Blowing Rock NC “Crown of the Blue Ridge”

Town of Blowing Rock North Carolina
Blowing Rock focuses on family vacations, honeymoons, romantic getaways, and group retreats. Outdoor adventure, dining in great mountain restaurants, fun-filled festivals, and excellent service make Blowing Rock one of the best vacation areas in the Southeast. The Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Blowing Rock possess a rich history of a simpler time. Today, they provide the backdrop for the best vacation area in North Carolina. Spend the day with activities in Blowing Rock, then retire for the evening to our cozy accommodations that set the standard for comfort in North Carolina. Of all the towns surrounding the Blue Ridge Mountains, Blowing Rock is the most peaceful . . . a place where you can leave your cares and renew your spirit. Blowing Rock offers many outdoor activities, including hiking, bicycling, fishing, rafting down a cool mountain river, and a day of rejuvenation in the Blue Ridge Mountains

 

History of Blowing Rock NC
Before 1752, when Moravian Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg visited the Blowing Rock area, the windy cliffs of the area were home to the Cherokee and the Catawba Indian tribes,hostile to each other, and the basis for the story of “The Blowing Rock”. Two star-crossed lovers, one from each tribe, were walking near The Rock when the reddening sky signaled to the brave that he must return to his tribal duty, and the maiden urged him to stay with her. His desperation in choosing between duty and love caused him to leap from the edge of the gorge toward the rocks below, while the maiden beseeched the Great Spirit to bring him back to her. The famous winds of the John’s River Gorge blew her lover back into her arms, and this legend about The Blowing Rock is still told today.

After the mid-eighteenth century, when the Scotch-Irish began to settle close to this area, the passes from southern Virginia into Kentucky attracted many colonists, farmers, hunters, and trappers who continued south to the mountains of North Carolina. The first family to settle in Blowing Rock were the Greenes who were established by the mid-1800’s on a site that would become the Green Park Hotel property. Other early settlers in Blowing Rock included the Hayes, Coffey, Bolick, Estes and Storie families. About this time, summer residents began to come up from Lenoir to enjoy the cool fresh air, magnificent mountain views and the wonders of nature.

As word traveled to other parts of the South about the merits of Blowing Rock, more visitors began to arrive, first camping out, and later taking rooms at boarding houses like the Hayes and Martin Houses on Main Street. When the space to accommodate guests proved too little, many homes turned into hotels, and the Watauga Hotel, built in 1884, added cottages in 1888; the Green Park Hotel opened in 1891 and was followed eight years later by the Blowing Rock Hotel. Walter Alexander touted the clean air and healthy environment of Blowing Rock, as he developed the Mayview area, opening the grand hotel, Mayview Manor in 1922.

Main Street Blowing Rock
Main street Blowing Rock has something to offer all ages, from upscale boutiques and antique shops, arts and crafts stores, book stores, clothiers, and art galleries. While your shopping if you are hungry, Main street Blowing Rock has a variety of restaurants to choose from such as Storie Street Grille, Knight’s on Main, Six Pence Pub, Glidewell’s, Kojay’s Cafe and Coffee Shop, just to name a few in town. If you have a sweet tooth stop by the famous Kilwins for ice cream or fudge; in the summer their is about a 30 min wait and the line runs out the door. Who doesn’t want to get an ice cream , relax on a park bench and enjoy people watching and the mountain weather. Many visitors bring their families to enjoy the Blowing Rock Memorial Park whether you want to relax on a park bench and watch the world go by or allow the kids to climb the many playgrounds. A trip to Blowing Rock would not be complete if you did not take the time to walk down main street and feel the friendliness and warmth of small mountain town charm.

Restaurants of Blowing Rock
The restaurants in the town of Blowing Rock North Carolina are some of the finest dining establishments in the Appalachian Mountains. If you are visiting Blowing Rock you are sure to find a large variety of memorable dishes in warm, comfortable surroundings whether sitting indoors or outside on a patio. If you are searching for a home cooked family style southern meal or fine dining at an upscale bistro, the variety for dining in the Blowing Rock area is endless. Most of the area chefs also compete in the Blowing Rock chamber sponsored event Fire on the Rock where chefs go head to head and compete for restaurant awards.

 

Art in the Park
Art in the Park was created in 1962 by a handful of area artists and craftspeople to showcase local talent. 46 years after its start, Art in the Park is host to 90 artisans at each show. Some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcase their handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting and more.Art in the Park’s high standards and professional jury attract artisans from all over the Southeast to exhibit in a series of six shows, May through October. The quality of work exhibited draws thousands to the mountains each month.Art in the Park is planned and administered by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber emphasizes the arts focus of this event. The town and area businesses are enthusiastic and participate with Art in the Park, and the public eagerly anticipates each season.

