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Blowing Rock NC Attractions and Places To See
The Blowing Rock • Grandfather Mountain • Bass Lake • Price Lake • Trout Lake • Moses Cone
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The Town of Blowing Rock, North Carolina
The Town of Blowing Rock, North Carolina has a year round population of about 1,400 people, which expands to over 10,000 in the cooler summer months. Known as “The Crown of the Blue Ridge”, Blowing Rock NC is the only town on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Mile Post 292. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina at an elevation of 3,566’, Blowing Rock’s primary economy is based on tourism. Blowing Rock NC features many unique shops, restaurants, motels and inns, and natural attractions along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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Grandfather Mountain State Park
Grandfather Mountain State Park is a short drive (about 21 miles) South on the Blue Ridge Parkway from Blowing Rock NC. The speed limit on this scenic section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is 35 m.p.h., so give yourself some extra travel time to get there. If you suffer from car sickness, U.S. Highway 221 South is not recommended, as it is very curvy. Take the Blue Ridge Parkway to Grandfather Mountain.
Grandfather Mountain State Park, located in Linville NC. It is our top recommended Places to See in Blowing Rock North Carolina. Bring the kids, you won’t be disappointed!
Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains, at 5,946’. It borders the Blue Ridge Parkway at U.S. Highway 221 South near Linville NC.
Grandfather Mountain features a natural history museum, two gift shops and a restaurant. The natural history museum is home to many North Carolina Gem Stones, stuffed animals and native birds. The environmental animal habitat features native North Carolina wild animals, such as black bears, river otters, cougars and white-tailed deer. The restaurant deck area attracts dozens of North Carolina Hummingbirds. Don’t forget your to bring camera!
At the mile high peak of Grandfather Mountain, you can walk across the Mile High Swinging Bridge, the highest in America, and see the vastness of the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. The swinging bridge links two of the mountain’s peaks, and is open daily in favorable weather. Bring a jacket, as it can get cold and windy at the summit, even in the summer months.
Grandfather Mountain features many scenic overlooks, picnic and barbecue areas.
Open Daily. Admission Fee.
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Moses Cone Manor
Overlooking Blowing Rock NC and Bass Lake Park is the Moses Cone Manor, which was built in 1901. Access to the Moses Cone Manor is from the Blue Ridge Parkway, at milepost 294 near Blowing Rock. Admission is Free.
The Moses Cone Manor is the home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild and the U.S. National Park Service Office. The Moses Cone Manor was featured in the opening scene of, ‘The Green Mile’.
Open Daily, 3/15 - 11/30. Free Admission.
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The Blowing Rock
The Blowing Rock is the ‘Oldest Tourist Attraction in North Carolina’. The Blowing Rock is located directly across the road from the Green Park Inn on U.S. Highway 321, as you enter Blowing Rock NC.
Wind currents from the Johns River Gorge blow upwards, causing light objects, such as snow, to float upwards and to appear to defy gravity. The valley view from The Blowing Rock is spectacular!
Open Daily. Admission Fee.
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Bass Lake Park
Located just one mile south of downtown Blowing Rock NC on U.S. 221 South, is the entrance to Bass Lake Park.
Managed by the U.S. National Park Service, Bass Lake is part of the Moses Cone Park. The park features a 0.9 mile walking path around Bass Lake, and 26 miles of horse carriage roads. It is a local favorite for fall photographs, dog walking and fishing. Beavers are nocturnal, so the best time to photograph one is early morning or evening.
Open Daily from Sunrise to Sunset.
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©2012 Blowing Rock Vacations - Blowing Rock NC Attractions and Places To See for Family Vacations in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Blowing Rock North Carolina Mountain Vacations and Travel Guide to Blowing Rock NC.
Blue Ridge Media, PO Box 1571, Blowing Rock, NC 28605. Ad Sales Only (828) 394-4850.
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