Blowing Rock offers travelers several distinct highlights: a trail to a waterfall, a self-guided trail approximately half a mile long, multi-use trails, cultural offerings, and a food tour. When deciding what to focus on, you can consider whether nature, architectural and cultural history, or a guided tour matters most to you. Blowing Rock is accessible primarily via U.S. Highways 321 and 221.
Trails and different route profiles
The Glen Burney Trail is 1.6 miles long and descends 600 feet, from an elevation of 3,520 feet to the base of Glen Marie Falls. New Year's Creek runs alongside the trail and over the falls. At The Blowing Rock, located on the edge of the mountain on Highway 321 South in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, the self-guided trail is approximately half a mile long. The two trails therefore differ in their stated length and profile: the Glen Burney Trail descends to the waterfall, while the trail at The Blowing Rock is shorter and self-guided.
In Moses Cone Memorial Park in Blowing Rock, 25 miles of gently rising carriage roads offer plenty of opportunities for leisurely hikes. The park's wide gravel roads are suitable for trail running, easy to moderate hiking, and horseback riding. Most of the trails are multi-use. Visitors may encounter horseback riders or joggers there; cross-country skiers may also be out on the trails in winter. When choosing a route, you can therefore consider both your preferred activity and the possibility of encountering other trail users.
Architectural history, geology, and cultural offerings
Flat Top Manor was built in Blowing Rock and now houses the Parkway Craft Center. Here, you can connect the building's history with its current use. Blowing Rock Gneiss is also a geological point of interest: it is 1,055 million years old.
The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum offers a range of formats. TAC Talks include lectures by scholars from across the country. They provide additional information about current exhibitions or explore the history and cultural heritage of the mountains. Adults can take part in studio workshops led by guest instructors and using a variety of artistic media.
For children ages six to ten, the museum's Afternoon Art program offers creative art activities. The program takes place on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The offerings vary by audience and format: talks about exhibitions or mountain history, hands-on studio workshops for adults, and an afternoon program for children. If you want to plan your day around Afternoon Art, check the specific event date in advance.
Combine restaurant visits with art and history
Blowing Rock Food & Wine Tours takes guests to local restaurants while exploring local art and history. The tour lasts three hours. This way, the experience combines restaurant visits with two other themes, rather than focusing solely on food. Set aside a separate block of time and check the specific tour date in advance.
Discover more destinations: Sugar Grove, Seven Devils, Zionville, Vilas, Boone.
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