Map of NC High Country

For a GREAT downloadable map of the area clink here

Fun things to do in and around Todd

There is something for everyone in the North Carolina mountains, whether your an avid outdoors person - into hiking, biking, fishing or just someone who likes to admire a great view, to a art, antique or bargain shopper, or a food aficionado.

Click on the links to find out more details on what you are interested in.

In Todd:
Stop by the Todd Mercantile and say hi to Emilie and Kirsten.  The mercantile is full of art from local artists and the Todd Mahal Bakery - that always has yummy fresh baked goodies.   Nice place to sit on the new front porch and enjoy a cup of joe and pastry.  This also happens to be the home of the world famous Heart of the High Country Realty!  Jack's new company with his friends Jim Lewis and Walt Franzen.

For all you outdoor needs in the area stop by River Girl Fishing Co.  and see Kelly.  Whether you want to kayak, bike or learn how to fly fish (or improve your cast) Kelly can help you out!  She knows what lures are best for the area and the season and can point you to a great spot to wet your fly!  Check her out!  Plus you just may run into her son Finn or Petunia the pig!

Boone and Blowing Rock are just south of Todd and offer everything for the food and wine enthusiast to Tanger Outlet shops. 

To the north on Rt. 194 is the Town of West Jefferson.  This is is where you will find the Ashe County Cheese Factory.  They give tours and have a great assortment of cheeses available to buy... even what is know as squeeky cheese in Wisconsin!  Across the street is a very nice boutique for one of a kind dresses called Everything I Love (unfortunately no website). 

For those who care to visit the mountain that made me fall in love with the area, Grandfather Mountain, it is about 40 minutes south on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The parkway also has many trails for every level hiker.

Let me know if there is anything you find that you would like to know more about!  Jack and I love these mountains, and know you will too!  We look forward to seeing you in April!

Directions from Cincinnati/Lexington/Knoxville

I-75 South to I-640 East toward Asheville. (just north of Knoxville).
It merges with I-40 East... stay on this for 27 miles when you will exit/merge onto I-81 North towards Bristol.
Stay on 81-N for 56 miles.
Take exit 57A to merge onto I-26 E/US-23 S toward Asheville/Johnson City
after 15 miles Take exit 24 for US-321/TN-67 toward Elizabethton,
Turn right off exit onto US-321, in Elizabethton there is a slight left turn (about 8 miles from exit)
Follow US-321 Turning right at US-321 N/US-321 Scenic S
About 5 miles down the road you will turn left following US-321 S/US-321 Scenic S
This is a 2 lane curvey road. and you are about an hour from Todd. You will stay on US-321 until it merges with US 421 in Sugar Grove... US-421/US 321 will take you into Boone. Follow US-421 down King Street.
You will drive through a little bit of construction where they recently expanded the road... from here continue on Following Hwy 421 7.8 miles to Brownwood Rd. (you will pass a big Baptist Church on the right and Brownwood is the next left at the bottom of the hill.)
Turn left. Follow Brownwood for 3.2 miles until you come to a stop sign. Turn right onto Todd Railroad Grade Rd.

Alternative Directions from Charlotte - best during rush hour

From Charlotte area, take I-85 S. Follow until you reach the exit for Hwy 321/Gastonia (exit 17). Take this exit turn left towards Hickory. You will stay on this road through Hickory and Lenior. You will climb the mountain and the road will turn into a two lane road heading into Blowing Rock. Stay on Route 321 through Blowing Rock by-pass and into Boone.
Hwy 321 and Hwy 105 meet at a large intersection with a Wendy's on the left and an Exxon on the right. Turn right onto Hwy 105. Go to the 2nd stoplight and turn right on to Hwy 421. Follow Hwy 421 7.8 miles to Brownwood Rd.
Follow Brownwood for 3.2 miles until you come to a stop sign. Turn right onto Todd Railroad Grade Rd.

Directions from Boone; Charlotte; Raleigh-Durham

FROM THE INTERSECTION OF HWY 105 & HWY 321 IN BOONE (FOR GPS DIRECTIONS TO THIS POINT USE THE ADDRESS OF 1016 BLOWING ROCK RD, BOONE, NC 28607):

Hwy 321 and Hwy 105 meet at a large intersection with a Wendy's on the left and an Exxon on the right. Turn right onto Hwy 105. Go to the 2nd stoplight and turn right on to Hwy 421. Follow Hwy 421 7.8 miles to Brownwood Rd. Take Brownwood Road and follow until it T's into Railroad Grade Road. Turn right on RR Grade Rd.

From Raleigh/Durham area, take I-40 W towards Winston-Salem. Take Hwy 421 just past Winston-Salem and follow towards Boone. You will climb the mountain and eventually pass underneath the Blue Ridge Parkway. After passing under the Parkway, you will come to the intersection of Hwy 221 and Hwy 421. Continue through this intersection, and begin looking for Brownwood Road on the right. Follow Brownwood for 3.2 miles until you come to a stop sign. Turn right onto Todd Railroad Grade Rd.

From Charlotte area, take I-77 N. Follow I-77 until you reach the exit for Hwy 421/Wilkesboro. Take this exit and follow towards Boone. You will climb the mountain and eventually pass underneath the Blue Ridge Parkway. After passing under the Parkway, you will come to the intersection of Hwy 221 and Hwy 421. Continue through this intersection, and begin looking for Brownwood Road on the right. Follow Brownwood for 3.2 miles until you come to a stop sign. Turn right onto Todd Railroad Grade Rd.

Directions from I - 77

DIRECTIONS: From West Virginia, Winston Salem / Charlotte, NC areas:
From Intersection of I-77 & 421: Take HWY 421 North for 42 miles through Wilkesboro and come to the top of the mountain. After traveling under the Blue Ridge Parkway, you will come to the intersection of HWY 421 and HWY 221 (stop light). Turn right here onto HWY 221 North, travel approx 2 miles and make a left onto Cranberry Springs Rd. Travel approx 5 miles to the stop sign, turn right onto Brownwood Road, then cross river bridge and turn right onto Railroad Grade Road.