The high-country hamlet of Boone, NC sits at an elevation of 3,333 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In Boone, rural aesthetics, sophisticated academics, and modern arts and culture merge, creating a unique mountain locale you’ll never tired of. Boone’s location plays a large role in its distinct character. Located 6 miles from the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway, 15 miles east of the Appalachian Trail, and 84 miles from metropolitan Asheville, Boone is its own Appalachian center of the universe.
Boone is home to Appalachian State University, part of the University of North Carolina system. The school’s presence adds richness to this mountain town in the form of increased diversity, academic and intellectual sophistication, venues for visual and performing arts, and a national champion football team. The combined populations of the university (approximately 18,000) and the town itself (19,000) make Boone a small mountain city with a lot to offer.
The higher elevation status of Boone makes for a pleasant mountain climate, with summer temps far cooler than other areas of North Carolina, brisk autumn seasons that delight with dazzling colors as the leaves change, and winters that bring on average 40 inches of snow. These seasonal changes combined with 205 days of sunshine per year are part of what makes Boone a beautiful and exciting place to live.
Opportunities for recreation of all kinds abound in Boone. With the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Boone on all sides, and the Blue Ridge Parkway just a few miles away, visitors and residents have prime access to breathtaking mountain vistas, waterfalls, hiking trails, road cycling, camping, skiing, and fishing. The Daniel Boone Native Gardens present a peaceful, verdant setting for reflection and basking in nature as well. For those who wish to recreate in town, a flat three-mile greenway trail passes through many bustling areas of Boone, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of town on foot or by bicycle. Along King Street, a variety of locally-owned shops, restaurants, breweries, and cafes can be found. This area is host to art, street food, and entertainment as part of the First Friday Crawls hosted monthly. Finally, the Hickory Ridge Homestead is a living history museum found in Boone. Here history fans can get lost in incredible depictions of the Revolutionary War through the early-1800s.
Spend an afternoon strolling the greenway and popping into shops. Bathe in the beauty of nature and the wonder of history. Or cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway and return to town for a nice meal and a glass of wine. These adventures and many more await you in Boone.