Patience's Guidebook
Food scene
Closest local coffee shop with smoothies, ice cream, and snacks.
16 locals recommend
Higher Grounds Coffee Shop
201 New Market CentreClosest local coffee shop with smoothies, ice cream, and snacks.
Stick Boy Bread Company
345 Hardin StA favorite for the college kids- Home made donuts and drive thru coffee.
58 locals recommend
Local Lion
791 Blowing Rock RdA favorite for the college kids- Home made donuts and drive thru coffee.
Amazing hand-crafted breakfasts. Very popular so plan for a wait to be seated.
95 locals recommend
Melanie's
664 W King StAmazing hand-crafted breakfasts. Very popular so plan for a wait to be seated.
Wild Craft Eatery
506 W King StEthnic, Eclectic & Hipster healthy eats.
Capone's Pizza
139 New Market CentreTakeout or dine in NY style pizza.
Creative, fun ethnic fusion food near Walmart shopping center. Has outside seating.
115 locals recommend
Coyote Kitchen
200 Southgate DrCreative, fun ethnic fusion food near Walmart shopping center. Has outside seating.
Creative cocktails, entrees, and salads resourced from local producers.
104 locals recommend
The Local
179 Howard StCreative cocktails, entrees, and salads resourced from local producers.
Vidalia
831 W King StMid-Upper price range. Casual yet fancy.
Cafe Portofino
970 Rivers StGood food beyond bar fare with Music and drinks.
Our Daily Bread
627 W King StQuality lunch options on King Street
Artisanal Restaurant
1200 Dobbins RdGood food for a fancy night out- Upper price range.
CoBo Sushi Bistro & Bar
161 Howard StExcellent sushi and drinks. Call for reservations.
Top chefs prepare game meats such as rattlesnake, rabbit, Buffalo, or elk into eclectic menu. Upper price range. Reservations required.
105 locals recommend
Gamekeeper Restaurant
3005 Shulls Mill RdTop chefs prepare game meats such as rattlesnake, rabbit, Buffalo, or elk into eclectic menu. Upper price range. Reservations required.
Booneshine Brewing Company
465 Industrial Park DrAwesome outdoor seating. Suitable for families. Near Soccer stadium.
141 locals recommend
The Appalachian Mountain Brewery
163 Boone Creek DrAwesome outdoor seating. Suitable for families. Near Soccer stadium.
Retro indoor space with brick oven pizzas, craft foods, and brewery.
131 locals recommend
Lost Province Brewing Co.
130 N Depot StRetro indoor space with brick oven pizzas, craft foods, and brewery.
The Horton Hotel
611 W King StFun for a night out within walking distance.
Joy Bistro
115 New Market CentreCasual dining area prepared by good chefs in the Upper price range
Sunrise Grill
1675 NC-105Cheap and traditional breakfast diner
Old school shiny diner- Country Singer Luke Combs recently filmed a music video here.
11 locals recommend
Troy's 105 Diner
1286 NC-105Old school shiny diner- Country Singer Luke Combs recently filmed a music video here.
Burger and fries Take-out, coffee bar and homemade baked goods- fresh breads and farm eggs.
11 locals recommend
Cove Creek Store
1182 US-321Burger and fries Take-out, coffee bar and homemade baked goods- fresh breads and farm eggs.
Ingles Markets Inc.
2575 NC-105Publix Super Market at Three Creeks
1620 Blowing Rock RdHarris Teeter
240 Shadowline DrOutdoor Adventures
Hiking, trail running, or mountain biking
Rocky Knob
285 Mountain Bike WyHiking, trail running, or mountain biking.
Picnic, playgrounds, outdoor fields, Bball courts, and walking trails.
68 locals recommend
Valle Crucis Community Park
2892 Broadstone RdPicnic, playgrounds, outdoor fields, Bball courts, and walking trails.
High Gravity Adventures Zip Line & Aerial Park
215 Tweetsie Railroad LnHigh Mountain Expeditions
1380 NC-105Wildcat Lake
Swimming and Sandy beach with Life guards and boats for free.
Price Lake Boat Rentals
3636 Blue Ridge PkwyIf you don’t mind the drive, head to a bike shop outfitter and grab a shuttle to the top then ride downhill on gravel for this worthwhile family adventure.
