From music to art to history, there are a lot of great things to do in Blowing Rock, NC.
Blowing Rock is a town that has something to offer for everyone’s liking. Whether you want to visit a museum and learn about history, do a guided tour, have a relaxing day at a spa, or go to a fun theme park, it’s possible in the town.
If you’re looking for fun activities you can do in the town, I got you covered! I made this Blowing Rock things to do guide to help you plan your trip to the town.
Best Things To Do in Blowing Rock
Learn About the Town at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum
The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum is a museum that you can find at 159 Ginny Stevens Lane in the town of Blowing Rock.
At this museum, which opened in 2011, you can learn about the history and heritage of the Southern Appalachian region.
You can see various exhibitions related to art and history at the museum. The museum has rotating exhibitions that change three times every year, which means that there’s often something new to see at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum.
In addition to rotating exhibitions, you can find permanent exhibitions at the museum.
Besides exhibitions, the museum also organizes various events throughout the year, such as art classes and hands-on workshops.
Address: 159 Ginny Stevens Ln, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Visit Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine
Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine is a great place where you can learn about the historical geology of the Appalachian Mountains.
It is a locally-owned store where you can buy all kinds of gemstone-related items, such as jewelry, gifts, and much more.
In addition to that, you can have a fun time playing miniature golf at the Paleo Putt-Putt. This is a 9-hole dinosaur-themed miniature golf course with fun elements. Also, the miniature golf course comes with displays with dinosaur facts that are fun and interesting to read!
Another attraction at Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine is a virtual reality laser tag arena, where you can play various games in a virtual world together with friends and family.
Address: 100 Shoppes on the Parkway Rd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Do a Guided Tour of the Moses Cone Manor During Some Months of the Year
The Moses Cone Manor is a mansion that is located in Moses H. Cone Memorial Park.
The mansion was built by Moses Cone, one of the founders of a large textile manufacturing company, in 1901 in the Colonial Revival style.
The National Park Service manages the mansion and the public can do a guided tour of the mansion during some months of the year which is a great thing to do in Blowing Rock.
During such a tour, a Ranger shows the rooms of the building and provides you with information. Each tour takes about 45 minutes.
Explore Mystery Hill
Mystery Hill is a unique attraction that is located at 129 Mystery Hill Lane. You can visit Mystery Hill all year round, except for a few holidays.
There’s much to explore at Mystery Hill and there are both indoor and outdoor attractions.
One of the best attractions is the “Natural Gravitational Anomaly”. This is an attraction during which visitors do a guided tour of the property and see all kinds of fun optical illusions and other exhibits.
Another attraction is Bubblerama. You can play around with giant bubbles here and take fun photos.
You can also find a small museum at Mystery Hill where you can learn about Native Americans, and there’s much more to do and see at Mystery Hill.
Address: 129 Mystery Hill Ln, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
See The Blowing Rock
The Blowing Rock is a rock formation that is the reason for the name of the town of Blowing Rock.
The Blowing Rock is called “blowing” because of winds that flow against the vertical rock formation.
From Blowing Rock, you can get amazing views of the surrounding area.
Have a Cup of Coffee at Camp Coffee Roasters
Camp Coffee Roasters is a coffee shop that has been located in Blowing Rock since the year 2010. Camp Coffee Roasters is short for “Campbell Family Coffee Roasters” and you can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee here.
The coffee that you can get here is delicious and there are unique coffee drinks to choose from, including a latte with honey and lavender.
You can also get tasty baked goods at Camp Coffee Roasters, such as muffins, scones, cookies, and much more.
In addition to great coffee drinks and food options, the coffee shop has a good and relaxing atmosphere as well.
Address: 921 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Shop at Boutique Shops on Main Street
Blowing Rock’s main street is a great place to explore if you’re wondering what to do in Blowing Rock. You can find all kinds of shops here, including great boutique shops.
Because of the many unique shops, you can be sure that you will find a unique item and there’s a shop for everyone’s liking.
You can also find various restaurants on and near Main Street that you can go to as well when you are going shopping.
For example, you can also have food and drinks at The Town Tavern when you are shopping.
Go to the Spa of the Chetola Resort
The Spa at Chetola Resort is a relaxing spa that you can find at the Chetola Resort at 185 Chetola Lake Drive.
You can do all sorts of relaxing treatments at the spa, including a variety of massage treatments, such as a hot stone massage or a couples massage.
There are also many different types of facial treatments to choose from, as well as nail treatments and hair treatments.
At the spa, you can also find an indoor pool, a Jacuzzi, and other relaxing features and amenities.
Address: 185 Chetola Lake Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Ride the Tweetsie Railroad
Tweetsie Railroad is a theme park that makes for one of the most fun things to do in Blowing Rock. It’s a theme park with all kinds of attractions that are fun for the whole family.
The theme park is known for its 3-mile train ride for which historic steam locomotives are used. There are two historic narrow-gauge steam locomotives.
During some times of the year, you can attend special events at the theme park. For example, during Tweetsie Christmas, you can do a nighttime train ride and see more than a million Christmas lights.
Besides that, there are amusement rides for all ages. One of these is the Ferris wheel of the park.
There is also a chair lift from which you can enjoy a view of the whole park, and there are many other amusement rides.
Besides that, you can see animals at the Deer Park Zoo and there’s live entertainment at Tweetsie Railroad.
Address: 300 Tweetsie Railroad Ln, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Enjoy Chocolate and Ice Cream at Kilwin’s Blowing Rock
Kilwin’s Chocolates, located at 1103 Main Street, is a store where you can get chocolates, ice cream, and many other treats.
