A Native Plant Garden With 60 Years of History
Founded in 1961, the Daniel Boone Native Gardens were created as a working resource for local schools, botanical clubs, and researchers studying plants native to North Carolina. In the decades since, the gardens have grown to contain more than 200 species of native plants arranged across a series of small, distinct sections. A rockery, rustic bridge, and reflection pool give the grounds a considered quality without feeling over-managed. Towering trees shade the paths; carefully maintained flowerbeds line the routes between sections. The gardens are named after the frontiersman who explored the region in the 18th century, and the connection to local history provides useful context for first-time visitors. Open from May through October, the Daniel Boone Native Gardens offer a quieter kind of visit — one that works particularly well in the morning hours, before the day heats up and the main trails fill with foot traffic.
The Brewery That Gives Back Per Pint
Appalachian Mountain Brewery opened in 2013 along Boone Creek, next to Boone Mall, and has since become the largest and most active of the three breweries in town. The taproom has a wood-lined interior that manages to feel substantial and comfortable at the same time, with an outdoor seating area overlooking the creek. The beer list covers award-winning ales and IPAs, with fruit beers and ciders rounding out the options. What separates the operation from a typical craft brewery is its community structure: a portion of revenue from every pint sold goes directly to local nonprofits, and sustainability practices are integrated into the brewery’s operations from the ground up. An on-site food truck handles the kitchen side of things, keeping the experience self-contained. The position along the creek gives the outdoor area genuine appeal rather than the feel of a patio squeezed onto a sidewalk.
Howard’s Knob and the Views That Place Everything
North of Boone, Howard’s Knob rises to 1,340 meters above sea level, providing what many consider the best panoramic view of the town and surrounding mountain terrain. The knob is named after Benjamin Howard, a British loyalist and early settler to the region. Hiking trails wind up through forests and meadows to the summit, where a small picnic area sits at the top. The views from the summit are the payoff — a wide sweep of mountain ridgeline and valley that puts the geography of the High Country into immediate perspective. The hike is accessible enough that locals use it regularly as an orientation experience, and first-time visitors benefit from seeing the physical scale of the area before exploring individual parks and trails. The wind at the summit is consistent and notable — calm conditions at the trailhead often give way to a steady, brisk flow by the time you reach the top.
