A charming resort village in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Blowing Rock is full of upscale boutiques, cultural venues and trendy eateries. Nicknamed the “Crown of the Blue Ridge”, it’s also a home-base for outdoor adventures, such as skiing and hiking.
Things to do in Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock features a rocky outcrop, which carries ancient legends of an Indian blown back to his true love after leaping from the rock. You can stand in the famous spot where this folklore originated, then climb the cliff-side trail to an observation tower to capture spectacular views of John’s River Gorge and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Devote time for shopping on Main Street, home to antique shops, art galleries and boutiques. Take a break for ice cream at Village Cafe, an iconic eatery listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For discount shopping, hit the Tanger Outlets stores.
Blue Ridge Parkway passes just north of Blowing Rock, giving you a chance to explore nature at the Moses Cone and Julian Price parks. Take a picnic, then cruise the waterways in a rented canoe. At the Moses Cone estate, you can roam through Flat Top Manor, an enormous mansion housing artisan works from Southern Highland Craft Guild.
Hiking begins within the city limits on the Glen Burney trail, a short walk from Main Street. In a five-kilometre loop you’ll discover multiple waterfalls on New Year’s Creek while hiking into the Johns River Gorge. You can continue on to Pisgah National Forest and Linville Gorge, known as North Carolina’s counterpart to the Grand Canyon.
Getting around Blowing Rock
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is about a two-hour drive from Blowing Rock. You can catch a shuttle or pick up a rental car at the airport. Taxis offer rides around town.