Explore the High Country
Our favorite ways to spend time in the High Country.
From Boone and Valle Crucis to Blowing Rock, ski country, waterfall hikes, river days, local food, and slow evenings back at Blue Morning.
Our local guide
Close to the day trips. Quiet when you come back.
Blue Morning sits near Boone and Valle Crucis, which makes it easy to build a trip around restaurants, hikes, river days, App State weekends, ski trips, family activities, scenic drives, and slower mornings at the house.
These are the places and experiences we recommend to guests in our house guides — the restaurants we return to, the outings our kids love, the hikes we actually do, and the High Country stops that make a mountain trip feel memorable.
A note from us: the High Country is best when you leave some room in the itinerary. Plan a great meal, a hike, a river afternoon, or a trip into Boone — but give yourself time to come back to the house for the hot tub, the fire pit, dinner around the table, and the slower parts of the stay.
We also encourage guests to explore the creeks and game trails around Blue Morning. There are salamanders, crawfish, wooded paths, and plenty of small discoveries — just wear bug spray and do a tick check afterward.
Eat & drink
Restaurants we actually recommend.
From favorite dinners to casual burgers, biscuits, rooftop views, pizza, barbecue, and picnic supplies.
Over Yonder
Our favorite restaurant in the High Country. Southern food, excellent cocktails, a mid-century feel, and fried chicken worth planning around. Get the okra.
Visit websiteMast Farm Inn / Valle Tavern
Valle Tavern offers a fixed three-course menu on Friday and Saturday nights, along with weekend breakfast and great cocktails. Reservations are required.
Visit websiteValle Tavern Barnyard
A relaxed outdoor hangout at Mast Farm Inn with seating, yard games, horse pasture, river access, picnic supplies, beer, and wine. Great with kids or just adults.
Visit websiteThe Cardinal
A casual Boone favorite for burgers and draft beer. The outdoor area is dog-friendly, which makes it a good choice when the whole family is along.
Visit websiteLost Province Downtown
Local beer and wood-fired pizza in downtown Boone. It can have a wait on weekends, but it is an easy, dependable option for a casual night out.
Visit websiteThe Horton Rooftop Lounge
A boutique-hotel rooftop bar in downtown Boone. Go for the views, the beer and wine, and the novelty of seeing Boone from above.
Visit websiteThe Beacon Butcher Bar
Upscale dining in Boone with great food, excellent cocktails, and live music on select nights. Reservations are recommended.
Visit websiteThe Pedalin’ Pig
Legit barbecue with both North Carolina-style and Texas-style options, with locations in Boone and Banner Elk.
Visit websiteBetty’s Biscuits
A cute downtown Boone spot for a modern take on Southern comfort food, with fluffy biscuits and fresh, local ingredients whenever possible.
Visit websiteHolloway Corner Kitchen
An unassuming diner on the way toward Banner Elk and Grandfather Mountain that is both shockingly good and surprisingly affordable.
Visit websiteWild Craft Eatery
Good food in downtown Boone with a focus on sustainability. They do not take reservations, so plan accordingly.
Visit websitePearl’s Kitchen and Tiny Market
A small sandwich shop beside Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, with pastries and picnic supplies. Great before a hike or a park afternoon.
Visit websiteMelanie’s Food Fantasy
A local favorite for breakfast and lunch, using fresh, local ingredients and offering a great outdoor space.
Visit websiteHen’s Tooth Acres
A nearby source for farm-fresh eggs and handmade goat’s milk soap, often available from a self-service cooler. They also host stained-glass classes on Saturdays.
Visit websiteFamily-friendly
Easy outings with kids, cousins, and mixed-age groups.
These are the kinds of places that work well when the group includes kids, grandparents, dogs, or people who just want an easier day out.
Valle Crucis Community Park
A favorite for playgrounds, walking trails, open fields, river access, shallow spots for kids to play, and Friday-night music and food trucks in summer.
Visit websiteWatauga River Paddle Trail Water Access
A simple, free Watauga River access point just past Valle Crucis Community Park, about five minutes from Blue Morning. Small rapids make it fun for tubing, with calmer pools for swimming, wading, and cooling off on warm days.
Open in Google MapsMast General Store
A classic stop for odds and ends, cooking needs, souvenirs, bulk candy in the annex, and ice cream behind the annex.
Visit websiteWatauga County Recreation Center
A very useful family stop with indoor pools, waterslides, an indoor track, gym, courts, outdoor playground, and access to the Boone Greenway.
Visit websiteRocky Knob Mountain Bike Park
A well-maintained, free park close to Boone with mountain bike trails for a range of skill levels, hiking trails, a pump track, playground, picnic shelters, charcoal grills, and restrooms. It is an easy outing from Blue Morning.
