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My family and I are planning to visit the Blowing Rock/Boone area in the spring for vacation. We have never visited the area before. Would Blowing Rock be better to stay in than Boone as far as central location/things to do? is Blowing Rock generally more expensive?
You would want to experience Blowing Rock for a vacation stay. It's centrally located to the shops, stores, attractions, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's more expensive than Boone, yet the latter is more of a normal town with a university. Blowing Rock is more of an escape from the norm...a vacation destination.
Having been to both many times on annual golf/drive/get away trips, I like them both, but agree on BR for a 'vacay'.
Tad pricer motel-wise, but many to choose from, cute walkable downtown, etc.
Fwiw, we have stayed at the Village Inn many times, (#15 in that list), but booking it for decent price requires some early planning, but so do most of the area motels, imo.
Village Inn is a <10 min walk up the street to main downtown street.
But with kids, you may want something more kid friendly...
OP didn't say when 'in Spring', but be aware that 'spring' comes to parts of western NC at different times, mostly all based on elevation and micro climes.
Spring time in Asheville is well ahead of 'spring time' in Boone, BR, and any higher elevation areas.
GL, mD
I don't think it makes any difference, personally, as far as being centrally located for things to do. It's just 15 minutes from Boone to Blowing Rock.
I like the restaurants better in Boone for family fare. I think the Blowing Rock restaurants are a little more upscale. Our family has a mountain house in Boone and we're up in Boone and Blowing Rock frequently. I think King St in Boone is just as walkable as Blowing Rock. Our kids (now 12 & 10) have liked the little park in Blowing Rock over the years and going to Kilwin's for fudge and ice cream. We like the Mellow Mushroom in Boone over the Blowing Rock MM, though.
Make sure to go to the old original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis while you're there (not the one in Boone, although it's a fine store, just not a genuine antique).
The parkway is slightly more accessible from Blowing Rock, but I don't think that makes a major difference.
I agree. You can't go wrong staying in either town. I usually stay in Blowing Rock. We have stayed at the "Hillwinds" which I believe is a sister property of The one Motor David suggested.
We stay there mainly because it is dog friendly as my dog loves Blowing Rock too! It is not expensive and they usually have some sort of deal or special running. The basic rooms are well, basic. They also have some fancier rooms but dogs can't go there They have a nice breakfast and wine and cheese I believe in the afternoon. It is right in the center of town so you can walk virtually every where.
Blowing Rock is also close to Moses Cone Park which I adore. Sorry to blather on but Blowing Rock is a favorite of mine. But I love Boone too. I have never gone to Blowing Rock and not gone to the Mast store-the one in Boone and Valle Crucis too!
We went to the area two years ago. Both towns are fairly close. The drive from either really isn't a big deal, though it may depend on where you stay (in town hotel vs. cabin in the mountains). We used Blowing Rock for our stay, and really Boone wouldn't have been any worse or better. We walked downtown Blowing Rock and downtown Boone. Boone being bigger has more shops along King St. near the university. We ate at Capone's Pizza in Boone twice during our half of week stay, it is that good. We also ate at Six Pence Pub in Blowing Rock....good food there. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, really nice.
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