25 Best Things to Do in Boone, NC (for Visitors & Locals!)

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I’ve been visiting the High Country since high school, so whether you are planning a vacation or you’re a local looking for new and interesting things to do in Boone, NC, I can help you out.

While it’s the home of Appalachian State University, it’s also well-known for outdoor adventure activities, the local arts scene, and its small-town charm.

No matter what time of year you visit, there are many attractions near Boone to keep you busy!

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Attractions in Boone, NC

Here are some of the most popular attractions in this NC mountain town that you won’t want to miss. From the outdoors to the arts, there is so much to do!

1. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway meanders right beside the town of Boone and it only takes a few minutes to reach a Parkway entrance from town.

My personal favorite stops on the Parkway near Boone are Rough Ridge, Julian Price Memorial Park where you can hike the Boone Fork Trail, and Doughton Park where you can hike a section of the Bluff Mountain Trail.

The Linn Cove Viaduct is also a very popular stop which you can see from Rough Ridge. Moses Cone Memorial Park and Grandfather Mountain are also nearby.

The busiest time of year in this area is during the fall leaf peeping season and if you visit on a fall weekend, be prepared for bumper to bumper traffic and full parking lots. Summer is also a popular time.

The Parkway closes often in the winter as the National Park Service does not clear the road in the event of snow or ice so be sure to check for road closures during the winter. This is truly one of the most beautiful National Park Sites on the East Coast.

2. Visit Grandfather Mountain

You can visit the state park or the Stewardship Foundation at Grandfather Mountain for an interesting day. The state park does not cost anything to enter, but the Grandfather Mountain Foundation does.

At the Foundation, you’ll find the mile-high swinging bridge and a small zoo that showcases animals native to the High Country.

You’ll need to make reservations in advance and purchase your tickets online as this is one of the most popular attractions in the High Country.

As for the state park, you’ll find lots of great hiking and camping opportunities here, but be prepared. These trails are for intermediate to advanced hikers.

The Profile Trail and Grandfather Trail are notorious for their cables and ladders that you must use to climb up the mountain. Not for the faint of heart!

Insider tip: If you are not planning on going to the Grandfather Mountain attraction, I would avoid that section of Hwy 221 if possible in the fall. Traffic gets backed up where everyone is turning at the entrance.

3. Walk Through the Daniel Boone Native Gardens

Here you’ll find different trees and wildflowers that are native to the Boone area. For anyone over 16 a $5 donation is required to enter.

There are over 200 species of plant varieties in the Native Gardens so you never know what you’ll see. You can return in spring, summer, and fall and it will look like a different landscape each time.

Note that dogs are not allowed here unless they are service animals.

4. Make a Stop on the Boone Area Wine Trail

While there are only a few wineries near Boone, each is fantastic and worth a visit. The Boone Area Wine Trail includes Grandfather Vineyard, Banner Elk Winery & Villas, and Linville Falls Winery.

Grandfather Vineyard has lots of outdoor seating with some tables located right by the creek where kids love to play. They have a wide variety of wine options so they appeal to many tastes.

You’ll find a menu of small bites available and they have live music on the weekends. This is a great spot if you want to hang out for a while. I enjoyed their flight of reds while hanging out on their covered patio.

If you’re looking for a cozy and intimate experience, head to Banner Elk Winery. I absolutely love the huge fire place and chandeliers in their tasting room. This is also the only winery in NC that I’ve found that does ice wines – there may be others and I just haven’t seen them.

I love doing a tasting here and then grabbing a glass to sip on while walking around their pond. This is a great spot for couples looking for a romantic date.

Linville Falls Winery is built with a Tuscan feel and they also have a beautiful location. We always try to go here after a hike at Linville Falls.

They are family and pet-friendly so bring the whole gang with you and they also have live music often.

These wineries are open seven days a week so stop by anytime. Plus they are some of the best wineries in North Carolina so don’t want to miss them!

5. Visit the Original Mast General Store

Mast General Store currently has ten different locations open but the very first was opened in Valle Crucis in 1883. It was originally named Taylor General Store.

These days you’ll find all kinds of stuff here. Specialty food, cookware, toys, footwear, personal care items, home decor, you name it. They even have a knife shop.

This is also the Valle Crucis Post Office and it’s still a working post office!

Grab a soda in a glass bottle and a snack and sit on their back porch as you watch the people come and go. It takes you back in time.

If you don’t want to leave the city limits, then you can visit one of the other Mast General Store locations on King Street in downtown Boone.

6. Grab a Drink at the Breweries in Boone

Boone is currently home to three different breweries – Booneshine, Appalachian Mountain Brewery, and Lost Province Brewing.

Booneshine is located in a large building with garage doors that open to make the outdoor patio and indoor seating area into one large setting. They have a great beer selection and have a restaurant on site with a full menu.

The menu consists of the usual brewery starters, burgers, tacos, and flatbreads. It’s a great spot to come hang out with friends and they also have a large beer garden built into a hillside.

I highly recommend a flight (that’s what I had) so you can try multiple beers here – they have some really good ones!

Appalachian Mountain Brewery is probably the largest brewery in Boone and they ship their beers to a few locations in the state. We have them at our local Food Lion!

They have a HUGE selection of beers plus their Farm to Flame food truck is set up right outside serving wood fired pizzas.

Lost Province is located in downtown Boone and has a second location on the east side of Boone near the Lowes Foods shopping center.

At the original location they have beer and food with a menu full of different things to try. Burgers, salads, small plates, and other pub fare. We love going here for their pizza and their Brownie Cookie Sundae dessert is to die for!

Insider Tip: If you want to eat at Lost Province, you need to get there early or be prepared to wait a LONG TIME. The last few times that I’ve gone, the wait times have been ~2 hours even on a Friday.

7. Shop Local at the Watauga County Farmers’ Market

If you are in town on a Saturday then make sure you check out the Watauga County Farmers’ Market. They have a great variety of vendors here.

You’ll find produce from local farmers, packaged meats, breads and homemade pastries, and so much more.

8. Walk Around Appalachian State University

Whether you drive through on Rivers Street or decide to get out of your car and walk around campus you should explore App at least once.

It’s a beautiful campus especially during the summer when everything is so green. Eric Church and Luke Combs – two famous people from NC – went to App State.

I always get nervous driving around when students are in town though because there are so many of them and you never know when they’ll dart out in the road!

9. Eat at the Must-Try Restaurants in Boone

There are a lot of unique Boone, NC restaurants that shouldn’t be missed. While I definitely can’t fit them all in this little section, here are a few to put on your list.

The Gamekeeper is just outside of Boone near Blowing Rock and is fine dining without a pretentious atmosphere.

They serve game meat you wouldn’t typically see elsewhere. You can try ostrich sausage, emu, elk, and more. Be sure to get their Mixed Game Grill appetizer – we loved trying all the different options!

The Peddler Steakhouse is another popular restaurant where you can choose your own steak. If you love steaks then this is the place to go and they have a fantastic salad bar.

Dan’l Boone Inn is arguably the most iconic restaurant in Boone. Inside it looks old-timey and meals are served family-style. We actually went here for my grandparent’s anniversary one year.

Try Stick Boy Bread Co. for a casual breakfast or lunch on the go or Boone Bagelry for handmade bagels. I find myself going to Boone Baglery every time I’m in town. Oops.

10. Enjoy the Rides at Tweetsie Railroad

I loved visiting Tweetsie as a kid! My grandma would load up my brother and sister, cousins, and myself and we would head up the mountain to spend a day at this amusement park.

While I haven’t been back since I was probably 8 or 9 years old, I still hear great things. Kids will love the rides, animals, and especially the train!

11. Watch Horn in the West

If you’ve never been to an outdoor drama you are missing out! Horn in the West is performed at the Daniel Boone Amphitheater and is about the life of – you guessed it – Daniel Boone.

It follows Daniel’s life as well as the other frontiersmen who settled this area and is set during the time of the American Revolution.

Buy your tickets in advance and they have a concession stand on site. However, you are allowed to bring your own snacks. My favorite kind of place.

12. Visit the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum

The Hickory Ridge Living History Museum is managed by the same group that puts on Horn in the West.

This is a collection of six different log cabins which all represent a different part of colonial life in the High Country.

It is open for tours every day except Monday and they also have plenty of special events so be sure to check their calendar.

