As temperatures in the Piedmont soar into the 90s this summer, a few days in North Carolina's High Country can offer reprieve from the heat and humidity. A short drive of just an hour from Hickory brings you up the mountain and into Boone where attractions and adventures await for a getaway filled with family fun. With temperatures averaging a high of 77 degrees, the climate is perfect for witnessing nature's beauty while enjoying one of the numerous outdoor activities available in the area. Get a sneak peek as we share our recent weekend spent in Boone and use it to plan your next getaway the whole family is sure to enjoy.
DAY 1
Morning
As you head up 321, make The Blowing Rock your first stop for one of the best unobstructed views in the High Country. North Carolina's first tourist attraction, The Blowing Rock opened in 1933 offering panoramic views of John's River Gorge and Globe Valley with notable peaks including Grandfather Mountain, Hawksbill, Table Rock and Mount Mitchell. Named for the air currents that blow upward from the gorge returning light objects dropped from the cliff, The Blowing Rock has been dubbed "the only place in the world where snow falls upside down."
Mid-Day
Grab lunch on the way to a high-flying adventure at one of the area's zipline courses. Hawksnest Ziplines located in Seven Devils offers tours for ages 5 and up, with a total of 20 zips, including 4 that are over 1500 feet long, 4 miles of lines with heights over 200 feet and speeds up to 50mph. Enjoy panoramic views as you zip over trees, through trees, and over lakes and creeks on the longest ziplines on the East Coast. Or choose the 3 hour tour at Sky Valley Zip Tours where participants must be 10 years or older and at least 70lbs for a canopy tour and zipline adventure that takes you in and above the trees. With 9 ziplines, elevations of up to 300 feet high above a deep valley with distant views, speeds up to 40mph plus cliff jumping, a 120-foot swinging bridge, cascading streams and an ATV ride, you're in for a real adrenaline rush.
Afternoon
Slow way down in the quaint mountain community of Valle Crucis located 5 miles west of Boone. The valley's jewel is the original Mast General Store in operation since 1883 and on the National Register of Historic Places. Dubbed a "destination" by Charles Kuralt, the landmark general store with its creeking wood floors offers "all you might need for life then and now." Fun for the kids includes picking from the barrels of 500+ kinds of candy as well as a scavenger hunt searching for interesting items and artifacts around the store. Visit the Valle Crucis Community Park for play time on the playground, in the Watauga River, birding (guided tours offered on Wednesday mornings) or live music on Friday evenings.
DAY 2
Morning
If you're traveling with young kids, set out on the scenic Boone Greenway Trail, an urban oasis for hiking, biking, rollerblading and exploring. Following the trail along side the South Fork of the New River, you'll find a covered bridge, suspension bridges, multiple benches, a picnic area, historic ruins of a 1920s dam and solitude counter to what you'd expect in the heart of a town. For the more adventurous there's Rocky Knob Park with 185 acres for mountain biking and hiking, including 8 miles of biking trails, a bike skills area, an outdoor playground and a picnic pavilion.
Mid-Day
Head over to Todd, where you can enjoy lunch at Riverside Restaurant before a relaxing afternoon on the New River. Rent tubes, kayaks or canoes from any of the outfitters such as River Girl Fishing Company which also offers full service fly fishing lessons and guided trips as well as bicycle rentals to bike the railroad grade road along the river. Wahoo's Adventures also has an outpost in Todd but their headquarters on 321 south of Boone is the place to visit to arrange for whitewater rafting trips on the Watauga or Nolichucky Rivers.
Afternoon/Evening
Such an active day will leave you famished so head over to the Dan'l Boone Inn Restaurant for a delicious home-cooked meal served family-style since 1959 at this award-winning restaurant. If you're up for a bit of history after dinner, head over to the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum where interpreters in 18th century period clothing demonstrate early mountain settlers' routines and skills such as hearthside cooking, weaving, making candles, spinning, blacksmithing, etc. End the evening with the historical outdoor drama Horn in the West which tells the tale of Daniel Boone’s adventures in the High Country and the inspiring story of early mountain settlers' fight for freedom during the War for Independence.
DAY 3
Morning
Head south on 321 out of Boone towards Blowing Rock and hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway continuing south. In addition to numerous overlooks and hiking trails, consider stopping at the Cone Manor House of which free tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays (call 828-295-3782 to reserve a tour). Continue to Julian Price Memorial Park to walk around Price Lake or navigate in a rental boat or canoe. As you drive further, be sure to explore the engineering marvel that is Linn Cove Viaduct.
Mid-Day
Exit the Parkway at milepost 305.1 and head south on 221 for one mile to Grandfather Mountain, the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Spend the rest of the day at this International Biosphere Reserve, making sure to tour the nature museum, attending the animal enrichment programs at the natural habitats with deer, bears, cougars, otters and eagles and walking across the Mile-High Swinging Bridge. Picnic areas (as well as a restaurant), two gift shops and hiking trails are also available within the park.
Evening
Head home or back to Boone if continuing your High Country adventure a few days longer. Visit www.exploreboonearea.com for a comprehensive guide of Boone's places to play, stay, eat and more and plan your visit today!
Disclaimer: I was a recent guest of Watauga County TDA for three days during which accommodations, meals and activities were complimentary for the purpose of this article.
