Positioned between the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone is so much more than a mountain town. Appalachian State University is home to as many students as the town has year-round residents. Outdoor enthusiasts hike, bike, ski, and kayak. Art lovers flock to exhibitions at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts and live performances at the Appalachian Theatre. A rich history ranges from the pioneering spirit of Daniel Boone to Junaluska, a one of the earliest free Black communities in western North Carolina. Boone is a place where folks come to view fall leaves at the Linn Cove Viaduct and snowboard at Appalachian Ski Mountain. But above all, Boone is a community of people who welcome visitors, embrace resilience, and gather for outdoor concerts at the Jones House Cultural Center once summer settles in. Plan a trip, meet the locals, and follow our guide for what to do while you’re in town:
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Spring: As the sun warms the Blue Ridge, flora and fauna wake from winter slumbers. Hikes lead to natural wonders like Crab Orchard Falls in Valle Crucis and Glen Burney Falls in Blowing Rock. Or, you can join guides at Grandfather Mountain for Rhododendron Rambles, easy strolls to prime spots for vibrant purple Catawba rhododendron and fiery Flame azaleas. For first-rate fly-fishing, pull on your waders and cast a line in Watauga River, Dutch Creek, or the area’s many pristine streams.
Cast a line for native brook trout in the Watauga River. Photography courtesy of Explore Boone
Summer: Float or paddle the day away on the New and Watauga rivers that meander through scenic landscapes. Outfitters like River & Earth Adventures rent kayaks, canoes, and tubes — plus provide equipment and transportation. For heart-pounding excitement and a bird’s eye view, speed through treetops at Hawksnest Zipline. For a scenic leisure ride, bike along the completed 2-mile portion of the Middle Fork Greenway, a multi-use trail that will connect Blowing Rock to Boone.
Fall: For panoramic views of the season’s colorful patchwork of leaves, visit Elk Knob State Park, where a 1.8-mile trail leads to an overlook at the 5,520-foot summit. Fall also means festivals of all sorts with food, music, and craft vendors. The Woolly Worm Festival centers around races of its eponymous mascot. Valle Country Fair celebrates the handmade and homemade. And for a regional spin on German traditions, Boonetoberfest and Sugar Mountain Oktoberfest each take their own approach.
Zip down the runs at either of Beech Mountain Resort’s two terrain parks. Photography courtesy of Explore Boone
Winter: With three ski resorts and a tubing facility, Boone is the place to be for winter sports. Generations of North Carolinians have learned to ski at Appalachian Ski Mountain, the High Country’s oldest ski resort. Sugar Mountain Resort boasts the largest vertical drop in North Carolina and offers guided snowshoe tours in addition to skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and ice skating. The highest ski resort on the East Coast, Beech Mountain Resort stands with a peak elevation of 5,506 feet. If snow tubing is more your jam, coast down one of the runs at Hawksnest Snow Tubing, which range from 400- to 1,000-feet-long.
Evergreen: With stops for mountainside hikes and long-range views, the Blue Ridge Parkway winds its way through the High Country. Rise early to see the sun peek over the hazy mountains from Grandview Overlook. Stop at Raven Rocks Overlook, which faces southwest toward brilliant skies at sunset. Thunder Hill Overlook, distant from most light sources, reveals vast swaths of night sky, ideal for stargazers and amateur astronomers. A hike around Price Lake comes with breathtaking vistas, and Boone’s greenway is another lovely location that follows the South Fork of the New River with a park, forestlands, and meadows.
Stroll Howard Street and King Street: A haven for culture and shopping that borders the university, exploring Boone’s downtown should be at the top of your “can’t-miss” list.
What will you order at Venture Chocolate + Wine Co. — croissants, chocolate torte, or homemade bonbons? Photography courtesy of Explore Boone
Cheer on the Mountaineers during fall football season. Photography courtesy of Explore Boone
Visit Appalachian State University: Tucked along Rivers Street, 5.6 acres of scenic hills and trails wind through Durham Park. At The Schaefer Center for Performing Arts, peruse works by university students and faculty in the Smith Gallery or take in a musical, dance, or theatrical performance. Depending on the season, you could also catch a Mountaineers’ football game at the Kidd Brewer Stadium or baseball at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium.
Historic Downtown Walking Tour: Start at the Jones House Cultural Center and follow a self-guided 1.3-mile walking tour through Boone’s storied past. Along 27 stops, you’ll encounter a mural representing a prominent Black-owned business from the 1940s, the site of a Civil War raid, the oldest government building still standing in the county, and monuments to Daniel Boone (the town’s namesake) and bluegrass icon Doc Watson.
Local Favorites: Swing by Betty’s Biscuits on King Street for hearty breakfast fare like the Tobacco Road biscuit, made with Goodnight Bros. bacon, tomato, and Lusty Monk mustard. For lunch, head to Black Cat Burrito for Tex-Mex fare in a fun, eclectic environment. Go with the Build Your Own Burrito option to craft the roll-up of your dreams and don’t skip the guacamole. Known for its down-home meals served family style, Dan’l Boone Inn has been a crowd favorite for more than 50 years. If you’re craving sushi for dinner, order an assortment of colorful rolls from Cobo Sushi Bistro & Bar, plus a side of crispy crab rangoons — be sure to pair it with one of their many styles of sake.
Sample a Hatchet Coffee Porter or an East Boone Pilsner with brewpub bites at Booneshine Brewing Co. Photography courtesy of Explore Boone
Breweries: You can’t go wrong with any of Boone’s craft brew operations. Inside Booneshine Brewing Co.’s tasting room and full restaurant, the mountain-lodge vibes feel just right for sipping a Boonerang Trail Ale and relishing a Habanero Burger. Order a Long Leaf IPA or an Apple Quilt Imperial Cider at Appalachian Mountain Brewery’s outdoor bar, then settle down on the covered porch. Lost Province Brewing Co., a brewery and gastropub, serves wood-fired delights like its Rosti Pizza, topped with a trio of Italian meats.
Coffee Shops: At Hatchet Coffee Roasters, order a Warm Hug — a latte made with Blue Ridge Apiaries honey and cinnamon — and enjoy the chill ambience and vibrant murals. Blue Deer on King serves Local Lion coffee and a changing selection of homemade cookies and Homeland Creamery ice cream.
Historic Stays: Surrounded by 11 acres of woodlands and gardens, visitors might be surprised to learn the 1875 Lovill House Inn is within a mile of Boone’s buzzy downtown. For a classic Americana aesthetic, the refurbished Blue Ridge Tourist Court restores a retro motor lodge to its mid-century glory.
Enjoy cocktails with a view at Horton Hotel’s rooftop lounge. Photography courtesy of Explore Boone
Upscale Stay: If you’d rather stay in the middle of Boone’s bustle, the chic Horton Hotel, housed within a 1920s building, cocktails come with views of Howard Knob from the rooftop bar.
Wellness Retreat: Perched on a mountaintop, the Art of Living Retreat Center’s stunning views complement the tranquil campus. The center fosters self-discovery, rejuvenation, creativity, and spirituality through retreats and wellness escapes. Ayurvedic bodywork, therapeutic treatments, vegetarian meals, and nature trails are among the center’s offerings.
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This story was published on Mar 31, 2025
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