For centuries, individuals have been intrigued with Blowing Rock, a mountain town with a mixture of natural beauty, Main Street quaintness, and modern draw. “Blowing Rock is ageless,” says Jessica Jenkins, whose family has visited here for generations. “My grandparents come for the quietness; my parents enjoy the activities; me, I love it all.”
Jenkins represents the town’s dualism. Tourists are a crucial part of the equation, and frequent visitors seemingly feel more devotion than those of most vacation spots. “Blowing Rock is a tourist town, yes, but it’s also a small, tight-knit community,” says Amanda Lugenbell, assistant director with the Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority (TDA). “Everyone’s friendly here—people can feel that when they visit, and it makes the experience that much more enjoyable.”
Part of that experience is feeling at home, and even when the population grows from around 1,500 to 8,000 during the summer, it’s small enough to feel you belong. “I’m engaged,” says Jenkins, “and I know later my husband and I will bring our children and continue the tradition. Blowing Rock is my second home.”
Awards and kudos keep coming from journalists, planning associations, and magazines—including Travel Leisure, which named Blowing Rock one of America’s “prettiest winter towns” in a 2012 article.
The allure pulls people here for different reasons. The Blue Ridge Mountains, hiking trails, and clean air inspire artists and offer galleries to showcase their works, whether individuals’ creativity takes the shape of pottery, paintings, wood crafts, or wearable creations. “The arts are a big part of the history here,” says Lungenbell. “The many galleries in town are a great example of the thriving arts community we have here.”
Outdoor activities are perpetual, and the fun includes—depending on which month you visit—rock climbing, whitewater rafting, tubing, fishing, or snow sports. For hikers, Glen Burney Trail is close to Main Street; dropping 800 feet into John’s River Gorge, the trail follows the New Year’s Creek course and three waterfalls. The Blue Ridge Parkway is close, too, providing a great (albeit, strenuous) route for on-road biking. Caving expeditions can be arranged with area adventure guide companies.
Nearby winter sport resorts make skiing and snowboarding easy (well, easy with experience or lessons, which are also available). “When it snows, go sledding at the Parkway hill or cross-country skiing at the Carriage Trails,” says Lugenbell. “When it’s not snowy, enjoy the views on the parkway and the beauty of the trails, especially the loop at Bass Lake, which is less than a mile from downtown at Moses Cone Park.”
If shopping, festivals, and charm invigorate you, head downtown, where you’ll find a host of annual events. Most notable for this month is WinterFest (January 22–25), one of the largest winter events in the High Country; it includes a polar plunge, where costumed locals and visitors jump in freezing Chetola Lake. (blowingrockwinterfest.com)
For relaxation and cozy accommodations, Yonahlossee, Crestwood, and Chetola Resort are good picks for spa amenities, as is Westglow Resort Spa, rated among the top 10 destination spas in the world.?Green Park
Inn is a perfect choice if you crave sophisticated history and charm; first opened in 1891, the inn underwent a massive renovation a few years ago, and in 2013, the restaurant was completely remodeled and re-christened the Chestnut Grille. For those wanting more intimate quarters, the town and surrounding area has a splendid array of bed-and-breakfast inns. One of our favorite downtown spots is Mountainaire Inn Log Cabins, where visitors will find Jacuzzis, fireplaces, and other cozy amenities in the rooms.
For travelers with children, Blowing Rock makes a perfect base for family adventures, although wait for spring if you want all the attractions to be open; Tweetsie Railroad and Mystery Hill are popular destinations in warmer months. “Other local attractions like Grandfather Mountain, Linville Falls, and the Original Mast Store in Valle Crucis take on a special charm in winter,” shares Lugenbell. “Fewer crowds and a chill in the air change the experience. Rime ice at Grandfather, partially frozen falls at Linville Gorge, and the old pot bellied stove warming the General Store—you can’t get these things in summer.”
Blowing Rock is a travel chameleon that allows visitors to handcraft their own best trip. And, if you decide to make it a repeat performance, that’s all the better. “My great-great grandmother came here with her family as a last-minute trip, and that started our family tradition,” says Jenkins. “It’s impossible not to fall in love with this place.”
WHAT TO DO
The Blowing Rock. Yes, there really is one (and a legend to go with it). In winter, the views are amazing alongside the clear, cold air. 432 The Rock Road; theblowingrock.com.
Blowing Rock Art History Museum. Locally significant exhibits offer a unique look at the High Country. 159 Chestnut St.; blowingrockmuseum.org.
Downtown: The entire downtown is a destination unto itself with shopping, galleries, and eateries galore. Two mainstays we recommend are Hanna’s Oriental Rugs Gifts, a fixture since 1919 (a bonus is seeing Thamena Hanna, who still runs the store); and The Last Straw, a home and garden shop that recently celebrated 25 years in business. The shops are about two minutes apart by foot; both are on Main Street.
Skiing and more: Nearby ski areas—Appalachian Ski Mountain, Ski Beech, and Sugar Mountain—provide excellent cold-weather thrills. While Sugar is the biggest, Appalachian is the closest; its family-friendly lodge, terrain park, outdoor skating rink, and legendary ski school make for a fantastic outing. Nonskiers can get their thrills at nearby Hawksnest Snow Tubing, the biggest snow-tubing park on the East Coast. appskimtn.com. hawksnesttubing.com.
Blue Ridge Parkway: The parkway takes on a different feel in the wintertime—traffic subsides, mountains glow white, and barren trees allow for spectacular views. Popular parkway spots such as Julian Price Park and Moses Cone Memorial Park are just a few miles from Blowing Rock. The latter is where you’ll find Flat Top Manor, a 23-room mansion that’s home to the Parkway Craft Center, a craft shop selling works by local artisans. blueridgeparkway.org.
WHERE TO EAT
This is a restaurant town. At only 3 square miles, there are about two dozen eateries (many with award-winning chefs) plus great coffee shops and the original Kilwin’s, a well-known sweet shop. Nearly all are unique to Blowing Rock, from fun spots to amazing 5-star dining. Here are four of our favorites:
Canyons Historic Restaurant Bar. Delicious food and breathtaking views of Linville Gorge seal this as a top pick. 8960 Valley Blvd. (Hwy. 321); canyonsbr.com.
Storie Street Grille. Casual elegance, a view of the open kitchen, and cool black-and-white photos of local landmarks make this a lovely choice for dinner. 1167 Main St.; storiestreetgrille.com.
The Village Café. Follow the stone footpath from Main Street through the trees to end up at this lovely locale for breakfast or lunch. 146 Greenway Court; thevillagecafe.com.
Woodlands BBQ. Since 1977, Butch and Gina Triplett have served up pork and pickin’s (the musical kind) at this rustic hangout. 8304 Valley Blvd. (Hwy. 321); woodlandsbbq.com.
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