The Blowing Rock Reviews

Its a nice little park to visit which have some incredible views, along with a photo gallery and of course the only way out through the gift shop. Go and have a picnic and enjoy the views and the very nice staff.

Not only was it a lovely sight, we enjoyed being able to take photos from angles that appeared we might have climbed higher than we were actually able to venture ~ that added to our enjoyment.

We stopped here to kill some time on our family trip and it was a pleasant surprise. The kids enjoyed climbing on the rocks and feeling the wind on their face. The views are awe inspiring. This is worth the stop!

This is an okay attraction especially for the story, but it's not Grandfather Mountain. Price is reasonable for outstanding views but don't believe that myth that if you jump off the rock you'll float back up.

We enjoyed our inexpensive visit to the blowing rock. The views are amazing and it was a lovely place to explore for 1-2 hours.

Enjoyed the Blowing Rock. Beautiful scenery from the observation deck. 1/4 mile nature trail. Snack shop. $6 for seniors.

The title of my review says it all really. if you are in Blowing Rock or anywhere near Boone or Linville NC it is easy to get to.. I think it cost $7 to get in. It was nice know the legend behind the rock and the views are gorgeous on a good day.

I hadn't been here in years and it has improved and grown. Very nice grounds and well maintained paths

We felt the need to see “The Blowing Rock” while in town. It’s not far off the main road. I was surprised to find an entrance fee but at least it was only $7. There isn’t much of anything to do there other than see the rock, experience the wind (they say it’s the only place in the world where it snows upside down) and walk a few trails. The view is beautiful.

There’s a trail with gardens, small garden ponds and places to sit and relax. There’s an observation tower with really nice views of the mountains. We really enjoyed it and it’s very relaxing and beautiful there.

Wonderful experience here! So many awesome lookouts and big gift shop! I especially loved the earrings!! I could stay here all day! So relaxing while getting exercise and seeing the beautiful mountains! Very friendly staff!

So clean and well-kept. The staff was friendly and helpful. The gift shop we absolutely loved. There was a cost of nine dollars per person which somehow we missed in our reviews before we went but it was worth it.

This is a very small privately owned attraction. It will cost you $6 or so to get in. They have a great photo op for people who want to sit on the blowing rock. The scenery is fantastic. Pick a sunny day.

This was a great way to spend an hour or so taking in all the views. We did the different trails on the path which was nice. Their mascot Lillian (a cat) followed us around begging for attention. She is super friendly. I would budget at least an hour here.

Amazing views from this place. You can learn from the history. You can climb the rock and take an amazing photo. It is good to go with the family. They have a small and nice shop. We had a good time and enjoyed the views.

I took my family to Blowing Rock, NC during our Spring Break vacation this year. We visited the Blowing Rock and thoroughly enjoyed the views and picture opportunities. The kids had a great time with Lena the Cat! My wife and I honeymooned in Blowing Rock NC 24 years ago (1995) and really enjoyed being back to see our initials carved in the railing.

This was a excellent viewing place with a nice museum of pictures and history about the area. There are some nice souvenirs if you’re looking for shirts and pottery. Good for all ages,

For whatever reason I had never previously been to The Blowing Rock even though I had been visiting the area for over 20 years. I am glad I went. Nicely done walking areas. Beautiful views. Neat small museum. I will come back.

Not unlike Plymouth Rock...it's just a rock protrusion that is smaller than you expect. There is a charge to visit the grounds where the rock exists. Nice, easy little trail to get there, a small snack bar and , of course, a gift shop.

Gorgeous Views. The morning we were there it was windless, but we could see clouds rising from the mountains across the valley. Go early during busy seasons like the fall, or there will not be adequate parking. We enjoyed being there. Pictures don't really cut it, you have to be there to experience it in full.

Appreciated this for being an easy but beautiful stop. I bet in the fall and spring it would be extremely pretty.

Interesting view from the area but was not worth paying to get into when there are so many sights for free along the parkway.

