My husband and I are planning to travel the Blue Ridge Pkwy from the West Virginia/North Carolina Border to Asheville. We have a few days are were wondering which town may make a nice two day stop. Blowing Rock, Boone, Linville, etc?. We've been to Asheville before. We are looking for a quaint town with a nice place to stay, good places to eat and few shops for browsing. Any suggestions?

Blowing Rock is exactly what you're looking for. It oozes "quaint."

I don't know of any specific B&Bs or restaurants to suggest, but I'm sure someone will respond soon.

If you run out of things to see and do in Blowing Rock, Boone's not far away--bigger, but not nearly as cute as Blowing Rock.

One thing NOT to do in Blowing Rock is to visit the town's namesake. We went, and it's basically just an area that gets some updrafts--not worth it, IMHO.

Enjoy your trip!

Just feel I should warn you, although many on this board seem to enjoy Blowing Rock, IMHO it is a mini-Gatlinburg. So if you like that kind of thing.....

Danna: Could you please share which towns you enjoy most?

I'll second Blowing Rock. Boone is the home of Appalachian State University and it basically a college town. This can be good or bad depending on your view but I like it.

I'm going to be famous on these forums for off-the-wall suggestions but have you considered Brevard, NC? It is about 45 minutes south of Asheville but easily meets your requirements. In addition to lots of B&Bs, downtown Brevard has plenty of small shops. This is also home to the Pisgah National Forest and they're not kidding when they say Transylvania county is the land of waterfalls. You can also pickup the Parkway by following Highway 276 through the Pisgah National Forest.
This area is one of my favorite places to send tourist due to easy access and things to do like the Cradle of Forestry, Sliding Rock, and the fish hatchery.

Remember the speed limit on the Parkway is 45 mph so it will take at least 1.5 hours to return to Asheville.

Mike Honeycutt

Mike, I'll second your opinion of Brevard.

Sorry, I dont understand the meaning of mini-Gatlinburg. Could someone enlighten me please.
Thanks

Not to be picky but isn't Brevard a good bit further than 45 minutes? That part of the Pisgah forest is really beautiful, I agree.
Gatlinburg is an absolute cheap tacky disaster of a mountain resort town. I don't really think Blowing Rock is THAT bad.
Linville is beautiful as is Banner Elk. They are all close together. Lots of nice shops on the roads around all three.

You can't compare Blowing Rock to Gatlinburg.I'm almost stunned that somebody would make it. Blowing rock has quality B&B's,restaurants and shops. Gatlinburg is a tourist trap.

Let me add that we stayed in Linville one night last year. Nothing special,but a pretty area.I like Boone a bit more than Linville,but Blowing Rock would be my first choice.

xxx: I'm a huge fan of Asheville. I also like Brevard for that "Maybery" feeling(although there are no good restaurants), and Black Mountain is also interesting .

Unfortunately, Blowing Rock was my 1st (adult) foray into the area NW of Asheville, and although I have now realized I should have gone to Boone instead, my husband was so traumatized by the Blowing Rock disaster that I can't seem to get him anywhere near there now

Gretchen summarized Gatlinburg accurately and succinctly.

Actually, I think Brevard is about 25 minutes from Asheville if you go I-26 to Hwy 280. Of course if you go Blue Ridge Parkway to 276, there's no telling how long it could take, but certainly more scenic.

Nora: the beauty of the area you are about to visit is staggering. No matter what town you visit, even if it's shops, restaurants, and general tone were not to jibe with your preferences, you will still have a great trip...I recommend getting in as much outdoor activity(hiking, biking, rafting, etc.) as possible.

Danna
I respect your opinion,but wonder what happened that made you so dislike Blowing Rock. I know a number of people who travel the Blue Ridge often and they (as I)would disagree. We have friends that have a condo in Boone and they go to Blowing Rock "for a little touch of class" now and then. When I refer to Blowing Rock I mean the little town area and not the small outlying area. One of the best B&B's in the state (with a spictacular view) is there. We have also stayed some 15 miles away and came to the town to eat,shop and enjoy a concert. No big deal,but I have never heard anyone speak negatively about BR.

Nora, I'd recommend Blowing Rock ! We liked it so well the first time, that we planned another trip to Ashville so that on return trip we could stay over in BR again and re-visit a favorite restaurant.
I have two very good restaurants to 'share' : Crippen's Country Inn on 239 Sunset Dr. just off Main St., tel.: 828-295-3487 and The Riverwood on Hwy. 321 just on the outskirts of BR): tel. 828-295-4162.
Blowing Rock is a touristy place, but in a nice way. Their Main Street is lined with mostly good quality and interesting shops .It is very pretty and well maintained with flower pots, etc. It is small enough not to be overwhelming. Just a nice spot to spend a night or two. Right on the Parkway, just about 1/2 mile south of BR is a wonderful old mansion that houses the N.C. native craft store.It's called Moses Cone Manor House & Parkway Craft Center.There are lots to do and see around the area if you have more time. We're planning to make another trip soon to stay overnight in BR.
Have a good time !

I'm pretty comfortable with the 45 minute travel time between Asheville and Brevard. Where I under estimate time is trying to remember how long it takes to get from the entrance to the Pisgah National Forest to the Pink Beds picnic area (at least 20 minutes).

Nora - if you plan to go from Brevard to the Parkway, it will take at least 40 minutes.

Mike Honeycutt

I greatly appreciate your advice and opinions. Now, one more question. Can you recommend a nice place to stay in Blowing Rock? Has anyone heard anything on the Meadowbrook Inn? My husband does not like rustic B&B's or as he says, "old houses with squeaky floors."

Once again thank you! Nora

Nora, we have not stayed at Chetola, but one time went by. It looked very attractive and we'd consider staying there. Check out www.chetola.com
We have stayed at a small motel, Brookside Inn, it was clean and orderly, but nothing to write home about.The rooms were tiny. They did have a nice lounge/great room where continental bkfst. was served.A pond is in front. It is a motel, but it has been remodeled and has its points, including a reasonable rate ! Chetola is a resort-type place, VERY attractive.

Message: Jabez
Thank you for your measured response. I, too, wonder at the difference between my take on Blowing Rock and yours and others. I suppose we were in the "little town area" ?? It just seemed to me to have nothing but fudge shops and knick-knack stores and a bunch of restaurants that didn't look good (and one we ate in that was not good). Plus there were people "cruising" the street in hot rods and Harley's. Thus my Gatlinburg comparison.

Obviously, I missed something good somewhere. I bow to the majority opinion.

Nora , what did you decide to do ???!
And how did you like your trip ?