Boone, North Carolina’s downtown is well renowned for its energy. Every night, you may see spectators huddling beneath the Appalachian Theatre’s bright marque, students from Appalachian State University scurrying to a local brewery, and visitors window shopping and admiring the fall foliage in Blue Ridge. Denise Lovin, a co-owner of the Horton Hotel in downtown Boone, claims that “word is going out that Boone is a destination.” Boone has gained momentum since since it was selected as one of the South’s top mountain communities in our yearly South’s Best poll in 2020. Here are some ideas for how to pass a long weekend in this picturesque area of the High Country.

Places to Stay

Reserve a room at The Horton Hotel, the first boutique hotel in downtown Boone. It is located in a former Studebaker garage from the 1920s in the center of King Street, Boone’s major roadway. Locals from Boone and co-owners Denise and Fulton Lovin turned the vacant building into a distinctive 15-room hotel in 2019, and business has been brisk ever since. Make this your starting point as you travel the Blue Ridge Parkway. Additionally, the hotel has pet-friendly accommodations so you’re in luck if you want to travel with Fido. Regardless of whether you decide to stay, be sure to stop by the Lobby Lounge or rooftop bar for a drink. The Horton’s friendly staff is happy to share their unique brand of High Country hospitality with you.

Restaurants and bars

At Hatchet Coffee Roasters, refuel before spending the day outside. An egg-and-tater-tot breakfast burrito and a draft latte or speciality coffee will give you enough energy for hours on the trails. The shop’s white walls were recently covered with colorful, hand-painted murals by a local artist.

Stick Boy Bread Co., a Boone institution, offers daily freshly baked breads and pastries. (If you look closely at the menus of other eateries in the area, you’ll see that almost everyone gets their bread from here.) Pick up a package of their well-liked cinnamon buns with cream cheese icing or a fresh sourdough bread to eat thickly sliced with homemade jam and butter.

After spending the day outdoors, return to downtown Boone for supper at one of the numerous eateries that line King Street; they are all within walking distance of The Horton Hotel. An upscale-casual restaurant called Vidalia offers farm-to-table fare made with ingredients from North Carolina. Travel to High Country favorite Gamekeeper outside campus if you’re up for another adventure. Until you arrive to a little stone home located on a mountainside, you must twist up mountain roads. Taxidermy, old photographs, and mountain-themed art are used to embellish the inviting dining rooms within. You guessed it: the restaurant is renowned for its collection of wild game. Two of the most well-liked meals on the menu are elk and emu. Order a batch of warm, handmade cookies from Appalachia Cookie Company for dessert.

There are several breweries in the area if you’re searching for a fun nightcap. Grab a seat by the stone fireplace at Lost Province Brewing Company, which is conveniently situated on North Depot Street just off the major thoroughfare in downtown Boone. Drink a craft brew while eating one of their wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas. Boonshine Brewing Company is yet another favorite in the area. For lunch and supper, they offer sophisticated pub grub in their interior tasting room, but the best place to hang out at this brewery is on the patio by the fire pit.

What to Buy?

Look around the stores on King Street that specialize in women’s accessories and clothing, such as Lucky Penny and Lililu. Any outdoor equipment you would need for a very active lifestyle can be found at Mast General Store in one convenient location. Don’t miss Common Good Co., which serves as both a storefront and a gallery for local artists. Visit the renovated Appalachian Theatre of the High Country to see a live performance or a movie. And while you’re there, explore the lovely Appalachian State University campus on your own.

Boone’s motto, “Live It Up,” isn’t just a catchphrase. Make this mountain community your base of operations for all-year excursions along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The three ski resorts in the region are close to Boone. We advise avoiding the crowds and trekking Rough Ridge for equally beautiful views instead of the famous tourist destination of Blowing Rock, which is about 20 minutes up the road in a town with the same name. Go off the Parkway to Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and take a tour of Flat Top Manor, the “denim king” Moses Cone and his family’s vacation residence in the late 19th century.

Steps to Take

From there, continue to Grandfather Mountain and ascend it via its winding roads (you may be familiar with the surrounding area from Forrest Gump’s well-known cross-country run). For sweeping views of the Blue Ridge, cross the Mile High Swinging Bridge. An hour’s drive from Boone, the Linville Gorge Wilderness has additional breathtaking panoramas, hikes, and waterfalls to discover.

Conclusion

Whether you’re planning a family vacation or a business trip, you can enjoy a comfortable stay near High Country attractions at the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Boone, NC. From our hotel, it’s about a three-minute drive to Appalachian State University and the shops in Boone’s quaint downtown area. Here with your kids? They’ll love riding the train at Tweetsie Railroad* or zip-lining at Hawksnest. You can also take an exhilarating hike at Grandfather Mountain State Park or drive the Blue Ridge Parkway to view stunning scenery.

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