Of Grandfather Mountain and Chimney Rock, which one would you visit if you could only choose one? Why?
How long should I plan on spending at each of these places?
We are 28 and 30 and our children are not going to be with us. We will be traveling in early September.
TIA!

It really depends on what you want. Grandfather Mtn is close to Boone and Chimney Rock is close to Asheville. There is lots of scenery and hiking at both. Grandfather has the animals, Chimney Rock has the little town. The big question is what else do you want to do in the area. If you choose Grandfather Mtn, you have Blowing Rock and Tweetsie close by, along with Sugar Mtn, Linville Falls, Linville Caverns. The lodging will mainly be in Boone but there is the Pixie Inn in Linville (5 min. from Grandfather entrance) and the Pineola Inn in Pineola (10 min. from Grandfather entrance). Much more lodging choices with Chimney Rock because of proximity to Asheville. In Asheville you also have more restaurants and shopping and you are fairly close the Cherokee Indian Reservation and close to Lake Lure (where Dirty Dnacing was filmed).
You can spend a whole day at Grandfather if you plan on doing any of the hiking trails, if you are not planning on doing any of the trails plan on 1/2 day. You can plan about the same for Chimney Rock.
I live about 12 minutes from Grandfather so if I can help, email me and I will do my best.
April
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Well, that's very informative. Thank you! We are staying in Asheville and only have two days there. We are spending a good portion of one of those days at the Biltmore Estate (probably). So maybe Chimney Rock is the better choice since we are already going to be there.
Thanks!

Chimney Rock would be better if you are definately doing Biltmore. It is beautiful, give yourself 1 LONG day to really experience all of Biltmore.
April