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.
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 offer a variety of trails for all skill levels, each with something different to offer.
Appalachian Ski Resort in Blowing Rock is open from November to March, with 12 trails, outdoor ice skating, and the French-Swiss Ski College offering lessons for all experience levels. The resort also features late-night skiing until midnight on weekends for more extended adventure fun with family.
Beech Mountain Resort, located 30 minutes away in Banner Elk, is the highest ski area in Eastern America. Open from December to March, the resort offers 17 runs, including dedicated beginner slopes, and features an alpine village at the base with a craft brewery, snow tubing, and the 5506' Sky Bar at the summit accessible only by ski lift.
Sugar Mountain Ski Resort is also in Banner Elk and stands as NC's largest ski area with 125 skiable acres, 20 trails, and North Carolina's only double-black-diamond slope. Their winter season typically runs from Thanksgiving to the end of March. During summer, the resort offers mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, and hosts outdoor concerts and festivals, including Oktoberfest.
Both Blowing Rock and Boone have a variety of dining options to suit every meal.
Breakfast & Bakeries
Lunch
Dinner
Breweries
Boone and Blowing Rock cater to more than just the adult and college-age crowd. There are many beloved attractions for families.
One of the most popular attractions is Tweetsie Railroad, North Carolina's first theme park that's been delighting visitors since 1957. This Old-West-themed amusement park centers around a 3-mile journey aboard historic narrow-gauge steam locomotives—complete with a train robbery and cowboy shootout that'll have the kids talking for weeks. You'll find 28 amusement rides including a scenic chairlift, Ferris wheel, and carousel, plus live entertainment at the Tweetsie Palace with can-can dancers and magic shows. The Deer Park Petting Zoo lets families get up close with mini horses, goats, emus, deer, and more adorable animals. And if rides aren't everyone's thing, walking trails wind through the park for those who prefer to take in the mountain scenery at their own pace. Don't miss special events such as the Ghost Train Halloween Festival or Tweetsie Christmas, which transform the park with over one million twinkling lights.
Blowing Rock also features Mystery Hill, a quirky local attraction packed with indoor and outdoor activities for all ages. The gem mining section lets kids discover their own treasures, while the Hall of Mystery and several "gravitational anomalies" explain the science behind why Blowing Rock is the only place where it's ever "snowed upwards"—a phenomenon you have to see to believe. The fun continues with Western-themed photo ops, mechanical bull riding, and axe throwing for those looking to test their frontier skills.
History buffs will appreciate Mystery Hill's Native American Artifact Museum, and you can step back in time at the Appalachian Heritage Museum's Dougherty House the first home in the area to get electricity and running water, meticulously restored to show how Appalachian residents lived in bygone days. After a full day of exploring, cap it off at Front Porch Eats Restaurant where you can choose from 190 varieties of old-time soda, everything from sarsaparilla to birch beer—or craft your own Mason jar float.
Just down the road, Doc's Rocks offers another family-friendly experience where you can mine for gems, explore a dinosaur museum, challenge each other at arcade games, and compete in mini golf rounds.
In neighboring Banner Elk, the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster delivers thrills as the only alpine coaster in the area. You control your speed—race down the mountain tracks for an adrenaline rush or cruise at a leisurely pace to soak in the scenery. Right next door, test your mettle on the Wilderness Run Adventure Course, an aerial obstacle course featuring 28 individual challenges suspended in the treetops with routes designed for various difficulty levels, from beginner-friendly to seriously challenging.
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 farmers' markets, apple picking, and other fall activities for the whole family to enjoy.
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, and Banner Elk.
12 Guests | 4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms
This stunning luxury home features floor-to-ceiling glass walls showcasing breathtaking views of the Elk River Valley and Tennessee Mountains. The gourmet kitchen has high-end stainless appliances, and the spacious living room centers around a gas fireplace. Perched at the top of Eagles Nest, this home offers incredible mountaintop views.
Amenities include:
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10 Guests | 4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms
Lakefront living at its finest in the gated Sweetgrass community. This gorgeous home sits just yards from the lake with stunning views of Grandfather Mountain. The master suite has deck access and a private bath, while the well-equipped kitchen features stainless appliances and granite counters. Just 15 minutes from downtown Blowing Rock.
Amenities include:
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14 Guests | 7 Bedrooms | 6.5 Bathrooms
This multi-million-dollar mountain estate in the exclusive gated Yonahlossee community is perfect for multi-generational families. The main level features soaring ceilings, a stunning stone gas-log fireplace, and a three-season screened-in porch with wood-burning fireplace and panoramic mountain views. The gourmet kitchen has top-of-the-line appliances.
Amenities include:
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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.
