blue ridge Archives ⋆ Blowing Rock, NC

July 4th Celebration in Blowing Rock

2024 4th of July ParadeSaturday July 6, 10:00 am Join the town of Blowing Rock for the best small-town Main Street parade you’ll find anywhere! Local families, musicians, organizations, and characters celebrate the holiday with a patriotic procession. The parade is usually 40 minutes to an hour long. *PLEASE NOTE the 10am Parade Time! In addition, Main Street will be closed to parking from midnight the night before, to just after the parade (12am-11am on July 6). No parking on Main Street for the parade will ensure better visibility and safety! To make parking easy, a complimentary shuttle service will run from the parking lot at Shoppes on the Parkway to Main Street, beginning at 8:00am. The shuttle will run continuously through 2:00 pm. After the parade, enjoy holiday shopping and dining around town until ready to return to your vehicle, then check out what’s new at Shoppes on the Parkway! Want to participate? Complete a registration form with Blowing Rock Parks & Recreation. Visit their Programs Page here (use the “General” filter or enter parade in the search bar to find it quickly). 2024 July 4th Celebration Schedule will be posted as soon as it is finalized. For more information, call Blowing Rock Parks & Recreation at 828-295-5222 To see what this past year’s celebration looked like, see the video below! https://youtu.be/5wTM5DhsNBo?si=NjvuTLQJ4AMHE11d

Fun for Young Families

Blowing Rock is a fantastic base of operations for your family getaway. If you are traveling with young children, this itinerary offers some ideas for an action-packed day.

The Blue Ridge Craft Trail

Blowing Rock has a rich history of being called home by artisans and artists alike. There is something about the atmosphere that uplifts and inspires people and that includes artisans of all stripes. The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area’s Blue Ridge Craft Trail, a trail committed to preserving and promoting the distinct crafts of Western North Carolina, has a large presence in Blowing Rock because of some of the special artists and locations we have here.

Choose & Cut Christmas Trees

Starting mid-November, area tree farms are ready to help you find your perfect tree. Walk among the rows to find just the right height, width, and type! Local farms specialize in the well-loved Frasier Fir, but you can also find White Pine and Blue Spruce trees, wreaths, and garlands at farms in the High Country.

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.

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!

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

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