Attractions – Page 2 – Blowing Rock, NC

Mystery Hill

Welcome to Mystery Hill! This local attraction has been in operation for over 70 years, and is operated by the Underwood family. Four generations of the family have worked at Mystery Hill; the current patriarch, Wayne, was 10 years old when his father, RJ, purchased the property in 1958. The previous owners had developed their apple orchard into a roadside attraction after noticing strange occurrences on the hillside. The Mystery House was the first attraction, and many other entertaining elements have been added over the years. Today, visitors can enjoy a wild walk through the disorienting Mystery House, have fun with hands-on science, learn about Appalachian history, see Native American artifacts, and more! There’s locally-made (giant) doughnuts, fossils, and the quirkiest gift shop. The newest element is Tomahawk Hill, where visitors can try their hand at axe throwing, archery, or blow darts! All of this is located on the completed portion of the Middle Fork Greenway, connecting the attraction to others. Matthew Underwood, a 3rd generation caretaker at Mystery Hill, is excited about the recent updates and changes, and he’s looking forward to the ones still coming. The family works to showcase the history and unique fun of the property, and you’ll find that the entire staff is enthusiastic about welcoming visitors. Matthew says that friendly welcome is something they focus on, and that visitors will always find a helpful guide nearby, no matter where they are at Mystery Hill. Mystery Hill is open every day, year round, rain or shine, from 9am-6pm. Fun family events are a new focus at Mystery Hill, so keep an eye on their calendar. See more at mysteryhill.com.

Blowing Rock Art & History Museum

Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) serves as the only museum in town with changing exhibits! Originally opening in October of 2011, a group of people who love the town of Blowing Rock, decided that a museum would enrich the community and quality of life here.In catching up with Lee Carol Giduz, executive director at BRAHM, she explained the importance of having an art & history museum: “(…) Bringing high quality art exhibitions, thoughtful presentations of our local history, and high quality art education to our community gives a rare opportunity to this largely rural community.” Giduz continued “BRAHM is a safe haven, a place to learn, a place for enrichment, a place for education, a place for beauty, a place to enjoy, and a place to treasure.” BRAHM operates significantly through memberships, sponsorships, funds raised at their annual gala, donations and grants. This serves to keep BRAHM a completely free museum! You can sign up today to become a member, or simply make donations through their website: www.blowingrockmuseum.orgStop by 159 Ginny Stevens Lane Blowing Rock, N.C. to experience the exhibits and programs all for yourself!

Off the Beaten Path

You’ve crossed Grandfather’s Mile-High Swinging Bridge and been hiking at Bass Lake, enjoyed a show at the Shaefer Center and ridden the rails at Tweetsie, and now you’re looking for more. Or perhaps you just like to find those out-of-the-way gems first. Below, we’ve outlined a great weekend of activities and sights that are sometimes overlooked, but should definitely be experienced! You’ll get a good dose of local history, culture, and personality, as well as leg-stretching activity with this lineup.

