Lindsay Garcia – Page 2 – Blowing Rock, NC

Accessibility

Activities & Attractions The Blowing Rock Attraction Parking: 2 designated spaces, hard surface lot Bathrooms: 1 accessible bathroom Amenities: The area around the Blowing Rock offers paved, wide walkways that would be easily accessible by a wheelchair. There are trails that branch off of this walkway that would not be appropriate for a chair but they are marked clearly. There is an observation deck with a ramp leading up to it that offers a panoramic view of the John’s River Gorge, however the railing may be difficult to see over from a sitting position. Blowing Rock Art & History Museum Parking: 4 reserved spaces, hard surface lot Bathrooms: There are bathrooms on each floor equipped with an accessible stall. Amenities: The flooring in the museum is level and appropriate for all modes of transport. There is a large elevator that brings guests to the second floor as needed. All directional signs offer braille. Blue Ridge Parkway The Blue Ridge Parkway offers a number of beautiful views from accessible overlooks, plus some accessible amenities at certain locations. For more details on individual sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway, see the full Blue Ridge Parkway section below. Broyhill Park Lake Trail Parking: 1 reserved space, hard surface lot Bathrooms: There are no reserved restrooms for this area. The closest bathroom is the one at the Robbins Pool. Amenities: Plentiful benches around trail, which is a paved path. There is also an accessible dock for fishing. Chetola Sporting Reserve Parking: 2 designated space, gravel lotBathrooms: 2 accessible stallsAmenities: Chetola Sporting Reserve offers a Sporting Clay Course, a 5 Stand Clay Station, Archery, a Pistol and Rifle Range, Fly fishing Wade Trips, Fly Fishing Float Trips, and Trophy Waters. Chetola is committed to offering the best experience possible for people of all abilities. They urge people to call ahead and explain their needs so that they can make the appropriate accomodations. Grandfather Mountain Parking: Assigned spots at all major stops (9 total), hard surface lots Bathrooms: All bathrooms have at least one accessible stall. (8 total) Amenities: Grandfather Mountain offers awesome views and learning experiences for people of all ages. There is also an elevator that takes people with limited mobility up to the Mile High Swinging Bridge and allows them to cross. For more information on Grandfather Mountains Accessibility click here. Memorial Park Picnic Area Parking: There are 2 spots reserved right outside of the park, hard surface. All parking, even handicapped parking, is limited in Blowing Rock. There are also spots reserved nearby at the American Legion Hall with only a gentle incline to the park area. Bathrooms: Public bathrooms sit right next to the picnic area. Recently renovated, they offer 2 handicapped stalls and sinks. Amenities: Shaded and unshaded picnic area. Trash receptacles. Nearby bathrooms. Middle Fork Greenway Parking: Varies based on access point, some paved lots, some gravel surface lots. Bathrooms: No bathrooms available. Amenities: Wide paved path that can be enjoyed by everyone. Flat grade. Cyclists welcome too. Mystery Hill Parking: 2 reserved spots, paved surface lot Bathrooms: 4 accessible bathroom stalls Amenities: Ramps and handrails throughout attraction. With a little backtracking all sites can be experienced. Some Historical Museums have a second floor. Experiences to be enjoyed are, all five gift shops, Prospector Hill Gem Mining, Tomahawk Hill, Professor Finnegan’s Photo Parlor, Front Porch Eats and the Bull Riding Challenge. Price Lake Boat Rentals Parking: 3 reserved spots, paved surface lot Bathrooms: There is no running water at this facility. There is an accessible porta potty in the parking lot with grab bars. The next closest bathrooms are located at Julian Price Park picnic area. About 0.25 miles north of the facility. Amenities: Price Lake Boat Rentals has a ramp from the parking lot to the water. They offer kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. They have installed an EZ Launch that allows for people using wheelchairs to transition into canoes or kayaks with less effort. Shoppes on the Parkway Parking: 10 designated spots, paved surface lot Bathrooms: 2 bathrooms with accessible stalls Amenities: There are ramps from the accessible spots to the walkway around the stores. The stores do not have steps up to them, so everyone is able to enter. The doors can be a little small for larger electric wheelchairs, however if someone is holding the door open it is maneuverable. Sky Valley Zip Tours – Mountain Cat EAV Tour Parking: Gravel surface lots.There is plentiful parking at the Mountain Cat location as well as their main office location. Bathrooms: Each of their locations offers an accessible bathroom. Amenities: The Mountain Cat EAVs were created for non-ambulatory people. They are made to drive from the hand, and can explore miles of off-road trails on a guided tour. Participants must be 14 years of age and up. Tweetsie Railroad Parking: At least 30 reserved spots, paved surface lot. Bathrooms: Six bathrooms in the park, all with a reserved accessible stall. Amenities: There is an accessible shuttle that drives people up to the top of the hill. Amenities to be enjoyed: the Wild West Train Adventure along with the other live entertainment stage shows, feeding the animals in the Deer Park Zoo, riding the Mouse Mine train, panning for gold, and visiting our many food and retail locations throughout the park. Blue Ridge Parkway Price Lake Parking: There is a parking lot at Price Lake, however, no spots are reserved. Paved surface lot Bathrooms: There are no bathrooms at this location. The closest bathrooms are at Price Park Picnic Area. Amenities: There is a dock for accessible fishing. However, the trail leading up to the dock is narrow and in disrepair. Bass Lake Parking: 2 designated spots, paved surface lot Bathrooms: 1 bathroom with accessible stall. The door is heavy. Amenities: Wide track made of packed fine gravel. Some light erosion in places. Plentiful benches, however the area around them is a little worn down and roots are sticking out. Linn Cove Viaduct Visitor Center and Trail Parking: paved surface lot Bathrooms: Amenities:

