Janice’s guidebook
Food scene
Black Cat Burrito
127 Depot StOur favorite quick, easy Burrito spot in Boone!
Our favorite brewery in town. They often have live music and on nice days you can play cornhole down by the water.
141 locals recommend
The Appalachian Mountain Brewery
163 Boone Creek DrOur favorite brewery in town. They often have live music and on nice days you can play cornhole down by the water.
A great little breakfast spot in downtown Boone. You can get bagels to go, or eat breakfast there. Small inside so there might be a wait, but lots of great vegetarian options as well.
16 locals recommend
Boone Bagelry
516 W King StA great little breakfast spot in downtown Boone. You can get bagels to go, or eat breakfast there. Small inside so there might be a wait, but lots of great vegetarian options as well.
A great sandwich shop, we love stopping here before we go out hiking so we can take lunch with us. It's also located right across the street from the original Mast General, so definitely hop in there as well!
10 locals recommend
Ham Shoppe
2931 Broadstone RdA great sandwich shop, we love stopping here before we go out hiking so we can take lunch with us. It's also located right across the street from the original Mast General, so definitely hop in there as well!
A Boone brewery that not only has great beer (my personal favorite), but also delicious pizza and sandwiches!
131 locals recommend
Lost Province Brewing Co.
130 N Depot StA Boone brewery that not only has great beer (my personal favorite), but also delicious pizza and sandwiches!
Our Daily Bread
627 W King StGreat little sandwich and soup shop, with great beers on tap.
A more unique Mexican menu, and is DELICIOUS. We do warn, however, it’s small inside and worth calling ahead to see about the wait.
115 locals recommend
Coyote Kitchen
200 Southgate DrA more unique Mexican menu, and is DELICIOUS. We do warn, however, it’s small inside and worth calling ahead to see about the wait.
They’re open until 4, have free wife, and are a great place to grab coffee or stop and do some work (if necessary).
25 locals recommend
Mountain Grounds Coffee and Tea Co
3990 North Carolina 105They’re open until 4, have free wife, and are a great place to grab coffee or stop and do some work (if necessary).
Lots of great Carolina BBQ, along with other options (including for vegetarians!).
125 locals recommend
The Pedalin' Pig
4235 NC-105Lots of great Carolina BBQ, along with other options (including for vegetarians!).
Nothing fancy, but a pretty classic Mexican place for cheap lunch or dinner. Plus their salsa and guacamole are pretty good
7 locals recommend
Valle de Bravo Mexican Grill 2
4501 Tynecastle HwyNothing fancy, but a pretty classic Mexican place for cheap lunch or dinner. Plus their salsa and guacamole are pretty good
This place has an incredible menu (and desserts!) and we’ve never left disappointed. One of our favorite spots in Blowing Rock.
37 locals recommend
Foggy Rock Eatery & Pub
8180 Valley BlvdThis place has an incredible menu (and desserts!) and we’ve never left disappointed. One of our favorite spots in Blowing Rock.
Pizza, sandwiches, beer. Part of a national chain, though the look & feel of this particular location is distinctly Blowing Rock They have a patio, which makes it a nice place to grab a beer and lunch when it’s warm out.
53 locals recommend
Mellow Mushroom
805 W King StPizza, sandwiches, beer. Part of a national chain, though the look & feel of this particular location is distinctly Blowing Rock They have a patio, which makes it a nice place to grab a beer and lunch when it’s warm out.
This place fills up quickly, so if you’re not looking to wait I’d hear there as soon as they open for lunch.
67 locals recommend
Blowing Rock Brewing Company
152 Sunset DrThis place fills up quickly, so if you’re not looking to wait I’d hear there as soon as they open for lunch.
One of the nicest and most unique restaurants in the area, and just happens to be located about 5 minutes from the Cozy Cabin. It’s definitely pricier than the other recommendations, but is in a cool old house (makes the atmosphere amazing) and features all kinds of unique and rare meats. The cooks are incredible, and if you’re vegetarian or vegan just let them know and they’ll make you a special meal. Great for special occasions and celebrations, or just a nice night out.
