About Us

Explore Boone is the Watauga County District U Tourism Development Authority (WCTDA), a local tourism development authority authorized by the state (North Carolina) and local government (Watauga County) to promote travel, tourism, and corporate travel, sponsor tourist-related events, and activities, and finance tourism-related capital projects in District U. District U is defined as the unincorporated areas of Watauga County, North Carolina.

The revenue source of the WCTDA is derived from a 6% occupancy tax levied on short-term lodging rentals in the District U area of Watauga County. Boone TDA levies a 6% occupancy tax within the municipality of Boone. Therefore, the foremost objective of all actions of the TDAs is to strategically market and enhance lodging opportunities in our districts.

Boone is the seat of Watauga County, which also encompasses the towns of Blowing Rock and Seven Devils, and the communities of Deep Gap, Foscoe, Meat Camp, Sugar Grove, Valle Crucis, and Zionville, as well as portions of the Banner Elk and Beech Mountain communities. 

As a true business center and popular dining and shopping destination, Boone is known as “the Heart of the High Country.” The town is named for the explorer, Daniel Boone, who lived nearby during the mid-1700s before blazing the famous trail into Kentucky.

Watauga is said to be a Cherokee word translated loosely as “whispering waters.” Headwaters of several important rivers spring up here, perhaps most notably the New, the Watauga, and the Yadkin. 

Whether you’re looking to hike the ridges and mountain tops for the views - like Daniel undoubtedly did – ski or snowboard on mountain slopes, or stream down river rapids in a kayak, you’ll find what you seek here.

Start your adventure, today! 

Since our nation’s beginnings, the Boone area has renewed explorers and visitors with long-range vistas, cool temperatures, and abundant flora and fauna. Contact us at Explore Boone to learn more about all the things to see and do.