Experience A Magical Winter Wonderland At This North Carolina Festival
It seems like it has been ages since Charlotte got even a remotely decent snow. At least anywhere in South Charlotte. North of 85 sometimes gets a little accumulation. But those fantastic snows that we got while I was growing up- seem to be a thing of the past. I often joke that the next time the mountains are expected to get snow I’m going to hightail it to Blowing Rock so I can enjoy it! And the time to do that may be January 25th-28th. That’s when the town of Blowing Rock is hosting their Winterfest event. The website for the event describes this winter time North Carolina festival as a “a magical winter wonderland filled with thrilling events and unforgettable experiences for the whole family!”
The festival runs Thursday-Sunday and features an impressive lineup of events throughout the quaint downtown. There is a nightly festival of lights at Chetola Resort, a polar plunge on Saturday (I think I’ll skip that one!), and ice stroll on Main Street, and an ice carving demonstration.
But what festival is complete without food and drinks? The answer is none. And in a town with as much fantastic dining as Blowing Rock (see the end of this story for more on that) of course you won’t want to miss that portion of Winterfest! Just some of the highlights include the Rotary Chilly Chili Challenge, a beer garden at the Meadowbrook Inn, a wine tasting and wine auction at Green Park Inn, as well as a pancake breakfast.
And the can’t miss event in my opinion? The Winter Paws Dog Show on Sunday from 1-3. Show categories include
- Most Unique Breed
- Most Clever Trick
- Best Dressed/Winter Attire
- Looks Like Their Owner
- Cutest Dog
- Best in Show
Some events do require tickets which can be purchased here. Is there anyway to guarantee snow and a true winter wonderland at this North Carolina festival? If so I’m 100 percent there.
11 Must Dos When Visiting Blowing Rock, North Carolina
One of my favorite mountain towns to visit any time of year but especially in the summer months is the town of Blowing Rock. Just a short drive up 321 before you hit the college town of Boone, you’ll find the quaint village of Blowing Rock. The town boasts a rich history dating as far back as the 1700s. You’ll see some of that history reflected below. It’s also home to some charming mountain inns and the luxurious Chetola Resort. Blowing is close to the previously mentioned Boone, Linville Falls, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Banner Elk among other towns. So with so much to do in the general area what are the must-dos in Blowing Rock itself?
That’s where I come along. I grew up going to Blowing Rock with my parents as a kid every summer. In fact, my mom often reminds me that the first “vacation” I ever went on was a week in this North Carolina mountain town. So I’d say I have some qualifications to tell you the must-do activities. As a child, I would have told you about the playground in the park. They had the most fun slide I still remember to this day. The park has since been redone, and at this point, I’d look a little odd on a playground. But I bet it still brings the same joy to kids today as it did to me then. And while I didn’t include that park on my must-dos in Blowing Rock list, I did include another of my childhood favorites.
On this list, you’ll find activities, restaurants, shopping, places to grab a drink, and more. If hiking is your thing, you’ll have to do your own research. Outside of a leisurely stroll, I didn’t include any of that on this 11-item list. I’m not known for my outdoorsy spirit that’s for sure! So check out the collection of must dos and adventures in the town of Blowing Rock North Carolina.
Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.