Nice place to stay peaceful. Great area to go with kids. Has lot of things to do around. Specially on winter. We come back every year

We could not visit the small mountain town of Blowing Rock without a stop at the landmark attraction, The Blowing Rock. With discounts for seniors, military, vets, etc. the $14.00 admission for two we paid was not too steep.
We arrived just after 9 a.m. when the facility opened and were among the first customers. After admission we moved outside and were greeted by the main attraction. The steady breeze coming up the valley was impressive. The rock itself is small, but the cliff is impressive. The trails are very short and well groomed. Even the trail marked ‘strenuous’ was easy (as long as you had decent shoes; the flipflop/slides crowd did not fare so well).
Every part of this attraction is well managed and immaculate. I appreciated the labels for some of the plants. There is a small pond with enormous koi, another with some sliders (water turtles), a small museum with some local history, a snack bar and a couple of gift shops.
We were amused by the logo for The Blowing Rock on advertisements. It looked like a big sister hanging her little sister over the edge to be held up by the breeze. In fact it is an apocryphal tale of an ‘Indian Princess’ and her ‘Brave’, a legend of an illicit relationship carried on the winds of love. The actual logo is a bit clearer than the silhouette in the ads.

The Blowing Rock is pet friendly. Definitely worth the trip. Plan on about an hour.

Since the town was named for it you have to make the stop. However the only thing to see is the blowing rock besides a nice view of the surrounding vistas which is mostly inhabited so plenty housing interjected in the views.

Little disappointing. Nice to know why it’s called The Blowing Rock though.

We visited on Monday morning. It was overwhelmingly peaceful, and we enjoyed the panoramic views. It is a well-maintained property, and the trails offer walkers of all levels to experience the legend of the rock. We enjoyed the museum, seeing the birds, turtles, and the 2 resident cats. The gift shop was very nice and the original building has an informational video playing along with helpful docent.

Lovely time, picturesque friendly and so much to do. Ore lodge Mountaineer inn and Lodge was comfortable and cozy.

The views are incredible. Slow
down and soak in the views. You could spend 15-30.minutes and say you've seen them. God's creation deserves to be slowed down and enjoy them

Downtown Blowing Rock is always a treat to visit especially in the fall. It’s an easy place to stroll, shop and eat. Laid back with good mountain vibes.

This was a picturesque roadside stop which is worth the $7 admission to visit. An hour is ample time to explore the rocks and paths. We did not know what to expect and would have liked knowing that you drive up, park, walk through the gift shop, and there it is! Again, breathtaking views!

Short trails behind the rock, photo gallery, observation deck and beautiful landscaping. Very clean restrooms and friendly staff

lots of people. the views are fantastic. definitely a must see while in town. lots of fun pictures to be taken.

We paid $18 for the opportunity to shop in the gift shop. Save your money and nap in the car, your time will be better spent.

A stop in the town of Blowing Rock and a visit to the rock itself is a fun way to spend the day. The town itself has many shops to visit. It reminded me of New Hope PA.

I guess you need to check out the actual Blowing Rock, but it’s set up as being a somewhat overpriced tourist trap.
The grounds are fairly well kept and the views are spectacular. We checked it out midweek after season and it was still busier that I thought it would be. Guessing during peak foliage or the summer it’s absolutely packed. If so, it wouldn’t be much fun.
Glad we did it and took some decent pics, I think, but overall……eh.

After paying admission in the building off the parking lot The Blowing Rock is a very short walk; I think the ticket counter said 39 steps. It's easy to climb up it for that postcard picture moment. There is a look out area beyond the rock down a paved path with coin operated binoculars. From this lookout the mountains are identified for you on a chart. Its a great view barring any cloud cover.

Was a unique stop. It was nice to walk out and look at the mountains in a safe environment. The price felt a little high for admission. The gift shop has several unique items (admission is not required). Glad we stopped but probably will not return.

Enjoy this attraction for a nominal entry fee of $7.00.

Various look out areas and walkways to enjoy the splendid views.

Get outdoors and appreciate nature's beauty.

Beautiful place! Easy walk out and great views from the observation deck....except it was very foggy the day we went.

Blowing Rock has gorgeous views that are easily accessible and the prices are incredibly affordable. A definite must see in the area.

Very nice views. Lovely place to relax. A great gift shop. We enjoyed the short trail under the rock. Tickets are very reasonable and dog friendly.

Wonderful place to go. Staff was amazing 🙂
The whole family got to hang out with Ruth and Grover. Scenery is beautiful. Gift shop has really great gift ideas.

The views were breathtaking! the flowers were in bloom so the location was just beautiful. We loved the different vantage points. We wished the ice cream shop had been open since we were looking forward to Hershey's I.C.

Excellent prices, children under 4 free, discounts for Veterans, active duty military and seniors. It was a beautiful clear day, not overly packed. Stunning views of the mountains, easy to walk paths, nice little seating area and food and drink spots. Loved the tower! Not to much for those with kids or those with issues walking. Had a lovely time reading the Native American Blowing Rock story. Loved the ponds with turtles and fish, the museum was ok, lots of cute trinkets to buy in the shops.

