Boone, NC?

[caddywompus]

We're thinking of taking a trip to visit Boone, NC in a few weeks (DH read that it is a good place to retire) since we have some unexpected time off.
Has anyone been there? 
Any recommendations for hotels, restaurants, must see/do's?

[caddywompus]

Thanks for the info. I definitely want to check out Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mtn.

[tacokick]

Blowing Rock is close and more fun, I think. Boone is okay for a day trip but I don't think I'd want to stay there.

[littlemisssunshine]

I would second (third?) staying in Blowing Rock. My parents live in the area and I visit every summer. I always try to do the following:

Grandfather Mtn (Go up to the mile high swinging bridge!) They have a restaurant but I find the food not particularly good and it's expensive.

Hiking/Rafting/Ziplining or something adventurous

Moses Cone Manor is fun to visit and they do tours of the upstairs living quarters on the weekends I believe

Daniel Boone Native Gardens is also a nice place to pop into

Outlet mall in Blowing Rock

Gem mining is so touristy and fun


There is a wonderful inexpensive Indian restaurant in Boone called Mint. The Tartan Restaurant is also good

[caddywompus]

Thank you all. I will start looking more at the Blowing Rock area. We definitely want to do some hiking/exploring. Thanks for the restaurant rec's also!

[Wanderista]

I agree that Blowing Rock is cool and somewhere I'd like to explore more. I drove through Boone to check it out and ... that completely satisfied my curiosity. I did not find it to be interesting at all.

[littlemisssunshine]

Apr 8, 2015 14:31:46 GMT -5 Wanderista said:

I agree that Blowing Rock is cool and somewhere I'd like to explore more. I drove through Boone to check it out and ... that completely satisfied my curiosity. I did not find it to be interesting at all.

Aww poor Boone! It does have some cool things to offer. But Blowing Rock is definitely better. 

[Wanderista]

Apr 8, 2015 14:55:30 GMT -5 littlemisssunshine said:

Apr 8, 2015 14:31:46 GMT -5 Wanderista said:

I agree that Blowing Rock is cool and somewhere I'd like to explore more. I drove through Boone to check it out and ... that completely satisfied my curiosity. I did not find it to be interesting at all.

Aww poor Boone! It does have some cool things to offer. But Blowing Rock is definitely better. 

Maybe there is more in Boone than meets the eye. It just kind of reminded me of Danville or even Lynchburg minus the Jerry Falwell influence. I didn't think it was a bad place, just not exciting or with much tourist appeal. Maybe there is a side of it that I didn't see. It's just not really where I would go sight-seeing for retirement ideas. Blowing Rock on the other hand? Definitely has retirement potential for someone whose retirement dream is a mountain chalet in a quaint town.