A Visit To This Stunning Mountaintop Mansion In North Carolina Is A Springtime Dream

Without fail, we always say that springtime in the mountains of North Carolina is our favorite time of year. We've found little to compare to the bright hues of the season that return to the landscape and blanket the mountain ranges. One springtime adventure worthy of a stop every year is a visit to Flat Top Manor located right on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 294 in Blowing Rock. If you're looking for something different to do with your family this spring, read on to learn about this magical place in North Carolina.

Flat Top Manor is an estate that sits at an elevation of 4,500 feet and affords stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The grand home was built here between 1899 and 1901 by Moses H. Cone and contains 13,000 square feet. During spring in North Carolina, you can visit and take a tour of this popular destination.

The stunning architectural elements, both inside and out, are an impressive testament to the local craftsmanship of the era. Cone's original plans for Flat Top Manor were to cost $25,000 to build - in an era when $200 would build an ordinary (much smaller) home on the same spot.

As impressive as the home is, the real springtime attraction at Flat Top Manor is the view and the many miles of walking paths on the property. The most popular of them begins at the foot of the grand entrance staircase and is called "The Figure Eight Trail."

The expansive property boasts many additional trails and old carriage paths to explore. The Flat Top Mountain Trail is considerably longer (4.8 miles) and leads through spectacular fields filled with wildflowers. Along the way, you'll see the Cone Cemetery, pass under a stone archway, and reach a four-story fire tower.

Back at the main house, you can also explore local and regional crafts at the gift shop of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Feel free to also shop for keepsakes in the bookstore and relax on one of the many rocking chairs on the expansive front porch. All these options make for an ideal visit.

The National Park Service provides guided tours of the upstairs, where you'll get a peek at even more of this opulent mansion on the hill. Therefore, if you're looking to combine history and time outdoors, put Flat Top Manor on your list of things to do in North Carolina in spring.

Many locals and visitors alike make a springtime visit to Flat Top Manor (Moses Cone Mansion) a regular rite of the season. It's such a beautiful spot to spend the day, it's easy to see why!

The National Park Service operates Flat Top Manor at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. The house is open seasonally, from April through November. The grounds are open year-round unless the parkway is closed due to inclement weather. For more information, visit the official website of the National Park Service.

If you'd like to explore some more, check out these additional places to visit along the Blue Ridge Parkway during spring in North Carolina. We also suggest looking at these things to do in North Carolina in spring when you need ideas of what to do with your family during the season.  Feel free to also reference Viator to learn of more unique experiences to do during springtime in North Carolina.