The town of Boone, North Carolina, was named after pioneer and explorer Daniel Boone. The town was started with a grant from King George II, hence the main street of downtown Boone- King St.
In 2022, the town celebrated its 150th birthday! While the town includes more than just downtown Boone, there is a special vibrance once you turn onto King Street and enter the downtown District.
The History of King Street
Downtown Boone houses an eclectic collection of shops, restaurants, galleries, and offices that is ever-changing. The beauty of downtown lies in the fact that most of the historic buildings have been saved and repurposed over the years.
What was once someone’s home in the 1920s, is now a real estate office. What was once a doctor’s office is now a center for cultural arts.
Part of downtown contains an area earmarked as the historic district. The town works hard to preserve the buildings and spaces as a part of our history.
A few of our most popular stops downtown have a rich history. The Watauga County Jail (from 1889-1927) is now the amazing Proper Southern Foods restaurant.
The Historic Jones House (added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987) was built by Dr. John Walter Jones in 1908 and was then donated to the town. It is now the Center for Cultural Arts downtown. It serves as an art gallery, music lessons, concerts, and holiday events.
The Appalachian Theatre was built in 1938 and recently celebrated its 90th birthday with a showing of The Wizard of Oz! This beautiful building was purchased and lovingly restored over several years to reopen its doors to the public in October of 2019 as its glorious Art Deco self!
Watauga County native and Grammy Award Winning artist, Doc Watson, was captured as a beautiful statue in 2011. He is seated on a bench next to Mast General store and is a very popular spot for photo ops by locals and visitors alike.
Top Shops on King Street
There are wonderful shops located all through downtown Boone. From purchasing a party dress at a fun boutique to purchasing one-of-a-kind artwork, it is a destination for shopping no doubt.
Lillilu on King offers a wonderful boutique shopping experience for women. Additionally, Lucky Penny and Boone Belles offer a variety of clothing and accessories for women to fit any budget.
Mast General Store
One of your go-to stops has to be Mast General Store. It is more than just a general store for sure and has something for everyone!
Downstairs you will find the Candy Barrel full of candy, toys, and gifts. On the other side of the store is a large selection of men’s and women’s clothing. Upstairs you will be excited to find a large selection of outdoor wear, backpacks, and shoes.
This is a go-to stop as a Realtor to purchase fun local gifts for clients!
Magic Cycles
There are also specialty shops located in downtown Boone. Magic Cycles is a wonderful stop for the cycling enthusiast.
You are greeted by the friendly local owner and a pup or two at the door. Have questions, shopping for a bargain? They are there to help and even offer trades on their bikes.
Dine & Shop in Downtown Boone
Aside from shopping, there are many places to stop in for a bite on King Street. You can find a casual dining experience, breweries, and even high-end restaurants sure to please the biggest foodie.
Vidalia is a culinary experience not to be missed. Would suggest a reservation if you plan to get a table at dinner or on the weekend.
South End Brewing has a great selection of beers and some wonderful food options too!
Melanie’s Food Fantasy
One restaurant you have to stop at when visiting downtown is Melanie’s Food Fantasy. The name says it all!
It is a delicious experience from start to finish. It is open for breakfast and lunch and is the perfect weekend brunch stop. If you are feeling extra hungry, I recommend trying Potato Madness!
This dish will fuel you for a day of shopping, hiking, or just taking in the scenery.
Lost Province Brewing
Lost Province Brewing is a fantastic restaurant to visit even if you are not a beer drinker. Their wood-fired pizzas are incredible and the muscles on the appetizer list are not to be missed.
They have wonderful seasonal salad options and a great atmosphere. Often there will be live music or a trivia game going on.
Plan Your Day on King Street
When planning your day spent on King Street, be sure to arrive early and bring some quarters, as most parking is metered. There are areas off King Street where you can park for longer times and pay with a card.
If you arrive early, I highly suggest stopping for breakfast as Melanie before hitting the shops. Then head over to Lucky Penny to purchase a fun dress for a night out or visit the Shoppes at Farmers Hardware where you will find a variety of booths selling anything from Jewelry to Kitchen wear.
Then maybe walk down the side street to visit the climbing wall at Footsloggers or head to 641 RPM to listen to some vinyl and have a great conversation about music. If you happen to be visiting on a Friday in the summer, be sure to stop by the Jones House for music on the lawn starting at 5 PM.
If it happens to be the first Friday of any month, you will get to be a part of a special event “First Friday” where galleries and shops stay open late and offer specials. Be sure to stop by 828 Real Estate too while you’re here! We’d love to talk to you about Real Estate or just give you suggestions on ways to enjoy the High Country!
