Best of the Best LIst
This a fun list for us and we encourage you to chime in with things that maybe we haven’t tried yet. Most of these are close by, as we think that if there’s something good to see or do, why drive a long distance if you don’t have to. Join in on the fun and send us a note if you want to nominate a place for us to include!
Best Low-key Hikes Near Blowing Rock
Bass Lake (Easy). Probably our favorite place to get outside since its so close and beautiful. A flat one mile walk around the lake on a wide gravel trail. You’ll see joggers, strollers and maybe even a horse or two since part of the trail shares with a larger carriage trail in Moses Cone Park.
Glen Burnie Trail (Easy/Moderate). Right in the heart of Blowing Rock, waterfalls at the end. From Main Street turn onto Laurel Lane and you’ll see the trailhead and parking lot on the left side of the street, across from the lake at Broyhill Park.
Moses Cone Park (Easy) Great carriage trails where you can walk for miles. In particular, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway you can park Moses Cone Manor or even on the side of the road near Mile Marker 294 and walk the wide gravel roads up to flat top tower or over to Trout Lake. A little more adventurous walk is to do the loop that meanders down to Bass Lake and back up thru the switchbacks for a nice five or so miles. Here’s a map of the park.
Julian Price Park hiking trails (easy to more difficult) - Price Lake loop is a good one - about 3 miles and flat that winds around the entire lake.
And there’s always others: More Hiking Ideas
Best Breweries to visit
Blowing Rock Brewery and Ale House
Right in Downtown Blowing Rock, so when you can’t keep up with the shoppers in your family, it’s only a block away from Main Street where you can “reenergize” with a cold brew. Good beer, food is pretty good to and as already mentioned, location great. Downside is it’s a tiny place and get’s filled up fast. In nice weather you can grab a seat outside and or in the courtyard out back (with corn hole). Off-peak times would be better, but you can always get a good beer and maybe even a table if you’re lucky.
Pro-Tip: Seating in the back at the long hightop (in the middle of the room) is first-come, so if there’s a wait for a table you might be able to score a seat quicker back there.
2. Appalachian Mountain Brewery
Found this review and seems to sum it up…Its a brewery... they serve the beer that they brew - this is not a playground so don’t expect the kids to be served milk and cookies. It's a glorified garage/barn with a country feel and a food truck parked out front. Dress warm in the Fall/winter. Not a "sexy" place to hang out for date night or a place to take the kids. Its a brewery. - It IS a pretty cool place to hang out and try a lot of different beer brewed locally and by a brewery that is environmentally aware and gives back to the commununity of Boone. There is also live local music and a hip country vibe. Check it out - you'll be glad you did. My favorite is the Long Leaf IPA. Yep, ‘bout right…
Appalachian Mountain Brewery (Boone)
Experience the best snow skiing in the Southeast! Since 1969, winter resorts have offered the longest and largest slopes in Western North Carolina. Explore all three ski resorts (App, Sugar, Beech) or have a blast tubing at Hawksnest.
More info: Skiing and Tubing
Best fishin’ Spots
Local outfitters offer the entire range of opportunities from individual or family boat rentals (with a return shuttle back to your car), to guided day trips that include lunch. Canoeing or kayaking a classic National Wild and Scenic River like the New River is an exciting adventure that's open to almost anyone, including families. That can also mean tackling a multi-night canoe or kayak camping trip with stops at New River State Park. Entry level paddle trips are a great way to relax amid spectacular scenery.
More info: Kayaking and Water Sports
Best thrills and chills for the adventurous soul
One of the Boone Area's best outdoor adventures is zip-lining, a cable-suspended ride above and between the treetops. Hawksnest Zipline in the town of Seven Devils is one of the largest collections of zip-line cables in the East. Sky Valley Zip Tours is just minutes from Boone and includes forest canopy walks in addition to zip lines. High Gravity Adventures is located between Boone and Blowing Rock and offers a zipline tour and aerial adventure park fun zone for ages 4 to 94.
More info: Ziplines and Climbing
Best parkway overlooks
Boone's great paved greenway trail follows the pastoral South Fork of the New River. The spectacular Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park is complete and open for hikers and bikers. The other place that we are really excited about is Middle Fork Greenway which is currently under partially completed, but will be a paved path that will go from Blowing Rock to Boone.
More info: Cycling
MacRae Peak at Grandfather Mtn
Appalachian Ski Mountain
Kayaking Watauga Lake
High Gravity Adventures
