Situated on the Eastern Continental Divide, Blowing Rock is known for its majestic views of sweeping mountain vistas. This position can also make the local weather more varied, bringing days with wide temperature ranges, or strong winds, or some days with very heavy fog! What do you do in Blowing Rock when the fog has set in and you can’t see the natural splendor? Read on for some local activity suggestions while you wait out a foggy day.
BRAHM
Blowing Rock Art & History Museum is an excellent stop on a foggy day. They have a number of permanent and rotating exhibits so you’re sure to see something different each time you go. Admission is free.
Edgewood Cottage & 1888 Museums
Don’t forget to stop by Edgewood Cottage and the 1888 Museum on Main St. They are both self-guided museum tours and take you back in time to a younger Blowing Rock. Edgewood Cottage is the restored second home of renowned artist Elliott Daingerfield, and in the summer it hosts Artists in Residence. The 1888 Museum shows what a luxury hotel room looked like at that time.
Stroll Downtown Galleries
Blowing Rock has six different downtown artisan galleries open for perusal. These range from painting, to pottery, to jewelry. All of them are worth a stroll. Blowing Rock Frameworks and Gallery hosts regular artist shows and features many local fine artists. The Martin House Gallery is tucked away in the upstairs portion of the Martin House. It has a meandering space that feels like a small museum.
Shopping in Downtown Blowing Rock
Settle in downtown and take in all of the local shops. Main Street is a given, but don’t forget about Sunset Drive and Morris Street! There is plenty for everyone and there are several restaurants so you really don’t have to leave!
Shoppes on the Parkway
Shoppes on the Parkway is another place you can hunker down and enjoy the shopping. It has restaurants, Egg Rollin’ and The Penny Path, so you can refresh and refuel then continue your shopping journey.
Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine
Head over to Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine. With tons of indoor flumes they’re a great place to spend a foggy day. They are also home to mini golf, VR laser tag, and a Nerf Battle Arena. There is plenty to do and they are conveniently located in the Shoppes on the Parkway outlet mall. You can go shopping or grab a bite to eat after.
Spa Day
Conveniently located in Blowing Rock is The Spa at Chetola Resort. They offer the full spectrum of treatments including, massage, facials, nails, and hair. Nearby is Westglow Resort & Spa which offers tantalizing treatments and packages for everybody.
Tee 2 Green Indoor Golf
Tee 2 Green is a state of the art indoor golf facility with four bays and beer you pour by the ounce. Each screen is programmed with over 700 courses as famous as Pebble Beach or as local as the Blowing Rock Country Club. It is a great place for a guys or girls trip to come and spend some time practicing your swing and enjoying a pint.
Staying in town with these suggestions can reduce the need to drive in the fog. When you need to travel any distance in fog, stay safe and use best practices like keeping your low beams on and driving slowly.
Still want to enjoy the outdoors? Wandering the local wilderness can be risky in adverse weather conditions, so please do not attempt new or challenging trails in foggy weather. One trail network, however, is very close to town and could be enjoyed in less-than-ideal conditions. The carriage trails in Moses Cone Memorial Park are just a ½ mile from Main Street and offer a safer hiking environment. They are well-defined, in good repair, and removed from vehicular traffic. Be sure to stay on the trails, and dress appropriately for damp weather. You may also want to plan for longer and take extra water, as you might travel slower than you usually would. Hiking in fog can be a startlingly different experience, and extra precautions can help assure an enjoyable adventure.
