A Travel Advisor's Guide to Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Lounge area at Gideon Ridge overlooking the mountains

Getting there

Blowing Rock is located in North Carolina’s High Country, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway and about 15 minutes from Boone. For travelers flying in, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) generally offers the most flight options and is roughly a two-hour drive depending on traffic and weather. Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) in Tennessee is geographically closer and can also be worth checking depending on your origin. Asheville is another option, particularly if you want to extend the trip with a few days exploring Biltmore and the dining scene.

You’ll want a car here. Downtown Blowing Rock itself is very walkable, but many of the best hikes, restaurants and places worth exploring are scattered throughout the surrounding High Country.

Things to do

• Walk Bass Lake and explore Moses H. Cone Memorial Park: This is one of my favorite ways to spend a morning. Bass Lake sits within the larger Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, and the trails surrounding the lake are beautiful without requiring a serious hiking commitment. From here, you can continue along the carriage trails toward Flat Top Manor, the historic Cone mansion overlooking the property. It's a great option when you want to be outside and active without dedicating an entire day to a strenuous hike. We spotted a few folks horseback riding and plenty of pups along the trails.

• Shop along Main Street: Save time to simply walk around downtown Blowing Rock. Main Street is compact and lined with boutiques, antique stores, galleries and restaurants, making this one of those rare mountain towns where shopping is actually part of the experience.

• The Bee & The Boxwood is one of my favorite stops for home accessories and gifts, while Monkee's of Blowing Rock is worth visiting for women's clothing, shoes and accessories. I also recommend wandering into the antique stores rather than arriving with too much of an agenda.

• Spend Friday night at Music on the Lawn: If you’re visiting during the summer, try to include a Friday night.
  Music on the Lawn takes place on the grounds of the Inn at Ragged Gardens every Friday from May through September, weather permitting. A different band performs each week from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and the concerts are free. Bring a lawn chair, grab a drink and settle in. It gets busy, so arrive early. Better yet, make a night of it and stay on property for dinner at The Best Cellar afterward.

• Take an art detour to Banner Elk: About 30 minutes from Blowing Rock, Banner Elk is worth adding to your itinerary, particularly if you enjoy art and food. One of my favorite discoveries is Art Cellar Gallery. The gallery has two floors of original art, and approximately 90 percent of the artists represented are from North Carolina, with nearly half coming from nearby Avery and Watauga counties. This is the kind of gallery where you can find something that genuinely reminds you of the region rather than another souvenir.

Celebrating the Fourth of July holiday

• Celebrate the Fourth of July in Blowing Rock: If small-town Americana is your thing, Blowing Rock does the Fourth of July particularly well. The town holds its annual Fourth of July parade and festival on the first Saturday of July, with a morning parade through downtown followed by music and activities in Memorial Park. It’s festive, charming and exactly what you hope a Main Street Fourth of July celebration will be.

Where to stay

There are plenty of cabins and vacation rentals throughout the area, but for a more special stay, two properties stand out.

• Gideon Ridge Inn: Gideon Ridge Inn is my first choice for a romantic Blowing Rock getaway. The property has just ten guest rooms and feels more like staying in a beautiful mountain home than a traditional hotel. There are stone fireplaces, gardens, terraces and a back porch that takes full advantage of the views. Breakfast is included for overnight guests, and staying here also gives you priority access to reservations at The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge, which is important because dinner reservations can be difficult to secure. And trust me, you'll want to dine there. I'd recommend Gideon Ridge for couples who value intimacy and a sense of place over a long list of resort amenities.

Blue Ridge Mountain Range from Gideon Ridge

• Westglow Resort & Spa: For travelers who want more of a wellness retreat, Westglow Luxury Resort & Spa offers a completely different experience. The historic estate was originally the summer home of North Carolina artist Elliott Daingerfield and today includes a small collection of accommodations along with an extensive spa and wellness program. Overnight stays can include access to amenities such as the indoor pool, hot tub, sauna and fitness center. One important distinction for families: Westglow's lodging is limited to guests 16 and older, making this much better suited to couples, girlfriend getaways and adult trips.

Where to eat

For such a small town, Blowing Rock has some surprisingly good dining.

• The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge: The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge is the dinner I would prioritize. The setting is a big part of the experience, particularly when you can enjoy the terrace and mountain views before dinner. Reservations are required and currently open to the public 14 days in advance. Pro tip: set an alarm for exactly 14 days in advance at noon to secure the reservation! Overnight guests at the inn receive priority booking, and the restaurant welcomes guests ages 12 and older.

Seasonal fish is featured at Gideon Ridge Restaurant

• The Best Cellar: A longtime Blowing Rock favorite, The Best Cellar is located at the Inn at Ragged Gardens and makes an especially good Friday-night pairing with Music on the Lawn. Come for live music outside, then stay for dinner. It's an easy summer evening and one of my favorite ways to experience Blowing Rock.

• The Speckled Trout: For lunch or brunch, head to The Speckled Trout Restaurant and Bottle Shop on Main Street. The family-owned restaurant focuses on Appalachian-influenced food and is casual enough to work into a day of shopping and exploring downtown. This is where I'd go when you want a good local meal without turning lunch into an event.

• Artisanal: For a special-occasion dinner, it's worth making the drive to Banner Elk for Artisanal Restaurant. Artisanal is seasonal, typically operating from May through October, and is the place I'd choose for a more elevated dinner while visiting the High Country. Pair it with an afternoon at Art Cellar Gallery and you have an easy reason to spend part of a day exploring Banner Elk.

• Sunset & Vine: Wine lovers should make time for Sunset & Vine in downtown Blowing Rock. It's a wine shop and tasting room rather than a full restaurant, so think of it as a late-afternoon stop before dinner rather than your evening destination. You can also purchase cheeses and meats, and the helpful staff will assemble a charcuterie board for you. Add a glass of wine and you've got a pretty good afternoon.

When is the best time to visit Blowing Rock?

• Summer: Summer is one of my favorite times to visit Blowing Rock, particularly if you’re escaping the heat elsewhere in the Southeast. This is peak season, but it's also when the town really comes alive. Hiking, outdoor dining, Music on the Lawn and the Fourth of July festivities make summer particularly fun.

• Fall: Fall is equally popular for obvious reasons: the Blue Ridge Mountains put on quite a show.
  If fall foliage is the priority, book early. The exact timing of peak color varies each year depending on elevation and weather, so I wouldn't plan an entire trip around hitting one supposedly perfect weekend.

• Christmas and Winter: Blowing Rock is beautiful during the holidays. Christmas in the Park and the town's annual Christmas parade typically take place around Thanksgiving, kicking off the holiday season.
  
  Just understand what you're signing up for. Mountain weather can affect roads and plans quickly, and snow or ice can make getting around more challenging. I love the idea of a snowy mountain weekend. I also wouldn't arrive without checking the forecast.

• I particularly like Blowing Rock for couples and girlfriend getaways, but it also works well for families who want outdoor activities without planning an entire vacation around them.

• The appeal isn't one blockbuster attraction. It's being able to combine hiking, shopping, art, good food and time outside without spending half your trip in the car.

• It works particularly well for a three or four-night getaway. Stay in Blowing Rock, spend most of your time around town, and use Banner Elk and the surrounding High Country for a few well-chosen excursions. For me, that's what makes Blowing Rock worth returning to. There's plenty to do, but you don't need to over-plan it.

For more travel inspiration and insider recommendations, check out our North Carolina page.