A day trip to Blowing Rock is a perfect addition to your mountain getaway! While visiting downtown Blowing Rock, you will feel like you have been transported into a hallmark movie because of its quaintness, picturesque streets, and unique storefronts.
Blowing Rock is definitely worth visiting because there are SO many activities and attractions. If you are staying for longer than a day trip to Blowing Rock NC, check out my blog post about a winter weekend in Boone.
Listed below is an itinerary and all the details of how I would spend a perfect day in Blowing Rock:
Day Trip to Blowing Rock Basics
When to Visit
Any time of the year has its perks, but listed below are the major seasons and the pros and cons of visiting during that time:
In the Fall
Fall is a beautiful time to visit Blowing Rock, with its stunning fall foliage hues. Because of the scenery, this is also the busiest time of the year. Keep this in mind as you plan your trip, as there will be crowds and less parking availability.
In the Winter
If you time it right, Blowing Rock turns into a magical winter wonderland with a snowy mountain landscape enhancing the Hallmark vibes. I would also suggest visiting around Christmas time to admire the decorations and get some unique gifts. Strolling around Blowing Rock is a great activity for those opting out of ski activities but still want to get some fresh air and admire the snow.
Summer / Spring
Even though it still can get hot in Western North Carolina, the higher elevation helps beat some of the summer heat. Spring is a great time to admire the fresh blooms and add hiking trails to your itinerary.
How to Spend a Full Day in Blowing Rock
Start Your Day
Start your day by getting a fresh cup of coffee or by filling your stomach with some delicious breakfast! There is no short supply of great restaurants for any time of the day. Listed below are some coffee shops and breakfast joints in Blowing Rock:
- Bald Guy Brew
- Camp Coffee Roasters
- Social on Main
Blowing Rock Day Trip Activities
Shops
There are so many unique shops in downtown Blowing Rock. You can easily spend the day walking up and down Main Street visiting several small businesses each with their own flair. Even though I suggest visiting every shop, listed below are some of my favorites.
Main Street Blowing Rock is where you will find the majority of shops and restaurants. Similar to King Street, the downtown is very walkable and there are several independent shops to meander through the town and check out. Compared to Boone, Blowing Rock has more upscale shops and restaurants.
Other Day Trip to Blowing Rock Activities
If you want to take a break from shopping or have some kiddos who need to stretch their legs, then I suggest visiting Memorial Park or the Blowing Rock Art Museum.
Another great option unique to Blowing Rock is the hike to the Glen Burney waterfall. This hike is unique because the trailhead starts downtown. This is a great way to admire the mountains and the natural scenery.
- BRAHM Blowing Rock Art & History Museum
- The BRAHM is home to several exhibitions highlighting local artists and other pieces of art. Other exhibitions show the history of Blowin Rock and how this quaint shopping town became a major tourist attraction.
- Another perk of this museum is that admission is FREE!
- Parks
- Broyhill Park
- Memorial Park
- Hiking
- Glen Burney Falls Hike: 2.2 Miles
Lunch Restaurants
- Storie Street Grill
- A good classic in downtown Blowing Rock. Perfect place to take a break from shopping.
- Bistro Roca
- A great atmosphere with an amazing food selection. Be sure to try the mac and cheese!
- Speckled Trout
- Farm-to-table restaurant with amazing fresh food.
An Afternoon Pick Me Up
Whether you prefer something sweet or something else with a little bit of edge, there are several options for an afternoon pick-me-up to get you through the final stretch of your day trip to Blowing Rock!
Alcohol
- Sunset Vine
- Such a cute wine and cheese shop! You can sit back, relax, and enjoy a glass of wine with their artisan cheeses.
- Blowing Rock Ale House
- If wine isn’t your thing, another great option with a unique vibe is Blowing Rock Ale House. Stop at the taproom for Blowing Rock Brewery’s craft beers.
Sweet Treat
- Blue Deer Cookies
- The ice cream cookie sandwiches are DELICIOUS. Blue Deer Cookies also has a unique story as they started in a small camping RV.
- Kilwins
- It is so hard to resist Kilwins as you walk by and smell the aromas of the fudge, ice cream, and other sweet treats. You can never go wrong with Kilwins!
Coffee
If a simple cup of coffee is what you need. Then I suggest either of these coffee shops to replenish some of your energy.
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THANK YOU
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts about a day trip to Blowing Rock, NC, and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.
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