9 Things to do in Boone NC

We are once again hiking in the North Carolina Mountains. We have a nice place to stay with deer and turkeys walking thru the front yard every day. We have had a wide variety of hikes so far. Our favorite hike so far is one that was right off of the Blue Ridge Park Way.

Boone, North Carolina is a gem of a town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. The moment we got there, we were blown away by the breathtaking beauty of the landscape. Here are some highlights from our trip that you won’t want to miss:

Hiking on Grandfather Mountain Trail: This trail offers some of the most amazing views of the mountains and valleys below. Experience this 1.2-mile loop trail near Linville, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 44 min to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Make sure you come prepared with the right hiking gear and plenty of water.
Other trials we hiked. Price Lake Loop, Boone Fork trail, Crab Orchard Falls, trail, Glenn Burney trail, Cone Manor to Bass lake trail, Rich Mountain Carriage trail, Hunt Fish Falls via Gragg Prong, Green Knob Loop, Price Lake Loop. The Boon Fork trail was our favorite.
The Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. The parkway, which is America’s longest linear park, runs for 469 miles through 29 Virginia and North Carolina counties, linking Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. This is a do not miss. The Estate is a very important part of the Blue Ridge Parkway National Park. The views form the hill top estate are fantastic. Textile magnate Moses H. Cone built this summer retreat with his wife, Bertha, at the turn of the 20^th century. In 1949, the family donated the estate, which is listed on the Register of Historic Places, to the National Park Service. Visit Flat Top Manor and estate, now known as the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, for the perfectly curated and winding carriage trails, historic manor, and Southern Highland Craft Guild craft shop.Textile magnate Moses H. Cone built this summer retreat with his wife, Bertha, at the turn of the 20^th century. In 1949, the family donated the estate, which is listed on the Register of Historic Places, to the National Park Service. Visit Flat Top Manor and estate, now known as the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, for the perfectly curated and winding carriage trails, historic manor, and Southern Highland Craft Guild craft shop.
Proper Restaurant: If you’re a foodie, you’ll definitely want to check out Proper. This farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Boone serves up beautifully presented dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients that change with the seasons.
The town of Blowing Rock. Great stores and Restaurants. Blowing Rock is a village in western North Carolina on scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s named after The Blowing Rock, a formation with sweeping views of peaks, forests and the Johns River Gorge. Blowing Rock Art & History Museum has regional artwork. The vast Moses H. Cone Memorial Park is a preserved country estate with a 1901 mansion. A trail from Annie Cannon Gardens leads to Glen Burney and Glen Marie waterfalls. While this is not a long hike be sure you have good foot ware it is very rocky.
The Common Market: This restaurant serves up farm-to-table cuisine in a casual setting.
Appalachian State University: Take a walk around the campus of Appalachian State University to soak up the lively atmosphere and appreciate the beautiful architecture. Don’t miss the student art galleries.
Mast General Store: This iconic store has been around since 1883 and is stocked with everything from candy and clothing to outdoor gear. You’ll definitely want to check out the old-fashioned candy counter and pick up some souvenirs to take home.