For Best of Boone winners without a blurb, view photos in the gallery below.
Best Spot for Recreation: The Greenway Trail
By: Chris Aguilar
For many App State students and Boone residents, the outdoors is a perfect escape from classrooms or everyday life. The Greenway Trail, located near the Watauga Recreation Center and just along the South Fork of the New River, offers a nice and quiet place to get away from it all.
Stretching to 4.75 miles through Boone, the core of the trail is mostly flat and consists of paved and gravel paths. The trail also connects with many parks and features picnic areas, open meadows and scenic views to enjoy.
The trail is very popular for those who enjoy going on walking, running or biking trails. Many students visit the trail to unwind, relax and enjoy nature.
Sophomore advertising major Logan Amigo, who is fond of the outdoors, said one of the most appealing parts of the trail is its peaceful atmosphere.
“My favorite part of the trail is the section with the evergreen trees,” Amigo said. “It reminds me a lot of the Smoky Mountains and the outdoors around Boone. It is also a very peaceful place.”
Amigo said the trail can also be a great area to visit for students who are new to Boone, such as freshmen or transfers from other schools, because it offers a glimpse of the scenery around the High Country.
Beyond recreation, the Greenway plays an important role in connecting the community with the outdoors.
“The trail is important to the Boone community because it allows people to spend leisure time outside,” Amigo said. “It’s very accessible and close for many people and creates opportunities for connection and enjoyment of nature.”
Best App State Gear Shop: Alumni Hall
Photo By: Sydney Willis
Best Outdoor Gear Shop: Mast General Store
Photo By: Gavin Darling
Best Ski Mountain: Beech Mountain Ski Resort
Photo By: Ava Anzalone
Best Overlook: Rough Ridge Lookout
Photo By: Jackson Hornback
Best Hiking: Rough Ridge
Photo By: Jackson Hornback
Best Place to Mountain Bike: Rocky Knob
Photo By: Ava Anzalone
Best Place to Work Out: Student Recreation Center
By: Max Schwanz
When most people work out, they train three to five times a week. No one’s workout is the same, and choosing between cardio workouts, weight training and how often you train, can be difficult. However, the Student Recreation Center makes it easy and that is why it won best place to workout.
The Student Recreation Center, located at 150 Bodenheimer Drive, has a wide variety of workout equipment, such as a 50-foot climbing wall, an Olympic-size swimming pool, four full-size basketball courts, a weight-lifting gym and cardio areas.
“Whatever recreation-wise they want to do, we try our best to accommodate it,” said Riley Shrum, public administration major and graduate assistant of sports programs.
The climbing wall has different routes based on climbers’ skill level and includes a bouldering area for those not looking to belay. All climbing equipment is provided free of charge, and there are climbing orientations available from the operators.
The swimming pool offers unique recreation opportunities. There are open-lap swim times for a different cardio and resistance training experience. It also offers paddleboard dodgeball and yoga if someone is looking for interesting activities.
The weight-lifting gym is a place where you can work out on your own if you are experienced. However, if you are new to working out or this specific equipment, personal training is available for prices ranging from $75 to $525.
It also provides free group fitness classes Monday through Thursday. Some of these activities include pilates, cycling, yoga and dance.
The SRC is also where many of the intramural sports play, including volleyball, basketball, indoor soccer and dodgeball. Students are able to form teams and compete against their peers in casual or competitive leagues. These leagues also range from men’s, women’s, co-ed or fraternity and sorority.
Shrum enjoys intramural sports, and the SRC staff is even allowed to play.
“My favorite is the intramural sports because we have a lot to offer, and we take feedback from the students of what sports they would like to see,” Riley said.
The SRC helps students exercise outside the gym with equipment rentals from the Outing Center. Equipment can be rented by both appointment and walk-ins. The equipment available helps with camping and hiking trips, such as tents, stoves, backpacks and climbing shoes.
