Day Trip to Blowing Rock, NC

Blowing Rock, NC, is a picturesque mountain town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Tourists from all over the world flock to visit, especially during peak foliage season (mid-October).

My family recently took a day trip to Blowing Rock in October of 2025, and I would love to share my recommendations.

Morning

Where: Grandfather Mountain

Duration: 8am-10:30am

We spent the morning at Grandfather Mountain, roughly 30 minutes down the Blue Ridge Parkway from Main Street Blowing Rock. For more information about Grandfather Mountain, visit my article here.

Midday

Where: Main Street, Blowing Rock, NC

Duration: 11am-3pm

Parking

Like all mountain towns, parking can be tricky. There is a free public upper and lower parking deck near Memorial Park. If you are planning your trip on a Saturday during mid-October, parking will fill up quickly. Arrive early.

We arrived at 11am on a Sunday at the beginning of October and barely found a spot. There is also hourly street parking.

Breakfast

Social on Main is a popular breakfast spot close to the Main Street shops and parking garage. They serve classic southern dishes like chicken and waffles, livermush, and biscuits and gravy.

They do not take reservations. You may be put on a waitlist, and they will text when your table is ready. While waiting for a text, you can check out the nearby shops.

Shopping

Most of the stores open by 10am. All of the stores mentioned below are on Main Street, but there are countless stores to visit in Blowing Rock. For a complete list, visit here.

Footsloggers

Footsloggers is a cabin-esqe outfitter store that carries high quality outdoor brands like Kavu and prAna. If you need to stock up on hiking gear or simply want a cute sticker, Footsloggers has something fun for all budgets.

Last Straw

If you are a fan of seasonal decor, Last Straw is the spot for you. This past October, each room was decorated with a different color scheme of Christmas decor. They carry items that match any home’s aesthetic.

Blowing Rock Market

The market has fresh produce, canned goods, snacks, and grab-and-go meals. They have restrooms and plenty of outdoor seating.

Memorial Park

Memorial Park offers a playground, public bathrooms, basketball courts, tennis courts, and benches. The city horticulturist does a phenomenal job with the flower gardens. Grab some food from the Blowing Rock Market and enjoy it on a bench!

The Martin House / The Mountain Thread Company

Built in 1870, the Martin House is the second oldest building in Blowing Rock. It operated as a boarding house from the 1880s to the 1960s. The house now contains several retail shops, including the Mountain Thread Company. They sell artisan candle artwork, fabrics, and crafts.

Bald Guy Brew Coffee

With very reasonable prices and high quality coffee, Bald Guy Brew is my favorite stop in Blowing Rock. This past fall, they offered a delicious Maple Sage latte. They have indoor and outdoor seating.

Itinerary Route

Main Street Blowing Rock is extremely walkable. There are sidewalks and pedestrian crossing lights. It is stroller-friendly, but during a crowded weekend, I opted to use my baby carrier.

I created an easy route to visit my recommended stores:

Afternoon

Where: Moses. H. Cone Memorial Park

Duration: 3pm-5pm

The Moses H. Cone Manor (“Flat Top Manor”) sits at milepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, only seven minutes from Blowing Rock. The park boasts carriage rides, hiking trails, small lakes, manor tours, and the Southern Highland Craft Guild craft shop.

The craft shop and gift shop on the first floor of the manor are open from 10am-5pm daily until October 30. There are modified hours for November, and the manor closes on December 1st. For current hours, visit here.

Strolling around the grounds is the perfect free activity for the family. It is mostly stroller-friendly and wheelchair accessible.

The victorian mansion was a beautiful backdrop for my sister-in-law’s maternity photos. Check them out here: Dreamy Maternity Photos near Blowing Rock, NC