TonyF Loc: Bradenton, FL

Going to be spending 4 nights in the area. I googled and searched this forum and got some ideas on scenic places--Grandfather mtn., Linville Falls and the New River area. I also found out that we need to make a reservation for Grandfather mtn.

Any other ideas would be appreciated.

Tony

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

https://www.ncpedia.org is the mother lode of information on this state.

https://www.visitnc.com/high-country

There are lots of trails to hike, and scenic views to take in. https://www.ncpedia.org/gsearch?query=high+country+trails

If you like arts and crafts, there are many good potters, carvers, and other artisans in the mountains. Google them as "NC arts and crafts." or check out

https://www.ncpedia.org/gsearch?query=high+country+arts+and+crafts

If you like wines, there are many wineries in NC. https://www.visitnc.com/wine?schema=listing&interest=H7QD

If you like beer, check out Highland Brewery in Asheville. It's run by a lady I worked with in the late 1990s. Or consult this: https://www.visitnc.com/beer

If your interests are a bit hip, visit downtown Asheville. It's full of boutiques, restaurants, and galleries. https://www.visitnc.com/asheville-the-foothills

There are plenty of things to do along the Blue Ridge Parkway — not exactly ON it, but in the small towns beside and near it. Cruise it for the view.

If you see a theme here, it is that there is plenty to do in NC. If you get bored, it's not our fault! The Internet is your friend and will locate a wide spectrum of attractions for you.

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

Less than 15 minutes from Boone - https://tweetsie.com/

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

TonyF Loc: Bradenton, FL

Thanks, Burk, much appreciated!

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

Linville Falls - make sure to see both the Upper and Lower Falls
Grandfather Mountain - easily spend a day there; walk the Mile High Swinging Bridge; see Fanny May (the resident black bear); check out the many trails
The nearby quaint town of Blowing Rock for shops and restaurants; if traveling with kids, take them to Broyhill Park in downtown Blowing Rock; a very imaginative and upscale playground
The Blowing Rock - NC's oldest tourist attraction; catch the updraft
Moses Cone Memorial Park - visit historic Flat Top Manor, tour the grounds; on the Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 294

Hiking for Scenery
Rough Ridge Trail - 1.5 mile round trip with breathtaking views of High Country, including the Lynn Cove Viaduct; summit of trail is at 4773 feet; trailhead is on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 302.8
Beacon Heights Trail - 0.5 mile loop trail with excellent views from 4340 feet elevation; trailhead is on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305.2
Flat Rock Trail - 0.7 mile loop; fantastic views of Linville Valley and Grandfather Mountain; flat areas perfect for picnics; summit is at 4100 feet; trailhead is on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 308.3
Elk River Falls - 0.7 mile easy round trip trail to 50-foot waterfall said to be one of most beautiful falls in NC; located near NC-TN line, from NC-194 turn north onto US-19E to Old Mill Road, drive 0.4 miles and turn right onto Elk River Road; falls are 4 miles at end of road; hike ⅓ mile to falls
https://www.nctripping.com/elk-river-falls/
Bass Lake Trail - 0.8 mile loop accessible from Moses Cone Memorial Park on US-221 N (or from Chetola Resort)

LeeinNC Loc: Morganton, NC

Check out Silver Fork Winery. Beautiful setting and good music 2pm on Saturdays.

TonyF Loc: Bradenton, FL

Appreciate the replies--have lots to see now!

DRM Loc: NC

I live in Boone. The town is the economic hub of northwestern NC, and as such is a good base from which to explore and experience the area, including nearby towns worth visiting--Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, and West Jefferson--each of which has its own unique flavor. Despite Boone"s permanent population of less than 20,000, don't expect a sleepy, slow moving town. Appalachian State University's 20,000+ students, several thousand who commute in daily from surrounding NC and TN areas for work, and a year-round influx of thousands--sometimes tens of thousands--of tourists and, in season, skiers keep Boone's streets full most any time of day. But enough of the Chamber of Commerce ramble. Let me offer a bit of local tourism-related knowledge to supplement several excellent suggestions already posted.

First, Asheville is roughly 90 miles from Boone, so forget visiting Asheville's craft breweries. Besides, Boone has three craft breweries of its own. There are also two or three nearby wineries, and an excellent wine and beer shop in the heart of Boone.

All of the short trails mentioned are excellent. They're also very popular; you'll have outstanding views and pleasant walks, but you're unlikely to have solitude unless you're out esrly. Most of these side trails connect to the Mountains to Sea trail, so it's easy to have longer walks if you want.

