At the beginning of November, David and I took a weekend getaway to Valle Crucis. Mast Farm Inn has been on my list of historic inns to stay at for quite some time, so I was thrilled to finally get there. We had no real plans other than doing a little exploring around the property and a dinner reservation at Over Yonder. Other than that, my goal for this getaway was to relax and rejuvenate while spending time with David after a busy fall with work for both of us. Valle Crucis and the Mast Farm Inn definitely provided us the space to be able to do that. Here are the things to do in Valle Crucis for a relaxing fall weekend.
Fall Weekend: the Best Things to Do in Valle Crucis, NC
Check In and Enjoy the Mast Farm Inn
When I started writing about North Carolina more extensively, I started keeping a list of places I wanted to visit. One of the first places on that list was Mast Farm Inn. I was thrilled to finally get to the historic inn and experience a full weekend in the place. This weekend getaway was truly an opportunity for us to relax and recharge, so we had minimal plans other than sitting in front of the fire and relaxing with a bottle of wine.
The main house on the property was finished in 1896, though the log cabin that faces the main house was built in 1810. Three generations of the Mast family lived in this cabin and they raised corn, grain, sheep, cattle, and food for the family. That cabin is now the Loom House and would be a great spot for a romantic weekend getaway! The original cabin is widely believed to be the oldest habitable log cabin in the state of North Carolina.
We stayed in Miss Allie’s Room and I just adored the wall paper in the bathroom with the clawfoot tub. It is a quiet room that overlooks the terrace and rock garden plus has a sitting area perfect for curling up with a good book. Another one of my favorite parts of the stay is being greeted with our morning drink order at our door. After we booked our room, we received an email asking if we preferred coffee or tea. It was left in front of our door in a basket each morning which was such a sweet touch!
After we checked in to our room, we went downstairs to Valle Tavern (the only bar in Valle Crucis) for a quick happy hour. The roasted red pepper hummus is a delicious snack and the bar offers cocktails, a great wine list, and Booneshine brews. On Saturday night, we opted to stay in and curl up in front of the fire in the living area and enjoy the chili & grilled cheese special that the Tavern had. And the breakfast at Mast Farm Inn cannot be beat! Our first morning we started with a yogurt parfait followed by sweet potato hash and sausage and gravy. On Sunday, we had a delicious cream cheese and spinach tart followed by baked French toast. It was absolutely divine!
Another highlight of our stay was heading over to the garden to see the horses. They love carrots (just ask the front desk for some) and there are spectacular views!
Order the Chicken Fried Chicken at Over Yonder
I saved a picture of the Chicken Fried Chicken at Over Yonder a couple of years ago, so this was a must-do on our weekend agenda. It was absolutely delicious and everything I had hoped it would be! Over Yonder is located in a former homestead of one of the founding families of Valle Crucis and offers their version of classic Appalachian food in a modern, yet casual way. It’s quite a cozy restaurant and it offers a market featuring local crafts and goods plus beer and wine to go.
Browse the Original Mast General Store (and the Annex)
The Original Mast General Store is located right across from Over Yonder in Valle Crucis. Valle Crucis is the first rural historic district in North Carolina and is where you’ll find both the original Mast General Store and the Annex. The original store is still the center of the community, where you’ll find the Post Office and can pick up a cup of coffee for 5 cents. It was quite a fun morning browsing the store!
Explore the Outdoors
If you stay at the Mast Farm Inn, explore the 20 acres on the property! Located right near Mast General Store is the Valle Crucis Community Park which offers a few different trails to walk and enjoy the area. Grandfather Mountain is only about 20 minutes away and is a great place to spend an afternoon as well!
Honorable Mention: Grab Lunch and a Pint at Booneshine Brewing Company
The only reason this is an honorable mention is because Booneshine Brewing Company isn’t in Valle Crucis. It’s located just a short drive away in Boone. It’s worth the 15 minute drive to enjoy lunch and a pint in the taproom. And honestly, it’s just a great spot. Their beer is great, their food is delicious, and they have quite a bit of space whether you prefer to eat on the patio, at the bar, or enjoy the sunshine on the spacious lawn.
David really liked their Space Pegasus, which he originally tried at the tavern at Mast Farm Inn. We started with a soft pretzel (the beer cheese is delish!) and for entrees, David had the hot honey chicken sandwich and I ordered a quesadilla. We both highly recommend those options.
Be sure to follow along on my North Carolina 100 County Tour here. My annual North Carolina Holiday Gift Guide can be found here and features a gift set from the Mast Farm Inn.
Shop this Valle Crucis Weekend Guide:
