Things to do in Boone, NC Tubing, Canoeing, or Kayaking River Rafting and Tubing down the new River. Consider the following outfitters: Wahoo’s Adventure, River and Earth Adventures, and River Girl Stroll the Greenway Trail In the Boone area, the outdoors is a lifestyle. Boone's great paved greenway trail follows the pastoral South Fork of the New River. The best in-town trailheads for the core greenway area are the Watauga County Recreation Complex or adjacent Clawson Burnley Park. Turn off State Farm Road on Hunting Hills Lane. Turn left just beyond the Watauga County Recreation Complex for some parking at the complex, or park to your right, by sports fields. Hike Rough Ridge The iconic Appstate student photo In the Boone area, the outdoors is a lifestyle. Some trails may start a short walk from your inn or hotel. Boone's great paved greenway trail follows the pastoral South Fork of the New River. This hike is on the Grandfather Mountain portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway north of Linville and south of Blowing Rock. Start at either Wilson Creek Overlook (Milepost 303.6) or Rough Ridge Overlook (Milepost 302.8). Hike Beacon Heights Trail Description: The Beacon Heights Trail is a short trail that will give you a great view of Grandfather Mountain and the lower foothills. The trail is an easy trail to hike with a huge semi-flat rock at the end that gives you the great view that you came for. This trail is great to hike in the spring and summer but is especially good in the fall. The trail in the summer time has wild blackberry and blueberry bushes that are tasty to eat. From the trail you can also access the Mountain-To-Sea trail and you can pick up at the end of the Tanawha Trail. http://www.appalachianhighcountrytrails.com/beacon_heights_trail.html Directions: From Boone; Take NC 105 south, turn left onto US-221 (at light near Linville), turn left onto the Blue Ridge Parkway on- ramp, turn right (south) onto the Blue Ridge Parkway, trail is almost immediately on your left at milepost 305.2. Howards Knob Park Howard's Knob (elevation 4,406 feet) offers "unparalleled views" of Boone and Appalachian State University. From 421 (E. King St.) turn north onto Grand Blvd and travel 0.2 miles, turn left on Bear Trail (one way) and drive another 0.2 miles, then turn left on Eastview Dr./E. Junaluska Rd. (listed as both on Google Maps) continue following this insanely steep road up the mountain for 0.85 miles, you'll then turn right onto Howard's Knob Road and drive 1/2 mile to the park located at the end of this road. The one-way road goes through the park goes counter- clockwise. The parking area for the overlook is located next to an open meadow -- a short walk will lead to the overlook. http://appalachiantreks.blogspot.com/2009/09/howards- knob.html The Cascade Trail These moderate hikes to a Blue Ridge Parkway waterfall teach about trees and feature historic cabins. Directions: connect to the Blue Ridge Parkway via the ramp closest to The Cascades, from U.S. 421 in Deep Gap, at the Parkway overpass bridge. Note: this is also at the Eastern Continental Divide. At the top of the Parkway ramp, turn left onto the Parkway and drive north 4.4 miles to E. B. Jeffress Park and The Cascade Falls overlook and parking lot. Skiing and Snowboarding Our three area ski resorts (Appalachian Ski Mountain; Beech Mountain Resort; and Sugar Mountain Resort) offer everything from skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, ice skating, lessons and more. Rock & Ice magazine named Rock Climbing Boone one of the United States' top ten climbing towns stating the NC High Country being "some of the East Coasts best climbing." Whether you are after multi- pitch ascents of awe-inspiring cliffs, or easy access bouldering (climbing close to the ground, without ropes or harnesses) the Boone area has a range of topnotch climbing experiences. Watch a Movie The local theatre is Regal Boone Cinema 7. They are located at 210 New Market Centre Boone, NC 28607 Phone - 844-462-7342 Open 7 days a week Grandfather Mountain The world's only privately owned International Biosphere Reserve is non-profit preservation at its loftiest. A spectacular drive takes visitors to the wheelchair- accessible Mile-High Swinging Bridge, thousands of feet above the Carolina Piedmont. A world-class nature museum, interpretive programs, and Environmental Habitats for deer, bears, cougars, and otters offer outdoor education and entertainment. There's a state-of-the-art eagle aviary. Awesome trails lead to high adventure in adjacent Grandfather Mountain State Park. Open all year. High Gravity Adventures This newest of the Boone area's attractions is an aerial adventure park, located right next to Tweetsie Railroad, specializing in unique outdoor recreation activities for ages 4 and up. This means that each guest will have the opportunity to explore and climb through 75 aerial elements, at heights from 15 to 50 feet. Guests receive an aerial orientation, called "Ground School," on how to use their safety equipment. Once they enter the aerial park, guests will then choose which elements they want to cross or climb, and how high in the air they want to explore for up to 3 hours! Mystery Hill This High Country family favorite amusingly defies the forces of gravity and physics. Mystery Hill's Appalachian Heritage Museum is an historic 1898 home featuring authentic insight into 19th century life in the mountains. Open year- round. The Blowing Rock A colorful legend attributed to Native Americans explains the odd updrafts on this spectacular crag that led "Ripley's Believe It or Not" to proclaim it "the only place in the world where snow falls upside down." The Blowing Rock's dramatic views from this cliffside perch, open since 1933 as "North Carolina's oldest travel attraction." Open year-round. The Boone Area Wine Trail Our trail to the East's loftiest vineyards will elevate your appreciation of fine wine- and great scenery. Take this spectacular loop of the High Country for two sophisticated viticultural experiences on a visit to the Grandfather Vineyard & Winery in Foscoe and the Banner Elk Winery in Banner Elk. Zip Line Adventures Zip-line thrills are fun for all ages-and the Boone Area has two outstanding venues for zip-line adventure. You'll soar above-it-all, including trees and meadows, at Hawksnest Zipline and Sky Valley Zip Tours. Hawksnest is open year-round and is located in the town of Seven Devils, a short 15 minute drive from Boone. Sky Valley is open April through October and is about a 5 minute drive from the Boone Mall. Mountain View Speedway Local Dirt track racing at it’s finest! Address: 748 Roby Greene Rd, The High Country Fairgrounds, Boone, NC 28607-9153Phone Number: +1 828-773-6896 Shopping in the Area Boone Mall - Address: 1180 Blowing Rock Rd Ste E6, Boone, NC28607- 4831Phone Number: (828) 264-7286 Tanger Outlets - 278 Shoppes on the Parkway Rd #33, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 Mast General Store - 630 W King St, Boone, NC 28607.