This storybook mountain village is filled with award-winning restaurants, family attractions, coffee shops and ice cream parlors, resorts and local inns, and magnificent art rooted in history. Named after a rock formation with sweeping views of peaks, forests and the Johns River Gorge, Blowing Rock is referred to as the “Crown of the Blue Ridge”.
Real Estate in Blowing Rock
Real estate in the Blowing Rock includes a vibrant mix of large mountain homes, single-story log cabins, farmhouses on large plots of land, and many condos. Blowing Rock has a large number of second homes due to the area’s seasonal attractions, with many ASU alumni returning to purchase vacation homes in the mountains.
Out of all of the High Country regions, Blowing Rock sees the highest home prices, followed by Boone and Valle Crucis. Many of the homes on the market in the High Country are tucked away on their own acreages, down many backroads, on mountaintops, or in small community subdivisions. Because of this, it is important to hire a Realtor that knows the area and can point you in the right direction.
Lifestyle and Attractions
In Blowing Rock you will find an array of peaks and gorges, hiking trails, orchards and wineries, and fun activities for all ages. For younger kids, visit Tweetsie Railroad, Mystery Hill & Gem Mining, High Gravity Adventures, or Grandfather Mountain Wildlife Habitats. For the adults, visit Linville Falls Winery or Grandfather Mountain Winery or head to the spa at Chetola Resort for a day of relaxation. Blowing Rock also offers a vibrant art scene with museums and historical family entertainment.
In Blowing Rock you can enjoy outdoor recreation with every season. Fishing, climbing, biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, golfing, ziplining, and snow sports are all offered to you when you live in the High Country. The High Country is also known for their award-winning restaurants where guests can dine with a Blue Ridge backdrop. Pubs, taverns and grilles line the streets of downtown Blowing Rock while chophouses and other fine dining experiences await you down the picturesque roads of the Parkway.
Nearby Schools and Higher Education
Watauga County offers a variety of educational opportunities for all ages of residents. The primary school in Blowing Rock is Blowing Rock School, and is a Kindergarten through 8th grade school, enrolling an average of about 350 students. Go a little outside of Blowing Rock to explore early childhood education at the Watauga County Children's Council or Children’s Playhouse.
Watauga County has 10 public schools in it’s district including eight K-8 schools and two high schools. Watauga County Schools ranks in the top five for End-of-Grade and End-of-Course tests and are consistently a top academic contender state-wide. Boone is also home to one K-8 Charter School, two Montessori Schools, one Christian School, and a HomeSchool experience organizations. The High Country also offers two opportunities for Higher Education, Caldwell Community College and Appalachian State University.
The windy cliffs of Blowing Rock were home to the Cherokee and the Catawba Indian tribes before 1752. These tribes, who were adversaries, are the basis of the famous story of “The Blowing Rock: Two star-crossed lovers, one from each tribe, were walking near The Rock when the reddening sky signaled to the brave that he must return to his tribal duty, and the maiden urged him to stay with her. His desperation in choosing between duty and love caused him to leap from the edge of the gorge toward the rocks below, while the maiden beseeched the Great Spirit to bring him back to her. The famous winds of the John’s River Gorge blew her lover back into her arms, and this legend about The Blowing Rock is still told today.”
The Greenes were the first prominent family to settle in Blowing Rock in the mid-1800’s. They chose a piece of land that would become the Green Park Hotel property. Other early family settlers in Blowing Rock were the Hayes, Coffey, Bolick, Estes and Storie families. All still recognized today through their namesake in the High Country and the campus of Appalachian State University.