Playing tourist in my North Carolina hometown.
The road that ribbons through the foothills rises and twists like the tail of a cat.
As the elevation increases, the temperature drops about 5 degrees for every 1,000 feet.
Credit:Cameron Reynolds
The sweeping skyline narrows and then gives way to theBlue Ridge MountainsIm almost home.
I grew up in Boone, North Carolina.
I moved away decades ago, but it will always be the homeplace that beckons and recalibrates me.
The statue of famed musician and local legend Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson.Credit:Cameron Reynolds
Tourists come in droves to enjoy the scenery and embrace the four distinct seasons.
When I was a kid, Boone was a rural place with a small school.
Now its a college-football town with nearly as many students passing through each year as there are permanent residents.
Jones House community center, which features live music, events, town history, and visitor information.Credit:Cameron Reynolds
History permeates all of Boone, where American pioneers first homesteaded in the 1700s.
Its named for Daniel Boone, who used the area as a hunting camp.
Its filled with apparel, kitchenware, and outdoor-adventure gear, and the merchandise displays are like time capsules.
The restored Appalachian Theatre in downtown Boone.Credit:Cameron Reynolds
A block away is another impressively repurposed and revitalized building,The Horton Hotel, Boones only boutique stay.
The views up high are incomparable at night, when lights in the surrounding hills twinkle like fireflies.
There are also places to pick up black-and-gold App State clothing and memorabilia.
The Horton Hotel’s inviting lobby.Credit:Cameron Reynolds
There are a dozen or so beers on tap that are brewed on-site.
Come dinnertimeor perhaps more appropriately, suppertimepeople often suggestProper.
Guests rave about the fried chicken and collards in particular.
Bob Meier, owner of Doe Ridge Pottery.Credit:Cameron Reynolds
Not all of the excellent food and drink destinations are located downtown.
TakeStick Boy Bread Co., for example.
Restaurants and artisanal-food shops across theHigh Countryboast that Stick Boy is the source for their bread.
A beer flight to wash down the popular charcuterie board at Lost Province Brewing Co.Credit:Cameron Reynolds
My newest discovery isHatchet Coffee Roasters.
They have a light menu and offer plenty of gifts to browse while waiting in line.
Pick up a bag of their Blue Ridge Blend to take home.
Stick Boy Bread Co.Credit:Cameron Reynolds
I cant resist a good produce market, especially one in Boone.
I always stumble upon culinary treasures such as heirloom apples, half-runner beans, and candy roaster pumpkins.
The folks behind Bettys Biscuits also runThe Beacon Butcher Bar, a restaurant melding Italian and Appalachian flavors.
Drinks with a rooftop view at The Horton Hotel.Credit:Cameron Reynolds
As the name implies, it has wonderful smoked and grilled meats and fishas well as pastas and pizzas.
I cant stop thinking about the Neapolitan-style pie with apple butter, roasted squash, and blue cheese.
Theres indoor and outdoor seating, but most people choose the drive-through and roll on to their next activity.
Unforgettable wood-fired pizzas at Lost Province.Credit:Cameron Reynolds
Craft breweries keep the drinks flowing in Boone, to the delight of students and tourists alike.
I got a kick out ofBooneshine Brewing Co., on the eastern edge of town near Brookshire Park.
Theres a tasting room, a restaurant, a beer garden, and a food truck serving barbecue.
The tasting room at Booneshine Brewing Co.Credit:Cameron Reynolds
They offer around 30 beverages, including small-batch brews, hard ciders, and seltzers.
Adventures For All
Ah, yes, Boone is outdoorsy, to say the least.
Youll discover breathtaking scenery and mountain vistas everywhere you turn.
A scenic riverfront detour on The Greenway Trail.Credit:Cameron Reynolds
Try gazing up at Howard Knob, one of the highest peaks in the city.
App State uses it for classes and research, but well-behaved visitors can enjoy it too.
It draws biking enthusiasts from all over the country, though intermediate hikers can trek in designated zones.
A path in Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park.Credit:Cameron Reynolds
Ill be back, like a Boonerang.
One of many photo-worthy mountain views in Boone.Credit:Cameron Reynolds
