Western North Carolina is Ready to Welcome You. How You Can Help Us Get Back!

GraystoneLodge / May 15, 2025 /Uncategorized

Spring has kicked off in full swing! Rhododendrons are bursting into bloom, the mountain tops are adorned with lush green leaves, and the High Country is OPEN for business!

October is usually the heart of tourism season in Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk and Beech Mountain. Fall colors drape the Blue Ridge Mountains, the air turns crisp, and families, couples, and leaf-chasers make their annual trek to Western North Carolina. But last September, a rare inland hurricane swept through, causing flooding, forcing road closures and power outages.

Here in the High Country, we watched our busiest season disappear almost overnight. Cancellations flooded in, not because people didn’t want to visit—but because they couldn’t. It was disheartening. For our small mountain town that depends on fall tourism, it felt like the rug had been pulled out from underneath us all.

Now, we’re rebuilding. Not just roofs and trails, but momentum, confidence, and community connections. And one of the best ways you can help? Plan your visit now!

Graystone Lodge is a 101-room boutique hotel located in Boone, NC, that captures the spirit of the High Country in a warm, welcoming ambiance of a mountain lodge with an enhanced modern design and upscale amenities. Book your stay or learn more about our rooms. Subscribe to our email list to “stay in the know” about local tips, events, and promotions: Join the list! Don’t miss our Spring Special: Stay 2 Nights and Save 20% offer! Valid April 1st, 2025 through June 19th, 2025. Book now and save.

Why Boone Still Belongs on Your Itinerary

Boone hasn’t lost its charm—it’s just waiting for you to return. The town is fully open. Most trails are clear. Restaurants are cooking up local favorites. We have not forgotten the damage caused, but the beauty remains.

Graystone Lodge—a boutique hotel in Boone, NC—is fully operational with many new renovations including a new roof and more soundproof windows to help decrease road noise. We’re excited to host spring and summer travelers, offering warm hospitality, cozy rooms, and that relaxed mountain feeling people come here to find.

Here’s why your next trip matters more than ever:

  • Small shops downtown missed a crucial sales window.
  • Family-run restaurants lost out on seasonal crowds.
  • Outdoor guides and attractions saw a sharp decline in bookings.
  • Local farms had to cancel fall markets and tours.
  • Hotels like ours had empty rooms during peak season.

By simply visiting, dining, shopping, and staying overnight, you breathe life back into our community.

How You Can Help by Visiting Boone, NC

It doesn’t take a grand gesture to make a difference. Booking a stay, buying a coffee, or shopping downtown has a bigger impact than you might think. Every dollar spent here stays here.

Here’s how you can support Boone and WNC by planning your visit now:

  • Book two or more nights at a local hotel (we’d love to host you at Graystone Lodge).
  • Shop small in Boone’s locally owned boutiques and artisan shops.
  • Eat local—dine at places like fizzEd, Coyote Kitchen, Sunrise Grill, and Pepper’s Restaurant & Bar.
  • Explore the outdoors through local outfitters and guides who rely on seasonal tourism.
  • Have an adventure at attractions like Sky Valley Zip Tours, Wahoos Adventures, & Tweetsie Railroad.
  • Bring the whole family and ask the front desk for local spots kids love.

The High Country has always welcomed visitors like family. Now, we need you more than ever!

Why Stay at Graystone Lodge?

We’re more than just a hotel in Boone, NC—we’re a place where guests enjoy an experience highlighting local small businesses. When you stay with us, you’re helping a small team of locals keep doing what they love including welcoming people to our beautiful mountain towns.

We offer:

  • Thoughtful details like custom coffee, cozy linens, and welcoming staff
  • Convenient location to downtown Boone, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and hiking trails
  • Quiet comfort and modern style that reflect the beauty of the mountains
  • Pet-friendly rooms for your four-legged travel companions (fee applies)
  • Access to our exclusive Local Discount Partnerships

We were voted the Best of the Best Hotel in Watauga County, and many families return year after year for their mountain getaways. We don’t take that lightly, and we appreciate the support.

Spring Has Sprung—And Boone Is Blooming

The mountains are waking up again. Wildflowers line the trails, the rivers are running strong, and the days are getting longer and warmer. Boone in spring is fresh, open, and full of life.

It’s a perfect time for:

  • Last-minute weekend getaways
  • Working remotely with a mountain view
  • Scenic drives on the Blue Ridge Parkway
  • Beautiful hikes with fresh mountain air
  • Exploring Boone’s farmer’s markets and outdoor patios
  • Supporting small businesses as the new season begins

When it comes to helping communities recover, tourism is a quiet but powerful way to contribute. No need for donations or fundraisers—just show up, check in, and enjoy your time here.

We’re Ready When You Are

Western North Carolina is resilient. Boone is open! And Graystone Lodge is ready to welcome you back with open arms, fresh sheets, and delicious hot local coffee from Hatchet Coffee.

We know you have choices for where to stay—but if you’re looking for the best place to stay in Boone, NC that also makes a real impact, we hope you’ll choose us. Contact us today or book your stay online. Your visit matters more than you know.

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