High Country Hiatus: In Boone, explore our great outdoors alongside our artistic heritage

_{Downtown Boone is home to many small businesses for visitors to enjoy.}

A visit to the Western North Carolina mountains in autumn always delivers a spectacular showing of fall color, and Boone, a charming town in the High Country, is no exception. Located in the high-elevation mountains, its mild fall climate and diverse amenities make it a perfect destination for novice and experienced leaf peepers alike.

The town is named after Daniel Boone, the famous frontiersman that spent many hunting trips in the area. In fact, the Southern Appalachian Historical Association performs Horn in the West, an outdoor drama that brings the plight Boone and other settlers to the stage, each summer in tribute.

 ^{Appalachian State University (left) celebrated 125 years in 2024, and is home to a statue of notable frontiersman Daniel Boone (right).}

As a college town, Boone’s atmosphere is welcoming; Appalachian State University was established in 1899, and since then, the school has become an integral part of the community. Between the cool-weather color changes and the start of football season, this fall is a great time to visit this High County hometown. From art galleries, restaurants and bars, and museums to lodging, shops, and green spaces, there’s plenty of ways to explore Boone in comfort and style.

CHECKING IN

^{The Lovill House Inn dates back 150 years.}

After a long drive, there’s no better feeling than crawling into a clean, comfortable bed to rejuvenate. One welcoming respite in Boone’s woods is the Lovill House Inn, a historic bed and breakfast that is within walking distance to the city despite its backcountry feel. The interior is decorated with local artwork, and breakfast is made from scratch every morning—but those aren’t the showstoppers. Beyond its amenities, this B&B is lauded for its environmentally sustainable practices. From the solar panels that power the property to the energy-efficient appliances to the lack of single-use plastics, Lovill Hill is intentional about creating a lasting positive impact on the environment.

For a more urban experience, check out the Horton Hotel in downtown Boone. The building itself is designated as a historic landmark. When it was first built in the early 1900s, it served as a Studebaker dealership and department store before it was converted into the builder’s namesake hotel. Take the elevator to the rooftop bar to complete your experience.

^{The Horton Hotel (right) is located downtown, and combines the historic building’s storied architecture with modern furnishings (bottom-left). It also is home to a rooftop bar (top-left)}

GRAB A BITE

^{Booneshine Brewing Company (middle), Gamekeeper Restaurant (left), and Daniel Boone Inn (right) each bring unique Appalachian flavors to the table.} 

Although the Dan’l Boone Inn might sound like a fantastic place to hang up your hat, it’s actually an authentic country-style restaurant that’s been welcoming diners for over 50 years. The building itself first operated as a hospital and residence, and is actually one of the oldest in town.

The dishes are served family style, beginning with a salad in the warmer months and a soup during chilly weather, followed by meat and vegetables. Plus, each meal comes with homemade Southern biscuits with various preserves, dessert, and a drink.

On a night out, try Gamekeeper Restaurant. Located just outside the city, the restaurant is known for its versatility and adventurous spirit rooted in Southern flavorings. The menu rotates seasonally, and dishes are prepped with local, fresh ingredients to ensure all food is high quality. Some edgier supper selections include bison, emu, venison, elk, and duck. In 2024, the restaurant received the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for its selective wine menu.

An innovative dining space called FARM (an acronym for Feed All Regardless of Means) offers classic, delicious meals that are affordable for all. This café is pay-what-you-can, meaning it primarily relies on donations and volunteering to sustain the kitchen. 

All ingredients are curated from local farmers and purveyors as much as possible. The menu rotates daily, and is inclusive of a variety of diets including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free. Past food items include shallot fries, open-face braised pork sandwich, curry tofu soup, and blueberry cobbler.

Booneshine Brewing Company is a local hangout spot that features a beer garden, restaurant/tasting room, and food truck. Booneshine serves a variety of Appalachian and American fare for hungry patrons, but most notably, it has several in-house brews on tap including a popular flagship, the High Country Honey amber ale. Infused with sourwood honey made only in the Appalachian foothills, a portion of the proceeds from each purchase go to Hive Tracks, a rural Appalachian nonprofit organization that is revolutionizing apiary management technology for honey makers. They also produce a variety of seasonal brews, including the autumn-appropriate sugar-maple-aged imperial stout Old Man Maple as well as the Overlook Oktoberfest, a crisp, light lager with a hint of sweetness. Booneshine is celebrating 10 years on tap in 2025.

ALL FUN & GAMES

^{Tweetsie Railroad is a family-friendly attraction that goes all out for Halloween.}

Because of Western North Carolina’s temperate climate, homegrown produce is still up for grabs through the fall months. To snag some delicious local produce and other goods, check out Blowing Rock Farmers Market (open through October) nearby.

The village of Blowing Rock is only a short drive from Boone, and is worth the journey due to its family-friendly attractions like Tweetsie Railroad, a locomotive theme park that has captivated visitors for more than 70 years. The railroad’s origins trace back to the 1800s when Tweetsie acted as one of the only connections between Boone and other areas.

