I'm doing a home exchange in Boone, NC in mid-Oct and the only advance planning destination on the list is to visit the Biltmore Estate. I understand it would be about 1.5 - 2 hours drive one way from where I'm staying.

Looking at the Biltmore web site, it seems you can make it a very long day if you want to see everything. I may not feel like I need to see everything, but I'm a pretty ambitious sightseer and don't mind starting very early.

My question is: would it be good to spend the whole day and evening seeing the estate and a bit of Ashville, then stay overnight and drive back the next day along the Blue Ridge Parkway? I've read that driving the parkway should be subject to weather due to fog. Is this common in the fall?

I'd rather not spend the money on a hotel in Ashville if I can avoid it, but it might make sense. Fodorites? cmcfong?

It is definitely possible to do a day trip if the Biltmore is your only interest in Asheville. However, there is a good deal more there which you might enjoy.


I would plan to overnight in either Asheville or Black Mountain. Yes, fog is a possibility on the Parkway, but in my experience not highly likely to ruin your day. Asheville is great fun and worth the overnight. The ride back on the Parkway will be splendid. Take your hiking shoes so you can hop out for a walk.

Of the millions of things to do in the Mts. of NC, Biltmore is very near the absolute bottom of that list & I visit the area probably half a dozen times a year, since I reside in Charlotte.

Thanks cmcfong! I am planning on doing some hiking, biking and maybe some riding while I'm there. Should I take my "real" Rocky Mountain hiking boots or would tennies with good soles do?

I'm thinking to hit the Biltmore on a mid-week day and maybe there would be some deals on lodging then too. Any suggestions?

SAnParis2, I've been doing some research on the area since the opportunity for the exchange came up a whole year ago. I plan on visiting some of the usual places along the parkway. Doing some photography, the hiking and biking, check out a couple of the nearby small towns. I do enjoy architecture and gardens, so I think I'll like the Biltmore. Not much into shopping all the cutesy shops that probably abound in a town like Asheville (do I have the right impression).

Do you have some other suggestions for me of places to visit?

I love the Biltmore and you can make it a day trip if you don't mind driving. It would be better if you spent the night so you can enjoy the Asheville area more, but there and back in one day is doable.

If you are doing a homestay, you have plenty of time to drive the BRP. IMO the prettiest section is near Boone, including the Linn Cove viaduct. I'm sure you've found this website, but just in case...
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/map4.htm

I love Asheville and think its a definite "must do" but the area around Boone may be the prettiest part of NC (IMO anyway). One of my favorite areas is Valle Crucis -
http://www.vallecrucis.com/

There are a lot of moderate hotel options in Asheville. Mid-Oct is peak leaf season so the rates may be higher than usually, but you should be able to find something easily if you are booking something for mid-week.

BTW, the wine shop in downtown Asheville is my favorite place to buy wine. I trust their recommendations and usually pick up a case of whatever white table wine (usually French) that they are recommending. I just love that place! Also, be sure to check out the Mast General Store. Several locations but my favorite is (what I think is) the original in Valle Crucis.

The shoe thing is tricky. I like my real boots for hiking, but admit to having taken a hiking sneaker with me to Park City last week to save space in the suitcase. If your hiking sneaker is pretty stout, you should be fine.

Asheville has more galleries and restaurants than virtually any town its size. It is a lovely spot; but, there will be a great deal to engage you near Boone and Blowing Rock as well. Because as Starrs notes it is peak leaf peeping season it will be busy, but mid week there should be some deals. I tend to stay at the Grove Park (on business trips because the business activity is there) or Haywood Park (on fun trips) however there are a number of excellent bed and breakfasts in Asheville. Black Mountain is only about nineteen miles away and it has some good options, too.

Well, I was waiting for cmcfong to mention it but...
If you enjoyed the Andy Griffith show, you may enjoy visiting "Mayberry" - which is Mt Airy, NC
http://www.visitmayberry.com/

It would be a bit of a drive for you, but again that's just such a pretty section of NC. Plenty of options for getting out to take pictures, take a hike, etc.

How long will is your homestay? Letting us know about how much time you have in the area will help us with suggestions.

Not to contradict a previous poster, but I'm a huge fan of Frederick Law Olmstead and I just love the grounds of the Biltmore Estate. I enjoy the gardens. I like the winery. Like you, I don't do the cute little shops (unless dragged into them) but I love the shops next to the Grove Park Inn. The more I think about it, I'd definitely do an overnight so you can visit the Grove Park (even if you don't stay there). One of my favorite things to do is to sit in the rocking chairs in front of the huge fireplace. We usually order drinks and appetizers and just relax and enjoy being there. The Grove Park doesn't usually get raves for their food, but I've always enjoyed anything from the lobby bar menu. I also love the bookstore downtown - http://www.malaprops.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp

So much to see and do. Definitely spend the night!

starrs and cmcfong,

Thanks so much for the detailed and personal recommendations! I'm thinking I will spend overnight in Asheville. I have 8 full days in Boone, so I think I'll be able to leisurely enjoy my trip and see a lot! Mayberry! What a hoot! I have read a bit about the spots you mention, and thought I would make it to most.

cmcfong, I'm trying to see if time in Raleigh will fit. My flight back on Sunday isn't until noon, so deciding whether to stay overnight near the airport or what. What do you think? I hadn't considered trying to see your town too until you mentioned it. So many places to go, so little time!

