COVID-19 Travel Updates
Mask wearing, washing hands frequently, and waiting six feet apart from others is encouraged at all times. Some additional restrictions are in place in the state of North Carolina, under Executive Order 204 beginning March 26, 2021 at 5pm through April 30, 2021 at 5pm. Many restrictions have been eased under this new executive order.
- Mass gatherings are limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
- Many restaurants, retail businesses, amusement parks, and attractions have opened with full or limited capacity, but masks and social distancing are still required. Take-out/curbside pickup is still encouraged.
- Up to 100% capacity - Museums, salons, and retail businesses
- Up to 75% capacity indoors, and 100% outdoors - Restaurants, breweries, wineries, recreation and fitness centers, amusement parks and pools
- Indoors and outdoors up to 50% - Bars, lounges, meeting and reception spaces, auditoriums, arenas, fields, movie theatres, and gaming facilities.
- Late night alcohol sales for on-site consumption are no longer prohibited. Some restaurants do still offer to-go mixed beverages.
- State parks, hiking trails, and playgrounds are open. Masks are required in facilities or when social distancing is not possible.
To learn more about NC's Executive Order 204: visit the Current Restrictions page on NC.gov or visit the FAQ page.
NC Mask Mandate
Face coverings must be worn in public spaces where social distancing is not possible, whether inside or outside, throughout the State of North Carolina starting Friday, June 26, 2020. Exceptions will be made for children under the age of 5, individuals actively eating in a restaurant, exercising, or those with medical or behavioral conditions preventing them from wearing a mask.
To learn more: NCDHHS Guidance on Face Coverings
Count On Me NC
North Carolina has health and safety guidelines in place, but some businesses are taking these guidelines a step further with training from Count On Me NC, implementing extra training and sanitation procedures to ensure the safety of their patrons.
Participating Boone Hotels:
- La Quinta Boone
- The Horton Hotel and Rooftop Lounge
- Holiday Inn, Boone (University Area)
- Holiday Inn Express
- Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton
- Super 8, Boone
- Sleep Inn, Boone
Check out CountOnMeNC.org for more information on participating businesses.
Open in the Area:
Open Restaurants and Retail: The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce has a list of restaurants and retail shops offering walk-in, curbside and take-out services in the town of Boone.
Blue Ridge Parkway - The Blue Ridge Parkway roads and hiking trails in the area are open. Masks are required in all NPS facilities.
The Blue Ridge Parkway will close in sections occasionally due to winter weather, find real-time updates at This Link.
Parkway facilities, including most restrooms, picnic areas, some campgrounds and visitor centers are open.
Find updates on Blue Ridge Parkway facilities here
Grandfather Mountain - Reservations for the attraction must be made online, in advance. Purchase tickets at Grandfather.com
Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park - Trails and playground are open.
Tweetsie Railroad - Open on weekends. Advanced tickets are required. See updated park operations here.
Hawksnest Zipline - Open for ziplining. Advanced reservations are required.
Sky Valley Zip Tours - Open for select tours, advanced reservations are required.
High Gravity Adventures - Zipline and Aerial park open for weekends. Advanced reservations are required.
Hickory Ridge Museum - Open Tuesday - Fridays, 10am to 4pm (last tour is 1 hour prior to closing). Saturdays the museum is open 10am to 2pm.
Boone Golf Club - Public golf course is open, tee time reservations are recommended.
The Jones House - Downstairs gallery and restrooms open.
Mast General Store in Downtown Boone - Open Monday - Saturday: 10am to 6pm, Sunday: 11am to 6pm.
The Original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis - Open Monday - Saturday: 10am to 6pm, Sunday: 12pm to 6pm.
Mystery Hill - Open daily 9am to 6pm.
Blowing Rock Art and History Museum - Open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 11am to 4pm.
Apple Hill Farm - Open for tours by reservation only, seven days a week.
The Blowing Rock - Open 8:30pm to 6:30pm daily.
Grandfather Mountain State Park - Trails and restrooms are open. Park office is open Wednesday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM. Learn more HERE.
Elk Knob State Park - Trails and restrooms are open. All park facilities are open with limited hours; call the park office with any questions 828-297-7261. Learn more HERE.
Closed (temporarily) in the Area:
Horn in the West Outdoor Drama 2021 Season is June 25th through August 7th.
Wildcat Lake Closed for the season.
Beech Mountain - Closed for the season.
Sugar Mountain - Closed for the season.
Appalachian Ski Mountain - Closed for the season.
Remember to Leave No Trace when recreating outdoors by planning ahead, respecting wildlife, packing out any trash, and being respectful of others by social distancing. Click here to learn more about the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.