13. Explore Linville Caverns

This is one of the most unique experiences near Boone. Linville Caverns have been open to the public since 1937 to tour.

You’re exploring the inside of a mountain so it stays around 52 degrees and the tours last just over 30 minutes.

Their days and hours of operation vary depending on the month of the year, so be sure to check and plan accordingly depending on when you’ll be in Boone.

14. Shopping on King Street

There are so many cute boutiques that line King Street with trendy clothing and just as many that sell App State gear.

For cute women’s clothing, some of my favorite stops are Lililu on King, Boone Belles, and Lucky Penny. Don’t miss Mast General Store here either.

15. Catch a Show at Appalachian Theatre of the High Country

This theatre has been renovated in the last few years and I love the retro look! It was built and opened in 1938 but sadly closed in 2007. After it was renovated in 2019, they had a grand opening in fall of 2021.

They have all kinds of shows here from live music to comedy to movies new and old. Check their events page to see what’s going on while you’re in town.

Outdoor Activities in Boone

Located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, the scenery doesn’t get much better than this. There are all kinds of opportunities for outdoor adventure near Boone no matter what your interests.

16. Take a Hike

There are so many fantastic hikes in this area that I can’t name them all. Between the waterfall hikes and hikes to epic mountain views, you really can’t go wrong.

The Boone Fork Trail is a popular one off of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Julian Price Memorial Park. I did this one with my family and absolutely loved it.

Rough Ridge is another good one off the Parkway that gives you a view of Grandfather Mountain.

Insider Tip: The parking lot is VERY small so if it’s full, drive north until you get to the next pull off and you can access the Tanawha Trail there. It makes the hike longer but not too much and the terrain is really easy.

A little further south is Linville Falls and the surrounding trails in the Linville Gorge Wilderness. Make sure you bring along some good hiking snacks for these trails!

My personal favorite here is Babel Tower but it is very hard. Stick with Erwin’s View, Chimney View, or the Upper Falls Trails if you’re looking for something easy.

If you are out and about in the colder months, make sure you know what to wear hiking in the winter. It gets cold up here!

17. Stop at Moses Cone Memorial Park

The Moses Cone Memorial House has been converted into a craft center where you can purchase crafts made by local artisans. It’s open seasonally so make sure to check the hours when you plan to visit.

The hilltop where the house sits gives a beautiful view of the lake below which is worth a stop in itself. There are helpful rangers at the ranger station here and restrooms if you need them.

It’s a beautiful place for a walk and the carriage paths are open year round but watch your feet. This is a popular spot for people to ride their horses.

18. Turtle Island Preserve

This preserve is formally named an Appalachian Heritage Farm and Outdoor Education Center. It offers multiple different educational programs and retreats but they also have 1-2 hour guided tours on certain days in the year.

The farm and people living here are focused on going back to our roots and doing things the way our great-grandparents did them. They’ve constructed their own buildings, tend their garden, and raise their own meat. They even use outhouses for bathrooms!

My husband is really into regenerative farming and loves doing tours like this. If you have any interest in farming or getting back to a simpler way of life, then this might be something to look into.

19. Go Down the New River

Whether you go down the river in a tube, kayak, or canoe you are sure to have a great time. This river is calm, wide, and clear on most days.

We’ve always gone with New River Outfitters near West Jefferson and love this section of the river.

If you have all of your own gear then you can either run your own shuttle or park at an outfitter and get them to run shuttle for you. This usually costs about $5 per person with New River Outfitters.

If you don’t have your own boats then you can rent everything from an outfitter and they will also provide a shuttle service.

Other good outfitters in the area are Zaloo’s Canoes and Wahoo’s Adventures. Wahoo’s is the closest one to Boone.

20. Trout or Bass Fishing

There are tons of fishing opportunities around Boone and two of the most popular ones to fish for are trout and smallmouth bass.

You can bass fish in the New River and there are tons of trout streams up in the mountains. If you aren’t familiar with the area then you may want to consider an outing with a guide.

Elk Creek Outfitters offers a few different excursions but their most popular is a float trip. These guides know where to go to give you the best opportunity to catch a fish.

