Blowing Rock, North Carolina, USA

The small tourist town of Blowing Rock is on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Boone. Visitors enjoy the shops and restaurants in town and the scenic mountains and waterfalls nearby. There is plenty of snow skiing in the area in the winter. We particularly appreciated the fine products of the Southern Highland Craft Guild at Moses Cone Manor when we visited in 2002. We highly recommend Blowing Rock.

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Location

Northwestern North Carolina
On the Blue Ridge Parkway
Near Boone
Map

Population

About 1,420

The Blowing Rock (the attraction)

Location: 2 miles from town of Blowing Rock
Features: Gardens, gift shop, nature walk,

overlook (observation deck), picnic area, snack bar

Admission: about $6 (adult)
More info: 828-295-7111 www.TheBlowingRock.com

Grandfather Mountain

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(5,890 feet above sea level)
Location: 12 miles from Blowing Rock
Features: Gift shop, hiking,

mile high swinging bridge, nature museum
picnic area, seasonal activities, snack bar
Split Rock, visitor center

Hours: Open every day except Thanksgiving

and Christmas

Admission: about $12 (adult)
More info: 800-468-7325 www.Grandfather.com

Linville Falls

Location: In Blue Ridge Parkway National Park

25 miles from Blowing Rock

Features: Hiking,

nature interpretive programs (seasonal),
overlooks (views of falls and gorge), visitor center

Admission: free
More info: www.NPS.gov/BlRi

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park

Location: In Blue Ridge Parkway National Park

4 miles from Blowing Rock

Features: Boat rentals, camping, fishing, hiking

historic mansion (Moses Cone Manor),
Parkway Craft Center (in the mansion)

Operated by the Southern Highland Craft Guild

visitor center

Admission: free
More info: www.NPS.gov/BlRi

Tweetsie Railroad

Location: In the town of Blowing Rock
An amusement park for kids
Admission: There is a charge

More info: www.Tweetsie.com

Other features in and near town

Art and craft galleries
Antique shops
Bed and breakfast inns
Campgrounds and RV parks

Check Woodall's guide

Free parking
Hotels and vacation rentals

Advantage rate

HotelDiscount

Family Vacation Rentals

Museum
Restaurants
Snow skiing (winter)
Visitor Center

Hours

Many shops open Sunday noon to 5:00 pm

Festivals

January-February: Winterfest (three days)
May-October: Art in the Park (selected days)
July: Highland Games (four days)

(at Grandfather Mountain)

July-August: Charity Horse Show

(several selected days)

November: Christmas Parade (after Thanksgiving)

(and others)

Recommended stay

2 days

Tourist information

www.visitNC.com

www.SouthernHighlands.org

www.HighCountryHost.com

www.BlueRidgeParkway.org

One-stop reservations (Airlines, hotels, resorts, car rentals, cruises, last-minute deals, etc.)

Car rentals

Budget

Enterprise

Thrifty

Maps, trip planning, driving directions, etc.

Printed travel maps or download
and print. Rand McNally and others.
Driving directions, wall maps,
globes, nautical charts, atlases

Download high-res hiking and mountain
biking trail maps, topographic maps,
guidebooks, etc. Free trial subscription

Barnes&Noble
Many travel books and
guides. Fodors, etc.

National Geographic travel
guides, maps, atlases, etc.

Amusement park tickets

Discount theme and water park tickets

Southern California theme parks

Orlando theme parks and many more

Discounts for U.S. veterans and active duty

Join Veterans Advantage and get discounts on Amtrak, Greyhound, hotels, car rentals, etc. Save up to 70%. Magazine. Many benefits.

Spas and other experiences

Locate vacation spas, connoisseur spas, medical spas, weight-loss spas, discounts, gift certificates, Spafinder Magazine, gifts.

Spas, balloon rides, wine tasting, hang
gliding, rafting, adventures in and near
major US cities. Packages make good gifts.

Luggage and gear (Click buttons)

More travel accessories (Click to see separate page)

North Carolina calendars, books, etc. (see ads in blue to the right)

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The information above may not be up-to-date.
Please check local sources for the latest official times, costs, availability, etc.
This page was last updated on 01/11/2006 .

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