Things to do / Travel Guide
Quality notwithstanding, the southern Appalachian Mountains is a pretty inexpensive region to visit. Food, lodging, entertainment, and attractions tend to be on quite a high level. Everything is country- and small town-tinged, and that means a smaller scale for most things. There are no very big cities, only a few mid-sized ones and towns, and these are far enough from the main metropolitan areas to reduce prices on most items.
Lodging Costs in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
In terms of lodging, you can find everything from spas and resorts to motels, and from cabins to bed and breakfasts, in the southern Appalachian Mountains. There's something for every price range and need.
Starting with the spas and resorts, then: the Greenbrier, at $500 for a double room, and then the Grove Park Inn and Spa, at $350, are among the priciest. There are some good ski resorts in the region; the most expensive and the highest quality of these is Snowshoe, in eastern West Virginia, and Wintergreen, in western Virginia. They're around $150-$200 a night.
Inns and bed and breakfasts are prevalent in the region. Throughout, you'll find charming and aesthetically-pleasing establishments for around $100 a night. The most expensive are in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Asheville, North Carolina; while in historical towns like Abingdon, Virginia and Greeneville, Tennessee, prices are mid-range.
Hotels aren't so big in the region, and therefore they don't cost much, either. You'll find hotels in the downtown areas of the cities - Asheville, Johnsonville, Greeneville, Knoxville, and Charlottesville - but most people prefer to stay in the inns and bed and breakfasts. They run about $60 a night.
Lots of people come to the region to camp. There are campsites all over. They're cheap to stay at - either free and with no facilities, or minimally-priced with some facilities.
Then you've got cabins. For a good-sized cabin, with a bedroom, a kitchen, a porch, bathrooms, and a living room, expect to pay around $100 during prime season. If the cabin is within a State Park, the prices are standardized per state. Discounts are given for weekly stays.
Dining Costs in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
Two basic categories of food and prices exist for the traveler in the southern Appalachian Mountains. You can eat country-style food at the restaurants and inns in the countryside, or you can venture into the cities for more “chic” cuisine. Prices go according to this separation: Inexpensive meals abound at these country establishments. You can get a good meal for two at these eateries for $15-$20. In the cities, expect to pay more - up to $40 per couple.
Attraction and Activity Costs in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
The region happens to be a good place to go for not much money. Hiking doesn't cost anything, and fishing is just a permit away. A major attraction in the southern Appalachian Mountains is the number of parkways, and these, special to the region, are also free of charge.
Chartering a fishing guide costs less in the region than in other regions. For example, you can go trout fishing with an experienced guide for $200-$250 for a whole day. On the other hand, tours can often cost more than the national average. Daytime admission at Biltmore Estate, including a tour, is $25 a head at low season, $44 at high season. Year-round, entrance into Monticello is $15 a day. At both places children get discounts.
Biking can often cost good money, and prices at the resorts often approach those of skiing. At Snowshoe Mountain, in West Virginia, a one-day rental for a bike and all the associated gear costs $125. For just the bike and the helmet, it's $40. In lesser-known biking areas, a day rental can cost as little as $20.
Transportation Costs in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
Gas is cheap, and that's good because driving is key to enjoying this region. There are no toll roads in the region either.
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