BLOWING ROCK, NC IN 48 HOURS

Blowing Rock is a quaint little mountain town on the Western side of North Carolina. Located along the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s a quick drive from most major cities in the state making it a convenient weekend trip. It’s about 2 hours to Asheville, Charlotte, and Greensboro whereas Raleigh is about 3 hours. After living in North Carolina for 2+ years, it’s become one of our staples for a quick weekend getwaway! We’ve been to the area several times now and it’s one of our favorite places in North Carolina.

There is nothing like a weekend in the mountains! If you like small town charm, great restaurants and breweries, hikes, and farmers markets then you’ll love a trip to the mountains! Aside from hiking, one of the best things to do is drive around and enjoy the scenery. Below I’ve put together an itinerary for a weekend getaway to Blowing Rock. This article is great for families traveling to Blowing Rock as well since we took our daughter on our last trip. It’s actually a great weekend getaway for families as there is a lot for kids to do in town.

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The Blowing Rock NC weather tends to be mild year round so there really isn’t a bad time to visit. I like visiting during the summer months because the temperature is normally in the upper 70s to low 80s. If you live in a warm climate like we do, it’s a nice break from the crazy heat!

With that said, there is nothing like fall in the mountains! The temperature usually ranges from a crisp 50-60 degrees which is perfect for hiking and enjoying the colorful trees. The winters are relatively cold ranging from about 30-40 degrees with lows in the 20s overnight. However, if you like skiing and snowboarding this is a great time to visit since there are several ski mountains nearby. The Blowing Rock weather usually ranges from 50-60 degrees in the Spring and heats up to the 70s by the end of June. Like I said, it’s a great place to visit year round!

Blowing Rock is a perfect spot to base yourself for a trip to the mountains. It’s situated between Boone and Banner Elk meaning there is quite a bit to do in the area. Boone is home to Appalachian State with a cute downtown, great restaurants, breweries, and hikes. Similarly, Banner Elk is known for great restaurants and hiking. We’ve always stayed closer to Boone so haven’t had a chance to explore much of Banner Elk.

Since we’ve never stayed in Blowing Rock my recommendations below are based on location and reviews. I’ve found Blowing Rock, NC hotels to be a little more expensive than Boone so if you’re looking for more price conscious options, consider checking Boone! We stayed at the Hampton Inn on our first trip to Boone which is about 1 mile from downtown Boone and 15 minutes from downtown.

Apartment in Blowing Rock (Airbnb) – Located in the heart of Blowing Rock, this Airbnb is located in one of the oldest buildings in town. This one bedroom apartment has been recently renovated and hosts up to 4 guests. The Airbnb is generally around $150 per night with additional cleaning and service fees.

The Getaway Blowing Rock – Located within walking distance of downtown, The Getaway is a little pricier averaging around $250 per night. There are 12 townhomes on the property which were renovated recently as well. The townhomes are great for families since they sleep up to 4 guests and look spacious with a full kitchen.

If you’re headed to the mountains, you’ll want to spend at least 3 days in the area setting aside a full day to explore Blowing Rock NC. If you enjoy beautiful hikes, good restaurants, and quaint towns you might want to add a few more days on to your itinerary. Three days gives you enough time to see the area but also leave wanting to come back for more.

Nestled between the mountains, downtown Blowing Rock NC feels like it’s straight out of a Hallmark movie. While the downtown is small and walkable, there is actually quite a bit to do. The local restaurants are excellent and there are plenty of shops to keep you occupied. There is a gazebo at the center of town with a great playground for little kids as well as basketball and tennis courts. Our daughter just turned one and I know she’s going to love the park next time we visit. It’s honestly the perfect spot for families!

If you enjoy hiking, head to the Glen Burney Trail. The trail is walkable from downtown so it’s a great way to start your morning. If you’re driving, there is parking at the trailhead as well as at the parking garage in town. The 1.5 mile out and back trail is considered moderate with minimal elevation. I would set aside about 1.5 hours for the hike depending on your fitness level and how often you stop for photos. The trail is nice and shaded so you can also do it later in the day if you prefer.

The atmosphere is serene as the trail parallels water throughout most of the hike with 3 waterfalls along the way. You’ll be able to see The Cascades, Glen Burney Falls, and Glen Marie Falls so this is an excellent hike if you like waterfalls.

I hiked the trail at 30 weeks pregnant and didn’t have any problems! In my opinion, the hardest part of the trail is the variation in the ground. There are a lot of exposed rocks and roots along the way so you constantly have to watch your step especially if you’re pregnant or traveling with little ones. With that said, I recommend proper footwear.

After hiking, make your way back downtown to grab a cup of coffee, walk around, and grab lunch. If you like art and history make sure you visit the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum. As I mentioned, the town is small but there are a lot of local shops and restaurants to enjoy.

I’ve listed a few of the best restaurants in Blowing Rock NC below!

Blue Deer – Known for their homemade cookies with Homeland Creamery ice cream, Blue Deer also has a full espresso bar. There are a few locations in the area and my favorite is actually in Boone since there is rooftop seating.