Blowing Rock and Jan Karon’s Mitford

Is Blowing Rock Mitford? We here in Blowing Rock consider it to be Mitford because author Jan Karon lived here when she was inspired to write At Home in Mitford and other books in the series. Which Mitford sites correspond to actual Blowing Rock locations? *St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church is often considered to be the inspiration for The Lord’s Chapel, which is described as having “a fine Norman tower and showy gardens.” Anyone who sees St. Mary’s church recognizes it immediately in this description. In her acknowledgements for “At Home in Mitford,” Karon offers “warm thanks to Father James Harris, who inspired and encouraged me.” Jim Harris was the pastor at St. Mary of the Hills at the time the Mitford stories were published in the Blowing Rocket newspaper. Father Tim might even be a nod to this friend. *Miss Sadie’s House might very well be inspired by Flat Top Manor at Moses Cone Memorial Park, once the summer home of Moses and Bertha Cone. Seen to the north from almost any high spot in Blowing Rock, the manor overlooks Blowing Rock from the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is surrounded by 3600 acres of forest, meadow, and old apple orchards. You can find the Cone’s Apple Barn along the trails. Miss Sadie’s home, Fernbank, has “the most sweeping view” in Mitford, where “blue mountains rolled like waves” to the west. Visit the front porch at Flat Top and you’ll be transported to Miss Sadie’s. *Right in the middle of our downtown is Memorial Park, which could be considered the “town green.” A monument to those native sons who gave their lives defending our nation is prominently displayed at the front of the park. And our Town Hall is directly next to Memorial Park, just like in Mitford. *Mitford’s Grill, where all the locals eat, is reminiscent of Sonny’s Grill on Main Street. Sonny’s no longer stands, but is commemorated by a plaque at the former site next to Six Pence Pub. *Blowing Rock used to have two small grocers on Main Street. Craig’s, where Jan shopped for fresh Globe corn and other treats, now houses Windwood Antiques (note the original floors). Craig’s would have been a lot like The Local. More tidbits: *Many locals saw our beloved Jerry Burns, the long-time editor of The Blowing Rocket, in the character of J.C. Hogan, the editor of the Mitford Muse. Always armed with his camera to capture every community happening, large or small, Jerry was always eager to share scenes from life in Blowing Rock. *Laurel Lane intersects Main Street as one of the main routes to Blowing Rock neighborhoods. Maybe it is one reason Mitford is “where streets are named for flowers?” *Karon also thanks her doctor, Charles “Bucky” Davant, III, in the acknowledgements. She said he “also doctors all of Mitford.” The doctor in Mitford also has an interesting nickname: Hoppy. Blowing Rock hosted events called Mitford Days in 2007 and Return to Mitford in 2011**, where Mitford readers could come and enjoy the local atmosphere and imagine it as Mitford. On the event tour, fans also passed by the stone wall in the Mayview neighborhood, the hospital on the hill, and the offices of The Blowing Rocket newspaper, where the first Mitford stories were published. Here is an excerpt from an interview with Jerry Burns, the late editor of The Blowing Rocket who published the stories in the local paper. He speaks about the history of The Mitford Years in The Blowing Rocket and his friendship with author Jan Karon. “Jan Karon wasn’t convinced there was a market for a book without sex, violence or vulgar language. She had her doubts even about the story being well received by her community of friends and neighbors, much less the world outside of her newly adopted home of Blowing Rock[…] After I read the first few chapters of The Mitford Years[…] I was hooked and the more I read the more I share Jan’s perception of the small town with the big heart. I am proud to say that in short order the Blowing Rocket began sharing the story of Mitford with our readers and for the next two years there wasn’t a person in the High Country that didn’t have a friend in Father Tim. Times were good for the Rocket, very good. […] As the popularity of Father Tim and Mitford grew, so did our list of subscribers. People that had never been to Blowing Rock knew it as Mitford. It was almost fighting words not to agree that Father Tim and all the other characters from Mitford were indeed patterned after real people in Blowing Rock. Despite every effort to leave Mitford in the imagination of the Jan Karon fan, Blowing Rock was Mitford, and Blowing Rock was a destination for Mitford fans. […] By the third week of running The Mitford Years, residents began associating characters from the weekly feature with friends and neighbors and Lord’s Chapel and Main Street Grill were real places in a real town. By the end of the first year running Jan’s weekly serial, our subscription list grew by leaps and bounds, and you can believe this or not, but one family actually subscribed to two copies each week. “I don’t want to wait until my daughter and husband read the paper,” said a wife. “I want my own copy to read as soon as I get it.” So popular was her Mitford that one week there was a major fire on Sunset Drive, totally destroying a business. Even with pictures of the fire plastered all over the front page, the rumblings for the whole week weren’t about the fire, but that Father Tim had met a young lad named Dooley. Those of you that know Jan Karon know that she is, indeed, the very person that would call Mitford home. She found a comfortable life in her Mitford, until… she became a best selling author! […]

