Boone is a historic mountain town known as the home of Appalachian State University. Named after the legendary explorer Daniel Boone, the town retains the pioneer outdoor spirit, even as it’s grown into a busy college town. Boone is a center for bluegrass musicians and Appalachian storytellers. From quaint shops and theater venues, to sports games at Appalachian State University, Boone has something for everyone to enjoy.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is noted for its scenic beauty with stunning long-range views and close-up vistas of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. It is America’s longest linear park running for 469 miles.
Cascade Falls is a spectacular waterfall with beautiful surrounding trail systems. It can be reached by 3 different trails ranging from a short walk suitable for the whole family, to longer trails including interesting historical sites such as the Jesse Brown Cabin, a 19th century residence. Cascade Falls is a beautiful 3 mile hike along the MST from Sky Retreat.
Dark Sky Observatory is an astronomical observatory run by Appalachian State University (ASU). Less than a mile from Sky Retreat, its dark skies are widely recognized as one of the best places in the world for viewing the cosmos. The Dark Sky Observatory is equipped with four telescopes and is used to conduct observational research in astrophysics. The observatory holds monthly public nights where visitors can sign up to enjoy gazing through its 32-inch telescope.
Mountains-To-Sea Trail is North Carolina’s premier hiking trail that stretches 1,150 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains, through the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the Outer Banks. It is a scenic backbone of an interconnected trail system spanning North Carolina. The MST has the distinction of being the highest elevation, long-distance trail in the eastern United States.