Great place to visit! The scenery is beautiful and nice shop to rest in. Great photo ops too! Very clean and relaxing!

Classic old school tourist attraction. Pay, go through the gift shop and then out on to a short trail to the Blowing Rock. Fantastic views of the mountains. Several nice overlook platforms. Completely dog friendly, they let the dogs go everywhere but the snack bar. One of the cheaper attractions around.

We went early and it was a beautiful place to see the mountains and explore with it being nice and cool. Lots of pretty flowers and nice lookout points. The rock itself is neat but nothing extraordinary to see unless, maybe you climb on it.

We enjoyed our visit there. A well-run spot, although it is small, but the facility and trails are well-maintained, the view of autumn foliage is phenomenal.

A must see while in Blowing Rock it is a small area but well worth it for the beautiful views! The price is only 7 dollars a person.

Easy to walk around surrounded by flowers & great views! There is a small turtle pond and a beautiful black cat who was sleeping in one of the flower beds. Rest rooms, ice cream and a small museum are at the top.

Gorgeous views! A pretty walk to wander along and to be amazed at the mountain scenery... and the legend of The Blowing Rock of course: just magical. A must go stop!

Very interesting place with history. Very pretty grounds, but the view is just about all there is to it.

you inter into the gift shop you shop before and after your visit. Very short and easy family time the view was picturesque with the new open view landing they added. Small so of climb on the blowing rocks for view is nice too. The ice cream shop/snacks good just enjoy the views. The weather was great cool and sunny just worth for a beautiful day.

Easy to access but be prepared to wait in a little line. Parking isn’t the biggest lot. Small museum with lots of pictures, memorabilia, and minerals from the area not just The blowing rock. Many different areas to look out and see amazing views!!! The rock itself is quite busy so you won’t get any photos without people on it unless you can be the first one there or last ones to leave. You can climb at your own risk up on the rock which is pretty steep. It’s very, very windy so hold tight to your hats, shirts, phones, maps, and tiny people. Some people’s shirts were literally blowing up to their necks which was a sight to laugh at! Amazing views from the highest lookout deck with the biggest shirt issues. Small gift shop with stickers, pins, shirts, toys, magnets etc. Some negative reviews left me nervous but I’m really glad we went!

The welcome center and gift store were clean and staff was very friendly. The Blowing Rock, trails and the view were all great!

We had a great day, walking trails, looking over the observation tower and taking photos. Beautiful views and super nice staff. $24 for 4 of us to visit but we stayed 3 hours or so. We even saw the car that resides here and it let us pet it.

The day we went there wasn’t much wind so the wind current phenomena wasn’t really noticeable but the views were phenomenal. If you are in the area it would be an interesting stop.

We visited The Blowing Rock because we had some time to kill. I think admission was $21 for 2 adults and one child. Definitely worth $21. Great overlook and cool to see the actual blowing rock. The grounds are neat and well kept.

Went to see the rock that the legend surrounds-didn't expect to see such a spectacular view of the mountains. There is also a small peaceful garden with a Koi pond & turtles in another.

Total tourist trap; $9 to see a rock and views you could see by driving up the mountain. It is literally a 5 minute view. They use a gift shop and an ice cream store along with some wood decking ( trail ) to make you feel like you are getting something. I felt really stupid for paying $18 to enter. Don’t do it.

Nice to return after more than 10 years and see this attraction still has it's rustic charm. They've added a boardwalk & steps that go down a short distance into the canyon, but other than that it hasn't changed much. It doesn't warrant more than the price of admission ($7 for seniors) as the views are all it has to offer, but the views are spectacular when the weather cooperates. The gift shop is over priced ~ go into town for your souvenirs.

We stumbled across this place while looking for a place to find a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The view was spectacular and the little Museum was so cute and fun.

The 4000-foot mountain village of Blowing Rock is delightful to visit. There are a number of boutique hotels and restaurants. Views of the valley and several mountains like Mount Mitchell and Grandfather Mountain can be had almost anywhere. There is, though, an official area of “The Blowing Rock.”

The original house and property are North Carolina’s “Oldest Travel Attraction” since 1933. If you happen to visit the properties bathroom down in the “basement,” you just know the house is original. The antique turnstile is in the museum with a counter numbering hundreds of thousands of people that have come through this attraction over the years.

