christmas trees in boone, nc

Hi friends! A few weeks ago, I shared about our preparations for a 3 week trip to India. Well the universe disagreed. After a six week visa battle, lost passports at the Indian Embassy in Atlanta, and chat with the Ambassador General our passport were finally recovered. However, in haste they forgot to process the visa paperwork! The Indian visa processing is, ironically, outsourced.

We can only laugh about it now!!

India in NYTimes

We were disappointed, but did not skip a beat. My husband booked us a quaint cottage built over a babbling creek in Boone, North Carolina for a week. We each only had a backpack full of clothes for India. For me, this meant layers of tank tops and leggings. It’s quite a stylish look in 30 degree weather! So we cuddled to stay warm in front of the wood burning stove and everyday I wished for beautiful, white snow!!

apple cider bellinis

What do do in Boone? LOTS!! In fact, many people pour into Boone for their annual, family Christmas tree hunt. They go to tree farms to pick out and then chop down their own trees!! #chooseandcut

@laurenrdhall

Here are some of our favorite haunts and activities in this sleepy mountain town:

GET OUTDOORS:

Waterfalls – we chose to explore Glen Burney Falls in quaint Blowing Rock, NC
Farmers Market – there are also holiday markets leading up to Christmas
Snow – Sugar Mountain and Appalachian Ski Mountain for iceskating, tubing, or skiing/snowboarding

EATS:

Breakfast – Hob Nob Farms Cafe – local, fresh, slow food
Lunch – Coyote Kitchen – a Caribbean spin on soul food; keyword: sweet potato fries
Lunch – Black Cat Burrito – a Boone staple
Dinner – Gamekeeper – the men in your life will love you FOREVER; offer bison, ostrich, elk, and other game-centric dishes

DRINKS:

Espresso News Cafe – enjoy coffee, people watching, and soup
Joy Bistro – when you need something other than hot cocoa or cider
Appalachian Mountain Brewery – beer!

LOCAL SHOPPING:

Various Antique Shops – many offering appalachia crafts & gifts
Footslogger – outdoor gear & boots with active climbing wall (40+ ft)
Be sure to stop at the quirky roadside shops for local jerky, produce, & oddball pictures