2024 Rosebay Rhododendron Bloom Report

The wild Rosebay Rhododendron did not bloom in full this year due to unseasonably dry weather. We did see some blooms but not the usual…

What to Pack for a New or Longer Hike

One of Blowing Rock’s most beloved pastimes is hiking in the beautiful surrounding wilderness. When heading out to a short, familiar path, you can often just grab a water bottle and go. But sometimes you may be in the mood for exploring a new trail or taking a longer hike, and it’s always best to be prepared! What do you need for a new or longer hike?

Cross Country Skiing Access

Cross Country Skiing enthusiasts have been coming to the mountains for years to enjoy the snow and hone their skill. The Carriage Trails at Moses Memorial Cone Park in Blowing Rock offer 25 miles of trails that are wide and well maintained year-round.

Romance on the Slopes

What’s more romantic than going on an adventure together? Whether you’re starting out brand new, or are an experienced skier/snowboarder there is nothing quite like the thrill of the slopes. Going out and getting cold while gliding down a slope, coming in and getting warm by a fire. It’s ideal for a couple’s getaway. There is also romantic dining, spa experiences, natural splendor, and more right here in Blowing Rock.

Our 5 Favorite Winter Wanders

Winter is an excellent season for exploring trails, and it shouldn’t be overlooked as it offers some great views and opportunities! Trails are often open year round and some are more conducive to winter walks than others. We’ve compiled a list of 5 of our favorite winter wanders.

Mountain Getaway Romance Package at Meadowbrook Inn

Surprise your special someone with this romantic getaway in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains! Meadowbrook Inn invites you to enjoy a relaxing night’s stay in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

This special travel package that includes:

