“I love the mountains, I love the rolling hills…” Ahh, don’t you just love a good mountain view?! Scenic drives, majestic hikes, and good ol’ Southern hospitality. North Carolina offers this and more. From beaches to mountains, it’s most definitely a state worth exploring. We visited Boone, NC a few years ago, and we cannot wait to go back. Read on to see all the ways you can enjoy a weekend in Boone, NC.
Boone is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western, North Carolina. With it only being a 2.5-hour drive from our hometown (Knoxville, TN) it’s an easy weekend getaway! In fact, Boone is within a 3-hour drive for several major cities Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
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Where to Stay in Boone
We stayed at the Grandfather Campground RV Resort & Cabins. We were pleasantly surprised by this campground…with a winery right down the road, who really can complain? Their property offers scenic views, full hook-ups, a playground, and is a convenient drive to Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and Beech Mountain.
If you’re not the camping-type, stay in a cabin! There are cabin rentals all over the Boone and surrounding area. In fact, we stayed in a VRBO cabin with friends (pre-kids) years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Leave the hotel stay to another city and get a little rustic feel by staying in a cabin! Trust me, you won’t regret it!
Things to Do in Boone
Grandfather Mountain State Park
Grandfather Mountain State Park was the highlight of our trip. There is not a fee to enter the State Park, however there is an entrance fee for the Grandfather Mountain attractions. Check their website in advance to see if you need to purchase tickets online or make reservations. There is plenty to see and do here including the Mile High Swinging Bridge, wildlife habitats, and hiking.
We hiked the Black Rock Trail, which is a two-mile, moderate hike. To get to the peak, you do need to climb a ladder and cable up the rock, so do be careful. We had our little guy with us and were able to do this hike with no problem. In fact, he even fell asleep on the way back…what a nice way to nap, am I right?!
After our hike, we checked out the Mile High Swinging Bridge. The 228-foot suspension bridge spans an 80-foot chasm at more than one mile in elevation. It’s no wonder it’s considered America’s highest suspension footbridge The bridge was actually very steady to walk across, but it was a little breezy. Once you get across, you are able to scale rocks to see even more gorgeous sights. With 360-degree panoramic views, this is definitely worth checking out!
Tip: As stated above, it does get chilly, so make sure to take an extra layer just in case!
Before leaving Grandfather Mountain State Park, we had to see what the wildlife habitats were all about. Here you are able to observe animals (cougars, black bears, river otters, bald eagles, and elk) in their natural habitat. Our son especially loved watching the river otters swim around!
Visit the Local Wineries & Breweries
Boone, NC is within driving distance to three different wineries. Our campground happened to be right down the road to Grandfather Vineyard & Winery. Enjoy a tasting or buy a bottle and relax on their beautiful patio overlooking the Watauga River. Since you’re so close to two others, you might as well do the same at Banner Elk Winery and Linville Falls Winery!
Boone, NC is also home to several local breweries including Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Kettell Beerworks, and others! Pick your poison, Boone, NC has lots of options!
Boone, NC is a place we will visit again and again. With all of the incredible hiking, local wineries/breweries, restaurants, and shopping – you will always find something new and exciting to do here. I hope I’ve convinced you to visit Boone, NC and these tips help you plan your next trip! Please feel free to comment or contact us! Happy traveling!
