Blog – Page 4 – Blowing Rock, NC

cropped Image of map indicating construction zones on Main Street for spring 2024

Main Street Construction: What to Expect

Blowing Rock infrastructure is getting some much-needed upgrades! Main water and sewer lines are being replaced along Main Street in the downtown core now through Spring 2024. Key Takeaways: Access to businesses and activities on Main Street will remain open. Expect single-lane closures and potential travel/traffic delays. One full closure of Main Street is required in a residential section. Construction activity will be limited to Mon-Thurs when possible. About the Project: According to the contractor’s project page, “the existing and new water and sewer lines are located within the roadway. In order to complete replacement of these lines, the pavement on Main Street will be removed within the trench area. With the majority of this work occurring within the paved roadway, traffic control is required, and travel will be reduced to one lane during construction.” These single-lane closures will be controlled with automated flagging devices with barrier arms. While every effort will be made to reduce traffic impacts, some delays should be expected when driving through all downtown areas. Main Street Closure Details: One full closure of Main Street is required north of Chetola Resort. This closure will not prevent access to any businesses, but visitors to Chetola Resort, McCoy Minerals, and other north Main locations will need to access those places from the south end of Main Street. That simply means that downtown visitors, including school traffic, will need to access Main Street via Sunset Drive. This full closure of north Main Street from Chetola out to the US Highway 321 intersection will be active Monday mornings through Thursday evenings from February 12 through at least mid-April 2024. The road will be opened Friday mornings through the weekends. This closure is for 18-inch sewer line replacement. See area marked in red on full map below. Downtown Core Construction Work: Currently, sewer installation continues on Main Street between Chestnut Drive and Morris Street, along the parking spaces on the east side of Main Street. Sewer installation will progress north on the east side of Main Street toward US Hwy 221. Single-lane closures and lane shifts will be necessary during this construction. Sidewalk access for pedestrians will remain open throughout the project. Fridays of each work week will be reserved for clean-up (unless work days are lost through the week), with both traffic lanes and on-street parking reopening for each weekend. Starting in mid-March, water line installation will begin on the other side of Main Street, following the same method. This work will begin at Ginny Stevens Lane and continue north on Main Street through downtown. The west side of Main Street parking and the south bound lane will be utilized for water installation. Single-lane closures and lane shifts will be necessary during this construction as well. See this area marked in yellow on full map below. Additional Details: For information about additional parking areas off of Main Street, click here. Entire water and sewer project completion date is September 10, 2024. Please note that all dates listed are approximate and the timing of all construction activity is weather-dependent. More information about the project is available on the project website.

44th Trout Derby Kicks Off Spring Recreation

Anglers of all ages and levels are invited to compete for cash and prizes at the 44th Blowing Rock Trout Derby! The Derby will take place in Blowing Rock on Saturday, April 6, from sunrise to 4:00pm.

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.

A dish of mountain trout at the Restaurant at Gideon Ridge, with a bright garnish of seasonal vegetables.

