'''Blowing Rock''' [http://www.blowingrock.com] is in the North Carolina Mountains.

Understand

Locals are not impressed by Prada or Kate Spade bags. That_fs not to say they_fre judging, and most of them can hang with the high-falutin_f style, but it is just not necessary for a walk down Main Street or a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. To assimilate yourself, be approachable and friendly ? sit down next to the man at the bar with calloused hands. He probably knows the best place to go and walk your dog. Speak to the woman in line in front of you at the grocery store; she might know the best place in town to get a chocolate-infused filet mignon.

With a population that jumps from 1,500 year-round to 8,000 in the summertime, people are used to making new friends. The beauty of Blowing Rock is the '''dichotomy between the elegant and the down-home'''. The affluent traveler may find pleasure in the abundance of fine dining and shopping the area has to offer, but walk just fifteen steps and they_fll find the opposite end of the spectrum ? quintessential, good, honest, down home, small town charm. They can find it everywhere - from the wait staff and diners at the fifteen table _geverything_h restaurant on Main Street, to the hikers en route the trail to Little Lost Cove.

If you_fre looking for a seedy underbelly, you_fre going to have to look pretty hard. Downtown Blowing Rock is about as '''_gNorman Rockwell quaint_h''' as it gets. Children are free to roam in a safe and clean park, while their mothers can shop for antiques and designer clothes, and their fathers can sneak off to Kilwin_fs Ice Cream Parlor for a free sample of fudge. A military band plays after the downtown Fourth of July parade every year. Winterfest in January brings ice-carvers and dog-sledders. Mitford Days in September celebrates Blowing Rock_fs inspiration for Jan Karon_fs book series. Year-round, a bubble machine from the Martin House pours soapy goodness into the air, surrounding you as you stroll. Knight_fs on Main has fried oysters every Friday (just try and fight the locals for a table). Canyons Restaurant even heats their building with recycled fryer oil, for crying out loud! This is clean livin_f.

Get in

Hope you like driving!

Get around

Take a hike!

See

Natural beauty and tireless planning for small town elegance.

Do

Nature abounds in Blowing Rock and the surrounding area. Interested in '''caving, climbing, hiking, fly-fishing, or waterfall hunting'''? You_fve come to the right place. And sure, you can drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway and stop off at all of the places with signs, but can you find the Hebron Rock Colony? This virtual staircase of huge boulders with fresh mountain water streaming down will earn your Uncle Frank bragging rights for his _grugged, mountain adventure._h But don_ft worry ? while he spends time snapping photos, your grandmother can reach the summit without breaking a sweat. And speaking of grandparents, you can drive up to the '''mile-high swinging bridge of Grandfather Mountain''', but do you know where to enter the '''Profile Trail'''? It will save you some money, get you in shape, and turn your idea of typical mountain climate inside out. For the price of a hiking permit, you can hike up Grandfather from the very bottom, hitting crazy rainstorms and beautiful warm mossy nooks. If you_fre a brave soul, you can '''reach the top of McRae Peak trail via the wooden ladders''', built across sheer faces of the solid rock! Feeling risky? Go jump off of a waterfall_fs edge at either '''Trashcan Falls''', or the '''Snake Pit''' (aptly named). To find easier access waterfalls, stay on the safe side and hike the '''Glen Burney''' trail, or walk the (mostly) paved lane to the crashing '''Linville Falls'''. You want something even easier? Take a short jaunt around picturesque '''Bass Lake''' to enjoy the scenery and meet some of Blowing Rock_fs finest folks getting their daily exercise. And if you really want to dig down deep to find the good stuff, ask one of the locals to direct you to '''Fairy Hill'''. Dig under the rocks in the streambed to pull up some genuine, '''mountain crystals'''.

If you think that a town so far removed from the metro way of life would be lackluster in the culture department, you would be one hundred percent wrong. The '''Mariam & Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center''' provides all sorts of live stage productions, from bluegrass shows to symphonies and to professional productions of plays and musicals. Farthing Auditorium, at nearby '''Appalachian State University''' in Boone, hosts a wide variety of events, like the upcoming _gThe Vagina Monologues,_h which features performances by the original cast. Their '''Appalachian Summer Festival''' brings to town acts such as Emmylou Harris , Jo Dee Messina, and Russian ballet companies. For the music nerd, the area offers festivals aplenty. The widely known and acclaimed Merlefest celebrates the incredible guitar and banjo picking of Doc and Merle Watson, while the Appalachian Roots Revival features all sorts of Americana, bluegrass, and _gnewgrass_h bands. Want to join an '''informal jam session'''? Well, _ggit your gitar_h and head on over to the '''Todd General Store''', where the local musicians and townsfolk gather for good music, flat footin_f and food. Big fan of the Scots? They keep their traditions alive each July by hosting '''The Highland Games''' at Grandfather Mountain. With live Celtic music, little girls dancing, and big men throwing logs, it_fs all kinds of fun - and a true learning experience, too.

Perhaps you read about the High Country in a magazine ? Travel & Leisure named '''Westglow Spa''' in Blowing Rock one of its Top Ten Spa Destinations in the world. While perusing Southern Living Magazine, you_fve probably seen some of the estates in the affluent Mayview neighborhood. The neighboring college, '''Appalachian State University''', has been listed consistently among the top 15 "Southern Regional Universities" since the magazine first published in 1986.