Open in Google MapsWilderness Run Alpine Coaster
A fun outing for young kids through adults, with an alpine coaster and adventure course. Reservations are required.
Visit websiteHawksnest
Hawksnest offers ziplining in the warmer seasons and snow tubing in winter. Reservations are required.
Visit websiteRock Dimensions
Downtown Boone rock climbing with lessons, a climbing wall, and guided tours.
Visit websiteSlow & restorative
For the quieter side of a mountain stay.
Not every trip needs to be packed. These are the recommendations for guests who want something slower, more restorative, or a little more memorable.
River Birch Nordic Sauna
A private, wood-fired sauna on the banks of the Watauga River, located behind the Valle Tavern Barnyard at Mast Farm Inn. Add a cold plunge between heat sessions for a memorable High Country experience.
Visit websiteIn-home massage
A massage therapist can come to the house, which is a great way to unwind after a hike, ski day, or long travel day.
Visit websiteSlow time at Blue Morning
Build in time for the house itself: hot tubs, fire pits, gas grills, full kitchens, smart TVs with YouTube TV, and room to cook, watch a movie, or do very little.
Compare the homesOutdoor adventure
Waterfalls, rivers, views, and mountain days.
For the days when you want to get out, move around, and see more of the High Country.
Grandfather Mountain State Park
Hiking trails, wildlife habitats, and the famous swinging bridge. Check the calendar, especially around the Highland Games in early July.
Visit websiteLinville Falls
A bit more of a drive, but short hikes reward you with impressive waterfall views.
Visit websiteRiver tubing and rafting
Plan a river day with tubing, rafting, or guided outdoor options in the area.
High Mountain ExpeditionsRaft Cave Hike
Another option for river tubing, rafting, and adventure outings in the High Country.
Visit websiteFly fishing tours
The area has several guided fly fishing options for guests who want to spend more time on the water.
Mountain Bound Fly GuidesChetola fly fishing
A guided fly fishing option connected with Chetola, useful for guests planning a Blowing Rock day.
Visit websiteFavorite hikes
Our go-to trails near Boone, Valle Crucis, and Blowing Rock.
A mix of short waterfall walks, family-friendly trails, bigger views, and more challenging mountain days.
Crab Orchard Falls
An easy out-and-back waterfall hike behind the Valle Crucis Conference Center. A great family option, especially when you want a little exercise and water time.
View trailDutch Creek Road
A moderately challenging hike to a ridge with nearly 360-degree views, especially good in late fall or winter when the leaves are down.
View trailElk Knob Summit Trail
A well-maintained out-and-back summit trail with two lookout points and panoramic Appalachian views.
Visit parkGlen Burney Falls Trail
Starts in downtown Blowing Rock and descends steadily to a waterfall. Be ready for the climb back up, then grab a bite in town afterward.
View trailNuwati Trail to Storyteller Rock
A moderately easy out-and-back hike to Storyteller Rock, with a bit of a rock scramble at the end and great views as the reward.
View trailOtter Falls Trail
A short but somewhat steep hike to a beautiful small waterfall, with an overlook deck and access down to the water.
View trailGrandfather Mountain Profile Trail
The Upper Profile Trail to Calloway Peak is a difficult out-and-back, while the Lower Profile Trail offers a shorter creek-access loop. Check current trail status before planning around it.
Check trail statusSeasonal favorites
Reasons to come back throughout the year.
The High Country changes with the season. A few weekends are especially worth planning around.
Back at Blue Morning
The stay is part of the itinerary.
After a day in Boone, Valle Crucis, Blowing Rock, or the mountains, come back to a home built for real downtime: hot tubs, fire pits, gas grills, full kitchens with gas ranges, high-speed WiFi, YouTube TV, and smart TVs that support guest logins to your own streaming accounts.
The Overlook is made for views, gathering, and dinner beside the water feature. The Grove is the quiet wooded retreat. The Creekside is bright, playful, and set between two mountain creeks.
Good to know
Plan with the mountains in mind.
Check seasonal conditions
Weather, trail conditions, ski operations, and mountain roads can change quickly. Always check current conditions before heading out.
Make reservations when needed
Some restaurants and activities require reservations or book up on weekends, especially during peak seasons and App State weekends.
Bring the dog
All three homes are dog-friendly, and several nearby spots include dog-friendly outdoor areas.
Leave time for the house
Guests consistently love the time back at Blue Morning: hot tubs, fire pits, views, games, cooking, and slower mornings.
Pack for mountain weather
Even summer evenings can feel cool, and winter travel may require extra preparation. Check the forecast and property-specific notes before arrival.
Choose by trip style
Pick The Overlook for larger gatherings and views, The Grove for wooded quiet, or The Creekside for bright, playful family stays.
Ready to plan?
Choose your home base at Blue Morning.
Compare the homes, check live availability, and build your Boone-area trip around the stay that fits best.