View a beautiful sunrise or sunset from Raven Rocks Overlook, located at Milepost 289.5. There are no picnic tables but you can bring a blanket and picnic out on large boulders. The view faces northwest, one of the few northern overlooks in the area. Trails: Access the Mountains to Sea Trail Views: Far reaching views Picnic Tables: No picnic tables but great picnic spot on the rock Camping: No
Born in Jonesborough, Tennessee in 1857, Moses Herman Cone was the eldest of 13 children born to Jewish-German immigrants. He and his brother, Caesar, worked with their father in his dry goods business in Maryland and later moved to Greensboro, NC, and partnered with local businessmen to form Cone Brothers, Lowman, and Burger Clothing Manufacturers based in Baltimore. Cone realized from his sales and travels that blue-collar workers needed more durable clothes for working. He married Bertha Lindau in 1888, and they never had children. In 1890 Moses and Ceasar formed the Cone Export & Commission Company in New York and developed what was called the “Plaid Trust”, a commission to control the production market on checks and plaids. In 1892, they moved to Greensboro, North Carolina and took in another forty mills, and completely controlled the market. US antitrust laws broke up the agreements the Cones had with the various mills to control the market. Cone purchased a defunct steel mill in 1895 and developed it into a large cotton mill called Proximity Manufacturing Company that produced blue and brown denim. Competitors in the New England states were located much farther away from the cotton fields, giving Cone an advantage] He built additional mills throughout the Greensboro area and the South soon became one of the biggest denim fabric producers in the world, In the 1890s, Moses Cone came to be known as “The Denim King.” The Cone brothers soon after built White Oak Cotton Mills, at the time the largest denim mill in the world and largest cotton mill in the South, even supplying denim to Levi Strauss and Company. Moses was also instrumental in the development of Appalachian State University, as a contributor to the construction. In 1901, Cone built Flat Top Manor, a 20-room mansion in the grand Colonial Revival style nestled on a 3,500-acre estate on Flat Top Mountain in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. An avid conservationist, Moses Cone planted extensive white pine forests, hemlock hedges, and a 10,000 tree apple orchard, and built lakes stocked with bass and trout. In addition, there were prize-winning cattle and sheep and a constructed fence surrounding an extensive chestnut forest that was stocked with deer. After their deaths, Moses and Bertha Cone donated their home, Flat Top Manor to the National Park Service Today Moses H Cone Memorial Park is open to the public, located at Milepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Flat Top Manor is home to the Parkway Craft Center, home to the Southern Highlands Craft Guild. In addition to the Parkway Craft Center, visitors enjoy twenty-five miles of carriage trails perfect for hiking, horseback riding, or cruising in a horse-drawn carriage. The Craftsman’s Trail is a 20-minute loop walk around the Manor which the Cones are said to have walked together every morning. The estate also contains a family cemetery and a carriage and apple barn.
Blowing Rock is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway and bordered by the Pisgah National Forest, providing close proximity and easy access to a multitude of habitats. This area of the Blue Ridge Mountains provides a home for about 160 breeding species of birds, with over 250 species appearing with regularity during migrations. In fact, the High Country is one of the most diverse breedings and spring migration areas in the eastern United States, with large numbers of neo-tropical migrants and forest interior species. Several species, like the Canada Warbler, are at the southern-most end of their breeding range while here, contributing the wide assortment of birds found in our backyard. When is the best time to view birds in Blowing Rock? Spring migration in the area happens in April and May, and September is the best time to see fall migrations. The months between are great for viewing breeding species. Winter months are host to our year-round residents like crimson Cardinals and cheeky Juncos. Which species can be found here? See the The High Country species list here! The above list is created by the High Country Audubon Society. The High Country Audubon website is especially helpful if you want to time your visit to see certain birds. This local Audubon Chapter has a great website with checklists for great local birding spots, too! Where can birds be observed in Blowing Rock? With so many undeveloped areas near Blowing Rock, birds can be seen almost anywhere. Spending time on park benches early in the morning or in quiet woodlands on the Blue Ridge Parkway will reveal many species of interest. High Country Audubon offers a list of Local Birding Hotspots, complete with bird lists and access details for the sites! Find great details on Blowing Rock locations like Trout Lake, Sims Pond, and Price Lake, plus many others across the High Country. Many of the best places for bird viewing have become designated sites on the North Carolina Birding Trail, a state-wide collection of great birding sites and communities. Here is a list of official sites closest to the accommodations, dining, and activities in Blowing Rock. Nearby North Carolina Birding Trail sites – estimated mileage from Blowing Rock: Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, in Blowing Rock Julian Price Memorial Park, 5 miles from downtown Blowing Rock Tanawha Trail, access 5 miles Boone Greenway, 7 miles Grandfather Mountain, 12 miles Valle Crucis Community Park, 12 miles Elk Knob State Park, 17 miles Green Valley Community Park, 17 miles E.B Jeffress Park, 22 miles Lewis Fork Overlook, 24 miles Linville Falls, 25 miles Buckeye Lake Recreation Area, 27 miles The North Carolina Birding Trail recognizes many more sites in the mountains, piedmont and coast of our state. To see a full listing, and to get more information on the sites above, visit www.NCBirdingTrail.org. Other great birding links: Audubon North Carolina Carolina Bird Club Local Birding News on Ray’s Weather– This page is updated infrequently now, but archives give good info on past sightings, local habitats, and bird behavior While you’re here: Click the calendar link at the top of this page to see other events happening in the area. The attractions tab will show you what else the area has to offer during your visit. If you are coming to see a crimson Cardinal in the snow, don’t forget about our great local ski slopes. When here to see summer Warblers, plan to stay over for an Art in the Park show. Our restaurants, shops, and accommodations are great any time of year!
1.Waterfall HuntingGetting close to water is a great way to cool off, and few experiences are as exhilarating as getting close to a waterfall. Hikes vary from easy to strenuous, and a handful of area waterfalls even have a swimming hole. Blowing Rock has waterfalls right in town- just take the Glen Burney Trail. This shady hike follows the New Year Creek, offering views of the Glen Burney and Glen Marie Falls. When enjoying waterfalls, be sure to note posted signage on all local trails, and take care around steep spots. If you are curious to know more about local waterfalls, click here to see which ones spark your interest. 2. White water rafting or TubingIn Blowing Rock and our surrounding area, we have a collection of rafting companies that are great for groups of all sizes and ages. Make a reservation for an excursion that will take your group to the region’s best white water! Many of the rafting companies also provide a river tubing guide service on calmer waters. Some companies even offer cooler floats so you can stay hydrated while you’re out there on the water. Be sure to pack the sunscreen, because these trips can take a few hours! The New River is the most popular river to float down because it has a steady and calm current, and the depth ranges from 2-8 feet deep. Our rivers stay a very cool temperature year round, and you will be able to witness the natural beauty of the High Country while having fun with friends and family.To view white water and adventure companies, click here and choose the one that fits your needs. 3. Kayaking at Price LakeIf you prefer a self-guided way to cool down this summer, then stop by Price Lake. Price Lake is a 47 acre lake with calm water, perfect for canoeing and kayaking. You can rent watercraft if you don’t have your own, including canoes, single and double kayaks, and stand up paddle boards. Prices include the life jacket, paddles, and taxes. You are not allowed to swim in Price Lake, but it is very enjoyable to get out on the water and see the wonderful views.For more pricing information regarding Price Lake rentals and hours, click here
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