9 Reasons To Visit The Magical Small Town Of Blowing Rock, North Carolina At Christmastime

All over North Carolina each holiday season, towns and cities come alive with festive occasions to gather with family and friends to celebrate the season. From Christmas lights on Main Streets to holiday walks, drive-through light displays, and more, you'll find a wealth of opportunities brimming with holiday cheer awaiting in the Tar Heel State. One of our favorite little towns to visit during Christmastime is Blowing Rock. If you've never headed to this tiny mountain town during the holidays, it's one of the best Christmas towns in the US, and here are nine great reasons to go:

1. Main Street at night

Blowing Rock's merchants and residents deck the halls with enchanting lights and displays during the holidays. Stoll down the street popping in and out of retail shops, galleries, and restaurants. With or without snow, it's loaded with Christmas charm.

2. Tweetsie Railroad Christmas

A visit to Blowing Rock during the holidays just wouldn't be complete without a ride on the Tweetsie Railroad's Christmas train all decked out in twinkling lights. Plus, the evening promises a visit with Santa in his very own gingerbread house and even a Christmas show!

3. Blowing Rock's Christmas In The Park

This two-day Blowing Rock Christmas festival takes place on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. On Friday, meet Santa, play carnival games, and listen to live music while sipping hot cocoa and cider. Then, at sunset witness the magical lighting of the town. Stick around for Saturday's Christmas Parade.

4. Shopping!

Blowing Rock's Main Street area is a charming shopping district perfect for finding one-of-a-kind gifts for loved ones. Plus, at Christmastime, the windows are decked out with cheerful holiday decor. For more shopping, head a short distance from Main Street to the Tangier Outlet Mall.

5. The Blowing Rock

Round out any visit to Blowing Rock with a jaunt over to THE Blowing Rock, North Carolina's oldest outdoor attraction. The mountain views from here are unsurpassed. It first opened to the public in 1933, but has been a regular destination for sightseeing pilgrimages for much, much longer. It's open throughout the holiday season, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. Learn even more about this unique attraction that sits on the edge of town in our previous article about THE Blowing Rock.

6. Linn Cove Viaduct and the Blue Ridge Parkway

As a National Park entity, the Blue Ridge Parkway is subject to closings due to inclement weather during the winter, but the entrance to the Parkway is a mere mile from Main Street. And the Linn Cove Viaduct is only minutes from there. You'll soon see why it's the most photographed segment of the entire 469-mile highway.

7. The Cone Manor

The Cone Manor is the highlight of Moses Cone Memorial Park. This stately old mansion is open to the public and affords amazing views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the grounds of the park. Plan to spend some time in the Southern Highlands Craft Guild gift shop within this mansion from the Guilded Age. It's perfect for finding holiday gifts!

8. Appalachian Ski Mountain

Outdoor enthusiasts from all over the southeast travel to the Blowing Rock area for the wintertime sports the area offers — including Appalachian Ski Mountain. The mountain is already open for the season, so bring your ski gear and enjoy daytime skiing on this fun mountain.

9. Lightseeing (sightseeing the lights) at Chetola Resort

Free and open to the public, the Festival of Lights is a drive-through event the whole family will enjoy. Chetola Resort's dazzling holiday lights are spread throughout the resort, including outlining the buildings with sparkling lights, and whimsical figures around the lake.

Visiting the High Country at Christmastime is guaranteed to put anyone in the holiday spirit. Do you agree that Blowing Rock is one of the best Christmas towns in the US? If not, what's your favorite town to visit at Christmas?

And for more outdoor fun near Blowing Rock during the holidays, head to Seven Devils for a spin down the longest snow tubing run in North Carolina!