Welcome to the Village of
Blowing Rock,
North Carolina.
Incorporated
as a town in 1889, our tiny community
has a
permanent population of only 1,500, but
the summer population swells to around
10,000. Our elevation of 3600-4000'
affords us cool temperatures, refreshing
breezes, clear streams, lush hardwood
forests, and magnificent
mountain vistas around every turn. Long
a refuge for Southerners from summer's
sweltering heat and humidity, Blowing
Rock has been famous as a mountain
resort community for more than 150
years. In recent years, Blowing
Rock and the High Country have expanded
their "season" with varied activities
all year 'round. We were recently named "North Carolina's Prettiest Town" by travel writers.
Blowing Rock boasts wonderful five-star
restaurants, but we also serve up some
of the best barbecue in North Carolina
(and this state takes its barbecue
very seriously). On a hot summer
day, there's nothing quite like
strolling Main Street with a homemade
ice cream cone or people-watching in the
park.
We have fabulous outdoor activities;
hiking, fishing, horseback riding, golf,
biking, whitewater rafting, skiing and
ice skating. For golf, besides the
private Blowing Rock Country Club and
other near-by private clubs and courses,
there are a variety of public courses at
Boone, West Jefferson, Newland, Lenoir,
and Mountain City. The Moses Cone Park,
in Blowing Rock, boasts 27 miles of
gentle trails, most accessible to horses
as well as pedestrians, and three small
lakes. On rainy days you can visit the
Linville Caverns or browse the area's
many art, antique, and craft galleries.
Our shopping is unparalleled, with
unique gift shops, an upscale outlet
mall, clothing shops both elegant and
funky, and one-of-a-kind hand-made items
from local artisans. Near-by Boone is
home of Appalachian State University,
part of the University of North Carolina
system, and provides cultural and
educational opportunities, as well as
convenient shopping, allowing us to
maintain our "village" atmosphere.
The area is host to several festivals
and special events - Blowing Rock's Art
in the Park (a juried art show that is
held once a month during the summer
season), The
Firefly Festival in Boone, the Woolly
Worm Festival in Banner Elk, the
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games (the
largest gathering of the Scottish clans
in North America), the Blowing Rock
Charity Horse Show (a top-rated show for
Hunters, Jumpers, and Saddlebred
horses), and an Appalachian Summer at
Appalachian State University (a
summer-long offering of music, dance,
lectures, workshops, and art) all offer
fun things to do. ASU is
the summer home of the Canon Music Camp, with concerts throughout the
season, including a Pops concert at Chetola Lake in Blowing Rock. Blowing
Rock offers free concerts in the park
every Sunday (weather permitting),
running the gamut from Bluegrass to
Steel Drum to Bagpipe music. Theater is
alive and well in the High Country, with
the renowned Blowing Rock
Stage Ensemble Company delighting local
audiences, not to mention performances
at near-by Lees McRae College, ASU, and
the Barter Theater in Abingdon, Virginia
(worth an occasional excursion!).
The new Blowing Rock Art and History
Museum opened its doors in late 2011 and is now
offering a variety of art and history exhibits and
instructive and fun activities. At near-by Edgewood
Cottage, local "Artists in Residence" invite visitors
to explore local art in a very personal way, thanks
to the very active Blowing Rock Historical Society.
In the winter, the ski slopes sponsor
several ski races, including national
title pre-qualifiers. In January,
Blowing Rock's "Winterfest" includes the
"Polar Plunge" into icy Chetola Lake. In
April, the Blue Ridge Food and Wine
Festival is a delectable weekend.
Though many prefer to make Blowing Rock
their "get away from it all" place, some
are choosing to make our area their
permanent home, so that they may live,
work, and raise their children in a less
pressurized atmosphere. Our schools are
consistently rated among the top five in
the state, the crime rate is low, and
people are friendly. Our medical
facilities are remarkable for such a
small community.
Blowing Rock is only two hours away from
two International airports; only one
hour away from a commuter airport, and
there are facilities for smaller craft
in Boone and Banner Elk. Several
Interstate Highways are nearby, and our
two-lane access roads allow you time to
unwind and enjoy the scenery as you
climb the mountain.
Blowing Rock Properties is proud to have been offering friendly, professional service since 1991, and I have been an active broker in this area since 1972. As a experienced team member, I will be happy to help with all your real estate needs. We offer homes, condominiums, lots, acreage, commercial and investment properties, and we have a busy vacation rental department. Whether you visit for a day or come to stay, stop by our office. We’re in the pretty stone building right across the street from the Park on the corner of Sunset Drive at 1059 Main Street.
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