Blowing Rock: A Bucket List Destination

Our new friends Ingrid and Marcus came to visit Blowing Rock and take a look around in mid-September. Marcus had visited Blowing Rock many years ago, so our town had been on their list for a while. They arrived on a Sunday and stayed two nights. Ingrid and Marcus packed a ton of fun into their three days in town! A Concert in the Park, dining around town, visiting Grandfather Mountain and The Blowing Rock, shopping, and more. Here’s a bit of what Ingrid had to say about their experience: “Let me say from the start that we’ve found another destination that really belongs on everyone’s bucket list and that we hope to visit next year once again as there is so much more for us to do and experience in and around the historic, charming, beautiful mountain town of Blowing Rock. The famous Rock, less than two miles from our hotel, that we visited the next morning, is the oldest tourist attraction in North Carolina and features an immense cliff jutting 4,000 feet above sea level. Blowing Rock is a year round destination, but fall is especially beautiful in the mountains when the leaves are turning, and The Blue Ridge Mountains, with Blue Ridge Parkway access right in Blowing Rock, offer one of the most colorful and longest running fall leaf seasons in the world. One of the reasons is the varied elevations that show prime fall colors for over a month. Lucky us, a little of these famous fall colors were already becoming more noticeable around the Blowing Rock area during our visit in mid September.” “We arrived in town on a blue-skied early Sunday afternoon and fell instantly in love with its beautiful, blooming Main Street…” “We had reservations at the Meadowbrook Inn, a charming 62-room eco retreat surrounded by still blooming gardens and located just a block from all these cute shops, restaurants, and galleries on Blowing Rock’s Main Street. A couple of ducks, who demanded the right of way, welcomed us by the main entrance. They seemed to be on the way to the duck pond which is part of the surrounding ‘Certified Wildlife Habitat by National Wildlife Federation.’” Ingrid shares many more details on her website. Head over to Ingrid’s blog, Escape From Paradise, to see their entire Blowing Rock adventure, and SO MANY more photos: Mind-blowing Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. Looking to recreate Ingrid’s trip? Start at Meadowbrook Inn in downtown Blowing Rock! “I especially liked The Final Touches Home & Garden boutique.” “Sunny Rock Eggs turned out to be a cozy, warm place with a hot breakfast and perfectly basted eggs! Btw our waitress Sheila rocked.” “Little will match the exhilarating feeling of being on top of the world while looking out across views of mountain ridges cascading to the horizon. Here we met other free spirits like us.” “Superb, is an understatement. Timberlake’s at Chetola Resort is a destination restaurant.”

Make it Your Nature: Leave No Trace

The Blowing Rock, NC area offers some of the most beautiful, pristine mountains in the state of North Carolina. To preserve this area for generations to come, we must own the impact we have on the environment around us. To this end, Blowing Rock is pleased to partner with Outdoor NC to preserve the natural beauty of North Carolina. It’s up to each of us do our part and join the movement to protect these spaces for generations. The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace provide a simple framework for doing our part! Outdoor NC Leave No Trace Principles 1. Plan Ahead and Prepare North Carolina is home to endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Learn about the area you plan to visit before you arrive and know the regulations Avoid crowds and increased impact by exploring lesser-known areas, and do your best to avoid times of high use. Remember to always have a backup plan in case the area you’re looking to visit is overcrowded or parking areas are full. Remember food, water and the right clothes to protect you from cold, heat, sun or rain. 2. Stick to Trails and Overnight Right Travel and camp on designated trails and durable surfaces to protect trailside plants. Avoid taking shortcuts or creating new paths. Camp only on existing or designated campsites to avoid damaging vegetation. When camping in nondesignated areas, confine impact to places which already show use and avoid enlarging the area of disturbance. Take rest breaks on durable surfaces well off the designated trail. Poor weather, rip currents and slick rocks around waterfalls often take visitors by surprise. Practice safety and caution, and don’t do anything above your group’s skill level. 3. Trash Your Trash Pack it in. Pack it out. Pack out all trash and litter in garbage bags and carry it home. Litter, including food scraps and cigarette butts, can take years to decompose and is unhealthy for wildlife. If adventuring with your pet, plan to pack out their waste as well. When camping in remote areas, be sure to have a plan to dispose of human waste properly. 4. Leave It As You Find It North Carolina is home to an amazing diversity of indigenous plants and animals. Avoid picking flowers, taking shells, and collecting starfish and pinecones, and take a picture instead. Leave rocks as you find them to protect the sensitive habitats of critters. Stacking rocks can also lead to erosion and ecological impacts. Carving and etching into trees leaves lasting damage and can kill the vegetation. Remember, in national parks and many other protected places, it is illegal to remove natural objects. 5. Be Careful With Fire If you choose to have a fire, make sure it is permitted in the area you are visiting and keep small. Gather wood from the ground on-site if allowed, and avoid breaking living branches from trees. Buy firewood locally. Transporting firewood can introduce harmful invasive species. Burn all wood to ash and be sure the fire is completely out and cold before you leave. If you plan an overnight camping trip, use a stove for cooking. 6. Keep Wildlife Wild North Carolina is home to an abundance of wild animals, and we must treat all wildlife from black bears and wild horses to salamanders and birds with respect. Remember that you are a visitor in their home. Observe wildlife from a distance and never approach or follow them. Getting too close to wildlife causes undue stress and harm. Never feed a wild animal. It alters their natural behavior and puts them, and you, at risk. When camping, store food securely and keep garbage and food scraps out of reach from wildlife. 7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors and Share the Outdoors Everyone has a different definition of what it means to enjoy the outdoors, and everyone has different levels of experience. Be respectful of others’ experience, so North Carolina’s outdoor spaces can be a welcoming and relaxing retreat for all identities and abilities. Be mindful of your noise level so that others around you can listen to nature. It is a general rule that those traveling downhill will yield to those traveling uphill. Be considerate when passing other visitors on the trail. Before passing others, politely announce your presence and proceed with caution.