On the website, there is clear warning about their pet policy. Your dog needs to be on a leash. The wording implies that your dog may meet “children, cats and other dogs.” We came across two friendly cats inside. The white cat is named “Moon.” They usually perch themselves on a high level consciously aware of every dog that enters.

We thought the cost for seniors at $8 was a fair price. There is a friendly woman that will explain everything about the premise. She is indeed very good explaining the attraction. A colorful map will be given to you. Close by is an inviting tourist shop with everything from tee-shirts to magnets and postcards.

At the time of our visit in mid-April, the sun was out; the sky blue; but it was 37F and winds around 15 mph. I only had shorts and my rain jacket to keep warm. The café did have the best hot chocolate however.

At this particular area, winds do sweep up from the gorge below—hence the name. There is are actual rocks that look like Maui’s “Dragon Teeth.” Going out on these rocks is at your discretion i.e., climb at your own risk.

There are several short trails and even a viewing platform of the valley.

A dedicated museum is filled with pictures that date back over 80 years ago. In a smaller room, there is even a rock/mineral collection. I thought the turnstile was the coolest artifact though.

Blowing Rock date back 250 million years ago. The actual geological area dates back over 1000 million years ago. At one time, the Chickasaw and Cherokee Indians were here. Legend states that a brave leaped off the rocks torn by a love for a woman. Winds brought him back into the woman’s arms though. After feeling those winds, I have a tendency to believe the legend.

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We came twice. Once in August with our kids and it poured rained so everything was fogged in. Hubby & I went the last weekend in September and the weather was better so you could see more. I highly suggest calling ahead to check and see how the visibility is on the day of your trip. There is a $9 entry fee per adult.

Stopped by on our way out of Boone. I had visited here way back in the 60s so I enjoyed seeing it again. My wife had never seen it so she really was blown away by the views.

It is a small sized attraction but worth the small entry fee just for the view.

The Blowing Rock is such a beautiful formation surrounded by views of mountains and valleys. Be sure to take the time to read about how it was formed and some of the mysteries and legends surrounded the rock. We did some hiking to Glen Burney and Glen Marie waterfalls which weren't too far away.

I had to visit this as it is North Carolina's oldest tourist attraction! While it is just a jutting out rock, the views are lovely and the little museum is interesting. At $12 for an adult to see it, its a bit of nostalgic fun.😊

Read TA but decided to go to Blowing Rock on leaving town. Oh my so glad we did. Yes I agree this park is not large and the charge $7 but in my opinion was so worth it. The views are amazing, many photo opportunities. The place is spotless, toilets very clean and lots of history to take In. Beautiful gardens and ladies in shop very chatty and pleased to see us.

Beautiful view. Friendly staff. Sight seeing location does charge a fee, but it’s good for the whole day. Good if you pass by during different times of day for natural lighting & snapshots.

It was OK - we were just expecting something more! It took us about 10 minutes tops to do the trail...just wasn't all that!

The view is just breathtaking. The grounds are well kept and very clean. The flowers are beautiful. Just fun walking around and strolling.

Nice stopping point for a quick look at the mountains and the famous and original "Blowing Rock". There is an admission charge of $7.00 for adults and $6 for Seniors and kids. Total stop only took us one hour including the gift shop. (Wife had to buy a tee shirt, of course.) Paths are easy to walk for 70+ year olds.

Just one part of Appalacia you must visit. Amazing views. Classic gift shop.Clean restrooms. $7.00 per person admission to access the views. I visit everytime I'm in the area. ...great views of the grandfather and grandmother mountains

For seniors, it's $6 to get in, but the views are well worth it. The ticket is good for all day, so after an early morning visit, we came back in the early evening and had the place almost to ourselves.

The scenery is beautiful, but it is a small area with a lot of steps. The brochure states the grounds are 70% handicap accessible. That is difficult to believe. It never mentions in the brochure that in order to get to the Robbins Ridge Trail you need to go 164 steps (which were not paved - easy to navigate steps) and there is a 100 ft. drop. There is signage as you get to the trail indicating that information and suggesting children under 12 do not use the trail or anyone with limitations avoid the trail. We were disappointed and frustrated. I think this information should be clearly stated in the brochure.

We spent about an hour touring the Blowing Rock area. The visit only costed $7 per person (Sr. Citizen) so it was very reasonable. The rock itself is not that impressive but the walks on the trails offered beautiful views and an easy hike. The town of Blowing Rock is really attractive as well.

The "blowing rock" for which the town is named was somewhat anticlimactic. a short trail around it, a "museum" mostly composed of material promoting other (privately held) attractions in the area, two kitsch-filled gift shops. Not worth the cost of admission ($7, $6 for seniors).