The steam train follows a three-mile loop through the mountains, capturing scenic views, passing over a trestle and around a mountain. Besides the train ride, the park features a variety of Wild West-themed activities including a chairlift to Miner’s Mountain. From September 19 through November 1, Tweetsie becomes a “Ghost Train” after dark, complete with a spooky makeover and additional Halloween-themed attractions like a haunted house and spooky carnival.

Nearby is High Gravity Adventures, a zipline experience that takes you through the elevated Appalachian treeline. Alongside five different lines, the bravest road trippers can try out the thrilling freefall experience (it’s a 70 foot drop!). HGA also offers climbing courses and a three-person swing that goes four stories high.

For a more relaxing outdoor adventure, walk the Boone Greenway, which winds through the town’s urban areas. The greenway is mostly flat and either paved or gravel, making it easy to access for walkers, cyclists, skaters, and more. On the trail, take in the nearby birds, water views, interpretive signage, and autumn colors; the greenway is also accessible from a few Boone parks and shopping centers.

Mast General Store’s original location in Valle Crucis is only a short drive away. Although there is a location in downtown Boone, this historic shop was the first of many of the iconic Southern stores found scattered through the Carolinas. Its charming setting is worth the drive, especially since you’ll have the opportunity to go leaf peeping along the way.

While you’re on the road, keep traveling southwest and make a stop at 828 Flies. From rods, reels, and lures to dry bags and waders, this fly fishing outfitter has all the gear you might need to explore the chilly mountain creeks. The South Holston River Company also partners with 828 Flies to offer a guided fly fishing trip on the Watauga River.

CULTURE & HISTORY

^{The original Mast General Store (left) with antique cars. The path in Greenway Park connects urban spaces with the natural landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains (right).} 

Moses Cone Memorial Park, an estate that once belonged to its namesake conservationist, philanthropist, and textile entrepreneur, is just past Blowing Rock. Inside, Southern Highland Craft Guild has a home where it displays hundreds of handmade wares by Appalachian artisans.

Back in downtown Boone, visit the Appalachian Theater of the High Country. Built in 1938, this historic landmark is designed with Art Deco architecture styles. Since reopening in 2019, the theater has hosted many musical and performing artists as well as festivals and events for the town of Boone. On November 14—the building’s 87th birthday—the Appalachian Theater is hosting Sam Bush for a night of bluegrass tunes on the mandolin.

^{The Appalachian Theater of the High Country is one of a few different places to take in culture and entertainment around Boone.}

Fans of visual art should check out App State’s Turchin Center for the Visual Arts. This art museum houses a variety of exhibits that rotate. Through December 13, see “Image and Music: John Cohen” which showcases many depictions of and by the photographer, filmmaker, folklorian, and musician.

The Turchin Center is a part of the Blue Ridge Craft Trail, an extensive map of artisanal galleries and museums that celebrate Western North Carolina’s rich handmade history. There are dozens of locations throughout all the regions of WNC, including Watauga Arts Council, the Jones House, and Hands Gallery in Boone.

^{The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (left), Southern Highland Craft Guild (right) inside Moses Cone Park, and the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (middle) are all great places to explore regional works of art.} 

The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum—another stop on the Craft Trail—showcases a variety of fine artists in relation to the area’s past and present, including the “Jack Boul: Land, City, Home” gallery. Through March 7, see works by the late painter that depict a variety of landscapes from Boul’s life, including the High Country mountain range.

BOONE MUST LIST

SEE

Appalachian Theatre of the High Country
559 West King St.
(828) 865-3000; apptheatre.org

Appalachian State University
287 Rivers St.
(828) 262-2000; appstate.edu

Blowing Rock Art & History Museum
159 Ginny Stevens Ln., Blowing Rock
(828) 295-9099; blowingrockmuseum.org

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park
BRP Milepost 294, Blowing Rock
(828) 295-3782; nps.gov

Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
423 W King St.
(828) 262-3017; tcva.appstate.edu

EAT & DRINK

Booneshine Brewing Company
465 Industrial Park Dr.
(828) 278-8006; booneshine.beer

Dan’l Boone Inn
102 E Main St.
(828) 264-8657; danlbooneinn.com

The Gamekeeper
210 6th St., North Wilkesboro
(828) 963-7400; gamekeeper-nc.com

PLAY

Blowing Rock Farmers Market
379 Sunset Dr., Blowing Rock
(828) 372-9500; blowingrock.com

High Gravity Adventures
215 Tweetsie Railroad Ln., Blowing Rock
(828) 266-0176; highgravityadventures.com

Original Mast General Store
3565 Hwy 194 S., Sugar Grove
(828) 963-6511; mastgeneralstore.com

Tweetsie Railroad
300 Tweetsie Railroad Ln., Blowing Rock
(828) 264-9061; tweetsie.com

STAY

The Horton Hotel
611 W King St.
(828) 832-8060; thehorton.com

Lovill House Inn
404 Old Bristol Rd
(828) 270-0831; lovillhouseinn.com