Winter Travel Guide for Boone and Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Snow.

That’s just one of the many reasons that Michael and I chose to move to North Carolina in 2019.

For snow.

But like, occasional snow.

Just often enough that we would feel excited when it snowed, but not so often that it would hinder our daily life.

And while it finally snowed a few days here in Charlotte recently, it melted as quickly as it fell.

So, as part of our efforts to explore more of our region this year, we headed for the High Country in January.

This post is not sponsored, but some of the attractions/accommodations within the guide were hosted in exchange for coverage in this guide. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

We don’t make it to Western North Carolina nearly as often as we should, considering it’s only a two-hour drive from Charlotte, but this trip was a reminder that it’s a perfect overnight destination.

Looking to explore the area, but short on time? Here’s my guide to WNC in the winter:

WHERE TO STAY IN BLOWING ROCK

Meadowbrook Inn

Meadowbrook Inn | 711 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Meadowbrook Inn is located right in the heart of Blowing Rock (if you take a look at the map you can see it’s smack-dab in the middle of everything), which is reason enough to book a stay at this boutique hotel on Main Street. But the amenities and warm staff at Meadowbrook Inn are the icing on a truly wonderful cake, and I can’t wait to return.

Check-in was a smooth and easy process thanks to the friendly staff at the front desk, and I was tempted to just stay and curl up in the cozy lodge-like lobby with a good book. But our room and a change of clothes were calling after a day of snow tubing, so I heeded their pleas.

The Deluxe Room Michael and I shared was located in the annex building, just steps away from the main building. This allowed us to meander a bit on the way to our room, taking some time to survey the grounds. Images I’ve seen of the property online indicate that it is lush and green in the spring, but I found it beautiful even in winter. The frozen pond and snow on the roof were a sweet reminder of the seasons we now get to experience here in North Carolina – this always brings a smile to my face after living in hot, humid Florida for so long.

The Deluxe Room at Meadowbrook Inn includes all the amenities I’ve come to expect in a hotel room (toiletries, hair dryer, coffee pot, full-length mirror), and the ones I now don’t think I can travel without (fireplace, mini-fridge, microwave, sunroom, air massage hydrotherapy tub…). Thanks to the sleeper sofa, this generously sized room sleeps up to five people – standard rooms and signature suites are also available.

After a long day of snow tubing (more on that in a moment!), I was so incredibly grateful to warm my icy hands and feet by the fireplace in our room at the flip of a switch. The Deluxe Room’s cozy sofa and chair were such a welcome addition for someone like me, who has an aversion to sitting on the bed in my outside clothes. Michael and I spent a good portion of the evening in the adjoining sunroom, sharing a bottle of local wine and watching the sky turn from day to night. At the end of the evening, I relished a soak in the tub with the jets turned on (not something I usually do at most hotels, but everything at Meadowbrook Inn was pristine) to ease my aching joints.

Breakfast at Meadowbrook Inn isn’t a sad toast-and-yogurt affair; instead, it’s a grand buffet of Southern food. On the morning of our departure, it featured fluffy scrambled eggs, grits, a heavenly baked apple pancake, sausage, and biscuits and gravy – to name a few things. I’m not usually too hungry first thing in the morning, but believe me, I made an exception. If a chef-curated meal isn’t your thing, coffee and tea are also readily available in the lobby (but if you’ve never had a southern breakfast, I implore you to give it a hearty try!).

I regret that I didn’t have the time to utilize the fitness center or indoor pool during our stay (although next time I’ll have no excuse to miss it, as they just completed renovations on the pool!), and thanks to the weather, the outdoor firepit couldn’t be ignited. Since this visit, Meadowbrook Inn has returned to its usual guest services offerings, like the weekend welcome receptions and afternoon lobby bar. These were temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 during this visit – the hotel made every effort to support the health and safety of their guests and staff – but I can’t wait to return to experience everything as initially intended.

I often talk about sustainability here on wayward, so perhaps my favorite thing about our stay at Meadowbrook Inn is seeing firsthand the strides they’re making for conservation.

A few highlights: there is a Certified Wildlife Habitat (by the National Wildlife Federation) on-site, as well as a duckpond (look at their little tracks in the snow in the image below!), and an educational garden.

The rooftop houses an apiary, and the honey is used in dishes served by the inn’s Executive Chef and is also available for purchase as the sweetest souvenir. Meadowbrook Inn also uses a geothermal HVAC system and energy-efficient lighting. I also admired the hotel’s efforts to find unique ways to incorporate locally sourced goods: the house wine is from right here in North Carolina, and the gallery walls featured art from local artists.