We were in the area so we decided to stop and check it out. It’s $9 per person to get in. There’s a couple of short trails with views of the surrounding mountains. The rock formations are not far from the entrance. It’s nice! Not sure it’s worth what they charge to get in.

This was a lovely stop on our weekend getaway. It was only $9 admission per adult. Yes, it's a small area. But the views are amazing, the rocks are really cool and you can climb on them if you want, and the story is great. The grounds are obviously cared for, with a small garden waterfall and turtle pond, and a couple of very short hiking trails, one of which was pretty strenuous for those of us who are not in as good of shape we used to be.
The highlight for us were the three cats who roam the park, who were super friendly and happily offered their ears for scratching and few purrs and nudges, as well.

The word is overused nowadays, but this site is truly magnificent. While we were visiting we went through 2-3 weather changes in a 2 hour period. Fantastic pictures, and the wind showed why it is such a stellar location.

What in the world did I just pay for? This is horrible. Maybe in the Fall with colors to look out over it nice. But this was a waste of an hour drive one way, 15 minutes inside and all of us wondering what the heck is the big deal.

The blowing rock is not very big. You can do the whole walkway and small museum in about 30 minutes. The cost is $7 each. There are two small nature walkways and one observation tower overlooking the valley and another over looking the blowing rock. The small museum has a lot of history about the area. Small gift shop on the property and snacks available for purchase. The view is beautiful.

A nice small, easy to navigate park. Beautiful views and areas for photos. We enjoyed the time here.

Must visit site. The views are breath-taking and worth the visit. there are different walking/hiking areas; the upper level is easy and most can enjoy the entire loop. There is a more challenging path for experienced hikers. Plenty of areas to enjoy a snack or picnic. Some food is available on site.

Spectacular views without the hassle of hiking. Well run and well developed site for easy access to blowing rock. Good gift shop as well, along with a small cafe. Nice, helpful staff.

$7pp admission but we enjoyed the experience. The views are as stunning as u can get on east coast, with exception maybe of NH.

Even though I was unable to do a lot of walking and climbing, I did manage to enjoy the scenery at The Blowing Rock. There is a trail I would have liked to have walked, so hopefully when I go again I'll be able to do that.

We visited this little spot during peak fall season. It was beautiful. It’s an easy walk to the rock and all the lookout points.

We were really excited to see the rock formation but a bit underwhelmed by it. The plaque with the legend of the rock was a nice touch. The views are beautiful, an observation deck and walkways optimize viewing. The grounds are beautifully maintained with a waterfall, koi pond and turtles. Various historic photos and artifacts from the area are exhibited. There is a snack bar and ample seating with shade. Large gift shop. We spent a total of 20 minutes outdoors and 10 minutes at the gift shop.

Description says a self-guided tour would be about 25 minutes, but I could easily spend one hour here and the $7.00 entry fee is worth every penny (I got the senior citizen discount). There are incredible views of the surrounding mountains, a museum with tons of history of the area, lots of gems and minerals on display, short trails to walk on, a gift/souvenier shop, and a snack area where they also sell local crafts. There are a few overlooks in several places to see the views. The Robbins Ridge Trail has a lot of stairs leading to a sitting area and then of course you must go back up those stairs, but it is worth the climb -- beautiful trail along the way with stunning views. I plan to go again when it is not so crowded (it was fall leaf season when I went) and take my time to really aborb all it has to offer.

We stumbled apon this place as we were out seeing the sites. I am glad we found it, the views are Awesome. The only down fall was there was not much to do. Kids got bord after seeing the views. We also were starving and there was no food availible except ice cream. People were picnicing there and that is exactly what we would do next trip.

Really wish it was free...having to pay for a view sucks. But it offers on heck of a view and multiple different views as well. The visitor center store is filled with Blowing Rock merchandise. Would easily recommend to anyone.

We had seen lots of pictures online of this famous rock and decided that we must see it while visiting nearby. The area, the rock, and the sweeping views were fabulous. However, we weren't here for more than an hour and there wasn't much to see, other than the rock, that can't be seen elsewhere on the Blue Ridge Parkway for free. We were glad to see it, but would not recommend going out of your way for it.

Very good attraction. Certainly a must see when visiting Blowing Rock. We visited during midweek and no crowds to deal with, just beautiful scenery to enjoy.

Been coming to Blowing Rock for years , this was our first time visiting The Blowing Rock . Nice view on a clear day , short walk & interesting legend and history . Passing through it’s worth the stop .

