carolina Mountains. A drive along Blue Ridge Parkway is also a good way to see the area.

The real estate industry is certainly flourishing in West Jefferson. There are a huge range of West Jefferson cabin rentals available, from mountain cabin rentals to log cabins. Some rentals have hot tubs and are pet-friendly, while others have immediate river access.