What to do and see in Blowing Rock, North Carolina (NC): The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups

June 25, 2021 Terina Blouin

Named "the only place in the world where snow falls upside down" by Ripley's-Believe-It-Or-Not, the legendary Blowing Rock geological formation has been attracting visitors to its corner of North Carolina since 1933. The accompanying mountain village of Blowing Rock sits 4,000 feet above sea level along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. The winter brings enough snow to the nearby Blue Ridge Mountain peaks that it is possible to ski the south, staying over at one of Blowing Rocks charming B&Bs.
Restaurants in Blowing Rock

1. North Carolina on Tap

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 16 reviews

North Carolina on Tap

We offer a few different varieties of brewery and winery tours for Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and Beech Mountain NC. If you are here for a ski weekend, bachelor/bachelorette party, reunion, mountain getaway, or wedding a beer/wine tour is the perfect experience to highlight your weekend. We have secured special tours with all of our local breweries and wineries.

2. Sky Valley Zip Tours

Excellent
96%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 932 reviews

Sky Valley Zip Tours

We provide the best zip line adventures in western North Carolina. Three tours are offered: 1) Canopy Tour: A thrilling ATV ride leads to 10 zip lines, a 45' vertical descent off a rock face, and a 120' cable bridge over a 35' cascading waterfall. Cross the valley from 300' above its floor. Must be 10 years old and 70-250 lbs. to participate. 2) Kid Zip: Called the Whistle Pig Adventure Park, our kids' zip line is a miniature version of the Canopy Tour. Includes 7 zips, a small bridge, and a 20' slide out of the trees. Kids can play for up to 2 hours and zip through the course as many times as they can. An adult chaperone can relax in the viewing area or walk around just below the kids to take pictures and cheer them on. A covered picnic shelter and water are provided. Children must be 4 years old and be able to reach 48" high. 3) Night Flight: Starting after dark on select weekends, this moonlit tour covers the first half of the Canopy Tour course and ends with the cliff jump.

3. High Gravity Adventures

Excellent
92%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 248 reviews

High Gravity Adventures

**We are open periodically throughout the winter and as weather allows, check our website for the most current information. High Gravity Adventures is located in the Boone/Blowing Rock area of North Carolina and specializes in unique and active outdoor recreation for ages 4 & up. Complete with a Zip Line Tour, an Aerial Adventure Park, and a Giant Swing, there is everything your family needs to have a fun and adventurous day in the high country! Soar across multiple lines on the Zip Line Tour, culminating in a 1,000 ft zip over a beautiful valley and a 70 ft (optional) breathtaking free-fall experience. Explore over 75 aerial challenges including rappelling stations and climbing stations, all ranging from 15 to 50 feet off the ground in the aerial adventure park. Take a thrilling 45 ft plunge on the Giant Swing. Whatever adventure you’re ready for, we’re ready to lead the way!

4. Tweetsie Railroad

300 Tweetsie Railroad Ln, Blowing Rock, NC 28605-9787 +1 800-526-5740 [email protected] https://tweetsie.com/
Excellent
56%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,041 reviews

Tweetsie Railroad

Experience a action-packed day of Wild West Adventure at Tweetsie Railroad where you can hop aboard a historic narrow-gauge steam locomotive, enjoy classic amusement rides, feed the animals in Deer Park Zoo, pan for gold, participate in live entertainment, and more! Special annual events: Day Out With Thomas, Ghost Train and Tweetsie Christmas. History: As North Carolina’s original family theme park, Tweetsie Railroad is a unique attraction that allows children and families to explore their imaginations and a whole lot more. Be a cowboy, cowgirl, or an engineer. Shop along Main Street, pan for gold, or visit the animals in the Deer Park. Tweetsie has amusement rides for all ages and live entertainment throughout the park. And, of course, hop aboard our historic train for a fun-filled three-mile Wild West journey through the scenic mountains. Located in Blowing Rock, NC.

Reviewed By frankr888 - Pinehurst, United States

Bottom line, up front...in the end, with a military discount, we paid $140 for a family of four and added an additional $100 for food and souvenirs. Yet, beyond the high price point, Tweetsie Railroad was well worth the day. Our kids will remember this experience for a long time. Between the actual train and riding on numerous kiddie rides, the lines were never an issue. If I could offer one complaint, it'd be the price of concessions. I paid in excess of $15 for water not realizing one could bring in their own bottle. Perhaps more advertising is due?

5. Wahoo's Adventures

Excellent
74%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
3%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,882 reviews

Wahoo's Adventures

ACCEPT NO IMITATIONS! "2 Time Outfitter of the Year", 8 Time TripAdvisor "Peoples Choice Award", an Hall of Fame. Celebrating our 40th anniversary. Award winning service, with the highest quality outdoor adventures in the region, at the GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICES! Fantastic full service Outposts, located on or by the areas best rivers. Providing the ultimate in convenience with riverside parking, hot showers, store, catered meals(basic to gourmet), camping, treehouse cabins, and so much more. NO LONG BUS RIDES! We have adventures for the smallest of children "MILD", up to "WILD" World Class Extreme Rafting adventures. Our Guides are known as some of the "Finest Seasoned Outdoor Professionals", you will find in the World today. Many have been running rivers for over 15+ yrs, honing skills on rivers Worldwide and then sharing their skills with our younger Guides and YOU our GUEST to offer an amazing experience! Go with the PROS at WAHOOS, You will WITNESS and EXPERIENCE the DIFFERENCE!

