There’s probably nothing new I can share about why Boone-town brings visitors from the Carolinas and beyond (we see you, Floridians) all year long with articles from the heavy hitters like Forbes and The New York Times recently. Home to Appalachian State, this town is literally on top of and in the mountains. It’s not Asheville - our daily commutes show long range views, Christmas tree farms, and everywhere you go, you’ll see someone you know, making it feel more small town-esq than a tourist led, college town.

Downtown has upped its game with a new rooftop bar at The Horton Hotel - the perfect spot to enjoy a boujee cocktail any time of the year. On a Friday night in the summer, you can hear true Appalachia tunes coming from The Jones House and if you’re visiting in the cooler months, cozy up by the fire globe with the blankets thoughtfully provided! The renovated Appalachian Theatre a few steps down King Street is already bringing in great events with local talent, classic movies, and national headliners so there is a lot of energy around this longtime-coming project. Another newcomer to the Downtown Boone scene is Common Good Co. - artisan market turned brick & mortar by a husband and wife duo that love their community of makers well and create a home for other artists like themselves to showcase all the beauty all year.

Heading out of downtown, you’ll find something to do no matter what direction you venture. #EastBoone is no longer a cheeky hashtag of hope but a place holding my personal favorite places to meet clients and friends or to work. Currently sitting and sipping at Hatchet Coffee as I type this and it’s filled with other self-employed worker bees, college students, families playing quietly and a vibe that makes you want to linger longer with the always excellent playlists and staff who takes the time to actually see the human on the other side of the counter. It’s a special spot (if you’ve seen me here, you know where mine is ;)). After months of anticipation watching the buildout via social media, Booneshine Brewing opened this past summer and lives up to the hype. Almost unanimously locals favorite beer in town, the mountain industrial space, growing menu, and unbelievably welcoming staff make this my other frequent spot AND it’s family-friendly!

Rounding out the Eastside, I’d be amiss to not mention the place responsible for furnishing my entire house, Habitat for Humanity Restore. If you’ve followed along for awhile, you may have learned through the grapevine or slipped secrets that I have run the Instagram account for these guys for the past couple of years. With frequent drop-ins, I felt like part of the crew before then and have loved getting to be a part of this organization in the tiniest of ways - especially love being welcomed with a “hey there Smiley!” each time I walk in by Rick, one of the longest running employees. Shameless plug: go follow them here!

If I took a quick poll, I think the majority of people choose to live here not just because of the people but because of all the opportunities to be active. While I won’t pretend to be a ski bum and sometimes living in a temperate rain forest has it’s drawbacks, the landscape and lifestyle created here is special indeed. Most of my go-to quick places to hike are off the Blue Ridge Parkway… Hebron Rock Colony, Moses Cone Manor / Firetower, Rough Ridge, Bass Lake, Beacon Heights, and Cascades to name a few. Stopping at an overlook with a blanket and a good book is something I try not to take for granted - where else can you sit with a view like that on a random weekday afternoon? I’ve found sanctuary at High Country Yoga over the past two years as life has been filled with transitions. Fellow introvert and owner, Briana creates a space that embraces every level of practice and background with the most comforting and low-key studio.

Other places that don’t fit in a category above but definitely need attention is the Watauga County Farmer’s Market, the newest event space full of beauty and the best catering in town The Beacon, and of course Music in the Valle on Friday nights where you truly feel like you live in the most tight-knit community imaginable.

What did I miss? What are your favorite places in Boone? Did you learn anything new?

Part 2: Best of The North Carolina High Country | Boone