What to do in Banner Elk/Boone?

[Get Off My Lawn]

We're headed to the area with 3 sons, their wives and 4 grandkids.
Were looking for beautiful views (not on the edge of drop offs), adventure, parks, restaurants, etc.

 

[Slacker]

Elk knob trail is a pretty awesome hike.
Selfie from the North view. Family friendly.

Most cabins are 2 night minimum.
Hotels Are $190+

 

[DangerRuss]

We did this in July before Cooper shut it down for no reason (outdoor entertainment not allowed because of Rona, no exceptions, even if cleaning/distancing is observed, blah blah blah).
Not sure whether they have opened back up yet. My 10 and 12yo daughters loved it and wanted to stay there.
https://www.wildernessrunalpinecoaster.com/

 

[9outof10mms]

If you're headed after November 13: https://tweetsie.com/

 

[chiefjason]

Woodlands BBQ in Blowing Rock.
Christa's Country Corner near Linville for deserts. Food is good too.
Daniel Boone Inn for family style food.

Price lake has a 3 ish mile trail that is nice. It's a little messy in places but not a difficult trail.

Hike up to Ship Rock has a great view. Strenuous but short. Crowded at times.

Linville Falls trail. South trail is easy with a couple nice overlooks. North trail is more difficult and goes to the base of the falls.

Moses Cone has some nice trails. You can loop them together of take several short hikes. There is a 6 mile round trip out to the fire tower too.

Flat Rock trail. Pretty easy, short hike with a great view off the Cliff.

Grandmother Trail. Longer and steeper than Flat Rock but you can access a couple cliff tops.

Grandfather Mountain, the tourist part, is a neat trip. Kind of expensive though.

If it's not too cold and you have time the Creeper Trail in Damascus VA is awesome.

Probably getting too cold to float the New River.

 

[Grim]

Crabtree Falls

 

[rdinatal]

Cow tipping... Fun for the whole family.

You can get some exercise if the bull is around.

 

[Get Off My Lawn]

Cow tipping... Fun for the whole family.

You can get some exercise if the bull is around.

We did that in my yout, with alcohol. My first attempt I bounced off the bull like a superball, and awoke him to my horror.

 

[Long_Hunter]

Love Banner Elk...a drinking town with a skiing problem

We only go in the winter to hit sugar and beech...favorite watering hole is Bayou Smokehouse and grill...the food is hit and miss, but the bartenders have always been first class. Tie all the kids to the bumper of a parked out of state car and then belly up to the bar

...have also eaten at Stonewalls, Bella's, and Sorrento's...all three have good food...stonewalls is pricey...all three can sit large parties and took reservations

I think sugar mtn has their October fest this coming weekend...take the chairlift up to the top, the kids will love that...unless they don't!

 

[rdinatal]

We did that in my yout, with alcohol. My first attempt I bounced off the bull like a superball, and awoke him to my horror.

Ah, the memories!!!

 

[SPST]

There are also a couple of places that do zip lining. We did that this past summer in Colorado with the grandkids and had a blast.

 

[Carolinatlc]

Woodlands BBQ in Blowing Rock.
Christa's Country Corner near Linville for deserts. Food is good too.
Daniel Boone Inn for family style food.

Price lake has a 3 ish mile trail that is nice. It's a little messy in places but not a difficult trail.

Hike up to Ship Rock has a great view. Strenuous but short. Crowded at times.

Linville Falls trail. South trail is easy with a couple nice overlooks. North trail is more difficult and goes to the base of the falls.

Moses Cone has some nice trails. You can loop them together of take several short hikes. There is a 6 mile round trip out to the fire tower too.

Flat Rock trail. Pretty easy, short hike with a great view off the Cliff.

Grandmother Trail. Longer and steeper than Flat Rock but you can access a couple cliff tops.

Grandfather Mountain, the tourist part, is a neat trip. Kind of expensive though.

If it's not too cold and you have time the Creeper Trail in Damascus VA is awesome.

Probably getting too cold to float the New River.

@chiefjason hit many of the things we do when we are up. For food, I’d head into blowing rock one afternoon. Try Foggy Rock out or Sunny Rock for breakfast. I’m not sure if the park is done in downtown Blowing Rock yet. Always a good time with younger ones. We’ve eaten an early dinner at Mellow Mushroom, let the kids play in the park and then get Kilwins ice cream almost every trip up for over 15 years.

We did zip lining a couple times last year and had a blast. Planning to do the coaster @DangerRuss mentioned in a couple weeks.

