A Weekend in Blowing Rock, NC with Kids
The North Carolina section of the Appalachian mountains includes some of my favorite places on Earth. Lovely little towns are spread out all over the region of rolling mountains, with incredible views around every corner and so much to do with kids in any season. There’s an old soul feeling in these mountains that will draw you in every time. Let’s spend a weekend in Blowing Rock, NC with kids.
Blowing Rock is the mountain town that I grew up going to, as my great aunt was a long time resident. We would pile into the old Suburban and make the three hour trek from Raleigh, watching the landscape change to the Foothills and then climbing up the mountains on Highway 421. These days, I still feel a thrill watching the elevation start to gain and the Blue Ridge views take shape.
Staying in Blowing Rock:
VRBO is a great way to go when looking for a place in Blowing Rock. You can rent directly downtown to try and keep restaurants and shops within walking distance, look for a place with a great view or stay a bit out of town for more quiet mountain vibes. It’s whatever works for you, your kids and your budget.
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Things to do in Blowing Rock with kids:
Hiking
We’re all spoiled for choice on this one, as there are so many options in the area surrounding Blowing Rock. Whether you’re looking for a shorter trail or a fuller day experience, you can find what you want.
If you don’t want to leave town, try the Glen Burney Falls Trail, which starts at the Annie Cannon Gardens. The trail is easy and well-marked, with enough interesting sites to keep kids entertained. There are chances for kids to climb out on rocks in the creek – perfect for families.
Price Lake Trail is a nearby option, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and is one of the easiest strolls you can choose for smaller children. Check out any of the trails leaving from Julian Price Park while you’re there.
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park also offers some easy exploring for the youngest adventurers. From here, you can take the Flat Top Tower Trail, which is lengthy, but easy.
If you have children who can do a bit of walking and like exploring, Hebron Rock Colony is one of our favorite options. My kids love scaling the rocks and could honestly spend hours here. It’s a moderate length trail, but if your kids are game, I would say 5 and up could take it on without much trouble. Access the rock colony from the Hebron Falls Trailhead.
For older kids, we love the Profile Trail, which is a full day excursion inside of Grandfather Mountain State Park. It’s one of the area’s bigger challenges, but the views are great and it’s such a rewarding experience. Make sure to pack snacks and water, as you’ll need to make some stops to refuel. I would recommend for kids 8 and up, as there’s significant elevation gain and rock scrambling.
Due to damage from Hurricane Helene, some trails in the area may be under repair, including the Profile Trail. Hopefully these incredible resources will soon be ready to receive hikers again. Check the status of trails in the Grandfather Mountain State Park here.
Explore Downtown Blowing Rock:
Blowing Rock is a fantastic town to spend an afternoon meandering through, with many interesting little shops and restaurants. The town has added a fantastic playground to the centrally located park which is great for families.
Stop for breakfast or lunch at Social on Main or pizza at Bistro Roca. Everyone loves ice cream from Kilwin’s, no matter the season.
Downtown is especially fun when special events are going on – our personal favorite is WinterFest, which is held in late January every year. The highlight of the festival is the Polar Plunge, when folks in costumes jump into the Chetola Resort lake. Art in the Park, Christmas and Halloween are also great times to visit and indulge in Blowing Rock’s charm.
Grandfather Mountain Nature Park:
Not to be confused with the actual Grandfather Mountain State Park, which is free to enter and contains many incredible hiking trails, this Grandfather Mountain Nature Park is an attraction with a zoo area housing animals local to the area, including black bears, and the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge.
The bridge provides a super cool experience but is not recommended for anyone with heights problems. You’ll also want to keep children close at hand on both sides. Prices vary depending on the day, but expect to pay between $25-$35 per adult/$13 per child.
Get into the Outdoors:
Depending on the season you’re visiting, choose a way to get out and enjoy the incredible nature of the area. In winter, check out one of NC’s nearby skiing mountains. While snow can be more elusive some winters, these places are always cranking out their own. The hills here are a great place to learn to ski or snowboard, or to go snowtubing if that’s more your speed.
Appalachian Ski Mountain is a short ten minute drive from downtown Blowing Rock, and I think the best of what’s around. Sugar Mountain Resort and Beech Mountain Resort are other options a bit further away.
In warmer months, camping options abound off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bathroom facilities, as well as parking right by your campsite, make this such a great and easy option for camping with kids.
In fall or spring, take to the Blue Ridge Parkway to enjoy one of the country’s most iconic drives. It’s an incredible route with numerous places to stop for a picnic or a quick explore. The Parkway is always best experienced with the windows down. Be prepared for traffic on weekends or holidays, so I’d aim for an off day or an early start as much as possible. Check the parkway status for weather warnings or road closures here.
Other fun ideas:
In any NC mountain town you’re sure to find options for gem mining, and Blowing Rock is no different. Of course, it can be a bit of a rip off, but my kids always love the guarantee of going home with gems and it does get their minds thinking about minerals and all things geology, so it’s worth it every once in a while. Prospector Hill Gem Mining is a great, somewhat reasonable option if you’re into this idea.
Tweetsie Railroad is a vintage, Wild West, small amusement park that sits outside of Blowing Rock. The star of the show is the old steam train that makes a loop of the mountain. I used to love going to Tweetsie as a kid, but these days find it to be a bit tired and definitely overpriced for a family. That being said, they have fun special events that some people love, including a Halloween Ghost Train and a Christmas Polar Express.
Check out Boone and its college town vibes, including the campus of Appalachian State and King Street for fun restaurants. Our favorites are Macado’s for college town vibes and Boone Bagelry for the best kind of breakfast.
I hope Blowing Rock and the NC Appalachian Mountains will become just as special to you as they are to my family. Enjoy!
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