Currently, Meadowbrook Inn is offering an array of specials for all kinds of visits, like a pet-friendly rate and a romance package. But if your trip to the High Country is longer than ours was (lucky you!), they’re also offering a great deal where you can take half off your third night. Head here for more info.

Planning a banquet or corporate event? They’ve got you covered as well, with multiple meeting and event spaces, and full-service catering options (I think I would have enjoyed work retreats much more if they were held at Meadowbrook Inn!).

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA WINTER ACTIVITIES

Hawksnest Snow Tubing and Zipline

Hawksnest Snow Tubing and Zipline | 2058 Skyland Dr, Seven Devils, NC 28604

As much as I enjoy skiing, it’s not a quick activity. It feels like it takes all day just to get to the resorts, rent gear, and get dressed – and that’s before you even sit in the lift chair to head on your first run.

With limited time, snow tubing is an accessible yet thrilling alternative, and Hawksnest Snow Tubing is arguably the largest and best park on the East Coast. With four separate tubing areas and thirty lanes, there’s no chance of getting bored. As Hawksnest limits the number of tickets during each session, you’ll never have to wait long for an open lane – and thanks to their “Magic Carpet” conveyor belt system, it’s just a short ride back to the top to tube again.

Weekend reservations sell out well in advance, but I’ve found that it’s a little more easy to snag a non-holiday weekday booking (plus you’ll save $10 per person!). On the day of your reservation, be sure to arrive at least thirty minutes before your scheduled session. It does take a bit of time to park and pick up your tubing passes, and I promise you don’t want to miss a minute of tubing. And if the road conditions are rough, you’ll want to allow more travel time. Hawksnest is up in the mountains, and you’ll have to navigate some tight turns to reach the tubing park.

My sedan was able to make it up okay as the roads were dry, but had they been icy, I’m not sure we would have been successful in getting there. If you have the option, I recommend using a 4WD or AWD vehicle to be safe.

To stay warm and dry, dress in layers with a waterproof shell – and don’t forget sunglasses or goggles. I was perfectly toasty in a pair of ski pants and my Columbia coat thanks to my wool base layers and accessories (packing list post coming soon!), and was grateful for my polarized shades. Not required, of course, but a rugged camera or cell phone in a sturdy hand is highly recommended! You can watch a video of our day at Hawksnest here.

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Western North Carolina Shops + Boutiques

Escape the cold in the cute (and warm!) shops of Boone and Blowing Rock. Some of my favorite stops on this trip included:

Common Good Co.

Common Good Co. | 685 W King St, Boone, NC 28607

Common Good Co. has been on my list of places to visit for more than a year, and it didn’t disappoint! They carry an assortment of locally-made products, as well as an array of home decor that speaks to my minimal-ish heart. Upstairs is a fine art gallery, if you’re looking for the newest addition to your gallery wall.

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Revolution Clothiers

Revolution Clothiers | 1107 Main St Suite D, Blowing Rock, NC 28605

I’ve driven past Revolution Clothiers‘ Charlotte location countless times, but always when running late to another engagement. Thankfully they just opened a location in Blowing Rock, and I finally had the chance to peruse their curated selection of gifts and trendy clothing. I thought the shop carried a lot of inventory, but they mentioned that the Charlotte store is even larger. So I will definitely be adding that to my list of places to go here in the Queen City!

Anna Banana’s Fine Consignment

Anna Banana's Fine Consignment | 641 W King St #2, Boone, NC 28607

This consignment shop in Boone is an absolute treasure. Anna Banana’s carries a great selection of consigned clothing, and the staff are super warm and friendly. If I wasn’t wearing all of my winter layers, I’d have been tempted to try a few things on (but the struggle of getting dressed again in the winter is real). And I absolutely would have taken advantage of their Dance Discount. Shoppers can take 10% off their full-priced items if they dance at checkout.

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Mast General Store

Mast General Store | 630 W King St, Boone, NC 28607

If you’re ever in a city that has a Mast General Store, stop by for a visit! The location in Boone is actually two separate buildings fused together, and you definitely feel that when you’re shopping. But regardless of which part of the shop you’re in, chances are you’ll find something you like! They carry tons of outdoor clothing and gear from brands like Patagonia, Prana, Smartwool, and more – and if that doesn’t tempt you, the barrels of old-fashioned candy will.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN BLOWING ROCK + BOONE

Betty’s Biscuits

Betty's Biscuits | Permanent storefront coming soon

When on the road in the South, there’s nothing I crave more for breakfast than a warm, flaky biscuit. This Boone-based food truck serves both savory and sweet biscuits, and trust me when I say that one is more than enough – they are massive. Michael and I settled on one of each: the Butterbuster with fried chicken, mayo, and pickles (and we added pimento cheese), and the Trina with seasonal fruit jam (that day, a delicious cinnamon and apple spread). This was the ultimate pre-tubing fuel. We found Betty’s Biscuits at Peabody’s ~~but you can always check here to see where the truck is serving up fresh biscuits next~~ but they will soon be opening a B&M storefront in downtown Boone.

