Boone is a lovely North Carolina city set amidst the backdrop of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, home to pioneer-themed attractions such as Daniel Boone Park, the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, and the long-running seasonal outdoor drama Horn in the West. Many beautiful wedding venues are accessible via the region's beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, offering stunning outdoor ceremony sites in the shadow of the gorgeous nearby mountain range. Classic farmsteads provide rustic accommodations for receptions, offering built-in dance floors and outdoor recreational opportunities for wedding parties and guests. Many venues offer overnight accommodations for out-of-town guests, including camping experiences set on acres of rolling farm landscape. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.
1.The Overlook Barn
The Overlook Barn offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountain landscape from its scenic location atop beautiful Beech Mountain in the town of Banner Elk. The barn was fully renovated in 2015, retaining its original rustic charm but adding modern comforts and amenities for private special event rentals, including wedding ceremonies and receptions. More than 6,500 square feet of event space can accommodate up to 250 guests for seated receptions, with additional space available with tent rentals on the barn's grounds. The neighboring Cliffside Barn was added to the property in 2016, showcasing original wood floors, a beautiful chandelier centerpiece, and a glass-paneled garage door that can be opened for outdoor cocktail reception events.
830 Elderberry Ridge Rd, Banner Elk, NC 28604, Phone: 828-414-1156
2.16 Hands Farm
16 Hands Farm is a lovely special event venue set on a working farm within the North Carolina High Country region, established as a family farmstead in 2009. The farm offers a peaceful setting for weddings of up to 200 guests within its large event barn, which is home to a rustic porch area overlooking a scenic freshwater pond. The barn is home to an upstairs loft area for intimate groups of up to 50 guests, along with a downstairs dressing room space for ceremony and reception staging. At the venue's onsite event building, couples can make use of a custom bar, rustic benches, and decor elements such as antler chandeliers. Four horse stalls make for great unique spots for wedding photography or reception activities. A new onsite pavilion is also home to areas for buffet stations, along with a beverage trailer housed within a converted horse trailer.
841 Bald Mountain Rd, West Jefferson, NC 28694, Phone: 336-877-0945
3.Appalachian Ski Mountain
Appalachian Ski Mountain is a popular skiing area in Watauga County that was originally established in 1962. Today, it is home to 11 skiing trails offering varying terrains and levels of difficulty for skiers of all skill levels. The facility runs snowmaking operations, allowing for skiing conditions to extend all season long, and features ample lighting for nighttime skiing and events. Chairlift service is offered for unique wedding experiences set on the venue's ski mountains, including spectacular ceremonies and event photography. Onsite catering and event planning services are available to help couples create wedding packages that fit their individualized goals and budgets. The venue's accommodations are also available for honeymoon stays and discounted lodging for out-of-town wedding guests.
940 Ski Mountain Rd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, Phone: 828-295-7828
, OH4.Art of Living Retreat Center
Art of Living Retreat Center is a unique 380-acre event venue set within the majesty of the Boone's Blue Ridge Mountains area, home to a boutique hotel and a traditional ayurvedic spa. The retreat center offers several wellness package options for all guests, including yoga courses, spa treatments, and nature walks for groups of all sizes. An onsite banquet hall showcases stunning mountain views and specialized vegetarian catering menus for wedding receptions, while a hillside hall offers a tiered space with unique staging for ceremonies and receptions accommodating up to 300 guests. Several other onsite venue areas are also available for wedding festivities, including a large main hall and four flexible-configuration veda halls. Couples should note that due to the venue's focus on wellness, all events must be alcohol-free.
639 Whispering Hills Rd, Boone, NC 28607, Phone: 828-263-4910
5.Daniel Boone Native Gardens
Daniel Boone Native Gardens are a beautifully-landscaped botanical garden space in Boone that opened to the public in 1966, specializing in plantings of native North Carolina flora. The gardens, which are open seasonally between May and October, were designed by famed landscape architect Doan Ogden and are home to stunning landscape features such as a bog garden, wishing well, rockery, and gatehouse. The venue's Squire Boone Cabin also serves as an example of the type of cabin lived in by the facility's namesake, American pioneer Daniel Boone. Wedding ceremonies and receptions at the venue can accommodate up to 200 guests and can be held at multiple sites throughout the garden, including the Boone Cabin.
5801, 651 Horn in the W Dr, Boone, NC 28607
6.Events on the New
Events on the New is a unique farmstead venue located on 10 waterfront acres in Boone, surrounded by a canopy of majestic trees for intimate event space for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The large outdoor space is fully customizable to suit all couples' individualized event needs, accommodating 250 guests in a beautiful natural setting. All-inclusive wedding packages are offered by the venue, though couples are also welcome to select their own outside caterers and event vendors. Couples can rent reception items from the facility for use on their special day, including chairs and tables, tents, photobooths, and dance floors. The venue is pet-friendly and fully ADA accessible, making it a great choice for couples with family-friendly guest lists.
803 Conley Cheek Rd, Fleetwood, NC 28626, Phone: 336-877-7427
7.Harvest House Performing Arts Venue
Harvest House Performing Arts Venue was originally established as a community church in Boone before being transformed into a performing arts space and event center for the North Carolina High Country community. The venue is managed by nonprofit organization Harvest Equippers, with all proceeds benefiting the organization's worldwide efforts toward clean water, housing, and education services. Several event spaces at the venue can host wedding ceremonies and receptions, including a 4,200-square-foot auditorium that can accommodate up to 400 guests, offering a coffee bar, kitchen, and green room that can serve as a bridal prep suite. The facility can be rented by the hour or by the day and can accommodate caterers and vendors of couples' choosing.
247 Boone Heights Drive, Boone, NC 28607, Phone: 828-263-4171
8.Jones House Cultural and Community Center
Jones House Cultural and Community Center is an historic home constructed in 1908 by Dr. John Walter Jones, one of the Boone area's first physicians. The home was sold to the City of Boone in 1983 and is now preserved as a cultural and community center, honoring the wishes of former home owner Mazie Jones Levenson. Today, the home retains its historic condition, showcasing original furniture and belongings of the Jones family, including an antique 1907 sewing machine. Up to 50 guests can be accommodated within the home's special event spaces, making it an ideal spot for intimate receptions. Larger wedding groups can be accommodated with use of the home's indoor spaces and outdoor property lawn, which makes a great site for wedding ceremonies and photography.
604 W King St, Boone, NC 28607, Phone: 828-268-6280
9.Sky Retreat
Sky Retreat is a rustic, elegant wedding venue in Purlear, set on a splendid 30-acres estate featuring gorgeous views of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. Multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces are offered for wedding ceremony and reception rentals, accommodating up to 200 guests. Facilities include the venue's enclosed 6,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, which is home to a built-in dance floor, a catering receiving kitchen, and an in-house DJ area. Several outdoor areas are offered for scenic ceremonies, including a grassy knoll with mountain backdrop views. A covered veranda makes a great space for cocktail receptions, showcasing amenities such as a grand fireplace. Guests and couples can stay on site at the venue during long wedding weekends and can enjoy onsite recreational opportunities such as kayaking, mountain biking, and paragliding.
432 Cascade Dr, Purlear, NC 28665, Phone: 336-973-0444
, Michigan beaches10.The Barn on New River
The Barn on New River is West Jefferson's premiere special event venue, located along the banks of the scenic New River in the shadow of the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains. The venue is home to a renovated post-and-beam-style barn constructed from pine trees chopped on site, offering a streamlined bar, acid-stained concrete flooring, and a beautiful outdoor cocktail area. Ceremony and reception packages are available for making perfect wedding memories, offering access to the venue's bride and groom prep suites, interior and exterior event spaces, and use of the venue's Sonos sound system. Up to 200 guests can be accommodated throughout the venue's various event spaces. A lovely honeymoon suite is available for couples to stay in on the night of their wedding, included with event rental packages.
3364 Lower Nettle Knob Rd, West Jefferson, NC 28694, Phone: 704-798-3512
11.The Inn at Crestwood
The Inn at Crestwood is a rustic Blue Ridge Mountains resort in Boone, located just minutes from area attractions such as historic Blowing Rock and Julian Price Memorial Park. The lovely venue offers a multitude of wedding ceremony and reception event rental spaces, including outdoor wedding sites and tented options for year-round climate-controlled comfort. Up to 250 guests can be accommodated at the venue for all special events. Though couples must use the venue's onsite dedicated catering team, they are welcome to choose their own vendors for personalized wedding cakes, live entertainment, and wedding photography. After the wedding, couples are welcome to stay at one of the resort's beautiful guest rooms or suites, which offer romantic amenities like whirlpool tubs, private decks, and cozy fireplaces.
3236 Shulls Mill Rd, Boone, NC 28607, Phone: 828-963-6646
12.Twickenham House
Twickenham House is one of the most stunning special event venues in North Carolina High Country, located on 400 acres of gorgeous park-like landscape within the heart of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. The spacious venue is a perfect location for rustic wedding ceremonies and receptions, home to a charming Old English-style manor home that offers more than 11,000 square feet of event space. Up to 200 guests can be accommodated throughout the facility, with space for 40 additional guests at the facility's spacious guest cottage. The estate and its grounds can be rented for four or more days at a time, making it a perfect choice for destination weddings bringing in out-of-town guests for wedding parties.
Johnson Hollow Rd, Jefferson, NC 28640, Phone: 919-604-9391
13.Valle Crucis Apple Barn
Valle Crucis Apple Barn is an historic apple barn located on the grounds of the spacious Valle Crucis Conference Center at the Historic Mission School, which was originally constructed in 1911. Despite its name, the venue was never used as an apple barn facility, instead operated as a dairy barn throughout much of the 20th century. Today, it is known as one of Banner Elk's premiere special event venues, hosting community gatherings, square dances, and private special events such as wedding ceremonies and receptions. Church pews from the Patterson School in Lenoir can serve as wedding seating, arranged throughout the barn's interior. A full hospitality kitchen is available for onsite catering prep, with audiovisual equipment available for rental and use by event vendors.
4730 NC-194, Banner Elk, NC 28604, Phone: 828-963-4453
14.White Fence Farm
White Fence Farm is a gorgeous Tennessee farmstead located just across the North Carolina-Tennessee state line from Boone, less than 20 minutes from the city's downtown district. The rustic farmstead venue is set on 105 picturesque acres, showcasing a landscape of quaint rolling hillsides and valleys. An open-air barn offers space for catering preparation and restrooms for guests, with an adjacent dance floor providing space for reception festivities for happy couples. Other event venue accommodations on the farmstead property include an historic 1940s-era farmhouse, several vintage campers, and a prop room that can be used as a bridal preparation suite. Wedding guests are welcome to camp on the property throughout event rentals.
140 Appalachian St suite d, Boone, NC 28607, Phone: 828-202-4262
14 Best Wedding Venues in Boone, North Carolina
- The Overlook Barn, Photo: Pavlo Melnyk/stock.adobe.com
- 16 Hands Farm, Photo: 16 Hands Farm
- Appalachian Ski Mountain, Photo: Appalachian Ski Mountain
- Art of Living Retreat Center, Photo: Art of Living Retreat Center
- Daniel Boone Native Gardens, Photo: Daniel Boone Native Gardens
- Events on the New, Photo: belyjmishka/stock.adobe.com
- Harvest House Performing Arts Venue, Photo: Gerrit/stock.adobe.com
- Jones House Cultural and Community Center, Photo: Jones House Cultural and Community Center
- Sky Retreat, Photo: Sky Retreat
- The Barn on New River, Photo: The Barn on New River
- The Inn at Crestwood, Photo: illustrissima/stock.adobe.com
- Twickenham House, Photo: shunevich24/stock.adobe.com
- Valle Crucis Apple Barn, Photo: Valle Crucis Apple Barn
- White Fence Farm, Photo: Yuliia/stock.adobe.com
- Cover Photo: SL photo/stock.adobe.com
Attraction Spotlight: Daniel Boone Native Gardens
Located in Boone, North Carolina, the Daniel Boone Native Gardens are home to a large collection of native North Carolina trees, flowers, and plant species, open to the public as a garden park facility between May and October. The history of the Daniel Boone Native Gardens dates back to garden show efforts presented by landscape architect H. Stuart Ortloff in Hickory, North Carolina in March of 1957.
History
Ortloff’s discussions of difficulties in researching native North Carolina plant life due to accessibility concerns sparked an organized effort by the Garden Club of North Carolina to create a natural sanctuary for the state’s native flora and wildlife. After several years of campaigning in cooperation with local garden clubs throughout the Boone area, the Garden Club of North Carolina broke ground on the new garden facility in May of 1961, at an eight-acre location next to the city’s Horn in the West outdoor theater. Asheville landscape architect Doan Ogden was hired as the facility’s designer and landscaper, and with the cooperation of a garden club oversight committee, created the blueprint for the facility’s garden layout. Following two years of construction, the garden facility was dedicated in 1963 as part of the state’s tercentenary celebration, and in 1966, the facility was officially opened to the public. An additional fernery lot was added to the facility in 1973, and renovations throughout the 1990s added a bog garden and historic mountain porch replica to the gardens.
Permanent Attractions and Blooms
Today, the Daniel Boone Native Gardens are operated as a public park facility by the Garden Club of North Carolina, which operates as a nonprofit organization dedicated to natural education and conservation. The gardens encompass three acres near downtown Boone, featuring public spaces for visitor picnics, photography, and public and private special events. The facility is open daily from May through October and is handicap accessible with limited special arrangements made in advance of visits.
The facility is named for its wrought-iron north entrance gates, donated to the Garden Club of North Carolina by Daniel Boone VI, the great-great-grandson of the iconic American outdoorsman. An entrance at the south end of the facility is anchored by steps leading to a rockery area, which follow out to a graveled path surrounding the facility’s central grassed allee. A cabin facility at the park, the Squire Boone Cabin, honors Boone’s father Squire, constructed from logs recovered from the historic cabin of Boone’s brother, Jesse. A meditation maze anchored around a statue of St. Francis of Assisi is located on the allee’s north side, and a bridge located near the cabin crosses a bog garden area. Other features include a stone gatehouse, a wishing well, a prayer shrine, and a Pickin’ Porch, reminiscent of historic mountain dwelling family gathering porch areas. Benches and an observation gazebo are also provided for quiet reflection and relaxation throughout the garden.
A variety of native North Carolina plant species are on display at the garden throughout the year, with blooms and plantings changing periodically to reflect the area’s seasonal biodiversity. From March through April, skunk cabbage, trout lilies, wood anemones, and dogwood and redbud trees are showcased. Early summer blooms include bleeding hearts, wild irises, rhododendron, and mountain magnolia, while late summer blooms include purple coneflowers, New England asters, sweet azaleas, and trumpet vines. In autumn, goldenrods, clematises, touch-me-nots, and sourwood trees are on display.
Ongoing Programs and Events
Docent-led group tours of the facility are offered by special appointment by contacting the facility directly by email. The gardens may also be rented for private special events, including weddings and receptions. All wedding renters must work with an onsite wedding coordinator, and cabana tents, portable restrooms, and equipment rental may be arranged onsite through recommended local contractors. Wedding rehearsals and rehearsal dinners may be scheduled at the facility the day before the event at no additional charge to renters. A photographer’s fee is also charged for onsite photography the day of the event. Overflow parking for guests is provided adjacent to the facility.
Annual public special events include an Early Bird Wildflower Walk and Plant Sale in April, which features plant sales by local vendors and plant growers, including Shady Grove Gardens and Nursery, Woodbine Nursery, and Neal’s Natives. Information tables are also hosted by a variety of local gardening organizations, and an invasive weed clinic and family and children’s activities are held on site during the event. An annual Flower Photo Stroll is also held in May, offering open exploration time for novice photographers to work on their wildlife photography skills. The event is free and open to the public and includes an introductory lecture and instruction by local photography experts.
651 Horn in the W Dr, Boone, NC 28607, Phone: 828-264-6390