Shrum understands the wide range of activities the SRC offers can be overwhelming and gives very simple advice:
“Walk around, go upstairs to each floor, see what we have,” Shrum said.
Best Local Festival: Boonerang Music & Arts Festival
By: Noah Williford
Best Thrift: Anna Banana’s
By: Dylan Shepherd
Whether it’s through offering a wide array of clothing items or creating a fun and vibrant atmosphere inside its store walls, Anna Banana’s Fine Consignment has been the go-to thrift store in Boone for over a decade. The fine consignment shop has won various
Best of Boone categories 12 years in a row.
Nestled in the Boone Mini Mall at 641 W. King St., Anna Banana’s is all about curating positive vibes and smiles. Energetic music, friendly staff, stylish mannequins, unique decorations and a 10% discount for dancing are just some of the ways it accomplishes this.
“We’ve always tried to have a fun space in here,” said Anna Roseman, the owner of Anna Banana’s. “We’re not scared to be silly, be cheesy, be who we are and encourage others to do the same. I can’t stress enough how much we’re about the human experience here. That is the number one goal, and the clothing is the way to do that.”
Anna Banana’s sells vintage, modern and handmade clothing and accessories and has an upcycling department in “the back,” which Roseman says is being improved and hopes will draw more creators — and customers — to the High Country.
Best Trivia Spot: FizzEd
By: Tess McNally
From Harry Potter to Hannah Montana trivia, FizzEd makes you feel like you’re at a family gathering in your own living room. In this environment, it’s not about the perfect score, it’s more about the perfect company.
FizzEd began weekly trivia shortly after it opened in November 2023. Trivia host Lindsay Fulp started last summer. FizzEd hosts a family-friendly round at 6:30 p.m. on Sundays followed by a late-night version beginning at 9:30 p.m.
“The family-friendly one is honestly really fun because there’s been a lot of groups that have come back, and I have made friends with them,” Fulp said.
The late-night trivia has more up-beat music and dimmed lights, shifting the energy from the previous family-friendly round.
Each trivia session consists of five rounds of general knowledge trivia and is followed by an equalizer bonus round which can drop first place players to last place.
“I think it’s really fun to see who can actually get the challenging ones,” Fulp said.
Trivia hosts like to theme their trivia based on what is going on during the month or the season: Grinch night, International Women’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and more all play a part in the process of bringing the fans back for more each Sunday.
Fulp appreciates input and trivia ideas from customers on a genre they would like to play.
“I think serious trivia is boring,” Fulp said. “You’ve got to have some fun for the people too, not just for all the academics.”
Not only is the service and environment comfortable and inviting, but the winners of family-friendly and late-night can both receive a $20 gift card.
“It’s nice to win, if you do, but I’d rather you want to play to have fun than play to win,” Fulp said.
Aside from niche trivia questions, you can find yourself humming to retro hits mixed with classic pop that keeps the momentum of the game moving.
As FizzEd continues to grow its Sunday trivia tradition, there is always a spot for everyone at the table to test what you know — this is one example of why FizzEd won Best Trivia Spot this year.
“The reason that we’ve won is because of how we’ve categorized it, and the style that we do,” Fulp said.
Best Cosmetic Salon: Canvas Beauty Bar
By: Sydney Willis
Best Date Night Spot: Cobo Sushi Bistro and Bar
By: Sam Baechli
Best Local Boutique: The Happy Place
By: Eli Pauca
From men’s and women’s clothing to jewelry, backpacks, posters, tapestries and so much more, The Happy Place is a one-stop shop for anything you may need or want.
When you walk into The Happy Place, located at 641 W King Street, you’re immediately greeted with smiling faces on the walls and bright, beautiful colors that make the room glow. It’s as if you stepped back in time to Woodstock with the bright hippie-like colors and welcoming atmosphere. This store has it all, from jewelry and accessories to graphic design hoodies and anything in between.
When asked about the store’s success and what makes it a vital part of the High Country community, employee Ella Hardy said, “The owner, Krista, is a part of it; she’s a very important part of the community.”
Since the shop has been in Boone for so long and living up to its name, it’s not a shock that The Happy Place was voted the best local boutique in Boone.
Best Piercing: Elevated Body Art
By: Clara Preski
Voted Boone’s Best Piercing Shop, Elevated Body Art at 740 W. King St. continues to stand out for its focus on customization and client care. Open since 2017, the studio has grown from a piercing-only space into a larger shop that added tattoo services over two years ago.
Piercer Jacob Campbell has worked alongside the shop’s owners since 2014 and returned shortly after Elevated first opened. Pricing for most piercings falls between $40 to $60, depending on the jewelry, but Campbell said he enjoys doing more custom work, including larger gauge piercings and specialty projects, which require more experience.
Campbell has seen trends evolve. Earlobes and helix are usually consistent, but many clients are recommended to get piercings in certain locations, like the navel, during the winter, so they have time to heal before summer, while nostril and septum piercings continue to rotate in popularity.
Elevated treats the healing process just as importantly as prepping.
“The body treats a piercing like a splinter; it notices the jewelry as a foreign object and heals around it,” Campbell said.
Elevated uses materials like titanium, which help prevent irritation or rejection. Since everyone heals differently, clients are encouraged to come back for checkups and downsizing.
“Safety comes down to following the same step-by-step procedures every time and keeping things clean, making sure every client has a comfortable experience from start to finish,” Campbell said.
Elevated’s focus on safety and custom designs is one example of why it was voted Boone’s best piercing shop.
Best Local Nonprofit: Farm Cafe
By: Ella Smith
FARM Cafe provided 22,531 meals in 2025, with 39% of those meals being served at no charge. The nonprofit was established 13 years ago in hopes of providing a safe, inclusive environment for those unable to have easily accessible food.
For the second year in a row, FARM Cafe has won Best Nonprofit Organization.
FARM Cafe uses a pay-what-you-can system. Through volunteering to wash dishes, helping prepare food or paying any financial amount, customers are able to pay for their meals regardless of means.
“We believe that how much money in your pocket shouldn’t determine your ability to access healthy, nutritious food,” program director Shane Hillman said.
For some people, Feed All Regardless of Means, or FARM Cafe, provides their only hot meal of the day. For the meals that are provided, the nonprofit works with the nutrition department at App State to make sure meals are nutrient-dense and supplied through local sources.
Hillman describes FARM Cafe as a place where customers are met with an overwhelmingly welcoming community. Like him, many customers have found this community through eating meals with and interacting with strangers.
“We offer people not only a healthy meal, but a place to eat that together,” he said.
Best Auto Garage: Bill’s Garage
By: Madalyn Edwards and Brooklyn Smith
Known for its towing enforcement signs scattered throughout Boone, Bill’s Garage is much more than a towing service.
This year’s winner for Best Auto Garage is a family-owned business that started in 1990 with two locations. Co-owner Will Hennessy operates the Boone location, and his father Bill Hennessy, who is the business’ namesake, operates the West Jefferson location.
Aside from the garage’s 24/7 towing services, Bill’s also offers auto repair services Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., including tire and brake maintenance, oil changes and parts replacement. At the Boone location, located near campus at 167 W. King St., a team of approximately 10 strives to offer quality repairs.
Will Hennessy said repairing things has always been a hobby for him.
“It’s nice to be able to come to work and do that same thing,” he said.
Will Hennessy and his son are continuing the father-son-duo legacy. His son goes to “work” at the other location.
“He’s only three, but you know, he’s the boss,” he said.
At the end of the day, Hennessy said one of the best things about the garage is aiding in the customer’s journey home.
“It’s always good to get people home,” he said.
Best Hotel: The Horton Hotel
By: Kendall Fields
Best Rental Company: The Winkler Organization
By: Mady Helt
Best Off-Campus Housing: University Highlands Student Apartments
By: Ella Moore
Best Housing with Amenities: The Finmore at 241
By: Parker Egeland
The town of Boone has plenty of options for college students if they want to live off campus. Houses and apartment complexes shared between friends are all over; many don’t have the features of The Finmore at 241 Shadowline Drive.
Located in the center of town, the Finmore is just a short drive from campus and has easy access to numerous businesses and stores located right off of U.S. Route 321. Wolfgang Enders is a graduate student business administration major and appreciated its location when finding a place.
“We looked at, like, three places and this one had good bus routes, that’s most of what I was looking for,” Enders said. “The rent is high, but for what we got, I felt like it was decent value.”
Walking into the Finmore for the first time may seem overwhelming, but the amount of amenities both in the rooms and outside of them will make you wish you stayed longer. Never having to worry about renting or buying furniture and coming home to a fully furnished apartment at the end of a long day is a friendly reminder of why you might choose to rent there.
The Finmore makes things easy, which is important for college students worrying about school and their future, something that senior computer science major Tony Samson was looking for.
“I liked it being furnished. Yes, the main thing for all the other ones were like $100 cheaper, but I would have to buy furniture,” Samson said. “Also, they were usually costing utilities. We only have to pay for electricity and then the one-time payment for internet at the beginning.”
The furnished apartments aren’t the only thing the Finmore offers, with 55-inch televisions in every unit and each bedroom providing a private bathroom. It’s friendly for people who prefer spacious but private living.
“The actual room itself, it’s pretty massive for a college apartment,” Samson said.
Whether it is the pet-friendly rooms or the spacious apartments, the Finmore has something for everyone and is the winner of Best of Boone’s Best Apartment for Amenities.
Best Place to Work as a Student: Troy’s 105 Diner
By: Trey Blake
A shiny shell and warm biscuits and gravy on your plate bring locals and tourists alike into Troy’s 105 Diner on NC Highway 105, but the homey feel and relationships made while on the clock drive students who need some extra cash during the school year to work at the famous breakfast location.
Winning the second-ever Best Place to Work as a Student award, Troy’s prides itself on helping early-rising App State students get accustomed to food service either at the table or on the kitchen line. Crispy bacon and soft pancakes are nice, but the vibe behind the counter is what brings smiles and laughter to the restaurant.
“No matter if I’m working a morning or night shift, I know I’ll be surrounded by people who support me and make my day better,” said Reese Hancock, a senior psychology major at App State. “They have become more than coworkers; they are friends. That kind of environment makes coming to work something I look forward to.”
Those smiles don’t stop when the open sign turns off; a real family resides behind those old-timey metal doors. Blasting music before those early morning shifts or joking around when closing time hits, the staff’s love for each other is felt in every bite.
“I always recommend Troy’s to other students and classmates. It’s not just a great place to work, but a really understanding place to work as a student,” Hancock said. “They’re flexible with schedules, respectful of school work and supportive of things like research conferences. They recognize school comes first, which makes a huge difference.”
With only a five-minute drive from campus at 1286 NC Highway 105 and a family-oriented feel the second you start your first shift, it’s clear why Troy’s is the vote for Best Place to Work as a Student.
Best Place to Work as a Local Alum: App State
By: Brett Salisbury
While a scenic campus and wonderful town draw students to App State, the community is what gets them to stay.
“I had great advice and leaders that saw potential in me to give back to the institution as a staff member,” said Jonathan Reeder, App State’s deputy athletic director. He attended App State from 2002 to 2007, earning a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems while pitching for the baseball team.
Reeder immediately became the director of baseball operations when he graduated. He slowly worked his way up through the ranks of the school’s athletic department, becoming deputy athletic director in 2019.
Reeder credits the connections he built through involvement in App State Athletics with making the transition easier. When the opportunity came up for Reeder to work at the school, he didn’t hesitate to take it.
“I’m very thankful and honored to work for and represent an institution that helped me grow into a professional as well,” Reeder said.
