4 Reasons To Plan a Trip To Boone & Blowing Rock, NC

Whether you're trying to beat the Southern heat or you need a scenic getaway to rest and recharge, Boone and Blowing Rock, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, can give you all you need. Both areas never get too hot in the summer and stay pleasant in the winter.

Located about two hours from Asheville and Charlotte, and just over three from Gatlinburg, Boone and Blowing Rock are just a short ride away from several metro areas. And while that means short travel times, there are plenty of things to do in Boone and Blowing Rock that will keep you busy and entertained for days, no matter what you're into. Better yet, Boone and Blowing Rock are only a ten-minute gorgeous drive down Highway 321 away from each other …that is if you don't stop to gawk at the mountain views along the way!

Boone is a bustling city that's home to Appalachian State University. As the largest city in the area, it's a favored location for people to stay to enjoy all the High Country has to offer.

Blowing Rock is a charming small town whose claim to fame is being the only place on Earth where it snows upwards.

1. The Ski Scene

Boone and Blowing Rock wouldn't be themselves without the nearby winter sports offerings. Several ski resorts, like Appalachian Ski Resort, Beech Mountain, and Sugar Mountain are nearby. They have various trails for any skill level, each with something different to offer.

Appalachian Ski Resort in Blowing Rock is open from November to March. This resort has 12 skiing trails and a ski school where lessons are available for any experience level, from beginner to expert.

Beech Mountain Resort, located 30 minutes away in Banner Elk, is open from December to March, May 25th to September 22nd, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the weeks between June 27th – July 7th. The resort has a dedicated beginner area, so someone just starting can be comfortable skiing or snowboarding on the slopes. It has a venue that hosts live concerts in the summer.

Sugar Mountain Ski Resort is also in Banner Elk. Their winter opening times vary, but the winter season usually ranges from Thanksgiving to the end of March. During the off-season, the resort offers bike trails and scenic chair lift rides from July 4th to September 2nd, including a mountain bike camp for teens and tweens. It also hosts an outdoor concert series from June 5th to August 28th and Labor Day. Other summer activities include an Art Festival and Oktoberfest.

2. The Food

Both Blowing Rock and Boone have a variety of dining options. There's something for every palate and then some. To name a few, Stickboy Bread Co. sells all the types of bread you can imagine. Sit down and split a loaf of sourdough, brioche, white, or other seasonal offerings. And when you're finished and craving dessert, Sassy Cat Bakery has you covered. They specialize in cakes and cupcakes, but they don't stop there. These bakers also create beautifully decorated cookies and cheesecakes for any occasion.

Other options include Booneshine Brewing Co., a full-service restaurant with a food truck on-site and is home to the largest beer garden in the High Country.
The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge has an eclectic menu of gourmet options, and diners can sit at tables overlooking the area's mountains and woods.

Hatchet Coffee Roasters is a local favorite café that offers all sorts of hot and cold drinks – coffee, tea, and cocoa with original flavor combinations not seen anywhere else. You can even purchase some of their coffee grounds to take home and brew your own cup if you fall in love with one of the flavors. Bistro Roca offers rustic, cozy charm and American cuisine, with a few quirky-named cocktails to boot.

3. Family Friendly Fun

Boone and Blowing Rock cater to more than just the adult and college-age crowd. There are plenty of beloved attractions for whole families.

One of the most popular attractions is the Tweetsie Railroad, an Old-West-themed amusement park with a little bit of everything from live entertainment and rides, including a scenic chair lift and train ride, Ferris wheel, carousel, to other attractions like the Deer Park Petting Zoo with mini horses, goats, emus, deer and more. Who wouldn't want to end a day of fun hanging out with adorable animals? And if no one is big on rides in the family, there are walking trails that you can use to take in the sights.

Blowing Rock also has Mystery Hill, a local attraction with indoor and outdoor activities for all ages. It has a gem mining section, Hall of Mystery, and several "gravitational anomalies" which allow you to learn just why Blowing Rock is the only area where it's ever "snowed upwards." It also has Western-themed photos, mechanical bull riding, and axe throwing.

If you're a history buff, Mystery Hill has you covered with a Native American Artifact Museum. You can even step back in time in the Appalachian Heritage Museum's Dougherty House and explore the first home in the area to ever get electricity and running water, restored to show just how residents of Appalachia lived back then. When you've put in a full day, you can cap it off with one bottle (or more) of the 190 varieties of old-time soda at the Front Porch Eats Restaurant.

On a similar note, Blowing Rock is also home to Doc's Rocks, another attraction where you and the family can mine gems, check out a dinosaur museum, play at the arcade, and compete in a few rounds of mini golf.

Lastly, in neighboring Banner Elk, visitors can ride the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, the only alpine coaster in the area. You have the option to speed down the tracks or go at a slower pace to enjoy the scenery. When you finish that, you can head next door to test your mettle on the Wilderness Run Course, an obstacle course with 28 individual runs for various difficulty levels.

4. The Colors

The way the seasons change around Boone and Blowing Rock deserves their own mention. For most of the year, all the greenery in the area is bright and cheerful, and even the buildings host a wide variety of colors. But like most places in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the sights go from beautiful to downright magical when fall arrives.

The entire valley is painted in deep, vibrant reds, golds, oranges, and browns that pictures don't do justice. Better yet, Boone and Blowing Rock fully commit to the fall theme and provide plenty of farmer's markets, apple picking, and other fall activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Ready to book a stay in Boone or Blowing Rock?

It's like the old saying-turned-cliche goes – the mountains are calling, and you must go. The 100 Collection has you covered with our partner Blue Ridge Mountain Rentals. They offer vacation rentals in Boone & Blowing Rock, as well as Banner Elk. The rental homes are private, ranging from 1 to 8 bedrooms, all in areas where you and your friends and family can kick back with a nice drink and take in the mountain air in your choice of a smaller, cozy cabin or spacious lodge with gorgeous views for miles that make these properties some of the best places to stay in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Prepare to be more relaxed than ever and book your perfect getaway today. You deserve it.