105 locals recommend
Gamekeeper Restaurant
3005 Shulls Mill RdOne of the nicest and most unique restaurants in the area, and just happens to be located about 5 minutes from the Cozy Cabin. It’s definitely pricier than the other recommendations, but is in a cool old house (makes the atmosphere amazing) and features all kinds of unique and rare meats. The cooks are incredible, and if you’re vegetarian or vegan just let them know and they’ll make you a special meal. Great for special occasions and celebrations, or just a nice night out.
MY FAVORITE place to hang out on a beautiful day. Delicious wine that can be tried while sitting right on the Watauga River with a great view of Grandfather Mountain. Can get crowded on weekends, but in the nicer weather they'll open up a second tasting bar to accommodate. Often will have live music, and you can walk up amidst the vines for an even better view. Love this place.
245 locals recommend
Grandfather Vineyard & Winery
225 Vineyard LaneMY FAVORITE place to hang out on a beautiful day. Delicious wine that can be tried while sitting right on the Watauga River with a great view of Grandfather Mountain. Can get crowded on weekends, but in the nicer weather they'll open up a second tasting bar to accommodate. Often will have live music, and you can walk up amidst the vines for an even better view. Love this place.
Sightseeing
Mast General Store Boone
630 W King StI've never personally been here, but seems to be a family favorite and destination for many travelers.
242 locals recommend
Tweetsie Railroad
300 Tweetsie Railroad LnI've never personally been here, but seems to be a family favorite and destination for many travelers.
We've never done this, but lots of guests have, and is a destination for many.
238 locals recommend
Hawksnest Snow Tubing and Zipline
2058 Skyland DrWe've never done this, but lots of guests have, and is a destination for many.
Hiking
My favorite short little hike in the area, with great views starting at about 10 minutes in. Right off the Parkway, about 20 minutes from the cabin, and takes about an hour roundtrip. I personally think it has some of the most iconic views in the area. Pet friendly, but there is a thin trail at times and can be busy on weekends. Just a heads up if your dogs don't love other humans or other dogs.
105 locals recommend
Rough Ridge Lookout - Grandfather Mountain, NC.
3218 Blue Ridge PkwyMy favorite short little hike in the area, with great views starting at about 10 minutes in. Right off the Parkway, about 20 minutes from the cabin, and takes about an hour roundtrip. I personally think it has some of the most iconic views in the area. Pet friendly, but there is a thin trail at times and can be busy on weekends. Just a heads up if your dogs don't love other humans or other dogs.
About 15 minutes from the Cozy Cabin, and right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, this hike is a 2.5 mile loop and totally flat. It circles around Julian Price lake and is dog friendly.
70 locals recommend
Julian Price Memorial Park
297 Blue Ridge PkwyAbout 15 minutes from the Cozy Cabin, and right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, this hike is a 2.5 mile loop and totally flat. It circles around Julian Price lake and is dog friendly.
If you're looking for a day hike that's a bit more rigorous but has huge payoff at the top, this is the one. The trailhead is right off 105 as you head towards Banner Elk (right before you hit the Lowe's grocery store), and total hike time is about 5-6 hours roundtrip. I would describe it as moderate to advanced in terms of effort, but with smaller kids you could hike just the first part and then turn around. Once you hit Calloway Peak at the top there are INCREDIBLE views of the whole area. While it is pet friendly, when you get near the top there's some ladders that need to be climbed, making it tricky with dogs.
Profile Trail to Calloway Peak Trailhead
If you're looking for a day hike that's a bit more rigorous but has huge payoff at the top, this is the one. The trailhead is right off 105 as you head towards Banner Elk (right before you hit the Lowe's grocery store), and total hike time is about 5-6 hours roundtrip. I would describe it as moderate to advanced in terms of effort, but with smaller kids you could hike just the first part and then turn around. Once you hit Calloway Peak at the top there are INCREDIBLE views of the whole area. While it is pet friendly, when you get near the top there's some ladders that need to be climbed, making it tricky with dogs.