Moses Cone: The Denim King & His Gilded Age Manor

Born in Jonesborough, Tennessee in 1857, Moses Herman Cone was the eldest of 13 children born to Jewish-German immigrants. He and his brother, Caesar, worked with their father in his dry goods business in Maryland and later moved to Greensboro, NC, and partnered with local businessmen to form Cone Brothers, Lowman, and Burger Clothing Manufacturers based in Baltimore. Cone realized from his sales and travels that blue-collar workers needed more durable clothes for working. He married Bertha Lindau in 1888, and they never had children. In 1890 Moses and Ceasar formed the Cone Export & Commission Company in New York and developed what was called the “Plaid Trust”, a commission to control the production market on checks and plaids. In 1892, they moved to Greensboro, North Carolina and took in another forty mills, and completely controlled the market. US antitrust laws broke up the agreements the Cones had with the various mills to control the market. Cone purchased a defunct steel mill in 1895 and developed it into a large cotton mill called Proximity Manufacturing Company that produced blue and brown denim. Competitors in the New England states were located much farther away from the cotton fields, giving Cone an advantage] He built additional mills throughout the Greensboro area and the South soon became one of the biggest denim fabric producers in the world, In the 1890s, Moses Cone came to be known as “The Denim King.” The Cone brothers soon after built White Oak Cotton Mills, at the time the largest denim mill in the world and largest cotton mill in the South, even supplying denim to Levi Strauss and Company. Moses was also instrumental in the development of Appalachian State University, as a contributor to the construction. In 1901, Cone built Flat Top Manor, a 20-room mansion in the grand Colonial Revival style nestled on a 3,500-acre estate on Flat Top Mountain in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. An avid conservationist, Moses Cone planted extensive white pine forests, hemlock hedges, and a 10,000 tree apple orchard, and built lakes stocked with bass and trout. In addition, there were prize-winning cattle and sheep and a constructed fence surrounding an extensive chestnut forest that was stocked with deer. After their deaths, Moses and Bertha Cone donated their home, Flat Top Manor to the National Park Service Today Moses H Cone Memorial Park is open to the public, located at Milepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Flat Top Manor is home to the Parkway Craft Center, home to the Southern Highlands Craft Guild. In addition to the Parkway Craft Center, visitors enjoy twenty-five miles of carriage trails perfect for hiking, horseback riding, or cruising in a horse-drawn carriage. The Craftsman’s Trail is a 20-minute loop walk around the Manor which the Cones are said to have walked together every morning. The estate also contains a family cemetery and a carriage and apple barn.

Elliott Daingerfield’s Edgewood Cottage

Built around 1890, Edgewood Cottage was the first home and studio of artist Elliott Daingerfield (1859-1932) and was revitalized by the Blowing Rock Historical Society to preserve his legacy.