Never took the time before when in area and found this interesting as well nice view.
Learning how the wind and rock interact along with trails that are easy to do.

$9 admission for a rock and a great view. Pass. I did buy a walking stick plaque for 7.25. Overpriced. I was really quite disappointed

My husband and I did this trail. Not too many people on it and it was pretty easy on the feet. Great story on the Blowing Rock.... Google it! Lol

I am sure the ROCK is great during the spring, summer and fall but in Jan, the wind chill out there as around zero. So the $6 you spend will probably not equate to alot of time but the view is spectacular

The charge for entry is high $7 adult for a walk. Views however are great so if you have extra cash go.

The blowing rock

Not much wind today.

Warm and calm. What I like about this place is that everything is close. You don’t have to climb a steep hill or cross a deep river. Simple.

Beautiful rock! Good shop.

Awesome pictures!

Highly recommended

A lot of $ for a few min of fun. I'm glad we went but I thought it would be more interesting. The views were beautiful and I'm assuming would be awesome at sunset.

For $7 it was not a bad call. The Blowing Rock itself is not that much, can think of many more time worthy rock formations but it is what it is. Winter doesn't do the vistas any justice but you can understand how the shape that mother nature provided has captured imaginations over the years and worth a quick stop in. My wife was more captivated by the Cats on site I think ? Kids will love it.

We visited Blowing Rock very early in the morning and it was very quiet. The blond lady at the entrance was very friendly and passionate. Stunning View. Funny old photos, artefacts and newspaper from the old times at the little exhibition center.
Toilets available. Secured pathway.
Considering the entrance fee, we would expect a bit more free services, like binoculars, or a guided tour.

I’m not sure what I expected but, it’s a beautiful place to visit just not much to it. It’s basically a ledge with a beautiful rock on it that has a breathtaking view that costs $19 to go take a few pictures on. Can’t say I have any desire to return🤷‍♀️
But, to each there own.

The Blowing Rock itself is certainly a cool landmark, and a great place for some photos - however I definitely do not believe what the place offers is worth the admission fee, when one can get better views at the nearby Grandfather Mountain.

Trails are extremely short, and there is a very small museum with a few artifacts of the area.

Coolest non-rock thing in the park is the cat that was lying around, I presume owned by the park.

Go if you can, but definitely not a must-see.

I stayed at the Blowing Rock Inn Monday night (10-28). The room was very clean. AND well maintained. Everything looked great and the AC and Heat control was very easy. Folks there were very helpful and nice.Really nice room.

This is a place you must visit! Great place for pictures and the lookouts are beautiful. You may come back the same day with your ticket.

Panoramic views with crazy winds. Hence the name I guess. 😀 It was fun using the binoculars on the overlooks to see far away. They still only cost 25 cents. You can even see Charlotte in the distance!

After 47 years of living in North Carolina and traveling repeatedly to Blowing Rock, I finally decided to visit this "tourist attraction" just outside of town. I had always reasoned that $10 was kind of a ridiculous amount to pay for some good mountain overlooks, many of which are just as good--and free--from the Blue Ridge Parkway. But I was wrong to stay away! This year on our annual mountain-based weekend, I asked my whole family (14 in all) to accompany me to "the Rock." When we turned into the parking lot, we were impressed with how carefully everything was maintained. When we walked into the entrance/ticket building, we were greeted by a very friendly woman who was clearly eager for all of us to enjoy the experience her establishment was offering. Beyond the building came a very short walk (just what I as an 80-year-old wanted) to three overlooks. It was a sunny, warm, joyfully windy day, but I suspect it would have been lovely in any weather. We took family pictures with the help of strangers, and we ate fine ice cream in the little shop near the highest overlook. We reveled in the wind and the beauty all around us. Worth every penny and more.

Very cool! Amazing views . Easy to walk and see everything. Old time picture gallery. sleeping turtles!! Waterfall wasn’t what I expected

Beautiful views from many vantage points. The little historical museum was interesting. Doesn't take much time to see this.

Stopped in there also while we were in the area and great place to check out!! Just looking at the views and history a must stop in place if your in the area!

We are told that the wind always blows at the Blowing Rock and our experience proves that to be a true statement. The small park is beautifully maintained with neat paths, blooming seasonal flowers, a well-stocked gift shop, and a small snack shop (which was not open when we were there due to COVID restrictions). There is a pictorial museum of the area that holds some interesting memorabilia.
There is an Indian legend surrounding the rock which you will read when you arrive. This is one of, if not the, oldest attraction in North Carolina. I can just imagine the number of objects that were tossed over the edge to see if they did indeed blow back up. Of course, that is not allowed these days, but I’m sure it was in 1933, the year of it’s ‘founding’. The scenery is spectacular from here. I would allow 30 minutes-one hour.