The Blowing Rock Attraction
The town of Blowing Rock takes its name from an unusual rock formation which juts over 1,500 feet (460 m) above the Johns River gorge. Due to the rock’s shape and size, wind currents from the gorge often blow vertically, causing light objects to float upwards into the sky. The Blowing Rock area was once fought over by the Cherokee and Catawba Native American tribes. According to legend, two lovers – one from each tribe – were walking near the rocks when the man received a notice to report to his village and go into battle. When his lover urged him to stay with her, he became so distraught that he threw himself off the blowing rock into the gorge. The woman prayed to the Great Spirit to return her lover, and the Spirit complied by sending a gust of wind which blew the man back up the cliff and landed him safely on the blowing rock itself.

Moses Cone Memorial Park
One of the most famous historic attractions on the Blue Ridge Parkway, The Moses H. Cone Memorial Park is a beautiful country estate. Moses H. Cone whom the memorial park is named after was a textile entrepreneur known as the “Denim King”, conservationist, and philanthropist.. The Flat Top Manor, overlooking Bass Lake boasts 23-rooms, an enormous 13,000 square foot mansion.The property was donated to the National Park Service, with the understanding that it would be known as The Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and managed as a part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a unit of the National Park System. The manor is now home to the Parkway Craft Center, a craft shop of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, exhibiting works by artisans from nine Appalachian states. Mediums represented range from baskets and woodcarvings to quilts and ironwork.The bookstore carries trail maps, brochures, nature books and guidebooks. Crafts for sale, hiking trails. MP 294 on Blue Ridge Parkway. Craft Center 9-6 pm daily, May-Oct. 31.

 

The Parkway Craft Center
Parkway Craft Center, located at Milepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, inside the Moses Cone Manor. The Parkway Craft Center is one of five shops of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and features work from over 300 Southern Appalachian crafts people. Work includes clay, glass, leather, fiber, jewelry, wood, natural materials, paper and metal. Whether you are looking for a special accent piece for your home or a unique gift for a special occasion, you will find the perfect select ion. Gift certificates along with a newly created gift registry are available, as well. The crafts housed inside the manor are inherently beautiful and are artfully displayed by talented, knowledgable and friendly staff. The combination of the Georgian Revival architecture and the beauty of the crafts offers something for everyone. Several special focus events related to arts and crafts seminars will be offered at the Parkway Craft Center, please see the schedule for times and more information. For more information, call the main front desk at 828-295-7938 or e-mail us at parkwaycraft@bellsouth.net.

 

Tweetsie Railroad
Visit North Carolina’s first original theme park, and experience the days of the wild west. Climb aboard the historic steam locomotive train for an unforgettable three-mile journey through the scenic Blue Ridge mountains of Blowing Rock North Carolina. Tweetsie Railroad also has amusement rides for all ages and live entertainment throughout the park; such as the musical show Can-Can girls at the Palace Saloon, or ride the chair lift to Miner’s Mountain where you can pan for gold, feed the animals at the Deer Park, and have what they call “old-fashioned fun”. Tweetsie Railroad is a unique attraction that allows children and families to explore their imaginations and a whole lot more.

Appalachian Ski Mountain
Appalachian Ski Mountain is your first resort for family fun! Appalachian Ski Mountain has been open since 1962, the mountain was also the first High Country’s ski area and number one choice for skiers of all ages and abilities. App Ski Mountain features 10 slopes, 3 terrain parks, French Swiss Ski college ski and snowboard school, and outdoor ice skating arena. Appalachian also offers night skiing and snowboarding seven nights a week. Appalachian Ski Mountain has been the premier choice place to ski for families, groups and beginners learning to skii and snowboard. from the French Ski Swiss College. According to local and regional snowboarders Appalachian Ski Mountain has the best terrain parks in North Carolina due to the fact of Drew Stanley and his app terrain park crew that is constantly updating the terrain park with new features and jumps. In order to get to the slopes to have to pass through the Appalachian Ski Mountain 46,000 square foot base lodge that has a 200-foot long observation deck. The observation deck is a great place to watch the young ones learn or just take in the mountain view, also it is a perfect place to take pictures and video. The lodge has a slope-view restaurant, three dining rooms, fireplace, TV room, over 700 lockers, game room, nursery, dressing rooms, ATM and more! Appalachian always offers the latest in ski and snowboard equipment. Their Alpine Ski Shop sells top-of-the-line equipment from manufacturers like Rossignol, K2, Salomon and Nordica. They also offer the Appalachian Gift Shop, which has everything for your skiing comfort and pleasure including goggles, gloves, sunglasses and rental clothing.