A Wine Lover’s Guide to Blowing Rock, NC

Blowing Rock has long been a culinary destination with restaurants boasting extensive wine lists and shops with unique, hard-to-find wines. It’s the natural marriage of fine wine and creative cuisine, set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Please check with each individual business about COVID precautions and hours. Wine Shops Sunset and Vine Located in downtown Blowing Rock, Sunset and Vine features unique wines and also offers boutique, high-quality olive oils, artisan cheeses, chocolates, wine accessories, and picnic supplies. Be sure to check their website for a schedule of wine tasting flights, specialty classes, and demonstrations. It’s a great place to find that “unicorn” wine or discover your new favorite. Blowing Rock Market Also located downtown, Blowing Rock Market has a great selection of wines, in addition to a deli, coffee bar and more. If you are heading to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a picnic, Blowing Rock Market is a great place to get a picnic lunch and a bottle of the perfect complimentary wine to drink as you survey the views. Restaurants & Inns The Best Cellar Restaurant Established in 1975, the original location of The Best Cellar was a basement on Main Street, where the previous owners served soups, sandwiches and sold books. The restaurant is now located inside The Inn at Ragged Gardens in downtown Blowing Rock and you will dine in the wine cellar. Over the years the menu has evolved from soups and sandwiches to creative dishes featuring the freshest meats and seafood. The 11-page wine list at The Best Cellar is extensive and offers the perfect sip to go with amazing bites. Bistro Roca & Antlers Bar Just off the beaten path in downtown Blowing Rock, Bistro Roca features a wood-fired oven created from bricks recovered from the landmark Antler’s Bar, the oldest continuously serving bar in North Carolina. Bistro Roca features American bistro fare, Neapolitan style pizzas, French-influenced comfort food, and a carefully cultivated wine selection, craft beer, and cocktails. Half glasses are available, which makes pairing multiple courses a breeze. Café Violette Locally-sourced, house-made French Mediterranean cuisine including focaccia, baguettes, desserts, and vegetarian options. Menu changes as foods/ingredients may not always be available. Featuring an eclectic wine list and a selection of classic French cocktails. The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge Inn Using fresh ingredients available from local farms and small-batch purveyors located in the Blue Ridge, The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge Inn offers a creative, ever-changing menu with an extensive wine selection. Dine al fresco on the terrace with mountain views or in the European-styled dining room. Speckled Trout Restaurant and Bottle Shop Part bottle shop and part restaurant, The Speckled Trout offers elevated Appalachian cuisine along with “home-grown” beers and ciders and wines highlighting small producers from old world to new. Enjoy fresh mountain trout, soup beans, and hoe cakes complemented by the perfect beverage. Also, enjoy live music on Thursdays from 6-8 PM. Timberlake’s Restaurant at Chetola Resort Overlooking Chetola Lake, Timberlake’s Restaurant is a collaboration between artist Bob Timberlake and Chetola Resort. Enjoy the finest wines paired with dishes that include savory shrimp and salads of mountain-grown spinach, pan-seared duck, roasted Carolina quail, mouth-watering Angus bistro filets, and house made desserts. Dine outside on the patio or in the elegant, rustic dining room. Twigs Offering fine dining in a rustic atmosphere, Twigs boasts a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence wine list featuring over 200 bottle selections and 14 wines by the glass in addition to 35 beer options, many of which are NC craft beers, and artisan cocktails. Enjoy live music on Friday and Saturday nights. View more restaurants in Blowing Rock >> High Country Wine Trail Just a short drive away, the wineries on the High Country Wine Trail is a must-experience for any wine enthusiast. These wineries are part of the Appalachian High Country American Viticultural Area (AVA), a fairly new AVA, and one of only five in North Carolina. The Banner Elk Winery Banner Elk Winery is the first commercial winery built in the area, debuting in 2006. The Winery was awarded Gold Medals at the 2013 International Eastern Wine Competition for the 2011 Banner Elk Red and 2011 Marechal Foch, in addition to several other awards for the 2011 and 2012 Banner Elk White. Other popular wines include the The Banner Elk Blueberry and Ice Wines. Overlooking the vineyards, The Tuscan-inspired villa on the grounds is available for overnight stays and events. Grandfather Vineyard & Winery Located at an elevation of 3,300 feet in Foscoe, the vineyards and tasting room at Grandfather Vineyard & Winery are in the shadow of Grandfather Mountain. Hybrids grow extremely well in the cooler climate and wines often end up with high acidity and bold fruit flavors. Enjoy wines like “Whiskey Barrel White” and “Appalachia Red” on their patio or at the edge of the Watauga River. Linville Falls Winery Located just north of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Linville Gorge, the 40-acre Linville Falls Winery offers grape varieties that include Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Noiret, Marquette, Petit Verdot, Marechal Foch, and their flagship grape, Riesling. In addition to grapes, you’ll also find blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, heirloom apples, pumpkins, corn, and Christmas Trees.

