Things To Do in Boone, North Carolina

Boone Things To Do

Boone, North Carolina, is a family-friendly paradise for nature lovers. Prepare for your trip with this curated list of things to do in this beautiful mountain-side adventure land.

Grandfather Mountain

For thrill seekers, nature lovers, and adventuresome families, no trip to Boone, North Carolina, is complete without a trip to Grandfather Mountain. This International Biosphere Reserve offers some of the most breathtaking views in the area. Explore its 12 miles of hiking trails, scout for its 73 rare and endangered species, search the sky for its 200 species of birds, or even feed the mountain’s wild bears (but only in the designated area).

For the bravest visitors, make the hike to the Mile-High Swinging Bridge. Follow the steep but well-maintained path to the 228-foot suspension bridge, which spans an 80-foot chasm at more than one mile in elevation. If you’re adventurous enough to cross it, you’ll be rewarded with unbelievable views on the other side.

Grandfather Mountain is open year-round. An admission ticket will also get your entry into the nearby Nature Museum. Allow at least two hours and be prepared to do some walking.

Paddle Your Way to Adventure

The New River, the second oldest river in the world, is easily accessible from Boone. If you’re ready to paddle, stop at Wahoo’s Adventures where you can choose an easy, relaxing canoe or kayak trip, or a challenging whitewater rafting adventure. For thrill-seekers, whitewater rafting trips are available that range from mild to extreme. Lunch is included, and a guide accompanies every group tour.

Downhill Slopes for Winter Travelers

If your travels bring you to Boone in the winter, you’ll want to check out one of the many nearby ski slopes. Choose from Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain, or Appalachian Ski Mountain. For more family fun, Hawksnest offers skiing, snowboarding, and tubing, and has earned a reputation as a favorite among locals for its short lift lines and diverse terrain. Open year-round, Hawksnest can still be enjoyed in the spring, summer, and fall thanks to its Zipline course, which promises more than two miles of zip lining.

Experience a Legend at Blowing Rock

Of all the sights to see in Boone, one of the most unique is the natural phenomenon that is Blowing Rock, a cliff 4,000 feet above sea level. The views from the overlook and the observation tower are stunning. The cliff earns its name because the rocky walls of the gorge form a flume through which the wind sweeps with such force that it returns light objects cast over the void (though Native American’s have their own explanation for the cliff’s unusual properties). If you visit Blowing Rock in the winter, you can expect to see snow falling upside down.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Boone, North Carolina.