TOWNS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 turned local cultural center in downtown Boone, also hosts live music on weekends. They feature musicians of all genres, spanning from jazz to bluegrass and everything in between. In June of 2022, the Jones House was one of three stages set up for the inaugural Boonerang Music Festival. The weekendlong, free event attracted thousands of people downtown to enjoy music, art, food and beer all provided by people with ties to the town of Boone. The festival will again take place this June.

For those interested in Boone’s bluegrass traditions, check out the Doc Watson “Man of the People” statue located on King Street. Doc Watson was a famous guitarist and bluegrass musician local to Boone. Watson won seven Grammy awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award during his active years. Though he passed away in 2012, his celebrity and spirit is alive and well in Boone.

For shopping, good food, good music, and definitely good times, Boone is the place to be. For more information, visit www.townofboone.net.

Blowing Rock

Don’t be fooled by the small size of Blowing Rock — there’s enough natural beauty for a lifetime in the just threesquare mile town.

The town’s name comes from the rocky cliff overlooking Johns River Gorge where it is said the winds blow in such a way that light objects falling from the rock float back up, almost like a boomerang.

Anyone wishing to experience the phenomenon and learn some the rich Indigenous history of the town can visit the attraction located on The Rock Road.

The small portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway that falls into the town’s limits include beautiful hikes and views like those at Moses Cone Manor and Julian Price Park. Visitors can find the same beauty off of the Parkway at Bass Lake

Trail and Broyhill Park.

For those seeking educational enrichment, the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum is a year-round museum that houses exhibitions and programs celebrating and remembering the culture, history and traditions of the Appalachian region displayed throughout time in the High Country. The museum is just moments away from the bustling sidewalks of downtown Blowing Rock. Numerous shops, restaurants and hotels line the picturesque sidewalks with options ranging from casual to high-end available for all accommodations.

From hiking to gallery viewing to enjoying a spa day at the hotel, Blowing Rock crams a lot into its small stature. For more information, visit www.blowingrock.com.

Seven Devils

Seven Devils sits between Banner Elk and Boone. Moments away from Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk and Valle Crucis, it is the perfect place to stop and rest amidst the mountains.

How did it get its name? According to the Seven Devils website, “The founders wanted a catchy, unique name that would bring attention to the mountain. They noticed the repeated appearance of the number seven, including the seven predominant rocky peaks surrounding Valley Creek, as well as the many coincidental references to ‘devils.’

‘Seven Devils’ seemed to suggest a frivo- lous, mischievous resort where people could experience the temptation of Seven Devils.”

Sugar Mountain, Grandfather Mountain, and Beech Mountain surround the elevated town. For those looking to adventure, take a trek to Otter Falls. The trail is a 0.6-mile hike to the falls, in total the hike is 1.2 miles, including the way back. The trail encourages those going to the falls to bring furry friends to hike alongside.

The town is growing with new additions such as plans for a new community center and trails. The new trail would connect existing trails, Otter Falls and Peak Mountain Trail, and would end near the Seven Devils Resort Club. Separate plans to create a trail that connects Bear Paw State Preserve to the town and bike trails are in the works as well.

The town of Seven Devils was established in the 1960s, the town has continued to adapt and grow while maintaining a commitment to their community.

For more information, visit www. sevendevils.net/.

Valle Crucis

Just off N.C. 105 south of Boone, Valle Crucis offers simplicity and serenity in a pastoral riverside community. The valley contains the site of the only known Native American village in the immediate area. The first European set- tler of Watauga County, Samuel Hicks, also built a fort in the area during the American Revolution.

Today, the community offers several historic inns, restaurants, art galleries, farms and churches that provide service and comfort to all who enter. The Episcopal Church has played a role throughout the community’s history. An Episcopal bishop entered the community in 1842 and provided its name, which is Latin for “Vale of the Cross.”

The Valle Crucis Conference Center, on the National Register of Historic Places, stays busy with retreats for numerous groups, and Crab Orchard Falls is a short hike from the conference center. The original Mast General Store provides a central gathering space in the community, as it has since 1883. Just down the road is the Mast Store Annex, which opened about 25 years later. Behind the annex is a gravel road to the Valle Crucis Park, a recreational area with walking paths, riverfront, picnic areas, sports fields and live music during the summer. For more information, visit www.vallecrucis.com.

Foscoe

Tucked between Boone and Banner Elk is the unincorporated community of Foscoe. Although small, the community is packed with opportunities to shop, dine and explore.

Shopping includes antiques at Front Porch Antique Marker, souvenirs and sundry at Bear Creek Traders, ceramics and porcelain at Maggie Black Pottery and custom blades at Winkler Knives. Interested in outdoor fun? Check out Foscoe Fishing Company, or pan for gold with the Greater Foscoe Mining Company.

Soups, sandwiches, sweets and more are on offer at The Dog House Cafe, while at Country Retreat Family Billiards burgers and shooting pool is on the menu. Foscoe is also home to some of the most gorgeous mountain scenery in the High Country, including the famous profile views of Grandfather Mountain.

For more information, visit www. foscoenc.com.