are warm, whitewater raft ing is a popular
activity as well. Fall and winter in the Blue
Ridge Mountains expand the list of activities
even more, for snow tubing and skiing ramp
up as temperatures go down. As a naturelover,
my ideal activity when visiting the
mountains – especially Blowing Rock – is
hiking. And the best part of hiking is that it’s
customizable to the needs and wants of your
group. One of my favorites, the Glen Burney
Trail, is a moderately-strenuous hike located
directly off the main downtown strip. According
to FalconGuides Hiking North Carolina,
(which I bought in a store in Blowing
Rock!), the path is several centuries old and
was initially used for timber transportation
and logging. Th e trail also features the
Cascades, a splendid cascading waterfall, as
the name suggests. Other trails in the area
include Green Knob Trail, Boone Fork Trail,
and Price Lake Trail, all located at Julian
Price Memorial Park – a treasure located
just four miles outside of Blowing Rock. Additionally,
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park
houses a variety of trails and a fascinating
history, so be sure to check it out, too. Th is
list is certainly not comprehensive, as North
Carolina’s High Country is littered with
extraordinary trails, peaks, waterfalls, and
scenic views. Take my suggestions and use
them as inspiration when researching which
of the many awesome trails you’d like to try.
Other attractions that make Blowing Rock
so special include gem mining, museums,
the magic of Mystery Hill, art galleries, fi shing
ponds, horseback riding, and of course,
Tweetsie Railroad (which was closed as of
press time, but is a must to visit when it reopens).
If you’ve got the time, I recommend
any and all activities you can squeeze in, as
each provides unique and lifelong memories.
One of the most grand features you’ll
need to visit is the magnifi cent Grandfather
Mountain and Mile High Swinging Bridge.
I’ve crossed the bridge several times, and
believe me, it’s an adventure like no other.
Another great aspect of Blowing Rock is
its central location. Day trips to neighboring
towns like Boone, Banner Elk, Valle Crucis,
Sugar Mountain, and Beech Mountain (and
so many more) are fairly easy, and allow you
to get the whole High Country experience.
Check out nearby Linville Falls for nice trail
hikes and one of the most jaw-dropping
views of the region. Be sure to look for local
roadside restaurants and produce markets,
too. And when it comes to housing, Blowing
Rock off ers a plethora of options, including
cabin rentals, inns, local hotels/lodges, and
even camping for those outdoor enthusiasts!
I must mention Blowing Rock’s fabulous
holiday happenings. Simply driving through
the town around the holidays brings cheer
and jolly feelings. You won’t want to miss
Blowing Rock’s annual “Christmas In Th e
Park” and “Lighting of Th e Town”. According
to the Chamber of Commerce, the festival
occurs the Friday aft er Th anksgiving,
with a parade on Saturday. You’re guaranteed
an entertaining introduction to the
holiday season for the whole gang. Also,
my family has formed a gratifying tradition
in which we travel to the mountains for a
“Choose and Cut” Christmas tree from one
of the many tree farms – it’s a great way
to support local businesses and our state’s
economy, too!
It’s not diffi cult to see that Blowing Rock
has something for everyone. I’ve said it
before, and I’ll say it again – Blowing Rock
truly feels like a home away from home.
With welcoming locals, intriguing historical
happenings, and activities for all ages,
the town is defi nitely something special. I
cannot wait for my next visit, and I hope
you’ll enjoy your vacation at this delightful
“Driveable Destination!”
Due to the governor’s current orders issued in
response to the COVID-19 coronavirus, it is
highly recommended to call or visit the websites
or social media platforms of businesses
and attractions before your visit to ensure
they are open, their hours, etc.
Grace Lower is a senior at Heritage High
School, and is part of the CIRCA family by
birth, and now by interning. Grace enjoys
dance, theater, science, and all things outdoors.
Photo of fall foliage at Th e Blowing Rock
attraction courtesy of Amanda Lugenbell.
CIRCA Magazine | October • November • December 2020 | www.circamagazine.com 19
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