6. Sunset & Vine

150 Sunset Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605-7205 +1 828-414-9111 [email protected] http://www.blowingrockwine.com
Excellent
80%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 60 reviews

Sunset & Vine

Reviewed By RoadWarrier99999 - Isle of Palms, United States

Nice, airy tasting room with some outdoor seating and socially distanced indoor tables. Good assortment of wines with several reasonably priced flights. Friendly and capable service and guidance. A great place for a beverage before dinner. Go.

7. Footsloggers

921 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605-8279 +1 828-295-4453 [email protected] http://www.footsloggers.com
Excellent
81%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
10%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Footsloggers

Founded in 1971, Footsloggers is the region's first resource for hiking, travel, and backpacking. We take our selection seriously, and continue to challenge our assortment and make certain that we aren't selling anything that we would not purchase for ourselves. Our buyers also work on the sales floor, to help maintain our connection to the customer. We are an outdoor 'chamber of commerce' of sorts, as we have a diverse adventure-loving staff. We know our local trail systems, and can direct you on the best area, considering the weather and your time allowance. Footwear and backpacks require a custom fit to ensure the most fun out of your next adventures. These areas are our core strength, and we take pride in our ability to get fit dialed. Appropriate clothing and accessories are important elements to the comfortable and safe adventure as well. Our selection is continually updated to address current weather trends and shifts in technology. At both of our locations- downtown Boone and Main Street Blowing Rock- we have an Outdoor Outlet. In this area we stock salesman samples and closeout items, the majority of which are current-season and all are found at a great discounted price. Our customers are the most important part of our day, and we hope that you will communicate your needs with us. If you do not find something you're looking for, please let us know so that we can consider updating our selection. We are here to work for you... "Footsloggers: Sharing in Your Outdoor Adventures Since 1971"

Reviewed By mjpc36 - Wilmington, United States

We stopped at Footsloggers Wednesday and the kids and hubby thoroughly enjoyed the rock wall. Everyone working was very kind and helpful. On Saturday the kids (10, 12, 14, 17) and dad went out to their ropes course and had a blast! Three hours of fun as they clambered around and the guys working there were great. They were really good with all the kids helping them feel confident and be successful as they worked through the course. The kids wouldn’t stop talking about how much fun they had! Thanks for helping us find some fun on a rainy week!

8. Doc's Rocks Gem Mine

129 Mystery Hill Ln, Blowing Rock, NC 28605-9549 +1 828-295-2034 [email protected] http://www.docsrocks.org/
Excellent
72%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 408 reviews

Doc's Rocks Gem Mine

Doc's Rocks Gem Mine is a McCoy Minerals, Inc. business extension. We strive to treat every customer like family and ensure that they always feel welcome and know that they can trust our staff to give them the highest quality customer care possible. These values are the main things that sets 'DRGM' apart from our competition.

Reviewed By alisongates - Houston, United States

If you’re looking for the best place to have a unique birthday party for your kid (a three year old, in my case) in this area, look no further! We had my son’s third birthday at Doc’s Rocks this am and he and seven of his friends had an absolute blast. Booking the space was easy and the party was cost effective. As soon as I pulled up, several employees helped unload my car and set up the party room. The mining area was already set up for the kids, a special dry erase board was prepared for my son, and several tables had nice tablecloths on them (prepared by the employees). We had two outstanding ladies help us throughout the party - Brie and Isabella were super friendly and helpful - they hung decorations, provided AV assistance, read a book to the kids, facilitated the mining and gem education experience, made sure we all got through the fossil museum, assisted with clean up, and made sure that my special guy had a great day with his friends. The space was clean, amply sized, and close to a good restroom. It was a great day and I think kids of all ages (including myself!) would enjoy a party here due to the unique experience and wonderful employees. Many thanks - we WILL be back!

9. The Blowing Rock

Highway 321 South, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 +1 828-295-7111 [email protected] http://www.theblowingrock.com/
Excellent
38%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
8%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,317 reviews

The Blowing Rock

Reviewed By Bellabelle1 - Rocky Mount, United States

We thought it was absolutely worth the $7 admission fee. Best views of our trip and we went to many other places. Awesome rock formations and great photo ops. Wouldn’t pay to go there every year, but I am so glad we went at least once.

10. Mystery Hill

129 Mystery Hill Ln, Blowing Rock, NC 28605-9549 +1 828-264-2792 [email protected] http://www.mysteryhill.com
Excellent
40%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
8%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 516 reviews

Mystery Hill

Explore North Carolina's Only Natural Gravitational Anomaly - WIth multiple unique experiences - Hands On Science Fun, Giant Bubbles, History, Second largest private Native American Artifacts collection in the world, Gem Mining, Dinosaur and Fossil Museum, Old Time Photos, Tomahawk Throwing and More! One of North Carolina's most unique attractions for over 70 years.

Reviewed By rchluth - Ona, United States

This was such a great time! We bought the ultimate ticket, so got to experience everything -- the weird gravity, the cool science/illusion rooms, the 1903 house, the native american artifacts, the tomahawk throwing (this guy was so patient with four ladies who have no skills), the old-time photo (shout out to awesome photography David!), the dinosaur & rocks museum (shout out to awesome tour guide Logan!), and the gem mining (wish I could remember her name!). All of the staff was wonderful. We had a great and weird time!

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