Blowing Rock has been named North Carolina’s Prettiest Small Town, one of America’s Prettiest Winter Towns, and its Main Street has been selected a Great Place in North Carolina. Add to those accolades the cool crispness of late fall, the warmth of small-town hospitality and thousands of glittering lights and you have the perfect holiday tradition getaway experience.
An easy drive, Blowing Rock is only two hours from Charlotte and Greensboro, three hours from Knoxville, 3.5 hours from Raleigh, five hours from Atlanta and six hours from Charleston. It has a wide range of accommodations, from resorts to hotels to rustic cabins and is also a perfect day-trip destination.
For a listing of events and activities between Thanksgiving and Christmas, go to blowingrock.com/winter-blowing-rock/. For a complete list of Blowing Rock shops, restaurants, accommodations, the arts, outdoor activities and more, go to blowingrock.com.
Here are a few picturesque highlights:
Christmas Parade: Starting at 2:00 p.m. on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Main Street parade features fire trucks, a color guard and festively-clad singers and dancers.
Wood-fired kiln opening: Traditions Pottery Studio hosts a special event on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, offering Christmas-themed items made in old-fashioned wood-fired kilns, along with other items perfect for gift-giving. Photo by Lonnie Webster.
Choose & Cut: Starting the weekend after Thanksgiving, local Christmas tree farms will help you find the perfect tree among the many rows. Varieties include Frasier Fir, White Pine and Blue Spruce, with wreaths and garlands also available.
Christmas in the Park & Lighting of the Town: An annual holiday event the day after Thanksgiving. Free hot chocolate, visits with Santa, caroling and the lighting of the town.
BLOWING ROCK, NC (November 2014)
For information: Tracy Brown, Executive Director, Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority
828.295.4636 tbrown@visitblowingrock.com