Rainy Day Fun

Blowing Rock and the High Country are known for being outdoor destinations, so rainy days can stump folks looking for entertainment. But there’s still LOTS to do in the area! We’ve listed over 40 links below as suggestions to enjoy a rainy day around here. If it’s a light passing rain, you may consider ignoring it! Wear a rain-proof jacket and some water resistant shoes and enjoy the views on Blue Ridge Parkway, visit the attraction you planned to see, or take that hike. Truly, there is something magical about the Appalachian woodlands in wet conditions. Mists hang low in the valleys, and new greens shimmer in the damp. If there is thunder and lightning, however, be sure to take cover indoors immediately. And heavy rains can quickly lead to flash flood conditions in the mountains, so head indoors for heavy rain, too. One of our fantastic local restaurants is always a great place for waiting out a storm! Since not all rain can be ignored and sometimes you need something to do while waiting it out, here’s that list of indoor things for those rainy days! Some can take up large blocks of the day, and others may be a quick stop while the clouds clear a bit more. –Blowing Rock Art & History Museum– see rotating and ever-changing exhibits, or check schedule for special programming or classes. Free admission! –Mystery Hill has more to offer than ever, with the all-weather Tomahawk Hill, and a snack bar with local goodies. You’ll still find the wild Mystery House, incredible artifacts collections, and hands-on science fun. –Shoppes on the Parkway – Covered walkways make shopping in the rain a dry experience. –Parkway Craft Center– free crafting demonstrations on the porch in summer, plus a beautiful gallery on the lower floor. Free upstairs tours available on weekends May-October with reservations. Inside the historic mansion of Moses H. Cone, the “Denim King.” –Artists in Residence at Edgewood Cottage– From Memorial Day through Labor Day, find free art shows at Edgewood Cottage on Main Street, next to the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum. Step inside and meet different High Country artists each week. Art for every interest (and budget)! –Gem Mining– Doc’s Rocks in Blowing Rock has lots of indoor flumes! –Indoor Golf- Tee 2 Green Indoor Golf is a state of the art facility with over 700 golf courses programmed into their computers. –Bowling– High Country Lanes in Boone or Cardinal Lanes in West Jefferson. –Linville Caverns– Always rain-free and 52 degrees inside. See incredible formations and learn some interesting geology and local history at NC’s only show caverns. –Country Retreat Family Billiards– a family-friendly business with high-quality pool tables and an in-house restaurant. –Center 45 Climbing– indoor climbing facility in Boone with a variety of skill levels –Mysterium Escape Adventure– An escape room puzzle experience in downtown Boone –Original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis- built in 1883. Don’t forget the Candy Barrel at the Annex! –Theater– Show at Ensemble Stage, Performing Arts Series at Appalachian State University, or Lees McRae Summer Theatre –Local coffee– Bald Guy Brew or Camp Coffee are two local coffee shops and roasteries in Blowing Rock. Boone is also home to several locally-owned and corporate coffee shops- ask a local for a recommendation! –Spa treatment– Westglow Spa, a Relais & Chateau property, and Chetola Spa offer a wide variety of treatments. Boone offers some day-spa and beauty bar spots as well. –Antique hunting- the Blowing Rock Antique Center and downtown shops offer lots of beautiful finds. Also try the Boone Antique Mall on King Street, or Hidden Valley Antique Mall near Foscoe. –Galleries– make your own self-guided tour, there are so many to see in Blowing Rock, Boone, Foscoe, and Banner Elk. –Winery tasting rooms- See our winery information page for details on three local wineries. –Jones House– historic house and cultural center in Boone, with a regular concert series. –Turchin Center– Visual arts museum on King Street in Boone, part of the Appalachian State University campus. –Ashe County Cheese– Take a look inside the factory and see cheese being made. –Children’s Playhouse– Indoor family play center in Boone. –Movies– Regal Cinema in Boone or Parkway Theater in West Jefferson –Churches of the Frescoes– Two small churches in Ashe County with renowned fresco paintings by Ben Long inside. –Local Breweries– Blowing Rock Brewing in Blowing Rock; Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Lost Province Brewing, and Booneshine Brewing in Boone, Boonedocks Brewery and New River Brewing in West Jefferson, and Kettell Beerworks in Banner Elk. –Watch fudge being made at Kilwin’s in Blowing Rock. –Watch candles being made at High Country Candles in Blowing Rock. Don’t forget that the mountains often make rainy conditions very spotty. It may be pouring in one place, and sunny just a few miles down the road. It’s common to hear around here, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes.” See more travel ideas on our Main Itineraries Page!

Category: Attractions