Jennifer’s guidebook
City/town information
Blowing Rock
Historical and artsy small town resort
Boone
Quintessential mountain college town
Banner Elk
One-stoplight resort town with amazing restaurants
up and coming rural town with agricultural history, christmas tree farms & a cheese factory
125 locals recommend
West Jefferson
up and coming rural town with agricultural history, christmas tree farms & a cheese factory
Sightseeing
Appalachian Ski Mtn
940 Ski Mountain RdGreat for families, ice skating + skiing
Appalachian State University
287 Rivers StAppState - highly rated university
Tweetsie Railroad
300 Tweetsie Railroad LnFamily fun in an old-west themed park, great for young kids
Ropes course & ziplining - very close!
61 locals recommend
High Gravity Adventures Zip Line & Aerial Park
215 Tweetsie Railroad LnRopes course & ziplining - very close!
Indoor heated gem mining, expert staff, best in the area, also have a dinosaur museum
32 locals recommend
Doc's Rocks Gem Mine
100 Shoppes on the Parkway RoadIndoor heated gem mining, expert staff, best in the area, also have a dinosaur museum
Tanger Outlets Blowing Rock
278 Shoppes on the Parkway RdGreat deals for those that love shopping
Many trails and historic home with craft center on the Blue Ridge Parkway
43 locals recommend
The Cone Manor
6570 Blue Ridge PkwyMany trails and historic home with craft center on the Blue Ridge Parkway
5 mile loop trail featuring woods, fields & river; moderately strenuous
39 locals recommend
Boone Fork Trail
Boone Fork Trail5 mile loop trail featuring woods, fields & river; moderately strenuous
Canoe, kayak & paddleboard rentals. Hike the flat 2.3 mile loop trail - on the Blue Ridge Parkway
43 locals recommend
Price Lake
Canoe, kayak & paddleboard rentals. Hike the flat 2.3 mile loop trail - on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Museum with programs, artist in residence, and rotating exhibits
38 locals recommend
Blowing Rock Art and History Museum
159 Ginny Stevens LnMuseum with programs, artist in residence, and rotating exhibits
Historic and well known country general store - grab a bottled soda and settle in for a game of checkers. Lots of outdoor wares, clothing & shoes, gear, country items, toys & more
102 locals recommend
Mast Store Annex
2918 Broadstone RdHistoric and well known country general store - grab a bottled soda and settle in for a game of checkers. Lots of outdoor wares, clothing & shoes, gear, country items, toys & more
Now located at Shoppes on the Parkway. Well loved locally owned toy store with a great selection of gifts. incredibletoycompany -dot-com
7 locals recommend
Incredible Toy Co Inc
310 Shoppes on the Parkway RoadNow located at Shoppes on the Parkway. Well loved locally owned toy store with a great selection of gifts. incredibletoycompany -dot-com
Thunder Hill Overlook
One of the best overlooks for miles.
