The Blowing Rock
The oldest tourist attraction in North Carolina (and namesake for the town of Blowing Rock), The Blowing Rock is a unique geological formation located 3000 feet above John’s River Gorge.
It was named for the area’s whipping winds, which led Ripley’s Believe It Or Not to call it “the only place in the world where snow falls upside down.
The legend of Blowing Rock is a classic lover’s leap tale involving a Cherokee brave who jumped to his death, only for the wind to blow him back up to his Chickasaw maiden.
The famous outcropping offers spectacular scenic vistas that include iconic North Carolina mountains such as Mount Mitchell and Grandfather, Hawksbill, and Table Rock Mountains.
It’s arguably the coolest selfie spot in all of Western North Carolina.
But there’s lots of other things to do at The Blowing Rock, including spectacular overlooks, a man-made waterfall, two picturesque hiking trails, a lovely picnic area, and a historical gallery of Blowing Rock photos.
There’s also a 3000-square-foot gift shop, plus a Gorge View Annex building that features a snack bar and locally crafted goods, and can be rented for private events.