Trails We Took In December

This month we strolled downtown for the Blowing Rock Art & Sculpture Trail, hiked the Robbins Trail at The Blowing Rock, trekked up Duncan Rd. at the Cone Trails, and tackled the Mountains to Sea Trail from Shulls Mill to Trout Lake. These are all trails that have open access in Winter. As always, please remember to pack plenty of water and snacks, and to do some research before you set out on your hiking experience. Read along below, and see what we’ve been up to in December. Blowing Rock Art & Sculpture Trail As we established early in Year of the Trail, not all trails are rugged hiking experiences. There are different kinds with different surfaces, and some have fun cultural aspects. This is one of those trails. Created to meander through Blowing Rock and take in all of the art that makes the town beautiful, the Art & Sculpture trail has plenty to offer. There are fifteen stops on this trail and two bonus stops that are located in restaurants that are open for reservations. The trail covers fan favorites such as Jesse in front of Blowing Rock Community Library, and The Gardener in Memorial Park. It also shows lesser known sculptures such as kinetic sculputes Smokey, and Norma’s Flowers. This trail takes you on a 2.8 mile loop through the middle of downtown allowing you to be close to coffee shops and stores where you can pop in and warm up. There are also benches in downtown where you can sit and rest. Perusing all of the great art in town is a fantastic way to spend the afternoon! See full details on the Blowing Rock Art & Sculpture Trail here! Trail Length: 2.8 mi loop Difficulty: easy to moderate Surface: sidewalk & paved Trail Use: walking, jogging, leashed dogs okay Blaze: N/A Getting There: From US 321 Turn into Shoppes on the Parkway Dr. Park at the end of the shopping center, closest to the road. You will begin the trail from the sidewalk at the front of Shoppes on the Parkway and continue to the right towards Chetola. NC Mountains to Sea Trail The NC Mountains to Sea Trail stretches 1,175 miles across our stunning state. The trail passes through Blowing Rock along the High Country Segment, following the Blue Ridge Parkway for much of the segment. This 3-mile portion from Shull’s Mill Road to Trout Lake is a beautiful ramble through the woods, with access available all year regardless of any winter-weather closures on the Parkway. A set of wooden stairs marks the beginning of this particular hike. They simply ascend up the hillside directly from the side of the road! The first half mile is a steady climb that adds difficulty to the overall route. The trail winds through a mix of tall hardwood (husks on the ground suggest hickory) and evergreen trees for an initial elevation gain of 500 feet. Trail Length: 3 miles Difficulty: easy to moderate Surface: ½ mile of single-track dirt, remaining distance is wide gravel path Trail Use: Hiking, leashed dogs ok Blaze: white dot After this climb, we crossed over the step stile at the top of the hill to gain access to the Carriage Trails inside Cone Memorial Park. This access point is along Rich Mountain Trail- we turned right to head toward Trout Lake. From there, the trail is wide and easy. Huge boulders dot the hillside to the left, several constantly dripping with water from active springs. Soon, the path opens up to pasture and heads downhill to a signed intersection. We turned right there, then left after another 1/10 mile, to continue along the Mountains to Sea path through Cone Memorial Park. The trail enters into shady forest once more, with several streams passing through the woods and under the trail. A large gate across the trail has a hikers gate to one side. From the gate, it’s about 1.5 miles to the Trout Lake parking area. The descent to Trout Lake continues on a gradual slope, with some picturesque switchbacks through the forest and glimpses of the lake from above. Once we arrived at lake level, the trail forked once more. We turned right to head to the Trout Lake parking area. After a short distance, a foot path to the right led up to the parking area. We opted to use two vehicles for our group, so this was the end of our hike. Getting There: There is an informal parking area on Shulls Mill Road, on the left about 1.7 miles from the Blowing Rock end. There’s room for 4 or 5 cars. Be sure to back in to park to allow for a safer departure. You’ll see a trail marker at the parking area; this portion of the trail continues toward Price Lake. For this hike, walk along the road back toward Blowing Rock several yards to a set of wooden steps on the other side of the road. To hike this 3-mile route one way, park a second vehicle or arrange a pick up at Trout Lake parking area. Robbin’s Ridge Trail This trail is accessed from the Blowing Rock Attraction and payment is required to access. Park in the main parking lot and enter through the building. While this trail is short on paper, prepare to climb up and down some pretty steep steps before starting out! A great workout with very rewarding views, this trail is worth the effort if you find yourself in town and don’t have the time to head out onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. This trail takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. You’ll need no special gear or expertise to take on these trails, but do be aware that during cold winter days there can be some ice chunks along the path, so tread carefully! This trail is open year round, and also makes for a wonderful wildflower hike in the Spring and Summer months! Trail Length: 0.5 mile loop Difficulty: Moderate with some steep

Meet the Ice Sculptors

The end of January gets downright festive in Blowing Rock during WinterFest. One of our biggest draws is the Ice Sculpture Stroll and Ice Sculpting Demonstrations in the park. Nathan Moran, the owner of Artisan Ice Sculptures has been partnering with WinterFest since 2006. Nathan loves WinterFest because everyone really goes all out with the creativity to make their businesses and ice sculptures shine.

Blowing Rock Art & Sculpture Trail

The Art & Sculpture Trail meanders through Blowing Rock, stopping at all of the installations that have popped up over the years making the town more beautiful and interesting. In addition to numerous galleries and the first-class Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, Blowing Rock is home to a growing collection of art that can be enjoyed by strolling through town. See conceptual and portrait sculpture, outdoor murals, carvings, and paintings on a self-guided tour.

Author: Lindsay Garcia