Dayle, I think the Renaissance downtown used to come up on Priceline. Check www.betterbidding.com. I wouldn't bid on anything lower than 3* - especially that time of year. I usually stay at one of the Hampton Inns. I think the Baymont offers good rates with no thrills. A stay at a B&B would be wonderful, but usually not an option for 1 night...but maybe midweek would be okay. If you want to splurge, stay at the Grove Park. I like historic rooms, even though they are small. I adore the details in the room.

www.arborhousenc.com is a great place to stay in Black Mountain, right on a little lake. Great hosts, pretty views, and wonderful breakfasts. We loved touring the Biltmore estate - really fascinating history, great architecture, and beautiful gardens. Definitely do the audio tour - it adds a lot.

Careful about planning to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. We made a stop at Biltmore last fall during my dughter's college road trip, left to drive to App State in Boone via the parkway. There was a large section of parkway closed just outside of Ashville. Had to take a long detour east on I-40 and then back to the parkway via a tricky switchback mountain road. I was fine with it, my daughter was rather scared on a few of the hairpin turns. That detour added about 45 minutes to our drive. I think that section may be repaired and reopened, but due to the precarious nature of mountain roads, other sections may be closed for your trip.

Check for road closures at http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

The Parkway is an incredibly good road to drive on, but so scenic you could make many extra stops at overlooks and spend a lot of extra time than the GPS or trip software estimates! The speed limit is 45 but you will find you are going much slower to enjoy the view - or to get through the fog. Allow for stops, especially at the amazing Lynn Cove Viaduct. Remember, you are touring on mountain time - it's a lot more laid-back than urban time. Relax and take it easy.

Finally, a head's-up on Raleigh - the NC State Fair runs from Oct 15 to Oct 25 (two weeekends) if you are going to be in the area at that time, book your accomodations early. Fortunately, there are no home NCSU football games on those weekends this year, so you should be able to get a room. There are many airport hotels, but you might get a good rate on a weekend room in one of the many RTP hotels - those mostly have business travelers and there are many discounts for weekend rooms. They are close to the airport - but not much else!

Thanks so much everyone! Like cmcfong, I really appreciate the local knowledge when going to a place for the very first time. It hadn't occured to me that there might be road closures on the parkway. I thought that was something we only had in the Rockies!

I ended up choosing a B&B called the Pinecrest Inn in Asheville. It looked quite good and had good reviews on Trip Advisor and they took one night during the week. So I think I'm set there. Don't anyone tell me this is a bad choice since I can't get a refund now....

I got the directions to my exchangers mountain home and it sounds like it's more remote than I thought. Looks like I will be getting up pretty early to fly home!

Any other suggestions are more than welcome! Any good restaurants in the Boone area to try?

Boone has a wide variety of restaurants, so you'll find lots of options. For "home cooking" try -
http://www.danlbooneinn.com/

One of my favorites is back in Valle Crucis, dining at the Mast Farm Inn
http://www.mastfarminn.com/dining/

Banner Elk is nearby with good restaurant options too.

I am headed up to ride the Fleetwood to Todd trail tomorrow,Dayle. It has been a while since I was in the area, but here are some restaurants I have enjoyed.
Twigs
Crippen's
Storie Street Grille
Village Cafe
all in Blowing Rock

Friends have recommended Tupelo's and Vidalia in Boone, but I have not tried them.



Cheers!

Thanks! Have a good ride cmcfong. I could rent a bike in Boone, right?

Dayle, if you are on Facebook add "Simplicity Mast" as a friend. You'll receive regular updates on events that are going on in the area.

You may be able to receive the same updates via eletters - I don't know. But, here's the link to their website.
http://www.mastfarm.net/mfi-simplicity/

If you do neither, I'll try to remember to update here with special events in the area while you are there.

I highly recommend the restaurant, although it can be pricey.

Absolutely

http://www.boonebike.com/

http://www.magiccycles.com/

Definitely visit Twiggs in Blowing Rock, Daniel Boone Inn is okay for bfast if you like greasy southern breakfast food, which I do....Just around the corner from there is Earth Fare (Organic grocery store with hot food bar and salad bar if you wanna take a lunch up for a hike).

Black Cat Burrito is a good inexpensive spot and Mellow Mushroom has great salads and pizzas...both in Boone

While ont he BRP in Asheville head north to Graveyard Fields and Devils Courthouse. Graveyard fields is awesome hiking with lots of options. Devils COurthouse is amazing during a full moon or clear day. About 3/4 mile hike stright up a paved trail, but can see forever if clear.

I-40 exit 55 is a town called Oteen, between Black Mountain and Asheville. There is a spot to get on the BRP here and go to the Folk Art Center...great gallery of local high end woodwork and mountain crafts....non-comercialized.

GO TO the Grove Park Inn, sit on the back porch (It's huge)with a drink and watch the sunset....DON'T miss this if possible.

Several here have mentioned the Grove Park Inn, is it in Asheville?

Another question, I've seen on the Biltmore web site that they recommend advance time slot reservations for certain "busy days", which I am planning on missing. Do I still need to get an advance time slot, or would probably be OK to just get my ticket on arrival either on Monday or Tuesday?

Thanks everyone! This is just great.

I see that the Mast Farm is in Valle Crucis, which sounds like a good place to visit. Thanks for the hint on the wine shop in Asheville starrs! I'll definitely stop in there... I may make it to only 2 or 3 restaurants, so it seems I have plenty good ones to choose from.

Mille grazie!