Anna Banana's Fine Consignment
641 W King StFun retro consignment store in downtown Boone
Highway Robbery
607 W King StLong-standing downtown Boone store with great prices on sterling silver jewelry
Footsloggers
139 Depot StGear store with outdoor climbing wall in downtown Boone
Booneshine Brewing Company
465 Industrial Park DrPopular venue with outdoor beer garden
Westglow
224 Westglow CirSpa with 5-star treatments
Pretty picnic area on the Blue Ridge Parkway with facilities and great place to wade in the creeks- connects to several hiking trails
6 locals recommend
Price Park Picnic Area
Pretty picnic area on the Blue Ridge Parkway with facilities and great place to wade in the creeks- connects to several hiking trails
Sugar Mountain Resort, Inc
1009 Sugar Mountain DrWell loved ski area
Famous portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway below Grandfather Mountain
82 locals recommend
Linn Cove Viaduct
3218 Blue Ridge PkwyFamous portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway below Grandfather Mountain
Unique - mile high bridge, mineral & nature museum, native animal habitats/ mini zoo, adventurous hiking trail (McRae Peak)
716 locals recommend
Grandfather Mountain
2050 Blowing Rock HwyUnique - mile high bridge, mineral & nature museum, native animal habitats/ mini zoo, adventurous hiking trail (McRae Peak)
Jones House Cultural and Community Center
604 W King StFrequent music & art shows
great family park with river access for wading and fishing, playground, ball courts, paved trails for biking, and free live concerts Friday nights in the summe
68 locals recommend
Valle Crucis Community Park
2892 Broadstone Rdgreat family park with river access for wading and fishing, playground, ball courts, paved trails for biking, and free live concerts Friday nights in the summe
great family park with river access for wading and fishing, grills, soccer area, and paved trails for walking and biking, very close to downtown Banner Elk
New Banner Elk Park Loop
New Banner Elk Park Loopgreat family park with river access for wading and fishing, grills, soccer area, and paved trails for walking and biking, very close to downtown Banner Elk
off the edge of the mountain, lesser trafficked trails & river
16 locals recommend
Wilson Creek Visitor Center
7805 Brown Mountain Beach Rdoff the edge of the mountain, lesser trafficked trails & river
Dead People Stuff Antiquies & Emporium
812 West Avenue NorthwestCheeky antiques place in nearby downtown Lenoir NC
Regal Boone Cinema
210 Center StThe movie theater
Linville Caverns, Inc.
19929 U.S. 221Cave tour with blind fish and some civil war history
Mountain bike park, easy to difficult terrain and a kid's biking loop and playground
48 locals recommend
Rocky Knob
285 Mountain Bike WyMountain bike park, easy to difficult terrain and a kid's biking loop and playground
Hiking trail system in Boone and eventually connecting Boone to Blowing Rock - paved, flat, easy hiking mostly by rivers
Middle Fork Greenway
Hiking trail system in Boone and eventually connecting Boone to Blowing Rock - paved, flat, easy hiking mostly by rivers
Sparkling new facility with 2 heated indoor pools, slides, rock climbing wall and basketball courts. Day rates avaiable
13 locals recommend
Watauga County Parks & Rec
231 Complex DrSparkling new facility with 2 heated indoor pools, slides, rock climbing wall and basketball courts. Day rates avaiable
Heated outdoor pool open memorial day to labor day, walk-in area for kids and a water slide
Robbins Pool
173 Lakeside DriveHeated outdoor pool open memorial day to labor day, walk-in area for kids and a water slide
Foscoe Fishing Company & Outfitters
8857 NC-105Fly fishing guides & outfitters
Club Shop Peanuts & Golf
8931 North Carolina 105Longstanding area Golf shop
Grandfather Stables
534 Church Hollow RdHorseback riding trips & lessons
Grandfather Vineyard & Winery
225 Vineyard Lanelocal winery
Apple Hill Farm - Alpaca Farm
400 Apple Hill RdAlpaca farm
1st Tracks Ski Shop
1380 NC-105ski & rental shop
Be Natural Market
273 Boone Heights DrLocal organic grocer
Boone Golf Club
433 Fairway Drlocal public course
Mountain Glen Golf Club
1 Club house Drivelocal public course
versatile revitalized theater with live shows and films
14 locals recommend
Appalachian Theatre of the High Country
559 W King Stversatile revitalized theater with live shows and films
Natural Nails Spa
276 Watauga Village Drivelocal nail salon
The Children's Playhouse
400 Tracy CirFantastic, fun indoor playspace for children
Alchemy, Center for Healing Therapies
232 Furman RdSuper and attentive local spa
Twigs
7956 Valley Blvdlocal bar
short trail with amazing views near the Linn Cove Viaduct
31 locals recommend
Beacon Heights Overlook Trail
Beacon Heights Trailshort trail with amazing views near the Linn Cove Viaduct
Well-stocked local sewing store, offering Bernina and other machines, sewing, quilting & embroidering classes and more
Sew Original
1542 U.S. Highway 421 SouthWell-stocked local sewing store, offering Bernina and other machines, sewing, quilting & embroidering classes and more
