A few recommended hikes off the parkway:

- Moses Cone Memorial Park (can hike from the estate to the Flat Top fire tower (5.1 miles) or to Bass Lake - both beautiful hikes.

- Bass Lake loop (0.9 miles around the lake), can add on "The Maze" section which would be 3.8 miles total.

- Rough Ridge (0.8 mile hike)

- Beacon Heights (0.2 mile hike to a great view)

- Price Lake Loop Trail (2.3 miles around the lake)

- Boone Fork Trail (4.9 miles with views of the river along the hike)

Mile High Swinging Bridge and other beautiful hikes are accessible from this park. Note there is an entrance fee into the park.

Yummy breakfast spot in downtown Boone

Ice cream sandwich spot with 2 locations - one in downtown Boone and one off 321 towards Blowing Rock.