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Blue Ridge Food & Wine Festival
The art of wine is celebrated during the month of April at Blue Ridge Wine festival. This fabulous four-day festival is held in Blowing Rock and showcases over thirty wineries throughout the state of North Carolina and delicious cuisine from local Blowing Rock chefs that promises to please any appetite. If you decide to go, you can look forward to wine tastings, the Fire on the Rock Chef’s Challenge, a patron’s gala, wine pairing seminars, amateur and professional winemaker’s competitions, cooking classes, and tasty winemaker’s dinners. The Blue Ridge Wine Festival is becoming well known for bringing together wines from regional wineries and pairing them with outstanding food and special events in this charming mountain town where springtime will be in full bloom. If you go, you can expect to see auctions, live music, dancing and a commemorative performance held at the Hayes Performing Arts Center. While you’re on vacation in April, acknowledge your love for food and wine and make sure to attend the Blue Ridge Wine Festival.

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Symphony By The Lake at Chetola Resort
Come join the many visitors and appreciate the sound of music at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock with the Symphony by the Lake. This annual outdoor performance of symphonic music, sponsored by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce. The event is located on the Chetola Resort’s sweeping lawn and has become the high point of Blowing Rock’s summer season. Vacationers and locals come out to this event and bring lawn chairs, blankets, tents, and enjoy a picnic with freinds or dinner buffet prepared by The Manor House Restaurant at Chetola . Following the symphony music, a spectacular fireworks show will cap off a fantastic evening. Purchasing a patron tent is a fun option for our business members. Patrons tents can be used for many purposes. A business could choose to host a staff or customer appreciation party. Because many people stop by and visit at each tent, it can also be a way to meet and greet potential customers. Single tents come with twelve tickets, chairs, and an eight foot banquet table. Of course, individuals and families are welcome to purchase patron tents as well. Some patrons really enjoy participating in the tent decorating competition, and show off the creativity of their business or family in this way. Patrons are also granted special parking and can pick up and drop off at the tent for their set-up and break-down. The Blowing Rock Chamber provides a free shuttle from the Food Lion Shopping Center in Blowing Rock to Chetola. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $8.00 for children under the age of twelve. Tickets will be available at www.blowingrock.com or by calling the Chamber office at 828-295-7851. Parking is also available at Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway. The gates open at 5:30pm for picnicking by beautiful Chetola Lake at Chetola Resort, the performance will begin at 7:30pm.

Winterfest in Blowing Rock NC
The Village of Blowing Rock celebrates the fun side of winter with the Annual Blowing Rock Winterfest. The Winterfest in Blowing Rock North Carolina attracts many visitors at the end of the month with the events such as the Chili Cook-Off, downtown hayrides, the famous Chetola Lake icy Polar Plunge, WinterFeast, pancake breakfast, ice carving comepetition, winterfest concert, and Winter Paws Dog Show. At the Blowing Rock Elementary School Gymnasium from 11 am to 2:30 pm Saturday taste some of the best chili in the high country at the chili cook-off, or join us Sunday from 8:00 am – 11:00 am at the Blowing Rock School Cafeteria on Morris Street just off of Main Street for a delicious pancake breakfast. During Winterfest a fearless breed of people come in pairs and groups from all around the region, and take the polar plunge into Chetola Lake. Judges award the famous “Golden Plunge” award to the best dressed polar plunge costumes. With so many actvities to do for all ages come enjoy the day in January in Blowing Rock North Carolina for the annaul Winterfest.

The Blowing Rock Art & Antique Show
The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) presents an annual celebration of Art & Antiques. View and purchase some of the best heirloom-quality furniture, pottery, jewelry, clocks, crystal, silver and more. Featuring selected vendors from throughout the East Coast, the event is open to the public for the entire weekend. One ticket is good for every day of the event.

Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show
The quaint village of Blowing Rock, North Carolina every August is host to The Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show. The first years brought equine enthusiasts and their families for a week of competition and camaraderie. Originally the event lasted for five days, but over the years it has grown to cover a period of three weeks. The show is held at the L.M. Tate Show Grounds in J.E. Broyhill Park. Steeped in tradition, this event has consistently attracted annual exhibitors from all over the United States and several foreign countries and has the distinction of being recognized as the oldest continuous outdoor horse show in America.