Buy

  • a new bag at the '''Coach Outlet'''
  • a pair of Seven for all Mankind jeans at '''Libba's'''
  • a box of fudge at '''Kilwin's'''
  • some hiking gear at '''Footsloggers'''
  • a great bottle of wine (and a darn good deli sandwich) at the '''Blowing Rock Market'''
  • a pair of Rainbow sandals at '''Sunset Tees & Hattery'''
  • a bag full of candy at the '''Mast General Candy Barrel'''
  • a book to read in a quiet spot at '''Tucker's on Main'''
  • stationary to write home on at '''Pleasant Papers'''
  • some funky accessories at '''Monkee's'''
  • a super-stylish pair of heels at '''Sister Act'''
  • a marionette at '''G. Whilliker's'''
  • a shower curtain that your friends will envy at '''Neaco'''
  • something to pamper your pooch at '''The Barking Rock'''
  • a playmobil set for your nephew at '''The Incredible Toy Company'''
  • a fresh peach and some homemade jam at '''Mother Nature's Produce'''
  • the list goes on...
  • Eat

    And the food_c ah, the food. Never was there such a small town with such scrumptious grub. Take out a loan if you have to. Some of the best meals around are right downtown.

  • The famous '''Best Cellar''' has a rock room in the cellar where you can enjoy a private party.
  • or you can go nosh on the prosciutto-wrapped, honey-drizzled figs (yes, FIGS) at '''Bistro Roca'''.
  • Good luck hunting for the strategically placed hideaway called the '''Village Cafe''' ? some call it the best brunch in the world, but it's nearly impossible to get a reservation.
  • And ask around about the chocolate-infused filet mignon.

    You don_ft have to go for broke to get a good eating experience, either. Main Street in the morning smells delicious. Seriously ? just follow the aroma of freshly-brewed java and steaming croissants to find the best coffee shops in town.

  • Want to visit a Blowing Rock legend? Look for the cluster of men sittin_f outside and shootin_f the breeze, and there you_fll find '''Sonny_fs Restaurant'''; this _gsmaller than your mama_fs kitchen_h place puts out the best tasting sweet potato pancakes you_fll ever eat. (Closed -- March 2009)
  • '''Storie Street Grille''' is a favorite for outstanding food, gracious service and casual, yet sophisticated surroundings. At the corner of Storie Street and Main.
  • '''Woodlands''' has barbecue and foot-stompin_f bluegrass every night of the week.
  • '''Pssghetti_fs''' offers white tablecloths and REAL Italian food, but they_fll give your kids crayons, too.
  • '''Canyons Restaurant''', [http://www.canyonsbr.com], offers an eclectic menu, fun atmosphere, and trans fat free food all overlooking soaring views of the John's River Gorge. They are also the premier live music venue of the High Country. Check out their website at www.canyonsbr.com to enjoy the webcam view from their eating deck or to rock out to a '''live webcast''' of one of many fantastic bands, including local favorites like '''The Everybodyfields''' and national acts like '''Leon Russell'''.
  • '''Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers''', 155 Sunset Drive, 828-295-3399
  • Drink

    You don_ft have to hunt long to find a great cocktail or a fine glass of wine. Blowing Rock isn_ft full of goody-two shoeses (sic), it_fs just packaged that way. The fabulous Chamber of Commerce brings great wine every spring during the '''Blue Ridge Wine Festival'''. And it's a challenge to find a night when one of the bars in Blowing Rock is not packed with locals and tourists, inhibitionless and dancing to a great (or not so great) band. Stone masons chatting with attorneys. Old ladies with their glass of white zin hitting on the boys from the ski patrol. It is quite a sight. Walk into the lounge at '''Twigs''' any Saturday night to join the fun and meet some real characters. If you_fre feeling really froggy, hit '''Tijuana Fats''' and party with the college kids from Appalachian State. No guarantee where you_fll wake up, though.

    Sleep

    '''Jenkins Rentals''', 800-438-7803, [http://www.JenkinsRentals.com] is a family owned and operated business with a friendly and knowledgeable staff serving Blowing Rock since 1976, that specializes in both vacation rentals and sales of chalets, log cabins, condominiums, and mountain homes within a short distance to the Blowing Rock area and all of the local shopping, dining, and attractions.

    '''Ragged Gardens Inn''', 203 Sunset Drive, 828-295-9703.

    '''Chetola Resort''', 800-243-8652, [http://www.chetola.com]. Imagine an 87 acre private resort within walking distance of a quaint mountain village, neighboring a 3600 acre National Park and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. Guests will find first class accommodations in Chetola's Lodge, Luxury Condominiums or the Bob Timberlake Inn at Chetola Resort.

    '''Watauga Lake Cabins''', 803-524-5185, [http://www.lakecabin4rent.com].offers a range of cabins from simplistic to high-end, this cabin rental company has been offering vacation homes to visitors of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Appalachia for nearly ten years. Cabins that are perfectly centric to the great Watauga Lake, Cherokee National Forest and the town destinations of Boone and Blowing Rock. Call (803) 524-5185 for details.

    Get out