Indulge in this Mid-Week Itinerary

Itinerary at a Glance

Morning: 

Indulge in some fresh air and stunning views at the Cone Estate. Recently restored to its former Gilded Age, grandeur by the Blue Ridge Parkway Association, Flat Top Manor is representative of the wealth and opulence of the time. The Manor also houses one of the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s shops. Peruse one of a kind crafts, hand made by juried artisans, or catch a demonstration. Nestled on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Cone Estate offers breathtaking views, hiking trails, and the ever popular Bass Lake loop. 

Afternoon:

Continue the artistic tour by heading over to BRAHM (Blowing Rock Art & History Museum). This small town museum leaves a big impression with impeccably curated, rotating, exhibits that are both beautiful and educational. Indulge your curiosity by learning more about the history of Blowing Rock, local artist Elliot Dangerfield, and the exhibits themselves. Visitors can also stop by Edgewood Cottage located on Main St. right in front of the museum for a self-guided tour. From Memorial Day to Labor Day Edgewood Cottage is home to Artists in Residence, where artists are featured weekly in a studio setting. This shows their process, allows people to talk to them and ask questions, and creates the opportunity to purchase art directly from the artist themselves.  

Evening:

Wrap up the day with delicious food, drinks, and live music! Timberlake’s Restaurant located at the historic Chetola Resort offers all of the above. Featuring live music from local artists Wednesdays through Saturdays it’s the perfect way to wind down the day and indulge in some of the best food and drink in town. Reservations are recommended.

Morning: 

After soaking up and sleeping on all of the cultural inspiration of yesterday, today is dedicated to shopping! Blowing Rock has excellent opportunities for antiquing and curating rustic, local furniture. Some of the local antique treasure troves are Blowing Rock Antiques and Hanna’s. For home furnishing, we recommend stopping by Bee & The Boxwood, My Mountain Home, Cabin Fever, Rustic, and The Last Straw. If décor isn’t on the agenda there are also great options for perusing apparel and accessories. Some of the apparel stores available are: 100 West Union, Almost Rodeo Drive, Celeste’s, and Funky Tulip.

Afternoon:

Make sure to stop at Sunset & Vine, a wine shop that offers wine by the glass and wine flights anytime. They hand select their wines to reflect the best taste and value of each wine region locally and around the world. More of a beer person? The Blowing Rock Ale House is right next door to Sunset & Vine and is Blowing Rock’s first brewery. They offer 15 of their locally micro-brewed beers on tap. Then head back to the room to get ready for dinner!

Evening:

For a more elevated evening, the Restaurant at Gideon Ridge offers up high end cuisine as well as breathtaking views. Feeling exotic? Gamekeeper Restaurant is serving a blend of the traditional and exotic with the freshest local ingredients and humanely, farm raised meats. Both the Restaurant at Gideon Ridge and Gamekeeper Restaurant require advanced reservations. 

Morning: 

Head over to The Blowing Rock, the town’s namesake and North Carolina’s oldest tourist attraction. Make a quick stop or stay awhile and take in the sweeping views of the Johns River Gorge.

• Peruse fine art at one of our local galleries
• Turchin Center for the Visual Arts at Appalachian State University
• Take in a show with Ensemble Stage or Lees McRae Summer Theatre in Banner Elk.
• The Performing Arts Series at Appalachian State University features a variety of concerts, readings, plays, and more performances throughout the year. In July, the offerings really ramp up during the Appalachian Summer Festival.

See more travel ideas on our Itineraries Main Page!