Boone, North Carolina

Come for the scenic trails; stay for the Gilded Age history, flourishing creative arts scene, and river snorkeling.

Susan Portnoy

CRADLED WITHIN North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone emerged from geographical isolation with the arrival of the Tweetsie Railroad in 1919. Wealthy industrialists, such as Gilded Age denim magnate Moses H. Cone, built summer estates in the area, turning the sleepy village into a coveted destination. Today, Boone’s appeal endures as a gateway to outdoor adventure, about two hours north of the larger city of Asheville. From a base in the spirited mountain town, you can hike the trails of 5,946-foot Grandfather Mountain; take in scenic segments of the Blue Ridge Parkway by car; and go tubing, kayaking, and fishing in the New River. Additionally, in 2025 seven new public sites are opening along Boone’s leg of the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail, where diverse fresh-water fish species and the hellbender…

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AFAR (Digital) - 1 Issue, Winter 2025

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