Parks, Trails, Gardens and Greenways in the Boone Area

Blue Ridge Parkway

With an international reputation as a take-your-time recreational drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway delivers breathtaking scenery and closer examinations of the natural and cultural history of the southern Appalachian mountains. The best 100 miles of the Parkway meander through the High Country, from milepost 229 to milepost 329, offering plenty of opportunities for stops at overlooks, picnic and camping facilities, trails, and wonderful cultural and natural areas.

Of particular interest are Price Park and Moses Cone Estate Park, two adjacent parks which constitute the largest area of developed land along the entire 469 miles of the Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina.

At Price Park, a picturesque lake provides space for canoeing, fishing, and hiking the trail encompassing the lake. Evidence of wildlife activity is everywhere, in wild ducks on the water and beaver-hewn logs lying along the trail.

At Moses Cone Estate, the Parkway Craft Center inhabits the Manor House that the late textile magnate, Moses Cone, and wife Bertha Cone built. The Craft Center is part of the Southern Highlands Crafts Guild, and houses a beautiful collection of fine crafts for sale. The estate offers 26 miles of carriage trails for hiking and for horseback riding, facilitated by nearby Blowing Rock Equestrian Center. Bass Lake on the Moses Cone Estate is bordered by a three-quarter-mile trail loop, perfect for easy strolling for visitors. Wildlife such as ducks, geese, and fish enjoy the surroundings, too.

Boone's Greenway Pedestrian/Biking Trail

More than two miles of wide, paved trails meander through meadows, along creeks and through woods, revealing a beautiful view around each turn. A covered bridge and level, paved surfaces make this trail pleasurable for all ages. Bring bikes, strollers, roller blades and family pets. Adjacent athletic fields host ball games and track and field events.

Howard's Knob Park

Bring your camera! The view of the town of Boone is great from the top of Howard's Knob. This park, maintained by Watauga County Parks and Recreation, offers picnic tables in wooded areas, in addition to a large sheltered facility with picnic tables. Easy trails lead to overlooks with views of Appalachian State University and Boone, from 4,420 feet in elevation.

Daniel Boone Native Gardens

Designed in 1965 by landscape architect, Doan Ogden, who also designed Asheville's Botanical Gardens in 1960, the Daniel Boone Native Gardens provide a safe haven for some endangered plant species and other wild plants unique to this higher elevation of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Garden rooms reveal a Meditation Maze, a bog, a meadow, a tranquil pool, a rhododendron thicket, Squire Boone's cabin, a wishing well and an arbor trellised stone path. The Gardens are located on the grounds of the Horn in the West outdoor drama, convenient to downtown Boone and the Appalachian State University campus.

Boone Jaycees Park and Playground

Adjacent to the Daniel Boone Native Gardens is a large open playground with equipment for both younger and older children. A separate toddler area ensures the safety of little ones. A large picnic shelter offers 8 picnic tables and several grills available for cooking on site. The Park is also on the same block with several good restaurants, including the famous Dan'l Boone Inn, serving down home cooking family-style.

The Blowing Rock

North Carolina's Oldest Travel Attraction. Beautiful Short Scenic Walk With a Garden Waterfall, Gardens, Observation Tower and Unique Gift Shops. Open daily March- December and Open Weekends January and February, Weather Permitting. www.theblowingrock.com

Blue Ridge Community Theatre

P.O. Box 229 DTS, Boone, NC 28607
(828) 963-4440 | (828) 264-9546
Contact: Cecil Smith; E-mail: [email protected]
blueridgecommunitytheater.com/

Country Retreat Family Billiards & Grill

9021 Hwy. 105 South, Boone, NC 28607
(828) 963-6260 | (828) 963-6260
Billiard Room & Full Service Grill, Jukebox & Plasma Tvs, Birthday & Private Parties, Pool Table & Game Room Sales. Family Oriented Restaurant and Award Winning Upscale Billiard Room. Non-Smoking & Non-Alcohol.

Dutch Creek Trails

3287 Hwy. 194 South, Sugar Grove, NC 28679-9283
(828) 297-7117 | (828) 297-1708
Guided Horseback Rides. 1 hour/2 hour Trail Rides. Special treat of Cowboy Poetry. Enjoy your Birthday Party or Family Gathering here. Open Monday-Saturday. Closed Sunday. dutchcreektrails.com

Foggy Mountain Gem Mine

3452 U.S. Hwy 321 South, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 265-3099
Gem Mining, Stone Cutting, Fine Jewelry.