Restaurant at Gideon Ridge a James Beard Award Semifinalist

The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge in Blowing Rock, North Carolina is a 2024 James Beard Award Semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category. Semifinalists are recognized as exemplary in their category; the top 5 in each award category will be announced as Nominees this spring. According to the James Beard Foundation’s website, the Outstanding Restaurant Award recognizes restaurants that “demonstrate consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations while contributing positively to their broader community.” The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge has been a fine dining staple in Blowing Rock for many years. It has become known for thoughtfully crafted, locally-sourced fare and attentive service. Wide mountain views surround the intimate dining area. The restaurant is housed inside a rustically elegant inn, built in 1941 as a summer estate by the Lindau family, relatives of Moses and Bertha Cone. The Milner family purchased the establishment in 1984 and in 2000, Cobb and Cindy Milner opened The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge. “This honor is the result of many years of effort by our wonderful staff, from the kitchen, to the servers, cleaning staff and managers who made this all possible,” Cobb Milner said. “And especially our Executive Chef, Hunter Womble.” Womble became the Executive Chef at The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge in 2014. As he has applied his creativity and vision, the restaurant’s reputation for exceptional experiences has grown. He is excited about this latest recognition for the restaurant. “There are so many incredible chefs and restaurants represented in these categories,” Womble said. “Just to be considered for this distinction really is an honor. We appreciate the show of confidence, as well as the consistent support from our local community over the years.” Community connection is especially valued by the team at The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge. “We couldn’t have reached such success without our local community including our farmers, suppliers, friends, and families who have given their time and expertise to helping our business shine,” Cindy Milner added. “Families have been with us for decades and shared their generations. We are ever grateful and humbled by that support.” The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge has been recognized with multiple accolades in the last several years. Just a few months ago, the Restaurant at Gideon Ridge received Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Award for the second year in a row. The online travel review giant ranked The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge as #2 Fine Dining Restaurant and #3 Date Night Restaurant in the United States, based on quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings. The restaurant is also currently recognized by Fodor’s Travel as a Fodor’s Choice selection. The 2024 James Beard Award Restaurant and Chef semifinalists are recognized across 22 categories. North Carolina’s rich culinary culture is well represented in the lists. Eleven other North Carolina restaurants and chefs join The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge as semifinalists across several categories. Nominees will be announced on Wednesday, April 3, and winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 10. The 2024 James Beard Awards are presented by Capital One. Learn more about the James Beard Awards and see the full Semifinalist lists at jamesbeard.org. Get information and reservations for The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge at gideonridge.com. January 2024

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.

Blowing Rock Inn Under New Ownership

Savara Hospitality and Piedmont Capital are pleased to announce the acquisition of Blowing Rock Inn located in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The property was purchased by a joint venture between Fairfax, Virginia based Savara Hospitality Inc. and Charlotte, North Carolina based Piedmont Capital RE, LLC. Blowing Rock Inn, situated in the heart of Downtown Blowing Rock, features twenty charmingly appointed guest rooms, four spacious villa-style suites, and an exclusive two-bedroom suite. Conveniently situated on Main Street, the inn is within walking distance to the town’s vibrant shopping, dining, and outdoor adventure offerings, as well as driving distance to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the High Country’s most popular attractions. “We are proud to welcome Blowing Rock Inn to Savara Hospitality’s portfolio of boutique hotels. In the spirit of timeless hospitality, we look forward to curating moments for our guests that weave into the fabric of this property’s rustic charm. The High Country offers a wealth of experiences for visitors, and we are ecstatic about partnering with Piedmont Capital to complete this acquisition in one of North Carolina’s premier destinations,” stated Vishal Savani, Managing Director of Savara Hospitality. William Hodges, Founding Partner of Piedmont Capital, added “The Blowing Rock Inn is a landmark property in downtown Blowing Rock and a perfect complement to Piedmont Capital’s growing hospitality portfolio. We are excited to grow our presence in the market as well as expand our partnership with Savara Hospitality.” Savara Hospitality operates a portfolio of unique upscale hotels in Virginia and North Carolina, including Blowing Rock’s Meadowbrook Inn, Mountainaire Inn & Log Cabins and Azalea Garden Inn, which are all located just steps away from Blowing Rock Inn. Savara Hospitality will be operating Blowing Rock Inn following the acquisition. About Savara HospitalitySavara Hospitality owns, operates, and provides hospitality management and consulting services to historic and boutique hotels and inns in urban and vacation destinations throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Featuring a portfolio of independent hotels that boldly express their individuality, Savara Hospitality utilizes a customized, hand-on approach to ensuring that each property in its portfolio finds its way to thrive. Savara Hospitality’s hotels and inns have received countless accolades for their attention to design and unwavering commitment to service. For more information, visit www.savarahospitality.com. About Piedmont CapitalFounded in 2021, Piedmont Capital is a Charlotte-based real estate investment firm focused on core plus and value-add retail, office, and hospitality assets throughout the Carolinas. Blowing Rock, NC (January 18, 2024)

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.

Holiday Dining In Blowing Rock

Are you planning to spend your Christmas Holiday in Blowing Rock? The Christmas week is a great time for family celebration in Blowing Rock. Go skiing or ice skating at Appalachian Ski Mountain, enjoy small town charm in the village, stay in a unique inn or cabin, and take in the crisp winter air and scenes.

Category: Blog