31 locals recommend
Creeper Trail Bike Rental & Shuttle
227 Douglas DrIf you don’t mind the drive, head to a bike shop outfitter and grab a shuttle to the top then ride downhill on gravel for this worthwhile family adventure.
Beech Mountain Ski Resort
1007 S Beech Mountain PkwySugar Mountain Resort, Inc
1009 Sugar Mountain DrJonas Ridge Snow Tubing Park
9472 NC-181Nearby hiking, waterfall, playground for kids, pickleball and tennis courts, basketball, & indoor fitness center.
52 locals recommend
Buckeye Recreation Center
1330 Pine Ridge RdNearby hiking, waterfall, playground for kids, pickleball and tennis courts, basketball, & indoor fitness center.
Convenient location for outdoor climbing or hire a guide for real rock guided climbing.
10 locals recommend
Rock Dimensions
131B Depot StConvenient location for outdoor climbing or hire a guide for real rock guided climbing.
Appalachian Ski Mtn
940 Ski Mountain RdWahoo's Adventures New River Outpost
3380 Big Hill RdRocky Knob
285 Mountain Bike WyEDGE of the WORLD NC Whitewater Rafting, Rock Climbing and Rappelling
394 Shawneehaw Ave SSightseeing
Mast General Store Boone
630 W King StShop and smile
The original General Store with shopping for mountain lifestyle, candy barrels and toys for kids, and historic significance.
102 locals recommend
Mast Store Annex
2918 Broadstone RdThe original General Store with shopping for mountain lifestyle, candy barrels and toys for kids, and historic significance.
Tweetsie Railroad
300 Tweetsie Railroad LnGrandfather Mountain
2050 Blowing Rock HwyElk River Falls
Elk River RoadLinville Falls
Price Park Picnic Area
Paved walkway and fields for walking, picnics, games, and family fun
11 locals recommend
Greenway Trail
607 Deerfield RdPaved walkway and fields for walking, picnics, games, and family fun
Spring fed swimming pool with a diving board! At the base of the mountain. Proceed up by car to hike on the AT
Roan Mountain State Park Check-in Station
Spring fed swimming pool with a diving board! At the base of the mountain. Proceed up by car to hike on the AT
The Blowing Rock
432 The Rock RdLinville Caverns, Inc.
19929 U.S. 221Watauga Lake
Bristol Motor Speedway
151 Speedway BlvdBarter Theatre
127 W Main StUnique Family Fun
Some seasonal family activities unique to the High County
Wilcox Skating
6880 US-421Watauga County Farmers' Market
591 Horn in the W Dr10 High Country Lanes
261 Boone Heights DrMystery Hill
129 Mystery Hill LnCity advice
What to pack
Groceries & Commercial Shopping Suggestions for a Weekend
hot cocoa, coffee grounds, sweeteners, creamer, juice, pancake mix, syrup, eggs, spray/cooking oil, salad greens, dressing, chicken/shrimp/steaks/tempeh/preferred protein & veggies for stir fry, etc
What to pack
Local Weather
The forecasts change regularly in the mountains. Always pack layers for cooler evenings and prepare for rain each afternoon. Keep up to date by searching for “Flat Springs, NC” in the website: https://www.weather.gov/
Customs and culture
Sustainability
Tips: Turn off all lights as you exit the room. Turn off exterior floodlights after 11 PM. Keep the thermostat set to 68° in the winter or add more layers for warmth. Open the windows and use ceiling fans in lieu of AC during the summer. Consider limiting yourself to one towel during your stay. Please recycle. Avoid buying bottled waters- borrow our water bottles instead. Walk to town for fun and reduce your carbon footprint.
Don't miss
Hiking to the top of Poga Mountain
Walk through the garden and the grey gate. Follow the fence line uphill to the “soccer field.” Proceed through the red gate/fence opening. Follow the contours of a grassy road uphill the the north (your right). The trail veers South (to your left). Look for the weather station as a landmark. Try to find the “preacher rock” Remember to be mindful of any electric wire & closing any gates you open behind you. Remember to pack a water bottle and take your time as you go up in elevation!
Ways to save
Groceries
We recommend stocking up before checkin.