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Town in the United States
Photo: Jeremy Mikkola from Boone, NC, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Boone is a town in Watauga County nestled in the North Carolina Mountains, part of Appalachia. It is the home of Appalachian State University and is the county seat.
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The parkway crosses Hwy 421 east of Boone and Hwy 321 to the south of Boone. If you head south on 321 toward Blowing Rock you'll soon come upon it.
This is a short drive up the mountain and a great experience as it affords the most commanding view of all of downtown Boone. As you are riding in on either Hwy 421 or Hwy 321 you will not be able to miss the huge mountain sticking up out of the surrounding landscape. Howard's Knob park is up at the very top and it's easy to get to, you just have to know which road to turn onto off of King St. Heading west on 421, you will turn right onto Cherry St. Keep heading uphill and when you come to an intersection go in the direction that looks like it's leading uphill and before you know it you will come upon the park.
Fields teams in 10 men's sports and 10 women's sports, but best known for being one of the winningest programs in college football. They were champions in the NCAA Sun Belt East division in 2018 and 2019.
Expansive park with challenging mountain cliffs, scenic views and camping options.
Off the Blue Ridge Parkway between mile posts 292 and 295 the park offers 25 mi of hiking and horse trails. The grounds preserve the country estate of Moses Cone, a prosperous textile entrepreneur, conservationist, and philanthropist of the Gilded Age. Its centerpiece is Flat Top Manor, a 20-room, 13,000-sq-foot mansion built in 1901 which is now home to the Parkway Craft Center.
Ski Beech
Generally less appealing than nearby Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain's infrastructure shows its age; for example, lift tickets do not use barcodes and are checked by eye. Lifts are very slow (not helped by needing to leave empty seats for weight balance) and difficult to get on and off of due to their low load height. The trails have a fair assortment of difficulties, although beginners will feel fairly limited. However there are a number of crisscrossing intermediate trails to choose from, as well as multiple terrain parks. You can also buy a ticket for any third or two-thirds of the day (morning, afternoon, or night).
Ski Sugar
Although you can't tell from the map, Sugar Mountain feels like a much larger resort than nearby Beech Mountain. Trails are longer with much higher vertical drop, and an excellent mix of terrain for everyone from beginners to experts. A 6-person express lift (installed in 2015) runs straight up the mountain, so there's plenty of capacity and lines are usually short. The single terrain park has a tow handle lift so you can practice tricks repeatedly.
There hasn't been skiing there for the past couple of seasons, but they have upgraded their lodge and now exclusively offer tubing.
Mountainous park near downtown Boone offering scenic views and numerous mountain biking trails.
Family-friendly Wild West theme park minutes from downtown Boone.
Collectively owned mostly authentic Mexican food in the mountains of NC - you've got to love this place, and you've got to try the Chile Verde!
Legendary burritos the size of a football, or an abnormally small child. Black Cat is also home to some of Boone's finest live music, drawing from the fantastic local music scene and artists from around the country and around the world.
Up early and need a tasty and bagel-filled breakfast? On King Street and need a quick lunch?
Known for sandwiches.
Communal dining with up to eight people per table seated around a hibachi grill. A separate sushi bar may provide quicker seating when there's a line waiting to get in the steakhouse section.
College town pizza restaurant.
Good Southern food served family-style (i.e., they bring a bowl of everything and you eat as much or as little as you want). Takeout portions sized for the individual are available, and full-service catering or takeout platters are available for your event or tailgate party. The Dan'l Boone Inn offers an ATM on site as the restaurant does not accept credit or debit cards.
Great bread, pastries, coffee, etc.
Home-style Italian and American.
Great variety of amazing food. The quesadillas are awesome!
Upscale sushi restaurant with bar.
Authentic Indian restaurant offering dine-in and takeout options as well as a bar.
Large selection of imported and domestic beer and wine.
Where the App State upperclassmen and professors tend to drink.
Locally-owned natural foods and wellness market.
Coffee shop with quick bites and prepared foods.
Great coffee shop with a large variety of books upstairs.
High speed internet access, fitness center.
Three-story building with interior corridors, elevator and easily accessible stairwells, small lobby. Wifi. Complimentary continental breakfast with heatable breakfast sandwiches available. Adjacent to Chick-fil-A, Applebee's, and a gas station and convenience store.
Five-story property with interior corridors, elevators, large lobby with fireplace. Suites available with gas fireplace, wet bar, microwave and separate bedroom. Wifi in all rooms. Complimentary breakfast with hot and cold items served in lobby each morning. One block from Greenway Trail.
Built in 1875 by Captain E.F. Lovill, a Civil War hero and state senator, offers private baths, TV and VCR, and wireless internet access.
Boone's downtown is home to many local restaurants and specialty shops.
For all kinds of weather and through every season, Footsloggers offers the finest in apparel, equipment and footwear for every outdoor setting; be it backpacking, camping, climbing, water sports or winter activities. From natural fiber and organic cotton to the latest in technical fabrics, Footsloggers can help you travel and arrive in comfort and style.
Mercantile goods, groceries, candy, and outfitters with atmosphere.
Locally-made home goods, jewelry and clothing from a variety of vendors.
Access is primarily by private vehicle. Fly to Charlotte (CLT), Raleigh (RDU), Asheville (AVL), or Greensboro (GSO). From Charlotte, take I-77 north to US-421 and go west or I-85 South to US 321 North at Gastonia.
Read in the guideOn foot
The downtown area is very compact and easily walkable. The remainder of town is well provided with sidewalks and some bike lanes, making non-automotive transportation a reasonable idea.
By taxi
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Blountville · Regional · TRI
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