Stoneman’s Raid Marker
Read about a deadly raid in 1865 at this new Civil War Trails marker in front of the Post Office.
Remember the Chocolate Bar
Turn right, up Linney Street, passing the old Linney House and Law Office on your left, and cross Queen Street to visit the former location of The Chocolate Bar. The Chocolate Bar was a thriving black-owned café and meeting place for the Junaluska Community back in the 1940s and 50s. Next door, in front of the Watauga County Library, is a marker dedicated to the Junaluska community. Opposite North Street Park, a mural depicts a photograph of The Chocolate Bar.
Daniel Boone Heritage Trail
Head back to King Street to continue to the County Courthouse. Walk halfway up the stairs next to the courthouse (look for the flagpoles) to view the North Carolina Daniel Boone Heritage Trail Marker. Daniel Boone, the town's namesake, is still celebrated yearly on June 6th, Daniel Boone Day.
Eat at the former County Jail
Cross King Street and head down Burrell Street to continue walking through Boone’s history. Notice a historic marker on the corner, highlighting the significance of the American Ginseng trade and Wilcox Drug, once the largest purchaser of botanical goods in the US. The Ginseng marker is located in front of Daniel & the Dog, an underground speakeasy inspired by the town's famous namesake.
The Pasta Joint, serving fresh, handmade pasta and cocktails, is located inside the county's oldest surviving government building, which also served as the Watauga County jail from 1889 to 1927.
Daniel Boone’s Monument
Continue down the hill to Rivers Street and safely cross to see the Daniel Boone Monument. The monument is a recreation of a similar version built in 1912, which marked the location of the cabin Daniel Boone often used during hunting expeditions in the area. A statue of Daniel Boone with his hunting dogs is a short distance down the road.
Connect the past with the present by exploring the new figure-eight trail at Rivers Park. This natural-surface path offers nearly a mile of hiking that takes visitors near Appalachian State's wind turbines and leads to "Baby," a State Champion "Big Tree" Sugar Maple.
1940 Flood Marker
An historic marker commemorates August 13, 1940, when 14 inches of rain triggered landslides and severe flooding throughout Watauga County and downtown Boone. The flood marked the end of the Linville River Railway Tracks and the rail service to Boone.
The Appalachian Theatre
The Appalachian Theatre’s iconic 1930s Art Deco marquee and architecture have been fully restored, with the theatre reopening in 2019. Check online to buy tickets to an upcoming show or to join a free historic tour in the summertime.
BONUS STOP: Dan'l Boone Inn
A destination in itself, the Dan'l Boone Inn is famous for family-style southern cuisine, where communal platters are brought to the table just like a traditional Sunday dinner.
Just outside the restaurant, a striking bronze-and-stone landmark, installed in 2024 by artist Brenda Councill and pictured below, honors the region's diverse foundation. The monument recognizes the pioneer families and the African American community whose labor and courage laid the foundation for the town.
America 250 Events in Boone:
