Itineraries – Page 2 – Blowing Rock, NC

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.”

Mid-week Fall Itinerary

With its incredible views and recreational activities, the Blue Ridge Parkway attracts visitors year round. The fall can be especially busy as people flock to see the vibrant colors as the trees change. If you’ve visited on a Saturday in October, you know that it can get quite crowded at popular overlooks and trails. Next time, skip peak times with a weekday visit! Blowing Rock has an excellent location on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and offers plenty of fun activities in the middle of the week. Wednesday The Blue Ridge Parkway Morning: Start the day at the Cone Estate. The manor house has recently been restored to its original beauty! A Southern Highland Craft Guild gallery is inside on the ground floor. Learn about the house ahead of a visit by checking out this fantastic virtual tour! Afternoon: Blowing Rock has many trails to wander, and crisp fall days are perfect for hiking. For a moderate hike, follow Flat Top trail from the manor to the Tower. 360° views at the top! Want to ride instead of hike? Book a trail ride with Vx3 Trail Rides and enjoy the Cone Carriage Trails from horseback. Evening: Skies over the Parkway are full of stars at night due to lack of streetlights and most other light sources. Cooler fall temperatures reduce haziness- great for stargazing! Price Lake is an ideal spot for it. When the lake is still, it reflects the sky. Thursday Downtown Blowing Rock Morning: Blowing Rock Art & History Museum always offers intriguing exhibitions and events the entire season! General admission is free, however, check ahead for events as they may require a fee or registration. BRAHM sits right on Main Street, alongside downtown boutiques & galleries. Check out their gift shop and get a head start on shopping after your see the exhibitions. Afternoon: Try a wine flight at Sunset & Vine, where they’ll help you pick wines you’ll love. Sunset & Vine makes sure to carry unique wines that cannot be found at larger retailers. Prefer beer? The Blowing Rock Ale House is right next door with locally made brews. They brew some of their beers right behind the beer garden! Evening: Wrap up the day with live music! Try The Speckled Trout Restaurant & Bottle Shop for a laid back atmosphere and fun folk music, or Timberlake’s at Chetola Resort for an upscale, jazzy feel. Both locations offer delicious food and live music on Thursday evenings. Insider Tips for Fall Trips: Stay at one of the 20+ hotels, inns, & rentals within easy walking distance of downtown, and skip looking for parking spaces in town. Autumn mornings and evenings are chilly but afternoons can be warm, so dress in light layers. In September, don’t miss the Blowing Rock Farmer’s Market, Thursdays 2-6pm. 25+ local restaurants offer many dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Consider getting takeaway for a picnic on the Parkway (please remember to pack out your trash)! Make reservations when possible to cut down on possible wait times. Looking for More? Most local attractions are open mid-week in September & October so you can easily extend your trip with more fun. Check out ziplining and climbing, gem mining, wildlife habitats, and even gravitational anomalies! Book ahead to be assured of entry, as many attractions are still reducing crowding with limited sales. See even more recommendations on our Itineraries Page!

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!

Winter Warm Up

Blowing Rock and the surrounding area is a winter wonderland, with snowy views, warm places offering cozy respite, and great winter sports. Spend a day with this suggested itinerary for a truly memorable winter experience!

Blowing Rock attractions include Tweetsie Railroad, pictured here as a train over a trestle

The Big Ones- Multi-day Itinerary

The High Country has several iconic attractions, and it takes more than one day to see all the best known sites. If you are looking for a sight-seeing adventure or just want to revisit all your favorites, check out this itinerary! Day one: Afternoon at Tweetsie Railroad (Mid April through October) Tweetsie Railroad is NC’s first theme park, and an enduring icon in the High Country. Take the kids or release your inner child with rides, shows, and characters. Historic steam locomotives pull passenger cars around along a two-mile track through beautiful mountain scenes for a fun Wild West show. In October, weekend evenings become spooktacular during the Ghost Train Halloween Festival. Less than 10 minutes from downtown Blowing Rock on Hwy 321, allow 4+ hours. www.tweetsie.com Dinner in Blowing Rock Try Foggy Rock, a local favorite spot for American Food with a friendly atmosphere. Or take in the views at Wheelie’s Refresher, with a deck that overlooks areas in the Pisgah National Forest. See more dining options at http://www.blowingrock.com/services/restaurants/ Day 2: Morning : Blue Ridge Parkway and Grandfather Mountain (year round, weather permitting) Before heading out to Grandfather Mountain, visit the Parkway Craft Center (open March-November) to get a great start to the day. The Craft Center is located inside the historic home of Moses H. Cone, who built the mansion at the turn of the 20th century. The house holds crafts and fine arts created by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, offering a look at traditional arts and processes. The manor house overlooks the Blowing Rock area and offers lots of photographic opportunities on the front porch. Less than 10 minutes from downtown Blowing Rock at milepost 296 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Access Blue Ridge Parkway from Hwy 221 south, head North on Parkway for one mile. Allow 1 hour. http://www.southernhighlandguild.org/retail-shops/parkway-craft-center/ From the Parkway Craft Center, head south on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Grandfather Mountain. On the way you’ll enjoy breathtaking vistas and wooded settings, as well as the iconic view of Price Lake. On the south slopes of Grandfather Mountain rests the Linn Cove Viaduct, a marvel of engineering that allowed the preservation of the pristine slopes below. Designed and constructed with the landscape in mind, only the trees directly under the roadway were cut. The s-curve bridge is exciting to drive across, offering an experience like no other as the roadway seems to rush into the sky. About 20 minutes from downtown Blowing Rock, milepost 304.6 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Best photos are on approach on the north side. No pedestrians are allowed on the Viaduct. A trail from the Linn Cove Visitor Center on south side of the Viaduct provides access to the underside of the structure. http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/v.php?pg=873 Just after the Linn Cove Viaduct is the exit to Grandfather Mountain (open year round, weather permitting). At admission, a great cd guide is available to play in your car as you travel up the access road. Grandfather Mountain is home to a natural history museum, animal habitats and observation areas, and the Mile High Swinging Bridge. You can drive all the way to the top where incredible views can be enjoyed from the bridge and cliffs. There are also plenty of leg-stretching trails to enjoy, where you can experience the various ecosystems on the mountain up-close. About 25 minutes from downtown Blowing Rock on Hwy 221 in Linville. From the Parkway, look for the exit for Hwy 221 to Grandfather Mountain. Turn right to head south on Hwy 221 and travel one mile to the entrance gate to Grandfather. Allow 3+ hours. www.grandfather.com Lunch: Grandfather Mountain. There are lots of great picnic spots on the Mountain. You can bring a picnic to enjoy, or grab one from Mildred’s Grill by the natural history museum on Grandfather. If you opt to dine inside at the Grill, the large windows offer great views of feeding areas for wild birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. Afternoon: The Original Mast General Store The Mast General Store in Valle Crucis was built in 1883 and is still a working store and post office. Find all kinds of supplies, toys, housewares, and old-fashioned candies while enjoying original floors and a funky layout that only comes from decades of existence. The store is a major historic attraction and a step back in time. The entire community of Valle Crucis is worth seeing for the same reasons. The name means “Vale of the Cross” for the waterways that crisscross the valley. It’s as beautiful as the name implies. About 20 minutes from Grandfather Mountain (25 minutes from downtown Blowing Rock), allow 1+ hours. http://www.mastgeneralstore.com/ Dinner in Boone or Blowing Rock The Dan’l Boone Inn is a favorite restaurant of many and has become almost synonymous with dining in Boone. Meals are served family style, and the menu features southern staples. In Blowing Rock, you can enjoy a more upscale experience at one of two quintessential High Country restaurants: the AAA 4-Diamond Gamekeeper or the long-established Best Cellar. More dining options at http://www.blowingrock.com/services/restaurants/ Day 3: Morning: The Blowing Rock and downtown Blowing Rock The Blowing Rock (open year round, weather permitting) is NC’s first travel attraction and the town’s namesake. The view is incomparable, and the near-constant winds inspired a Native legend about the site. An impressive observation deck offers nearly 365-degree views, while a pretty loop trail is a relaxing way to enjoy the scenery. The rock itself is a perfect place to take a bucket-list photo! About 5 minutes from downtown Blowing Rock off Valley Boulevard/Hwy 321. Allow at least 30 minutes. www.theblowingrock.com We feel that no attractions tour of the High Country is complete without a visit to downtown Blowing Rock! The quaint village-like atmosphere is uncommon nowadays and there is plenty to enjoy. Stroll along the welcoming streets to see unique shops and galleries, and take a break in the large Memorial Park right on Main Street. Have lunch at one of many eateries downtown before you head back home! Looking for more iconic

Category: Itineraries

Blowing Rock: A Bucket List Destination

Mid-week Fall Itinerary

Rainy Day Fun

Winter Warm Up

The Big Ones- Multi-day Itinerary