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Sometimes the body and mind require a mountain retreat and Boone, North Carolina tucked within the Blue Ridge Mountains with a population less than 20,000 residents and an angelic elevation of 3,333 feet can offer this retreat.
Boone is named after the famous Pioneer Daniel Boone. It is home to Appalachian State University that included country music star Eric Church as a past student. Famous Bluegrass musicians have attended the University as well and the Bluegrass music is a custom within the town.
If you are looking for a peaceful or a romantic get away, the historic Lovill House Inn built in 1875 by Civil War hero Captain E. F. Lovill and later State Senator Lovill is the perfect Bed & Breakfast on 11 wooded acres. It offers 6 farm house guest rooms each with its’ own private bath. The Inn is conveniently located 1 mile from downtown and near many ski resorts including Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain, Hawksnest and the Appalachian Ski Mountain.
If you want to set out on a quiet adventure, there is plenty of fishing, white water rafting and hiking trails all in this area If you’d like to venture to natural attractions, you can take a quick 35 minute car ride to Grandfather Mountain. It’s now an official North Carolina State Park after being privately owned by the Morton Family for decades. It’s highest peak elevation is 5,946 feet and it’s famous for its’ “mile high swinging bridge”. Grandfather Mountain is named for its’ rugged character which many believe has the formation of an elder man’s face.
If those breathtaking mountain views were not enough, head 20 minutes east of Boone to the famous Blowing Rock attraction which is right off the well-known Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s one of the oldest attractions in the area and offers an observation tower. The edge of its’ cliff is 3,000 feet above the John River Gorge. Right around the corner from this attraction is a family style theme park known as “Tweetsie Railroad”. It has a Wild West theme with a 3 mile ride on a steam locomotive train. It’s on the National Registry for Historic Places.
After all of that sight seeing, make sure you call ahead for a relaxing dinner at the Table of Crestwood restaurant. It requires a reservation and is only open for dinner Thursday – Sunday. Not only does it offer fine dining but it has the most scenic mountain views in this High Country that can be seen from both the restaurant terrace or through its picturesque windows indoors. If you are not hungry, you can stop by its’ Dawg Star Bar for an astonishing sunset drink.
If you want one last nightcap before returning to the tranquil Lovill Inn, stop by the Appalachian Mountain Brewery downtown Boone. Their taproom will not disappoint in either its’ beer or its’ rustic charm. You may even tap your feet to a Bluegrass band while you are sipping on its’ flagship beer.
