Escape to Boone and Blowing Rock | All You Need to Know

Plan Your Ideal NC Mountain Getaway

I am happy to live in coastal North Carolina, but sometimes the mountains call! Over the years Boone has become a frequent destination for me. I love the last hour of the drive where the western North Carolina Mountains appear in the distance – ripples of blue hazy ridges stacked as far as the eye can see. As you get closer, Christmas tree farms cover the hills like quilt squares.

Yonahlossee

During our first trip to Boone my hubby and I attended our friends’ destination wedding at Yonahlossee. We rented a resort cabin and loved its ideal location between Boone and Blowing Rock. Yonahlossee used to be a summer camp. The grounds and mountain views are gorgeous. A large creek flows through the property. Fireflies twinkle in the trees like fairy lights on summer nights. How lucky those campers were to spend time there!

Hiking Trails Near Boone

Our favorite thing to do when we travel to Boone is hike. I recommend downloading the All Trails App on your phone for great specific Boone hike instructions, difficulty levels and reviews. Click the above link to see the All Trails’ 16 Boone hikes. Remember to save trail directions to your phone (or even print an old-school copy). Cell reception can be non-existent on many of these walks! I have done the Boone Fork Loop and highly recommend it!

Moses Cone Memorial Park

The Moses Cone Memorial Park is located very near Boone on the Blue Ridge Parkway, milepost 294. Built by textile baron Moses Cone as his summer estate, the park offers over 25 miles of wide, easy carriage trails, Flat Top Manor (built in 1905 and restored in 2021), Bass Lake, Trout Lake, mountain views, an apple barn and maze, a carriage house, family cemetery and cows in a pasture. Another plus – beautiful horses and their riders frequent the carriage trails.

Watauga County Farmers’ Market

Open Saturdays 8 am to 1 pm, April to November this is one of the best farmers’ markets I have visited! Photo opportunities abound, especially portrait mode of the flowers and fresh produce. Enjoy live music while you browse through the local venders selling fruits, vegetables, honey, candles, local crafts and art. There are usually 2 biscuit trucks. If the one at the front is crowded, head to the one at the back end. The market is located in the Horn in the West grounds. Check out my instagram reel of the colorful market HERE

Hickory Ridge and Horn in the West Outdoor Drama

Hickory Ridge is a living history museum also located on the Horn in the West grounds. Staff dressed in period clothing show what life was like in the 18th century North Carolina high country. Six authentic cabins complete with artifacts and furniture are included in the immersive experience. Click on the link above to see the seasonal hours and admission prices.

Horn in the West is performed on summer nights in the amphitheater. It is the nation’s longest running outdoor revolutionary war drama about the struggles of early settlers including the town’s namesake, Daniel Boone. Boone spent part of his childhood and early adult years in the nearby Yadkin River Valley. The play is celebrating its 70th year in production!

Strawberry Hill Arboretum

The first time we went to the Boone Farmer’s Market we had our dog with us and learned that dogs weren’t permitted, so my hubby took Reese for a walk. They hiked up the open, steep hill across the street. When they got to the top they were rewarded with a great mountain view! After I finished checking out all the market offered, I joined them (major cardio workout). Turned out it was the Strawberry Hill Arboretum. A small box sat in the base of a huge oak tree. We opened it and were amused to find a poet’s kit – pen and notepad where many other visitors had written their thoughts. We found an easier more moderate trail down which ended at the Jaycee Boone Park. Jaycee Park has a super nice playground for the kiddles. Strawberry Hill is the best place to sled after Boone’s snowstorms.

Appalachian State University and King Street

Many of Wilmington’s college age kids attend App State. It’s a great school nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and walking distance to the many King Street restaurants and shops. Mast General Store is my favorite place to browse and buy candy. If you’re headed to Boone check the Appalachian State Calendar for their important dates and football schedule. When things are going on at the university, Boone swells to over capacity.

Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock may very well be the most charming town in the western North Carolina Mountains! And that’s saying something because the NC mountains are filled with quaint towns. Named for the rocky outcropping where the wind blows so fierce legend has it that it was the scene of a “lover’s leap.” A Cherokee Brave supposedly leapt off the rock only to be blown safely back to his lover. In the summer Blowing Rock’s Main Street is filled with well-cared-for flowers in hanging baskets and outdoor planters. Fall and Christmas bring equally beautiful seasonal displays.

Tweetsie Railroad the Wild West theme park is about 4 miles from Blowing Rock. There’s a three mile steam locomotive trip where the theme changes often. Other fun spots near Blowing Rock are Prospector Hill Gem Mine, Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine, many antique stores, and a Tanger Outlet.

Grandfather Mountain Winery

Day Tripping

Boone is a great central location to explore western North Carolina. In the summer consider a day trip to Watauga Lake in Tennessee, or head to Todd for tubing down the New River. In the winter Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain and Appalachian Mountain offer skiing and snowboarding. A drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway is beautiful in any season, but especially the fall!

The Virginia Creeper Trail is a short drive to the north. I highly recommend renting bikes and a shuttle service in Damascus to White Top Station. A spectacular 17 mile coast back down to Damascus is a thrilling ride!

Where to Stay

Carolina Cabin Rentals has a large number of Boone area vacation properties. My favorite hotel in Boone is the Holiday Inn Express. The staff is friendly and professional and the lobby has a gorgeous fireplace, ample seating and lots of natural light. The Quality Inn is where I stay when I bring my pup, Reese.

Where to Eat

Our favorite restaurants in Boone are The Local, Lost Province, Our Daily Bread and The Pedalin’ Pig. Our go to place when Boone is super crowded is Mellow Mushroom. At 805 King Street it is a bit beyond the tourist blocks. We have never had a crazy wait time there and the food is consistently good. The decor is funky Appalachia in a good way including a unique lava lamp chandelier, a beautiful fireplace and a large indoor swing. Kovu’s is the best place for Coffee. If you’re looking for a lively sports bar check out the River Street Ale House. Dos Amigos and Peppers are two more go tos, they are located in plazas a little off the tourists’ radar. In Blowing Rock we enjoy The Speckled Trout and the Blowing Rock Ale House.

Two great restaurants are located in Yonahlossee, the Gamekeeper and the Table at Crestwood. You reach Yonahlossee by taking either Shulls Mill Road or Poplar Grove Rd which leads to Shulls Mill Road. It is a curvy ascent, but if you take your time, it’s not a big deal and there’s plenty of room for traffic going both ways. You will need to take mountain roads to see the area’s most beautiful vistas!

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