Ashe County Cheese
106 E Main StLocal cheese factory- see cheese being made!
Food scene
Gamekeeper Restaurant
3005 Shulls Mill RdDelicious and exotic fare
One of the best restaurants in Blowing Rock- finer dining in a lovely old shingled inn
34 locals recommend
The Best Cellar
203 Sunset DrOne of the best restaurants in Blowing Rock- finer dining in a lovely old shingled inn
Kilwin's Chocolates
1103 Main StFudge & ice cream, morning and night!
Los Arcoiris Mexican Restaurant
300 Jonas Ridge HwyGreat standard Mexican fare
CoBo Sushi Bistro & Bar
161 Howard StBest sushi in town in a stylish and hip atmosphere
Moon Thai Sushi Restaurant
7179 Valley BlvdUpscale Asian fusion
Green Park Inn Hotel
9239 Valley BlvdBest fish & chips and burgers in Blowing Rock at the Divide Tavern
Six Pence Pub
1121 Main StOutdoor dining & English fare, full bar
Family friendly pool hall with large screens to watch a game and a grill restaurant with tasty American food
6 locals recommend
Country Retreat Family Billiards & Grill
9021 NC-105Family friendly pool hall with large screens to watch a game and a grill restaurant with tasty American food
a longtime Blowing Rock staple, Woodlands Barbeque Restaurant specializes in North Carolina Barbeque Pork and Ribs and nightly entertainment (live music)
25 locals recommend
Woodlands Barbeque Restaurant & Catering Service
8304 Valley Blvda longtime Blowing Rock staple, Woodlands Barbeque Restaurant specializes in North Carolina Barbeque Pork and Ribs and nightly entertainment (live music)
Taste Grill
240 Shadowline DrTypical chinese takeout
Excellent local restaurant - french onion soup & daily specials
29 locals recommend
Pepper's Restaurant and Bar
240 Shadowline DrExcellent local restaurant - french onion soup & daily specials
Peddler Steak House
1972 Blowing Rock RdChoose and cut steakhouse
Macado's
539 W King StAmerican food & bar close to campus
Sorrento's Italian Bistro
140 Azalea Cir SEGreat Italian
Louisiana Purchase Restaurant
171 Main St EFine dining
Artisanal Restaurant
1200 Dobbins RdRomantic fine dining with indoor & outdoor seating
written up in Our State magazine, family style food
34 locals recommend
Famous Louise's Rock House Restaurant
written up in Our State magazine, family style food
Bistro Roca
143 Wonderland TrailA favorite for locals & visitors alike
Casa Rustica Restaurant
1348 NC-105local Italian
Stick Boy Bread Company
345 Hardin StPopular -breads, sweets & coffee
Earth Fare
178 W King StMindful, organic grocer with a hot & cold buffet
Bald Guy Brew Blowing Rock
1116-2 Main Stbeloved local coffee
Mellow Mushroom
805 W King StPizza and salads
Birdies Coffee & Treats | Blowing Rock
Sassy Cat Bakery
438 Shadowline DrBlue Deer on Main
960 Main StFresh warm cookies
Cupcrazed Cafe and Restaurant
Mexican Rock Restaurant
Fabled Pizza and Myers Kitchen and Pantry
Restore to its 1949 glory, the Bluffs is a fantastic burgers and milkshakes place with daily specials and the only restaurant on the Blue Ridge Parkway- worth the. Drive, and a beautiful drive it is!!!
The Bluffs
Restore to its 1949 glory, the Bluffs is a fantastic burgers and milkshakes place with daily specials and the only restaurant on the Blue Ridge Parkway- worth the. Drive, and a beautiful drive it is!!!
Medical Care
Blowing Rock Medical Park
8439 Valley BoulevardUrgent Care facility
Watauga Medical Center
The local hospital & ER
Blowing Rock Medical Park
Watauga Medical Center
CVS Pharmacy
Walgreens
2184 Blowing Rock RdVillage Pharmacy
Necessities
A Cleaner World
130 New Market Blvdthe only dry cleaner in town
Starbucks
7 Brew Coffee
Walmart Supercenter
Publix Super Market at Three Creeks
1620 Blowing Rock RdFood Lion
7533 Valley Blvd