Camp Coffee Roasters – Located toward the beginning of town, Camp Coffee Roasters combines Community, Adventure, Mindfulness, and Passion with a love for coffee. This little shop opened in 2010 and is the perfect spot to grab a cup of coffee before exploring the great outdoors.

Bald Guy Brew Blowing Rock – Another popular roastary in the region, Bald Guy Brew has a shop in Blowing Rock. The local coffee shop is known for their organic coffee. Some of thier environment friendly goals include packaging coffee in bags made of biodegradable materials and replacing plastics in the coffee shop with eco-friendly alternatives.

Blowing Rock Brewery – One of our favorite spots in town is Blowing Rock Brewery. There are 15 beers on tap and the food is excellent. Their beer is made using quality ingredients and fresh mountain water to capture the finest qualities of the High Country.

The Best Cellar – If you’re looking for a nice upscale dinner, The Best Cellar is the spot. A reservation is recommended for the wine bar which opens at 5 pm Thursday through Monday for dinner. I haven’t been yet but it’s at the top of my list for our next trip.

The Speckled Trout – I haven’t been to the Speckled Trout Blowing Rock yet because the wait is always so long! A few of my friends have recommended it so we definitely want to eat there next time. The menu changes seasonally exploring the roots of Appalachian food.

Blowing Rock Market – Located near the center of town, The Blowing Rock Market is the perfect stop if you’re looking for something quick and easy. The small market is open daily from 7 am until the late evening for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They sell made to order sandwiches and have a wide selection of local foods in the market. You can grab a sandwich to go or grab a seat outdoors with a cup of coffee or glass of wine or draft beer.

After lunch, head to the main attraction in Blowing Rock, “The Blowing Rock” which is actually the oldest attraction in North Carolina. Named “The Blowing Rock” because if you throw something light off the rock it will either float or return back to you. This phenomenon is said to happen because the rocky walls of the gorge form a flume through which the wind sweeps with enough force it blows light objects back.

Open since 1933, the rock is about 2 miles from downtown with incredible views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Sitting 4,000 ft. above sea level, The Blowing Rock hike offers views of Hawksbill Mountain, Table Rock, Grandfather Mountain, and Mt. Mitchell.

This is a great activity for everyone as the entire pet friendly trail is paved and mostly wheelchair accessible. Its approximately 1/2 mile long and only takes about 15-25 minutes to walk the trail.

Pricing:

• Adults (13+) – $9

   

• Student (with ID) – $8
• Children (5-12) – $3
• Under 5 – Free

Seasonal Hours:
April through October : 9 am to 7 pm
November through March: 9 am to 5 pm

As I mentioned, it’s a great destination year round. This is partly due to the mild temperatures throughout the year and partly due to the excellent seasonal activities. I’ll go through some of the best Blowing Rock events below.

Watauga County Farmers Market – I love a good farmers market and the Watauga County Farmers Market is honestly one of the best! With live music, food trucks, and over 70 vendors, what’s not to enjoy! The farmers market is less than 15 minutes from downtown Blowing Rock which makes for an easy morning activity. You’ll find everything from produce and honey to apothecary products, herbal tinctures, and therapeutic oils. The produce is always inexpensive, fresh, and most of the vendors are even organic. We’ve been several times now and always find something new.

New River Corn Maze – Located in Boone about 20 minutes from downtown, New River Corn Maze opens mid September for pumpkin picking. In addition to a pick-your-own pumpkin patch there are also tram rides and a maze with over a mile of path.

J&M Produce – J&M Produce is open year round but it’s particularly impressive in the fall. With pumpkins and a wide variety of squash filling the shelves, it’s hard not to get into the fall spirit! The produce stand also sells NC apples as well as local jams, honeys, and sweets.

Blowing Rock WinterFest – WinterFest runs from January 26th-29th in the heart of Blowing Rock! The weekend is jam packed with activities starting first thing Thursday morning running through Sunday evening. There are specials running at local restaurants in town as well as activities for the entire family.

Appalachian Ski Mountain – Located 3 miles from downtown, Appalachian Ski Mountain is open from November 18th-March 19th. There are approximately 9 trails ranging from easy to difficult and an additional 3 freestyle trails. There is also an ice rink open from November 24th to March

Appalachian Evergreens Choose & Cut – One of my favorite thing about the mountains are all the Christmas trees. If you like having a real Christmas Tree for Christmas there is no better place to cut your own!

Clearly we love Blowing Rock North Carolina! As you can tell, there are so many things to do in Blowing Rock NC. Let me know in the comments below if you’ve visited the area!

If you’re planning a trip to the South, don’t miss these articles below!

• Beaufort, South Carolina in 48 Hours
• Charleston, South Carolina in a Weekend

Safe Travels,

Sarah :)

I’ve shared a few of my favorite travel essentials for the mountains below! If you’re looking for more of my favorite travel gear check out the travel shop. Let me know if you have any questions.