You can also do wilderness walks where you’ll hike in to one of the many trout streams in the area. Can’t go wrong with either one!

Make sure that you have a valid fishing license for North Carolina before you do any fishing.

21. Bike at Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park

Boone has definitely been growing as a mountain biking destination and this bike park has helped. If you’re a mountain biker then you definitely need to check this out!

There are around eleven miles of trails at Rocky Knob and they are working on even more. It’s easy to find off of Hwy 421 and there is plenty of parking, restroom facilities, and even a playground.

If you don’t have a bike then Magic Cycles has a few available for rent but you’ll want to reserve them in advance.

There are a few other great places to ride like Beech and Sugar Mountain and the Emerald Outback Trail System. If you’re looking for something less challenging then go with the Greenway Trail.

22. Ski or Snowboard at One of Three Mountains

Visiting in winter? No problem. There are three ski resorts within an hour of Boone.

Appalachian Ski Mountain is the closest and is very popular with college students.

Sugar Mountain is next and is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. There are more trails here plus high speed lifts. This is the one that we visit most often, especially for night skiing. There are plenty of great hotels near Sugar Mountain if you plan on skiing multiple days.

Beech Mountain is the furthest and is actually the highest ski area in the eastern US.

Make sure that you know what to wear snowboarding and check your ski packing list! If it’s your first time then check out these snowboarding tips for beginners.

23. Head to a Nearby State Park

There are four state parks close to Boone. New River, Mount Jefferson, Elk Knob, and Grandfather Mountain. Make a point to visit at least one of them!

Outdoor enthusiasts go on and on about our national parks but sometimes the state parks are just as good.

Mount Jefferson, Elk Knob, and Grandfather all offer great hiking opportunities and sweeping mountain views. At the New River State Park you can paddle, camp, and picnic.

24. Rent an ATV or UTV with Appalachian Outdoor Adventures

Did you know you could rent an ATV or UTV for the day and drive it through the Blue Ridge Mountains? These tours include the permits needed to access the trails and refreshments for the day.

If you’ve never driven one of these, then it’s super fun! They match you to a vehicle based on your experience so you won’t be in over your head.

This is such a cool way to enjoy the outdoors. Make sure to check out Appalachian Outdoor Adventures.

25. Zipline Through the Trees

If you’re looking for a bit of a thrill, then go ziplining at one of the three zipline companies near Boone.

High Gravity Adventures is near Tweetsie Railroad and has an aerial adventure park and giant swing in addition to the zipline.

Hawksnest also offers snow tubing in addition to ziplining. Finally, Sky Valley Zip Tours offers ziplining, cliff jumping, and off-road tours.

Events & Festivals in Boone

While there are many annual events that take place in Boone, these are just a few of the most popular and well known. Check the calendar of events to see what annual or one-off events are happening during your visit.

The list below includes festivals located in Boone itself, but there are plenty of other annual events that take place in the surrounding High Country.

Annual Old Time Fiddler’s Convention

This free event held at App State celebrates the musical traditions of the Appalachian region. During the convention there will be a competition, presentations & workshops, square dancing, and a handmade market.

The Fiddler’s Convention is perfect for anyone who love old-timey music!

Boone Docs Film Festival

The Boone Docs Film Festival is a ticketed event at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country that runs for two days.

They show short-form documentaries that depict life in Appalachia plus they host Q&A’s with the filmmakers included.

High Country Jazz Festival

This three day festival is held Friday to Sunday with an “Appetizer” event on Thursday evening. There will be three different headliner shows plus various late-night Jam Sessions.

They also have recommendations of where you can grab a meal while listening to live jazz throughout the weekend.

Boonerang Music & Arts Festival

Every third weekend in June, artists with a connection to the town will come back to Boone for this street festival located downtown.

There will be multiple performance stages, a vendor market, silent disco, and kids zone. Food trucks will be serving up great options and you’ll be able to grab beer and wine from local vendors.

Map of Things to Do in Boone, NC

Wrap Up: Attractions Near Boone, NC

Like I said, plenty of things to do in Boone, NC for nature lovers, art aficionados, and culinary enthusiasts. Locals and visitors alike can always find something new with the fun events going on too!

When you’re planning a trip to Boone, make sure a few of these are one your list!

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