 

[SPST]

@chiefjason hit many of the things we do when we are up. For food, I’d head into blowing rock one afternoon. Try Foggy Rock out or Sunny Rock for breakfast. I’m not sure if the park is done in downtown Blowing Rock yet. Always a good time with younger ones. We’ve eaten an early dinner at Mellow Mushroom, let the kids play in the park and then get Kilwins ice cream almost every trip up for over 15 years.

We did zip lining a couple times last year and had a blast. Planning to do the coaster @DangerRuss mentioned in a couple weeks.

I think they have closed the coaster down that is across from Sugar Mtn. No, they are back open.
https://www.wildernessrunalpinecoaster.com

 

[phideux]

Famous Louises for breakfast.

 

[Aardvark]

Don't know if the Chamber of Commerce or Arts Commission thought it would be a tourist draw, but artisans modified the Elk statue in downtown Banner Elk last week so that it is newly "anatomically corrected". A permanent "addition" to the venerable bull makes him now properly equipped for love. Makes you wonder who was complaining.

 

[Jabroni]

Banner Elk winery is great.
Kettel brewing as well.
Heard that Beech mountain Brewing is closed until November.
Booneshine brewing in Boone is the bees knees.
AmB and Lost Province are rad too.
Blowing rock brewery just reopened after a remodel.

All good stuff.

I dont have a problem...just like good beer.

Oh yeah, there are some good views out this way..plus mountains..that you can drink beer at.

 

[mj1angier]

Take a driving adventure up Brown Mountain Beech Rd--wait you said no drop offs.

 

[charliedeltajuliet]

Go eat a burger at Foggy Rock Restaurant, in Blowing Rock.

 

[SPST]

Do anything outside. You're in the mountains. Peep at the changing leaves. Why waste time going to breweries?

 

[Hammer12b]

Famous Louises for breakfast.

Nope, Kayes in Newland. Anything you could ever want in an omelette and served with potatoes, fruit, biscuits and gravy, bacon, ham, sausage and pancakes and/ or French toast,all made in front of you! About $10 a head, all you can eat.

 

[Hammer12b]

Moses Cone State park, Grandfather Mountain ($22 a head but) the views are killer, Roan Mountain State Park just across the state line, Mast General Store, Elk River Falls (@80 feet high) is beautiful!

 

[chiefjason]

Moses Cone State park, Grandfather Mountain ($22 a head but) the views are killer, Roan Mountain State Park just across the state line, Mast General Store, Elk River Falls (@80 feet high) is beautiful!

If you go to the old Mast store you have to stop by the beef jerky shop up on the hill too. It's on the way out to the store.

 

[9outof10mms]

Grandfather Mountain ($22 a head but)

Psshshshshhhshhshttttt!!!!!!!

That was me spitting out the coffee from my mouth...

Mother of SHIT!!! They're up to $22 a person?!?! What the hell happened to "the state taking over as a NC State Park so costs could be controlled and the family not have to sell the park to developers?!"

 

[Jabroni]

Psshshshshhhshhshttttt!!!!!!!

That was me spitting out the coffee from my mouth...

Mother of SHIT!!! They're up to $22 a person?!?! What the hell happened to "the state taking over as a NC State Park so costs could be controlled and the family not have to sell the park to developers?!"

Fyi there are two times a year they waive that fee for canned food..april and maybe november or december. Check their site.

Grandfather is cool, the kids love it but go when its warmer out. The bridge in december with 70mph winds is not fun.

 

[Jabroni]

Do anything outside. You're in the mountains. Peep at the changing leaves. Why waste time going to breweries?

On the contrary, its a good way to close out an afternoon. Good views at some of the spots mentioned and very relaxing.

Not a waste if time at all of you enjoy more than a carlo rossi or coors light.

To each their own though.

 

[chiefjason]

Psshshshshhhshhshttttt!!!!!!!

That was me spitting out the coffee from my mouth...

Mother of SHIT!!! They're up to $22 a person?!?! What the hell happened to "the state taking over as a NC State Park so costs could be controlled and the family not have to sell the park to developers?!"

The state took over all the undeveloped acreage and did turn it into a state park. The family kept the tourist trap. And I think that price has gone down a bit since we took the kids before they made those changes. IIRC it was about $100 for 4 of us, 2 at kids prices. It's worth it for a time or two but it is a bit over priced.

 

[charliedeltajuliet]

Be mindful of the amount of rain we have gotten in the mountains. We have had 105.2” of rain this year and most trails and even roads are being washed away from underneath. Just be mindful of your footing if you go hiking or walking.

 

[9outof10mms]

The state took over all the undeveloped acreage and did turn it into a state park. The family kept the tourist trap. And I think that price has gone down a bit since we took the kids before they made those changes. IIRC it was about $100 for 4 of us, 2 at kids prices. It's worth it for a time or two but it is a bit over priced.