Regarding the must see Blue Ridge Parkway, I would suggest driving US 321 from Boone to the Parkway near Blowing Rock (about eight miles). Head south on the Parkway. Within 15 miles you will see Moses Cone/Flat Top Manor (trails, crafts, overlooking aforementioned Bass Lake); Price Lake (trails, canoe/kayak rentals); Rough Ridge (already mentioned); Linn Cove Viaduct (engineering marvel, visitors center); Beacon Heights and Flat Rock (both already mentioned), and another few miles south, Linville Falls. Access to US 221, Grandfather Mountain, and a more direct route back to Boone is off the Parkway at Beacon Heights.

I would recommend skipping Elk River Falls. The waterfall itself is beautiful, but it's a bit of a drive from Boone and there's no other attraction in the Elk Park area. A better (and much easier) drive of roughly the same distance would be a trip over to West Jefferson which offers a multitude of restaurants, shops, and a bustling arts community. West Jefferson also has a very popular and successful photography-only gallery, Catchlight Gallery. This town is more relaxed and less congested than either Boone, Blowing Rock, or Banner Elk; it's easily my favorite in our area.

If you visit Banner Elk (another college town, but with a much smaller institution than App State) you will be on the doorstep of Beech Mountain, at 5,500 feet the highest town in the eastern US--well worth a drive up to the crest.

Enjoy your visit to our area!

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

If you are going to hit Asheville, the Biltmore Estate is a must! It ain't cheap but the place is huge....plus they have a winery you can't visit and nice gardens too.

JFBoone

The most popular window sticker around Boone is: Boone Sucks........tell your friends.......
This sticker is in response to horrible traffic and excess population which is the result of a university enrolling about 8,000 too many students in the small valley it shares with Boone. Enormous complexes of incredibly expensive student housing have destroyed the charm of a small mountain town. (Go to West Jefferson before it is also ruined.)
But, if you do visit Boone please patronize one of the few local restaurants rather than the numerous chains which dominate the the local "culinary" scene. Blowing Rock is a fun stroll in the evening and Mast Store (Boone and Valle Crucis) is a must do. The local brewery scene is rich and mature. If you get past the negatives and are able to find
a parking place you may enjoy your visit.

DRM Loc: NC

Yes, as suggested in my original reply, West Jefferson is definitely worth a visit. I forgot to mention Mast Store, another good suggestion. Skip the one in downtown Boone, visit the original in Valle Crucis.

App State enrollment--which is driven by funding mandate from the UNC system Board of Governors--is indeed a significant factor in traffic, but hardly the only one. Boone has always been a tourism magnet, and that popularity is year round and only growing. Boone is also home to a major regional medical center, as well as the base for Samitarians Purse, another significant employer. Because of the growth in the university, medical center, and tourism, there is a shortage of "affordable" housing in Boone. Thus, many, many people who work in Boone commute in, adding to the congestion. It's a fact of life, but the amenities of life in Boone is still preferable to that of any similar or larger community of which I'm aware.

JFBoone

I forgot to mention Catchlight Gallery in West Jefferson. Thank you for mentioning a great place to enjoy some wonderful photography. I'm not too sure about the (shrinking) amenities.........Of course weather is one of the main reasons for so many tourists. At 3300 ft Boone is considerably cooler than any area "off the mountain." If one researches property it becomes obvious that a third of the property in the county is owned by "outsiders" mostly
from Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia. Now North Carolina residents are trying to catch up.

Bruce T Loc: Michigan

black mamba

I live in Jacksonville, FL. but I spend about 3 months each year at my mountain home in Banner Elk, N.C.
Most of the respondents to your inquiry have some good info for you. You should also consider heading out of Newland, N.C. ( not far from Boone ) and take HWY. 19 heading North into Tennessee. It's only about a 45 minute to i hour ride up to Roan Mountain. The entry way to the mountain is right on HWY 19....you can't miss it. There's great hiking trails and views to die for. Roan Mountain is known world wide for the Rhododendrons that bloom in June.

While the traffic in Boone has increased, largely influenced by the growth of the college there and also heavier at leaf-looking time and peak Summer visitors, how bad it is is relative to what you're used at where you came from. Don't avoid Boone as someone suggested. It's a great town to visit.

They have launched a huge program up there to update the surfaces of the Blue Ridge Parkway, some bridges, etc.
Some sections of the Parkway will be unusable for quite some time. Google up Blue Ridge Parkway and see if your stay there will be impacted by these closures. Folks like myself that know every nook and cranny in that whole mountain area can still get around OK. But it's going to be a pain in the butt for everyone for a while.

Ashville is a great place to visit, but be aware they are having a very bad time there with crime in the downtown area. Best to avoid that part at nighttime.