I’m sorry, I just can’t agree with many of the other reviewers. I’m not sure what I was expecting - they did say it’s a rock. And yeah, it’s a nice but small park. And they have a great view and you can stand on a rock and take a selfie. Just like at numerous overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway……for free! My advice: Stop at an overlook to soak in the view and climb on a rock, save your money, and buy an ice cream cone downtown.

With all the hype about the wind coming up over Blowing Rock, we visited on a day that was without wind! Nice area, short walk, scenic views, but not worth going out of your way to visit if you aren't in the immediate area.

Beautiful scenery and ample places for photos! Walking trails that are fairly easy to navigate and manicured grounds.

Pressure treated lumber on the stairs was really high quality. Also a sweet koi fish and good leaves

The rock of course is a natural phenomena that you must experience to believe it. The views and trails on the property are breathtaking. What I found to be moving were the stories and pictures inside the museum. I am always fascinated by history and how it affects the present. The discovery of Blowing Rock is no different

Very expensive for just a view that you can experience around 1 mile closer to Boone from the road. If it was reasonable on price, I would give a good review, but to be honest, we felt stupid paying the fee for the value we received

We really enjoyed the view and love the legend of the rock. The day we were there it was really windy. Didn't see anyone throwing anything from the rock to see if it would return to you or float back up. Be sure to walk the trails and go to the lookout area and get panoramic shots of the mountains.. If you expect theme park thrills you will be disappointed. It is more a step back in time and just enjoying nature around you. It is an enjoyable inexpensive couple of hours.

The iconic attraction in Blowing Rock, just outside the town. Great views in several directions from an observation platform. A small museum, turtle pond, and two gift shops on the grounds. Plenty of parking. Some people ,may think it is a bit expensive, but we thought it was worth it.

Such a fun place to visit to really see the Mountain Views. Great for families too. Easy walking paths. Great picture opportunities too! Worth the entrance fee. Bring quarters for the viewing binoculars!

We always love experiencing nature and Blowing Rock didn’t disappoint. The views are memorable and the visit worthwhile.

I'm a hiker... The view here was one of the best I've experienced and I didn't have to hike to get there. The history surrounding this area is very interesting.

Great place to spend up to an hour walking around and taking in the beautiful view! You can do the hike too but the view is best up on top right when you get out of the gift shop.

This stop was a little underwhelming. The Blowing Rock itself is much smaller than I expected, and not that interesting. The site itself is lovely, with landscaping and gardens, but you can walk the whole thing in about 15 minutes. But there are some beautiful views from the trails, and the turtles hanging out in the pond are adorable.

Beautiful park and gorgeous views of the mountains. Beautiful gardens and delightful temperature! We enjoyed our visit and would highly recommend the park.

We stopped here during covid. There are social distancing rules in effect thats supposed to limit capacity but it seemed full. If this was reduced capacity it would be terrible at full. We were not real comfortable very few people were wearing masks despite the recommendation to do so. It made it hard to enjoy. There was lots of hand sanitizer available. Views are pretty and it is dog friendly. Its a short stop maybe 30 minutes if you really go in depth.

We went to grandfather mountain first on our trip. The blowing rock is beautiful but we were comparing it too grandfather and the two don’t compare. While we did enjoy the blowing rock it was a let down due to poor planning on our part.

The map of the park looks really big compared to its actual size. It was lovely, however very small.
I hope they could expand the trails at some point.

I have been to Blowing Rock many times and have never visited this place until now. I am sure glad we did this time. This place is amazing. Some of the best views in Blowing Rock.

Ripped off! Dealing with the aftermath of tropic storm Dorian, we decided to check out the town of Blowing Rock. Looking at "things to do" this was highly recommended. When you arrive it's setup to block any views until you've paid your entry fee. Well today the visibility was ZERO. They should not have been selling tickets at all. When confronted with this, the manager on site said something to the effect, we have bills to pay and employees to pay, blah-blah-blah. So, buyer beware.

Note the attached photo to highlight what we saw.