I'm all for keeping the bears fed with a nominal entry fee and getting me for some Chinese junk in the gift shop--but at $22 per head, they're getting neither.

 

[SPST]

Can't you still hike up Grandfather from the Parkway or Hwy 105 for a lot less than the entry fee of driving up? Of course the hike up and back will take all day but it's worth it if the grandkids aren't too small.

 

[Remshooter]

Psshshshshhhshhshttttt!!!!!!!

That was me spitting out the coffee from my mouth...

Mother of SHIT!!! They're up to $22 a person?!?! What the hell happened to "the state taking over as a NC State Park so costs could be controlled and the family not have to sell the park to developers?!"

Back before most of you were born and I was living in Boone, my roommate worked for Horn in the West and at the time they were both owned by Hugh Morton. Anyway he had a family pass from being an employee, we would load my Land Cruiser full of a bunch of stoners and go up and hike the trails and play on the bridge. Guy at the gate would just look at us and the smoke rolling out (usually a college kid too) and waive us on through. Good times!

edit: that is back when you could still feed Mildred the mini marshmallows and if it did not go directly in her mouth, she would not even move her head to catch it, no wonder she died.

 

[chiefjason]

Can't you still hike up Grandfather from the Parkway or Hwy 105 for a lot less than the entry fee of driving up? Of course the hike up and back will take all day but it's worth it if the grandkids aren't too small.

Yes, that's the state park sections on the parkway and 105 Profile Trial. All those access areas are free. The only fee entrance is the tourist entrance on the road off of 221.

 

[SPST]

Yes, that's the state park sections on the parkway and 105 Profile Trial. All those access areas are free. The only fee entrance is the tourist entrance on the road off of 221.

They used to require a hiking pass for the Profile trail and hiking up from the Parkway. It was something like $10 or so. It's been a while since I've hiked it.
The last time I was at the top of Grandfather was the Bridge to Bridge bicycle ride from Lenoir to the Swinging Bridge. 102 miles of Pure Hill! I was in much better shape then!

 

[Atla]

Don't know if the Chamber of Commerce or Arts Commission thought it would be a tourist draw, but artisans modified the Elk statue in downtown Banner Elk last week so that it is newly "anatomically corrected". A permanent "addition" to the venerable bull makes him now properly equipped for love. Makes you wonder who was complaining.

For a while, one of the road signs in Foscoe was similarly modified by a talented individual. A buddy of mine took a picture and made a bunch of stickers out of it. I'm not sure if it's still there or not.

Personally, I'm from Boone. Grew up there, went to Watauga High, then App State. Had LOTS of fun. But now I avoid it like the plague unless I'm visiting my parents because the traffic and people of a politically polar opposite of me dominate that place.

 

[Aardvark]

...Personally, I'm from Boone. Grew up there, went to Watauga High, then App State. Had LOTS of fun. But now I avoid it like the plague unless I'm visiting my parents because the traffic and people of a politically polar opposite of me dominate that place.

My wife and I met in 1981 at P.B. Scott's. She was going to App State and had a corner unit at King Street Apartments. Good times.

 

[SPST]

I was there in '81. There were many nights that I don't know how we got home from PB Scott's! I lived in the Laurel Apts which was a converted motel behind the Gulf station at 105&321.

 

[CZfool68]

For a while, one of the road signs in Foscoe was similarly modified by a talented individual. A buddy of mine took a picture and made a bunch of stickers out of it. I'm not sure if it's still there or not.

Personally, I'm from Boone. Grew up there, went to Watauga High, then App State. Had LOTS of fun. But now I avoid it like the plague unless I'm visiting my parents because the traffic and people of a politically polar opposite of me dominate that place.

That’s only funny because you are in Asheville. Frying pan to the fryer sounds like.

 

[Atla]

That’s only funny because you are in Asheville. Frying pan to the fryer sounds like.

LOL. Well, I'm in Marion, I just put Asheville to be mysterious.

I see you've got West Jefferson on your location - My grandpa had a nice spread there that I basically grew up on. (Actually it was in Lansing)

 

[johnnyb]

Don’t know if you’ve already been or not OP, but we hit up the pedaling pig (bbq) in banner elk every year at least once when we go up. I think they have at least one other location in Boone also.

 

[Jabroni]

Don’t know if you’ve already been or not OP, but we hit up the pedaling pig (bbq) in banner elk every year at least once when we go up. I think they have at least one other location in Boone also.

Good call. The other is off 105, on the way to banner elk, if you go that route.

 

[Murph XIII]

Not trying to hijack the OP's thread, but I'm in sugar mtn now for a few days. I usually like to relax at the house and cook food at home, but we are planning on going out one night. In y'alls opinion: pedalin pig, or bayou smokehouse?