Blue Ridge Views, Blooms and Swinging Bridge: 8 Adventures to Find in Boone

Casual or heart-pumping, on water or on land, for beginners or experts – the Boone area in Western NC is a go-to trip for outdoor adventures, unparalleled scenery and making mountain memories.

Fly-Fishing

Fly-Fishing

There are rivers and streams galore in the Boone area, so the catch of your life isn’t too far away. Don’t know how to fly-fish? Don’t worry. With plenty of fishing outfitters in the area, guides will turn novices into experienced anglers in no time. Lakes along the Blue Ridge Parkway – Price Lake in Julian Price Memorial Park, or Trout Lake and Bass Lake in Moses Cone Memorial Park – are also scenic options.

Website

Wildflower Blooms

Wildflower Blooms

See how many types of flowers you can spot as you meander through parks, gardens and trails. Find meadows, creek crossings and rhododendron tunnels at Julian Price Memorial Park, while more wooded meadows and backcountry camping sites are available at Elk Knob State Park. To see hundreds of native species of trees, wildflowers and shrubs in a beautiful 3-acre space, head to Daniel Boone Native Gardens; it’s right next to “Horn in the West,” an outdoor historical drama that’s been performed seasonally for 70 years.

Website

Family Fun

Family Fun

Find a new point of view with fun, family-forward attractions. At Mystery Hill in Blowing Rock, defy gravity, go gem mining and throw a tomahawk at this nostalgic stop that’s been a local favorite for more than 75 years. For another classic, Tweetsie Railroad has been the premier family fun park since 1957, offering steam-powered train rides, chairlift rides, gold panning and much more. Next door, kids ages 4 and up can take to the air with a zip line tour and aerial park at High Gravity Adventures.

 

Hikes

Hikes

How ambitious are you feeling today? Boone has a hike for that. For low-key walks to strenuous, backcountry treks, Elk Knob State Park is a great option. It’s also by Roan Highlands, one of the most iconic pieces of the Appalachian Trail. For more advanced hikes, Grandfather Mountain State Park is filled with challenging trails featuring craggy, alpine terrain and dramatic drops. If a full-blown challenge is the name of your hiking game, a 13.5-mile section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway and contains a variety of landscapes and jaw-dropping views.

Website

The Blowing Rock

The Blowing Rock

At NC’s oldest travel attraction, an odd wind blows upward onto the Rock from the valley below, causing “whispers” that fuel legends and snow to fall upside down. Open year-round, the Blowing Rock is pet-friendly and handicap-accessible, and it sports iconic views with a 4,000-foot dropoff that makes for unreal photos. With the path to the lookout just a quarter mile long, it’s an ideal stop for families with children.

Website

Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain

It's easy to spend a full morning or afternoon exploring all of Grandfather Mountain’s wonder. Simply drive your way up the mountain and make leisurely stops at the environmental habitats, a nature center with interactive exhibits, a gift shop and an onsite restaurant. Then, for the final stop at the top, walk 228 feet across the Mile High Swinging Bridge – the country’s highest suspension footbridge – and be rewarded with 360-degree panoramic views.

Website

River Excursions

River Excursions

Like on land, Boone has water activities for every skill level. Novices or relaxing enthusiasts can lazily float by innertube on the New River or rent a canoe through an outfitter. Upping the ante a tad more with a kayaking trip or a whitewater rafting trip makes for the most exciting – and refreshing! – adventure.

Website

Picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway

A day trip through the Blue Ridge Parkway isn’t complete without a roadside picnic – and shelters, grills, water fountains and restrooms on hand at many locations make it easy. Some favorites include Julian Price’s 100 picnic sites along a meandering stream at the start of the strenuous 5.5-mile Boone Fork Trail loop, or Linville Fall’s 100 sites along the banks of the Linville River above Linville Falls. You can even get nostalgic at Moses Cone Memorial Park with a good ol’ fashioned quilt picnic. Just remember to pack out what you pack in.

Website

This article was produced in partnership with, and all photos are courtesy of, Explore Boone. Visit Outdoor NC for additional tips on how to connect with nature and help preserve the natural beauty of our state