A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Blue Ridge vs. Boone for Food, Nightlife, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Blue Ridge or Boone?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Blue Ridge and Boone. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a outdoorsy, historic, and quaint town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Boone

Boone is a relaxing, quaint, and picturesque town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Blue Ridge and Boone: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Blue Ridge or Boone?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Boone than Blue Ridge, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Boone is better known for its skiing, museums, nightlife, and impressive beauty, while Blue Ridge is more popular for its food. Boone is more touristy than Blue Ridge and is known for its proximity to great hiking, skiing, and small town charm. Also, Boone is famous for the Blue Ridge Parkway. Blue Ridge is well known for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere.

How is Blue Ridge different from Boone?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Boone and Blue Ridge. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Blue Ridge or Boone Better for Skiing?

Boone is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Blue Ridge is not a skiing destination.

Boone offers world-class skiing that is fun for everyone. It's a very popular ski destination in North Carolina. There are family-friendly slopes as well as more challenging options. Head to the popular Appalachian Ski Mountain, nearby Beech Mountain, or Sugar Mountain for some of the area's best skiing.

Blue Ridge is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Blue Ridge or Boone?

Boone is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Boone is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Most people spend the majority of their time exploring the natural beauty, but there are also several small local museums such as the Banner House Museum.

Blue Ridge offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While you don't immediately think of museums in the area, there are a couple. The Dahlonega Gold Museum gives information on the gold rush and mining industry in town. In nearby Tennessee, Ducktown Basin Museum is a historic mine site that is open for tours.

Is the Food Better in Blue Ridge or Boone? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Blue Ridge is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Blue Ridge has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find plenty of small town restaurants serving local dishes like barbecue, trout, and biscuits with gravy. Southern food is popular, but you'll also find plenty of breweries and wineries in the area. Head downtown for an assortment of options that include southern, vegan, and even international flavors.

Boone offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find farm to table restaurants, local cafes, and all of the standard chain restaurants nearby. Check for a High Country Grown certification if you want to prioritize locally sourced ingredients.

Is Blue Ridge or Boone Better for Nightlife?

Boone is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Boone has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a small town, but there are local breweries and a great nightlife scene that is, in large part, influenced by the large student population.

Blue Ridge has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head downtown for a mix of breweries, bars, and clubs where you'll find live music and a casual meal.

Is Blue Ridge or Boone Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Blue Ridge and Boone, and they are high quality.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Blue Ridge. There are miles of hiking trails in the area that take you to waterfalls and viewpoints. The starting point of the Appalachian Trail is also nearby, and another popular trail is the Benton MacKaye Trail. Options range from beginner to expert with everything in between.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Boone. The area is filled with wonderful hikes, particularly around Grandfather Mountain and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The famed Appalachian Trail passes through the area as well. Many hikes take you through beautiful forests, passed dramatic waterfalls, and to breathtaking viewpoints.

Is the Shopping Better in Blue Ridge or Boone?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Blue Ridge and Boone.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Blue Ridge. You'll find artisan shops, art galleries, and boutique clothing vendors. Many places are concentrated in the charming downtown area, which is fun to explore for a day or two.

Boone is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Wander along King Street for some of the town's best shopping. There are independent vendors and antique shops that are fun to pop into. The town is also known for its farmer's markets.

Is Blue Ridge or Boone Better for Families?

Both Blue Ridge and Boone are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Blue Ridge is a very family-friendly destination. Kids who enjoy hiking and playing outdoors will have fun here. There are waterfall hikes, fruit picking farms, and plenty of playgrounds. There's also a scenic railway and lots of places to sample treats.

Boone is a very kid-friendly town. Near town you'll find kid-friendly hikes, such as Linville Falls. There are also several places where kids can go ziplining or rock climbing. Parks and outdoor activities are abundant and the whole family will enjoy the setting.

Is Blue Ridge or Boone Better for Couples?

Blue Ridge and Boone both high quality destinations for a couple.

Blue Ridge makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. If you're looking for a cozy retreat where you can relax in a cabin, take long walks through nature, and enjoy local food, then this is your place. There are plenty of bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and rustic cabins with fireplaces and simple pleasures. If you want to escape it all then the mountains are the place to be.

Couples visit Boone frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The charming town has a romantic setting with local restaurants, beautiful hikes, and plenty of shopping. Couples enjoy staying at bed and breakfasts and enjoying the quaint atmosphere.

Is Blue Ridge or Boone Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Blue Ridge is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Boone is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Blue Ridge. There are a number of campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hikes that backpackers will enjoy. Nearby you'll also find the start of the famed Appalachian Trail.

It's common for backpackers to visit Boone. While there aren't many hostels in the area, there are plenty of campgrounds. The nearby Appalachian State University also ensures that there are plenty of fun activities for young visitors.

Is Blue Ridge or Boone Better for Students?

Boone is an amazing town to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Blue Ridge is not popular with students.

Boone is a very popular place to visit for students. This mountain town offers a great setting for students who enjoy hiking and skiing. Appalachian State University is a fun college with plenty of activities going on.

Blue Ridge is not popular with students.

Is Blue Ridge or Boone Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Boone is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Boone. You really need a car to make the most of your time.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Blue Ridge. There's no real public transportation system in the area.

Is Blue Ridge or Boone a more walkable city?

Boone is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Boone is very walkable. Head to King Street for the best shopping and the most pedestrian-friendly part of town.

Blue Ridge is a somewhat walkable place. While the downtown area is relatively walkable, if you want to hike and get out in nature, you'll need to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Blue Ridge Worth Visiting? and Is Boone Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boone or Blue Ridge?

How long in Blue Ridge or Boone?

It's fun to spend time in either Blue Ridge or Boone. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Blue Ridge due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Blue Ridge, and 2-4 days is enough time in Boone.

Families should spend more time in Boone than Blue Ridge. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Boone, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Boone than Blue Ridge. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Boone that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boone than Blue Ridge if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Boone.

One day in Blue Ridge or Boone?

Even though Blue Ridge is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

With nightlife and food around the picturesque town of Boone, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Blue Ridge or Boone?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Blue Ridge. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

With food and shopping around the small town destination of Boone, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Blue Ridge or Boone?

Blue Ridge is a fun place to experience. Blue Ridge is a small town with plenty to do. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Boone, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Blue Ridge or Boone?

Blue Ridge is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Boone is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Blue Ridge and Boone, we can see that Boone is more expensive. And not only is Blue Ridge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Blue Ridge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Blue Ridge and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Boone would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boone than you might in Blue Ridge.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Blue Ridge Expensive? and Is Boone Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Blue Ridge or Boone?

Boone has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Blue Ridge and Boone, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.