Driving Distance: 10 things to do in Boone, 117 miles from Charlotte

Eat at Our Daily Bread

A casual deli offering soups, sandwiches, desserts and drinks made using only local, organic and in-season products, ODB is a favorite of both Appalachian State students and Boone residents alike.

627 West King Street. Open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Connect.

Drive 45 minutes to see Linville Falls

Not technically Boone, but while you’re there, the falls are a must-see. Hop on NC-105 South and then NC-183 North to get there fast. If you’ve got an hour, take US-321 South and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Grab brunch at Melanie’s

Melanie’s offers the kind of meal a mountain meal should be: Simple, local and fresh food served in a simple setting with one of the best outdoor seating spaces in town. Order the Mediterranean sandwich (artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, basil, provolone and garlic aioli on a hoagie – $9). See the full menu.

664 West King Street. Open Monday through Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Connect: Web, Facebook, Instagram

Go antiquing

Walking into Appalachian Antique Mall and Antiques on Howard feels like walking into your grandmother’s past.

Antiques on Howard:

199 Howard Street
Open Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.

Appalachian Antique Mall:

631 West King Street
Open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Have a beer at Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Cidery

Drink and feel good about it – the brewery gives back to the community through their non-profit, We Can So You Can. And yes, it’s dog-friendly. Pro tip: Get the Pom Pom Gose, a German sour with notes of pomegranate and chocolate. For a full taste of everything they have to offer, grab a flight.

163 Boone Creek Drive. Open Sunday and Monday, noon to 10 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 11 p.m. Connect: Web, Facebook, Twitter

Hike

There’s no shortage of trails and sights to explore and see.

Easy: Cascades Trail, Flat Top Tower Trail, Craggy Pinnacle Trail
Intermediate: Crabtree Falls Loop Trail, Lower Pond Creek Trail, Rough Ridge Trail
Hard: Profile Trail, Daniel Boone Scout Trail to Calloway Peak

Check out Boone’s official list here.

Let’s go ‘splorin #hike #boone

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Spend time in the water

There’s no lack of water – or water activities – to splash around in. Go fly fishing, rafting, kayaking, floating or, hell, just let the dog off the leash like I did.

Visit the Blowing Rock

Legend has it that the rock got its name when a young Cherokee brave couldn’t decide between staying with his lover and returning to his tribe and decided instead to leap to his death. A gust of wind blew him back up into her arms, and ever since, the rock has been known for its upward gusts that, to this day, cause it to appear that it’s snowing upside down.

Admission is $2 – $7, and hours vary. See them here.

Walk King Street

King Street runs through the middle of Boone and it’s where you’ll find most of what Boone has to offer. Check out record shop Six Fortyone, Boone Saloon, Anna Banana’s, Mast General Store, take a picture with the Doc Watson statue and more. See the full of list of spots here.

Walk the Greenway Trail

The entire walk is an easy, 3.5-mile loop complete with signs about the nature around the hikers, places to stop and rest and more. Learn more about it and how to find it here.

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