With some awesome road trip options available in the surrounding area, renting a car makes good sense. Without one, it’d be much more difficult to soak up everything that Banner Elk, 19 miles away, has to offer. Sugar Mountain Resort ought to be at the top of your to-do list here. Grandfather Mountain and Beech Mountain Resort are also not to be missed. Located 20 miles away, Linville is another popular destination. If you swing by, don’t miss Sugar Mountain Resort, Grandfather Mountain and Hawksnest Tubing Park.