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The Speckled Trout

The Speckled Trout | 922 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605

The Speckled Trout was an obvious choice for dinner in Blowing Rock. This spot is truly local, with its focus on sourcing ingredients from purveyors across the region. Michael had the most difficult time choosing an entree (really, everything sounded delicious), but I couldn’t resist ordering the restaurant’s namesake dish. The almond and cornmeal-crusted trout was perfectly crisp on the outside and juicy inside. We both ordered a side of mac & cheese, but it was the Brussels sprouts that stole the show! Next time I think I’ll be tempted to order a bowl of their chicken ‘n’ dumplings, too.

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Blowing Rock Brewing Co.

Blowing Rock Brewing Co. | 152 Sunset Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605

It felt a bit like cheating on my Charlotte-area breweries by visiting Blowing Rock Brewing Co., but who could blame me? The Ale House is located right in downtown Blowing Rock, a stone’s throw away from our hotel. The barstools were all occupied when we arrived, but we found the cozy nook to the left of the entrance completely empty. It was the perfect spot to curl up next to each other and recount the day’s adventures. My beer of choice? The Cloud Rise Hazy IPA.

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Camp Coffee Roasters

Camp Coffee Roasters | 921 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Camp Coffee Roasters is the place in Blowing Rock to get coffee. As you may have gathered from the name, they roast their own beans – and their coffee is delicious. But what I think I love more is the meaning behind the name: “Camp” stands for “Community, Adventure, Mindfulness, and Passion” and is also an homage to the owners’ last name (Campbell).

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Taqueria El Paso

Taqueria El Paso | 2693 NC-105, Boone, NC 28607

We debated for a long time over what to eat for our final meal of this trip, and I think we made the right choice. Taqueria El Paso is my favorite kind of hole-in-the-wall place – and when I look for Mexican restaurants, I skip over the fajitas and quesadillas to see what lesser-known options are on the menu. Better yet, I check to see if they make their own masa in-house because that usually means they don’t cut corners (and, yep – Taqueria El Paso makes their own!). The huarache I ordered was golden-crisp and topped with a mountain of chorizo and steak. Next time I think I’ll go for the Al Pastor huarache – the filling in the taco I ordered was heaven.

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Hatchet Coffee

Hatchet Coffee | 150A Den Mac Dr, Boone, NC 28607

Boone’s Hatchet Coffee was our final stop before heading home, and the trip certainly ended on a high note! This off-the-beaten-path coffee shop is surprisingly light and airy inside, and most of the seats were filled with people working on laptops and sipping lattes. I enjoyed perusing their selection of locally made items for sale while our coffees were being made, and we couldn’t help but take home a trinket from their Curio vending machine.

WITH MORE TIME: WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

I’m already itching to get back to WNC! With more time, I’d check out some of the many hiking trails in the area (the Glen Burney Trail hike to the waterfalls was on our list for this trip, but it was just too much to squeeze in comfortably), explore more of the shops and cafes in downtown Blowing Rock and Boone, and go skiing or sledding. And of course, visit some of the major attractions in the area like The Blowing Rock, Tweetsie Railroad, and Grandfather Mountain.

And a note on traveling safely:

If you are choosing to travel now, please do so kindly and wisely. While anything can happen to anyone, anywhere, there are some measures you can take to protect your health and safety and that of other locals and travelers at your destination. Isolate prior to traveling, and test and monitor for symptoms before leaving home. While at your destination, follow all federal and local health guidelines – and please be courteous to those who have to enforce them. Be sure to pack enough masks for your trip, plan for as many outdoor activities as possible, and read up on your accommodation’s policies and safety efforts.

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A huge thank you to the Meadowbrook Inn for making this trip possible by hosting our stay at their gorgeous Blowing Rock property (and for their generous hospitality!) - and to Hawksnest Snow Tubing for providing tubing passes (and thrills!) during our visit.

Have you visited Western NC? Do you have a favorite mountain town?