One Month in Boone, NC Without a Car
 

Hi, Fodorites!

I'll be spending a month studying at ASU in Boone this summer. I won't have a car, and I'm wondering if that is going to seriously limit my mobility. How is the public transportation in Boone? Will I be able to get out and see anything off campus, or will I essentially be stranded?

If you have any recommendations for must-visit sites, restaurants, bars, etc. I'd love to hear those, as well. I'm an English professor in my early 30s, I love to hike and bike and roller skate, and I'll only know one other professor in my program, so I imagine I'll be doing much of my traveling around Boone solo. As for dining recs, I'll eat anything!

Thank you for your help!

I think your horizons will be very limited without a car. You might consider renting one... NC is a beautiful state but you'll need wheels to see it.

You'll need a car if you wish to explore anything outside of Boone/campus proper. In close proximity I'd recommend Todd, Blowing Rock & Grandfather Mt. (for starters). http://www.toddnc.org/ http://blowingrock.com/ http://grandfather.com/

You'll be basically stranded, but there are lots of places within walking distance of the school. Don't miss the Boone Saloon right downtown on King Street for great beers and live music. Macado's is a neat student hangout with great sandwiches.

"I'm wondering if that is going to seriously limit my mobility"
Yes.

You can do some biking and lots of hiking, but I agree with the others - to see the surrounding area you'll need a car. Consider renting one for the weekends and/or become friends with others in your class that have cars and want to get out and explore.

Thank you for your responses. The program materials mention "ample public transportation in the Boone area" but it seems that this transportation is limited to campus, huh? I live in Chicago, so I'm thinking "ample public transportation" means something different around here!

I'm looking forward to exploring the area, so if that means renting a car, so be it.

SAnParis2 and Brian_in_Charlotte--thank you for the great recommendations!

Glad you are getting a car. Do you cycle? If so, try the Fleetwood to Todd bike ride along the New River Trail. Make a day trip to Asheville and Black Mountain. You will have easy access to the gorgeous Blue Ridge Parkway for lots of great hiking. Check out the Jefferson/Glendale Springs area during your stay.

My guess is you will fall in love with North Carolina and come back again to see even more of our beautiful state.

Welcome to North Carolina!

You are correct, there is no "L" in Boone, or taxis or much, in the way of public transport.

With that much time and no car, at least you can hunker down and learn the local language. :)

You'll be much happier having a car available, and you'll love the area.

I'm back! I really enjoyed Boone and the surrounding areas. Boone was beautiful, the people are so nice, and the weather was incredible. (Especially compared to Chicago this last month!)

Thank you again for all of your input, everyone.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that App State's campus had a lot of great eateries and stores, and the Appalcart went to the major large strip mall type places off campus.

My husband ended up driving out for my second weekend, so he had the car and the dogs, and we explored areas off of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Grandfather Mountain. Oh, and we stayed in Blowing Rock, which was a nice little area. It reminds me a lot of Long Grove, Illinois, actually. Several of my friends in the program had cars, so we made it out to Tennessee one weekend, and had a lot of fun exploring the area.

I really liked North Carolina. I've always been a Chicago girl, but now Boone holds a special place in my heart.

Haven - My DD2 goes to ASU. She lives in an apt on Kings Street and works at a consignment store also on Kings Street. She is there this summer and will graduate in December. Boone is such a cute town.

There are lots of folks who dislike Boone - most of those have only seen the ugly commercial strip of Blowing Rock Rd between Kign Street and the road out of town to Blowing Rock. It's too bad, because there is a lot more to Boone than that. Though I wonder how the town let that area grow into such ugly urban commercialism.

What a delightful followup. I am so glad you enjoyed your time here in beautiful North Carolina.

Literally just came back from a quick fly fishing trip with DGS and stayed in Boone for the first time in DECADES. It really hasn't "changed" all that much and I think it's still a pretty neat town. DS went to ASU for a while too, and we skiied in the area for years.
It IS a nice area--good jumping off place for lots to do, and glad you enjoyed it--but also did have some access to getting "out". Y'all come back, now!! ;o)

See what I mean--everyone in and around Boone is just delightful! I'm in Belgium now, and I must say: I miss Boone! I REALLY miss Hob Nob Farm Cafe! I forgot to mention that I tried my first hush puppies AND my first fried pickles while in NC. We do not have either in Chicago.

Brain_in_Charlotte--Oh yikes. If that is all some people know of Boone they are missing out!

Bankbabe3--I spent some time in the consignment stores on King Street! I really liked Anna Banana.

Cmcfong--:)

Gretchen--I certainly hope to make it back some time! It was very tempting to sign up as a grad student while I was there, just for a reason to return every summer!

Well, have fun in Belgium and we'll be here when you are ready to come back!!!

Haven17, did you make it to Coyote Kitchen or Farm? Farm is just off King street and Coyote Kitchen is near the walmart. Coyote kitchen use to be part of Hob knob. I like them both equally but prefer Coyote because I can use my credit card. So glad you enjoyed Boone. Come back soon.. Curiosity is one of my favorite places to shop and Re-Gear which is near King St. Stick boy is good too!

Theresa

Found another 3 year old thread for Boone but left off your VRBO ad?