West Jefferson, North Carolina is a small town with loads of history and is nestled in the high mountain section of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwest North Carolina. West Jefferson has managed to hold on to its small town appeal. Most of the businesses in the downtown area are locally owned, have always been local, and because of this, have helped to shape West Jefferson into the thriving independent town it is today. Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, West Jefferson gives visitors a sense of history as well as a mix of modern culture!
One of the main attractions in the downtown area is the Arts District. Numerous art galleries and studios featuring local and regional artists’ work can be found here. Throughout the summer and again at the holiday season, the famed Gallery Crawls are an opportunity for folks to amble along the streets of downtown and enjoy the many galleries participating in the Crawl.
Another good reason to visit West Jefferson is tour the Ashe County Cheese Company. Established in 1939, this cheese company is the oldest cheese plant in the Carolinas and offers visitors a chance to watch cheese as it is being made. Across the street, the Ashe County Cheese Store house over 20 varieties of cheese made on site as well as local wines, ice cream, snacks, and souvenirs for all ages.
Mount Jefferson towers over West Jefferson like a sentinel, ever vigilant and watchful. At elevations well over 4,000 feet, Mount Jefferson provides a backdrop of splendid beauty for the West Jefferson. Beginning as state park in 1956, Mount Jefferson appeals to all ages because it features several walking/hiking trails, overlooks, picnic areas, and interactive workshops with the Park rangers. There also plenty of photo opportunities of panoramic views of the entire region. Mount Jefferson, now a State Natural Area, contains many unique and diverse trees, shrubs and wildflowers as well as many interesting and unique plants giving the mountain a national natural landmark designation from the National Park Service.
Make West Jefferson a vacation destination! Come and spend a week or a weekend in West Jefferson. It is especially refreshing in the summer when the humidity in the lower altitudes is stifling; or in the Fall when the air is crisp and the leaves are changing; or during the holidays when there is always a chance of snow. In other words, anytime of the year is the best time of the year.