Travel over to western North Carolina, and you will discover the magical mountain town of Boone.
Boone is most certainly a hidden gem in western North Carolina. Located right next to the famous Blue Ridge Parkway and surrounded by ski resorts, its small-town charm can sometimes be overlooked—until now.
This quaint town is situated in the Appalachian Mountains and hosts attractions all year round. These attractions are perfect for couples and families.
This Boone weekend itinerary covers the best things to do while in Boone, NC.
Best Things to Do in Boone for the Weekend
Spending a weekend in Boone allows you just the right amount of time to explore the area’s best attractions and surrounding areas.
The great thing about Boone is that it is in a prime location for day trips and road trips along the East Coast, so visitors will never be short of something to do.
Plus, there are a bunch of free attractions along the way, which makes for a budget-friendly trip.
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Drive Along the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a famous 469-mile Parkway that sees millions of visitors each year.
The parkway runs through North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia with multiple stops along the way. At these stops you can find attractions such as the Great Smoky Mountains, panoramic lookout points, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
There are also multiple opportunities for hiking trails for both experienced and new hikers. Plus, picnic areas for families are truly delightful during the spring and summer as pink and purple flowers tend to bloom here.
At certain times of the year, you can find traditional music being played by Southern Appalachians and Ranger-led special events. Also, spend the night in one of the designated camping areas and sleep underneath the stars for an unforgettable evening.
Drive a little further and discover the iconic Shenandoah National Park.
Explore the Vineyards Around Boone
Is there anything quite like tasting fine wines while enjoying mountain views? The best vineyards to look for are:
- Grandfather Vineyard and Winery, a traditional family-owned vineyard.
- Linville Falls Vineyard, located at milepost 317 of The Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Banner Elk Vineyard, which has epic mountain views of the Pisgah National Forest.
Plus, if visiting during the fall, there are a variety of apple orchards. The Atlapass Apple Orchard is a great location to go apple picking.
Visit Blowing Rock
Considered to be one of the oldest tourist attractions in North Carolina, you cannot miss out on visiting the quaint town of Blowing Rock.
Here resides a historic mountain that stands 4,000 feet above sea level and provides incredible mountain views.
Time at Blowing Rock can be spent discovering the nature trails, viewing the gardens, taking in the views, and looking down upon the gorge. Plus, pups are also welcome here (they will adore the nature walks) as long as they are kept on a leash.
Other activities include areas for fishing, biking, picnics with panoramic views, shopping areas, and locations to eat. At Christmas time, visitors flock to go skating in the Appalachian Mountains and stay in one of the many magical inns or cabins that ooze that classic small-town charm.
Hit the Slopes in North Western North Carolina
Boone thrives in the winter and is considered an amazing getaway at that time of year.
Visitors mainly travel to Boone in the winter to take advantage of the challenging ski slopes that reside here.
For an adorable setting, take a 30-minute drive from Boone to Banner Elk, where you will find the iconic ski town of Sugar Mountain, which has winter activities such as snow tubing, snowboarding, ice skating, and, of course, skiing.
Further along, you can find Beech Mountain. Beech Mountain has a ski resort with the highest slopes on the East Coast and offers all the same activities that Sugar Mountain does.
Visiting at Christmastime? For a festive-filled activity, spend time at one of their Christmas tree farms. Two very popular places to chop down your very own tree or even just to take photos are C & J Christmas trees and Clawson’s Choose and Cut.
Visit Grandfather Mountain
Arguably, the main attraction is Grandfather Mountain. This mountain is a must-visit during a weekend away in Boone.
Grandfather Mountain is an integral part of North Carolina’s history and is considered to be over 300 million years old with specific rock formations being as old as 1.2 billion years!
There are various areas to hike near Grandfather Mountain. The most popular hiking trail is Rough Ridge which is a moderate trail with many ups and downs, steps and rocky terrains. It is recommended that young children and small dogs do not take this trail.
Nearby attractions include Linn Cove Viaduct, Price Lake, and Wilson Creek Overlook, which all provide spectacular views.
To access the Grandfather Mountain, you can use the Blue Ridge Parkway which offers alternative routes for hiking, and mountain views – This is free to do.
Or, purchase tickets for Grandfather Mountain State Park for $20 and visit the mountain that way instead. One of the most popular things to do inside the park is to visit the mile-high bridge, which is the highest suspension bridge in North Carolina.
Visit Downtown Boone
For a more relaxed experience, head to Downtown Boone and browse in their vintage stores, grab desserts in their cafes, and dine in their chic restaurants.
Some of the popular restaurants include Stonewall which serves a delicious French onion soup, Pepper’s Restaurant & Bar which has light meals and the Farm Café, which is a pay what you can restaurant.
Be sure to check online before visiting, as Downtown Boone has specific events that visitors can partake in and feel the sense of community that resides here.
Another great way to fill the time is to visit the Mast General store, where goodies can be found.
Parking is available here at $1 per hour.
Where to Stay in Boone
Boone has a variety of accommodations to match every preference. They even have pet friendly venues, so you can travel with your pup by your side.
See the list below of popular places to stay in Boone:
Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock (Lodge)
Chetola Resort is a venue 16.2 miles from Sugar Mountain and is situated in Blowing Rock. This venue is great if you are visiting during the winter and want to experience the slopes.
The resort itself is rated 3 stars and has modern amenities such as saunas and hot tubs.
Hampton Inn & Suites Boone
Located 21.7 miles from grandfather’s mountain, Hampton Inn & Suites is in a prime location for many attractions in Boone. The hotel is modern with facilities such as an indoor swimming pool, free Wi-Fi and a gym.
Courtyard by Marriott Boone
The Courtyard By Marriott is a chain brand of hotel which is close by the Appalachian Cultural Museum and various restaurants. The venue is equipped with BBQ facilities, hot tubs and luxury rooms that have incredible views of the surrounding scenery.
Remember, if you are planning to visit in the fall season, then make sure to book your accommodation well in advance as this is the peak season for tourists – hotels and resorts fill up quickly.
Boone Weekend Itinerary: Wrap Up
That is the complete list of the best attractions to visit on your Boone weekend getaway. Have you visited Boone? Let me know in the comments about your favorite attraction.