Welcome to Blowing Rock
The mountain dreamscape where luxury living and breathtaking natural splendor merge to create the ideal residential retreat.
Named for the jaw-dropping Blowing Rock formation that perches high above the Johns River Gorge and boasts staggering views of the rugged mountain landscape, the tiny village of Blowing Rock is a beacon for the adventurous at heart. A dynamic terrain of peaks and dense, protected forests appeals to lovers of the great outdoors, while the village’s picturesque Downtown has cemented Blowing Rock’s status as a High Country shopping must-see.
Blowing Rock is placed along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, the stretch of Highway 321 that trails along the southern and central Appalachians. The first European settlers to Blowing Rock arrived in the mid-19th century, drawn to the crisp mountain air and stunning land. Rich in history, Blowing Rock was once a refuge for families during the American Civil War. As the years passed, word spread of the area’s beauty, and after its incorporation in 1889, Blowing Rock quickly became a vacation destination.
Blowing Rock’s enviable landscape has lent itself naturally to the creation of a residential real estate market saturated with immaculate luxury homes. Mountain-style architecture and natural design elements are paired with lavish elegance in these abodes, which are often able to brag both walking distance to the village’s Downtown as well as panoramic mountain views.
What to Love
- Incredible nature and sweeping vistas from every angle
- Coveted luxury homes and estates
- Strong sense of community and town pride
Local Lifestyle
Rustic yet sophisticated, Blowing Rock blends together the finest of North Carolina living with its combination of commanding scenery and trendy commercial flair. Every day in Blowing Rock is a chance for a new adventure, whether it’s out hiking the mountain slopes or trying brand new restaurants Downtown. Large properties and wooded lots create a heightened air of privacy for residents, who love the secluded feel of their mountain paradise homes.
Dining, Entertainment, & Shopping
The effervescent Main Street of Blowing Rock is brimming with excellent options for dining and retail, diverse enough to cater to a variety of palates, aesthetics, and needs. As one of the High Country’s premier shopping destinations, Blowing Rock is flush with fashion boutiques, gift shops, niche specialty stores, and everything in-between. Spa services are abundant along Main Street, too, making Blowing Rock a hot spot for girls’ weekends and self-care vacations.
Both Blowing Rock and its surrounding area are replete with farms, wineries, and orchards, a feature that translates to a bevy of breweries, tasting rooms, and local wine cellars in and around Downtown. Among them, Blowing Rock Brewery stands out for its casual atmosphere and microbrew craft beers, made using fresh mountain water and local ingredients.
Dining is always a treat in Blowing Rock, and here the cuisine runs the gamut from the gourmet, wood-fired pizzas at Bistro Roca to the fine dining American fare at The Best Cellar, tucked away inside the historic Inn at Ragged Gardens. Coffee lovers can get their fix at cute cafes like Bald Guy Brew, while those with a sweet tooth can snag a delicious treat from establishments like Kilwin’s Chocolates.
Things to Do
With its trove of nature, it isn’t hard to understand why the foundation for entertainment in Blowing Rock is rooted firmly in outdoor recreation. The area teems with activity in all seasons, with options for hiking, fishing, camping, equestrian excursions, mountain biking, rock climbing, swimming, and a multitude of other outdoor activities all readily available.
Winter sports like skiing and snowboarding are best enjoyed at the nearby ski resort destinations: Appalachian Ski Mountain and Sugar Mountain Resort. Both resorts are open year-round, offering warm-weather adventure for the whole family outside of skiing seasons. Nestled at the foot of Grandfather Mountain, the Julian Price Memorial Park spans a whopping 4,200 acres and features a dazzling central lake as well as some of the area’s finest hiking trails.
Directly adjacent to the Julian Price Memorial Park, the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park is the former estate of the eponymous textile magnate and includes more than 25 miles of lovely carriage trails in addition to gardens and the historic mansion itself. For family-oriented fun, visitors won’t want to miss out on visiting Tweetsie Railroad, the one-of-a-kind, Wild West-themed amusement park that has live entertainment, rides, shopping, dining, special events, and of course, its two signature historic locomotives.
Schools
Blowing Rock is home to a number of excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:
- Blowing Rock Elementary School, PK & K-8, highly rated public elementary school ranked #2 in Watauga County
- Watauga High School, 9-12, highly rated public high school
- Hardin Park Elementary School, PK & K-8, highly rated public elementary school ranked #3 in Watauga County
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