Tuesday, May 21, 2013

7 Things to do around Boone and Watauga County, North Carolina - Indoors Edition

In my previous segment, I listed 7 things that you can do outside in and around Boone, NC, but what do you do if it's cold or it's raining, or you just want to sit somewhere and beat the heat? Over the years here, I've heard there's nothing to do in Boone except for eat at restaurants or go to bars. Not True! In this segment, I'll be providing you with 7 great options available to you indoors. So relax and cozy up by the fire with your  iGadget, eBook, or sMart phone...it's list time!

1. Appalachian State Events

Appalachian State is a cornucopia of interesting stuff! There is an event going on almost every day, many are open to the general public. The great thing about the Appstate events calendar is that it can be filtered by category. Maybe you want to take a course on panting, BAM! Appstate's got it. See live music? BAM! Appstate's got it! learn forensics like on CSI??? BAM! Appstate's got it!

2. Art Crawl

Boone's Art Crawl happens on the first Friday of each month. The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts opens with a new exhibition. Hors d'oeuvres are typically served as well as a glass of wine per donation. In addition, many other art galleries and shops around downtown open their doors up for the evening, including the Jones House, Artwalk, The Nth, and others.

3. Concerts

Mountain Home Music

Mountain Home Music offers a taste of the traditional music of the high country with concerts by various local and regional bands. Music is typically of the folk, bluegrass and country genres.

ASU Legends

Legends is ASU's popular music and performers venue. Artists that have played at Legends include: Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, Sister Hazel, Hootie and the Blowfish, Victor Wooten, Carrot Top and Zack Galifianakis.

ASU Concerts

In additional to Legends, ASU offers symphonic, choral, and contemporary music at Rosen Concert Hall and other ASU venues.

4. Theatrical Performances

ASU Theater and Dance Performances

Catch a play or dance put on by Appstate's very own students. Performances are typically inexpensive at less than $20 per person, in addition to being well produced and incredibly entertaining!

ASU Performing Arts Series

The performing arts series provides a calendar of events that generally lists all performances sponsored by the university.


Ensemble Stage in Blowing Rock

Ensemble Stage hails from Blowing Rock with many performances throughout the year. From Christmas shows, to original plays and even game shows!


Lees McRae Performing Arts

Lees McRae College in Banner Elk also has a well established performing arts scene and offers many performances throughout the year. Lees McRae also offers a summer theater performance series that is open to the public.

5. Volunteer

If you are looking for something to do, make an impact in the local area as well as make a few friends, then volunteering your spare time might be right for you. There are plenty of organizations around the high country that could really use it.




6. Coffee Shops

Sometimes you may just want to sip a delicious warm drink and do some people watching. Coffee shops are great for this and Boone offers plenty of them. Here's just a few:

Bald Guy Brew

Complete with 2 locations and a mobile coffee truck, this guy is legit. Many of the local shops use his roasts in house. His new location is located in the old Bead Box store on King Street.

Local Lion

A new contender! They blend and roast their own coffee. This is also the best little doughnut shop around. Complete with live music on the weekends.

Higher Grounds

An old standby to Boone. A peaceful, relaxing atmosphere with some delicious dessert drinks.

Espresso News

For the hipster and college crowd. Espresso new has some of the best coffee around, sourced from all over the world. They also serve homemade chocolates, soup, and have a beer & wine bar upstairs.

Conrads

Conrads has two locations serving the Boone area with a similar cozy feel to Higher Grounds.

Sons Light

Sons Light is a local Christian affiliated coffee shop. The baristas are all volunteers and very friendly. The shop serves Conrads coffee, smoothies and milkshakes.

7.Arts, Crafts, and History

The High Country is famous for its Appalachian mountain feel, crafts and culture. There are plenty of things to do or see if you are passionate about crafts. Here's just a handful of opportunities.

Art Mart Academy

Art Mart offers painting lessons for children and people just getting started. It has a local peaceful, local feel that puts you right at home.

Flat Top Manor

Flat Top Manor is a day of activities  Enjoy the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway drive, the Moses Cone trails, and view a handful of historic old time craft activities.

Old Cove Creek High School

Old Cove Creek School offers a number of activities throughout the year. Storytellers, picnics, and country music all done around an historic stone-walled high school. They don't make 'em like this anymore.

Penland

We are fortunate to have Penland right in our backyard. People from all over the world come to Penland to learn specialized artisan trades. For the most part, the school is open to the public for classes, viewings  and exploration. An Appalachian treasure!

Mast Store - Boone

Once a general store, it's now more of a boutique purveyor of quality goods. It also has a Candy Barrel for the kids.

Original Mast Store - Valle Crucis

The original, an old timey general store like what it was back in the 1920's. This is truly a general store, with everything you would ever need for mountain living in one location.

Jones House

The Jones house is a cultural center in the heart of Boone. It is an integral part of the Art Crawl, but offers so much more. Concerts on the Lawn, artist exhibitions, music lessons, among many other activities.



Still looking for something to do? Check out Todd's Calendar for many other daily events going on throughout the high country.

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