Kilwin’s Chocolates has a huge selection of all kinds of sweets.
For example, you can get delicious covered marshmallows at this place, you can get amazing fudge at this place, and the ice cream is amazing as well.
When you are going here to get a delicious dessert, I also recommend exploring other places on Main Street. For example, you can find a lot of boutique shops here.
Address: 1103 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Go to an Event at Town Tavern Blowing Rock
Town Tavern Blowing Rock is a great sports bar and restaurant that is located on Blowing Rock’s Main Street.
At the bar, you can get lunch, dinner, and drinks. The food options that you can get at the restaurant include burgers, wraps, sandwiches, salads, and much more.
In addition, you can get unique drinks at Town Tavern, such as local and regional craft beers.
Besides food and drinks, the events that take place here make for great activities in Blowing Rock. There are many live music events at the bar, both on the patio as well as indoors.
Besides live music events, there are other types of events that take place at Town Tavern Blowing Rock, such as karaoke nights.
Address: 1182 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Attend Art in the Park
Art in the Park is an annual event that takes place in the town. The event took place for the first time in the year 1962 and it takes place in downtown Blowing Rock on Park Avenue.
During the event, which lasts for several days during several months of the year, you can see fine arts and crafts from many different artists. From jewelry to photography to pottery, there are many art and craft items to see at the event.
You can see and shop for great works and you might find an item that you need to have!
Because of the central location of the event, you can also have dinner at a local restaurant in downtown Blowing Rock after attending the event.
Have Lunch at The Speckled Trout Restaurant and Bottle Shop
The Speckled Trout Restaurant and Bottle Shop is one of Blowing Rock’s best restaurants. A great activity in Blowing Rock is going to this restaurant for delicious Appalachian food and drinks.
The dishes at The Speckled Trout Restaurant and Bottle Shop are very fresh and the menu of the restaurant changes seasonally.
You can get great soups, sandwiches, and many other food options at the restaurant.
In addition to that, the drinks menu of the restaurant includes local beers and ciders, as well as wines from small producers.
The Speckled Trout Restaurant and Bottle Shop also often hosts some of the best regional musicians, so you can often listen to live music when you visit the restaurant in the evening.
Keep in mind that because this is a popular restaurant, reservations are recommended.
Address: 922 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Visit Blowing Rock Brewing Co
Blowing Rock Brewing Co. is a small-batch brewery where you can get artisanal ales and lagers.
At the Blowing Rock Ale House, which you can find at 152 Sunset Drive in Blowing Rock, you can get all sorts of unique drinks. On their website, you can see what’s currently on tap and the drinks that are offered are seasonally available.
In addition to that, you can pair the drinks with great cuisine at the Blowing Rock Ale House. There are many food options to choose from, including tacos, burgers, sandwiches, and much more.
Address: 152 Sunset Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Listen to Live Music in Memorial Park During Concert in the Park
Concert in the Park is an annual concert series that takes place in Memorial Park at the Rotary Gazebo. You can go to these concerts and listen to music for free. You can bring a blanket or a lawn chair to enjoy the music in a comfortable way.
The concerts take place on Sundays after the events of Art in the Park in the afternoon, which is another festival that you have to attend when you are visiting Blowing Rock.
You can listen to a large variety of genres of music at the concerts, from folk to jazz to indie. The concerts take place in the afternoon.
Have Lunch at the Restaurant of the Chetola Resort
The Chetola Resort is an upscale mountain resort that is located at 185 Chetola Lake Drive. You can go to the restaurant of the resort, which is called “Timberlake’s Restaurant” and which is located within the resort’s historic estate.
You can go to the restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner all year round.
The restaurant has three dining rooms, as well as a wine room. You can also experience waterfront dining on the patio of the restaurant.
The breakfast menu of the restaurant includes waffles, pancakes, a homemade quiche, biscuits and gravy, and many other items.
The lunch and dinner menu includes all sorts of great starters, delicious burgers, including the “Impossible Burger”, and other dishes.
You can also go to Headwater’s Pub at Timberlake’s Restaurant and have a drink while enjoying live entertainment during many days of the year.
Address: 185 Chetola Lake Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Have Delicious Crepes at The Penny Path
The Penny Path Blowing Rock makes for a great thing to do in Blowing Rock. This is a place that you can visit to have fresh crepes. You can find this restaurant at 278 Shoppes on the Parkway Road.
You can get both savory and sweet crepes at The Penny Path.
For example, one of the best sweet crepes is the crepe tiamisu. This is a crepe that is coated with sweet espresso and that is filled with mascarpone creme.
A great savory crepe is the “Spinach Artichoke Spread”, which comes with a delicious spinach artichoke spread, roasted peppers, mushrooms, and more.
You can also get all sorts of great drinks at The Penny Path, including many different types of coffee drinks.
Address: 278 Shoppes on the Parkway Rd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
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What To Do in Blowing Rock Tips
When you are planning on visiting some of the places on this list, it is recommended to make a reservation. For example, when you want to go to Timberlake’s Restaurant at the Chetola Resort, it is highly recommended to make a reservation as it is a very popular place to go.
Also, because there’s a lot to do in the town when you spend a weekend in Blowing Rock or when you spend a day in the town, I recommend deciding what to do in Blowing Rock during your weekend or day in advance, such that you can do as much as possible.
Blowing Rock Things To Do Map
This was my list of the best things to do in Blowing Rock, NC. I hope I helped you find some fun activities!