2025 is a great year to focus on spending time as a family by seeing more of our amazing state. One way to do this is to plan either a road trip or a weekend away to see a different part of the state each month.
I’m excited to be sharing this year-long series, Getaway Guide, where each month, I’ll showcase a new place to visit in NC. For January, it’s only fitting I feature a destination that truly embraces winter and its dazzling beauty.
Blowing Rock is full of small town charm, wintry fun and gorgeous mountain views. Every January, they throw their annual WinterFest that is a great time for the entire family. It’s the perfect time to pack up the car, grab the family and see what winter in the mountains is all about!
A Special Mountain Town
Amanda Lugenbell, assistant director of Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority, says of this special mountain town, “Blowing Rock has a unique charm, full of hometown warmth and genuine friendliness that welcomes visitors like neighbors. The town is compact and walkable, with gathering places sprinkled throughout for catching up with friends, whether that’s a row of park benches or a cozy outdoor dining patio.”
Its location off Interstates 321 and 221 also makes it an ideal hub to explore the NC High Country and Blue Ridge Mountains areas.
Top Five Things To Do in Blowing Rock
While in town, you won’t want to miss doing or seeing these five things!
- Stroll the downtown area and check out its restaurants and shops.
- Enjoy the ultimate winter activities of skiing, snowboarding and ice skating at Appalachian Ski Mountain.
- Check out the 25 miles of carriage trails at Cone Memorial Park.
- Visit the town’s namesake, The Blowing Rock, to see incredible and unforgettable views.
- Learn and have fun at The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum. Admission is always free!
Why Visit in January?
While any time of year is great to visit Blowing Rock, you won’t want to miss the chance to visit in January when WinterFest takes place. This family friendly festival which started in 1998 as a small event to showcase the fun of winter has grown into an annual huge event that attracts people well outside of Blowing Rock.
WinterFest aims to help locals and visitors celebrate winter with a variety of outdoor, cold-weather fun activities and cozy, delicious food and drink. You’ll want to see and enjoy as much as you can at this festival, but here are a few must-do activities.
- Polar Bear Plunge at Chetola Resort – This activity is an OG and has been with the festival since its creation!
- Blowing Rock WinterFeast – Try out many local food options at this restaurant showcase.
- Ice Stroll – Marvel at the downtown ice carving displays.
- Ice Carving Demonstrations in Memorial Park – See first hand how ice carvings happen and the amount of work that goes into them.
- Chilly Chili Challenge – See things heat up at the chili competition!
- Winterfest Beer Garden – Grab one of your favorite brews or try a new one.
- Wine Tasting & Auction – Enjoy trying out some wines and take home your favorite ones.
- WinterPaws Dog Show – Don’t forget to check out this great event showing off our furry friends.
Since parking is tricky on busy festival days, if you are visiting for a weekend, try to stay at a hotel or rental in town so that you’re close to and within walking distance of all the fun. Lugenbell also shares this parking tip, “The parking lot by the Robbins Pool is often the last one to fill up. The walk to Main Street is a pleasant two blocks – follow the History Walk stations through Broyhill Park and up Laurel Lane.”
So, this winter, don’t hibernate and miss out, but instead, head to Blowing Rock’s WinterFest and celebrate this overlooked season!
Details to Visit Blowing Rock & Attend WinterFest
Distance from Winston-Salem: Just under two hours.
Learn more about Blowing Rock: blowingrock.com
Learn more about WinterFest: blowingrockwinterfest.com
Dates: WinterFest takes place Thursday, January 25th – Sunday, January 28th
Instagram: @blowingrocknc
