Northwest Region

This 12-county region rolls through the foothills and the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Locals interact with the tourists that enjoy trekking through the cities and towns of the Northwest region.  Take in the beautiful architecture while having a great locally sourced meal in one of the casual downtown restaurants. This region, originally home to textile and furniture industries, has produced artists, craftspeople, and other makers.  Their talents are reflected in a vast array of locally owned shops that offer such products as wood furniture and textile art pieces, handcrafted cheese, ice cream, brews, honey, and more.  Explore some of the state’s best apple orchards, take home a fresh cut Christmas tree, or try the local spirits, including a little North Carolina moonshine. Appalachian State University alums and fans are everywhere, and as much as they love football, they also enjoy hiking, rock climbing, road cycling, and mountain biking from spring through fall, and skiing and snowboarding in the winter months.  The Northwest region is for exploring, so plan on taking it all in!