Fun 'N Wheels

2788 Highway 105 South, Boone, NC 28607
(828) 262-3780 | (828) 264-2277 | (828) 262-0499
High Country's Action Center for Family Fun! NASCAR and Formula "K" Go Cart Rides, Amazing Gyro, "Krazy Kars", the Goodliest Game Room and Kiddie Ferris wheel. Fulltime Supervision by Trained Staff. Open Until 10:30 pm Daily.

Grandfather Mountain, Inc.

2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646
"Carolina's Top Scenic Attraction" Featuring Mile High Swinging Bridge, Animals, Museum, Restaurant and More. www.grandfather.com

Grandfather Trout Farm

10767 Hwy. 105 So. Banner Elk, NC 28604-8657
Trout Fishing at its best! You pay only for what you catch and there's no license needed. The trout pond is stocked to the brim, so you're sure to catch one. Clean them yourself, or the staff can do it for you, packing your catch on ice and you'll be ready for a fresh mountain trout dinner. Have your trout smoked and be ready for a picnic. Grandfather Trout Pond supplies the rods and reels, bait, towels, ice, and bags. Let your kids catch their first fish and bring your camera or use the courtesy camera on-site... also on-site are a Gem Mining facility and a Putt-Putt course. Open Year Round! www.grandfathertroutfarm.com

Greater Foscoe Mining Company

Highway 105 South, Foscoe, North Carolina
828-963-5928
Located about 8 miles from Boone on N.C. 105, the Greater Foscoe Mining Company features daily mining from 9am until 6pm. We offer great fun for the entire family! You'll find Emeralds, Sapphires, Rubies, Topaz, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Green Tourmaline and tons more. We offer Gem Cutting on the premises. www.facetsoffoscoe.com

Horn in the West/Hickory Ridge Homestead

Outdoor Historical Drama & 18th Century Living History. www.horninthewest.com

J & B Trout Lake

Crumpler, NC | 336-982-4447
J&B Trout Lake will supply everything you need to fish, and customers only pay for what they catch. Individuals are welcome as well as school, civic and church groups. No license required and there is no limit on catch. And if you need a lesson, whether it be for beginners or just trying to remember the old steps, our expert and owner Blair Barber, accompanied by his staff, will be glad to help in either area. We are located near the Shatley Springs Inn restaurant in Crumpler, North Carolina.

Linville Caverns

19929 Highway 221 North, Marion, NC 28752
(800) 419-0540
N.C.'s Only Caverns. Your Only Chance to See Inside a Mountain. Very Reasonable Rates. Outstanding Gift Shop. Open Daily March Through November. Weekends Only, Dec., Jan., and Feb. www.linvillecaverns.com

Magic Mountain Mini Golf & Gem Mine

1655 Highway 105, Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-6959 | (828) 963-7016
Challenging Miniature 18-Hole Golf Course for the Family. Latest Video Games and Fun. Restaurant, Gem Mine, Gift Shop in Park Type Atmosphere.

Mariam and Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center

Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 295-0112 | (828) 295-0113
Adjacent to US 321 Bypass in Blowing Rock, a 25,500 Square Foot Facility that will benefit the entire community by providing a permanent home for a multitude of arts groups In a facility in which to host live theatre, dance groups, a variety of musical performances, visual arts displays, and children's theater workshops. In addition, it will offer a gathering place for civic and cultural activities as well as a resource for local commercial interests.

Mystery Hill

129 Mystery Hill Lane, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(828) 264-2792 | (828) 263-0507 | (828) 262-3292
Area Attraction that defies gravity! www.mysteryhill-nc.com

River Girl Fishing Co./New River Adventures, LLC

4041 Railroad Grade Rd., Todd, NC 28684
Telephone: (336) 877-3099
Fly Fishing Supplies, Lessons and Guiding, Bait and Tackle for Conventional Fishing, Fishing/Hunting Licenses, Fishing Kayak and Pontoon Rentals, Kayak, Canoe, Tube and Bicycle Rentals (Daily or Weekly). Come on down to the old Train Depot in Todd and Let's Go Fishin' on the Oldest River in North America! www.rivergirlfishing.com

Todd General Store

9636 Hwy. 194 North, Todd, NC 28684
(336) 877-1067
Historic General Store. General Merchandise, Antiques, Crafts, Deli, Music.

Tweetsie Railroad

Tweetsie Railroad is a Wild West theme park featuring a 3-mile train ride on an authentic steam engine, known as Tweetsie. Enjoy live entertainment throughout the park, crafts, rides, a Deer Park, panning for gold, and shopping. Open Friday through Sunday beginning May 2-May 23. Open 7 days a week May 30-August 17, and weekends (Fri.-Sun.) late August, September, & October. Operating hours are 9am to 6pm. Ghost Train Halloween Festival runs Friday, Saturday evenings in October, plus November 1. www.tweetsie.com