WOW!!! What a GREAT experience! SO glad we took the time to go here. We actually went twice on the same day......because of a previous commitment during the middle of the day. We were able to return in the later afternoon and not have to pay again. The views were A.Mazing!! The food at the little cafe was great as well. We were able to sit and have a hot dog and enjoy the views. And ice cream as well. The trails were easy to walk. Great folks working there and very friendly.

I spent a day trip to the Boone, Grandfather Mountain area with my two small children. This was one of our stops and a must-see. The view as absolutely stunning. My six year old enjoyed climbing on the rocks and I was still at ease as there are still sufficient safety railings. The fee was reasonable -- $5 for active military and $5 for a child. There are a little museum and snack bar, benches, well-done gardens, a reflection pond, nice gift shop.

Nicely done. The grounds Accommodates all ages. Beautiful, beautiful views. Don’t forget your quarters for the long distance observation binoculars. The photo gallery has some interesting history. There is an ice cream shop and several nice picnic table spots.

You enter and exit through the gift shop. There are some small trails to walk. With only one difficult and that is only if steps are an issue. Nice observation tower to get a great view. Snack shop and small museum with news clippings, few old items and a stone/jem collection on the path with restrooms. You can climb on The Blowing Rock and get pictures. The stop is 45 minutes and maybe an hour if you sit and hang or buy a snack. I am conflicted as the stop was nice to see the rock and all well maintained. $9 for 45 minutes and The Blowing Rock is neat but for some this will probably be a let down while others will enjoy. I liked it and glad I went but no need to go again unless I could see it rain up

Cool walk around with great views and cooler temps with the elevation. Recommend a bit of preparation familiarizing yourself with the general tea so lanarks make sense.

This is a lovely little attraction & if you’re in the area, it’s a must do. We went, not knowing it had a charge or was set up like it is - to be honest, it was cheap enough & was well looked after.
The views were fantastic.

We always have chicken wings here when we visit Blowing Rock with a side of onion rings. Food is so good. Service is excellent

Pitiful tourist trap. You pay $7 admission to walk 50 feet to stand on the top 10 feet of the rock. The view is nice but you can see the same views from a nearby restaurant for free. If you are into hiking to earn the right to see the view, this is not the place for you. However, if you have difficulty walking or wheelchair bound, this may be a good option.

Such a cute town, and you have to visit the Blowing Rock when you are here. The kids loved climbing up on the rock for a photo (watch them close though!) and the views alone were worth the admission price.

It's a great view, but the whole commercialisation of the site seems a bit hectic for essentially a view of the mountains from a rock.
Saying that, we went 20 mins before closing and it was empty, so had the place to ourselves with the late afternoon sun and it was great.

We drove up to the blowing rock for some great views of that’s all you want this is a good place for you. There was 8 of us ranging from 3-70yo and it cost $40+ to get in. We were there for 20 minutes and was disappointed in the experience. There are so many other great views in the blowing rock/Boone area.

We enjoyed our visit to blowing rock. The view at the over look was spectacular. The price was affordable. We felt safe on the sturdy overlook. I'm glad we visited.

From the cute little shop to the amazing views and climbing on the rock we had so much fun at here. Nice to see the history and the people were super helpful and loved the cats!!

I’m leery of any tourist trap kind of place where you have to pay an admission fee to see something hidden behind a walled off area. But The Blowing Rock was truly wonderful and well worth the modest admission charge of $6 for seniors (60) or $7 for adults. It was beautiful, and well landscaped with nice walking paths. There are several good spots for photos. They also have a nice little gift shop. Glad we went.

As a recent visitor to Blowing Rock I can tell you I was impressed with the history of the location. The actual location provides some amazing views of the mountains. The old story of how the area gets its name is classic. The cost is higher than I would expect for such a small point of interest but very well kept. We will certain take other visitors to this location.

Beautiful vista views of the surrounding North Carolina mountains. Paths of varied difficulty along the ridge for different views. They have a little snack shop to grab a beverage and sit and enjoy the view.

A should visit when in Blowing Rock. Compact park, well maintained. Vistas from different vantage spots are close to spectacular.

OMG - lovely area but it is definitely capitalizing on a local legend. The rock itself is anti-climatic and the trees have grown in so much it is hard to appreciate what the fuss is all about. It was lovely to walk around - not a large area. There is a very small museum of local interest. there is a trail down the mountain but then you gotta climb back up so we opted not to walk the trail. I think you could probably find other touristy things to do that might be a better value for you dollar.

Best public view and gardens in the village of Blowing Rock. Meet the friendly cats. Great souvenirs from your mountain trip.

Nothing special to see here. I guess it was interesting to see how the city got it’s name but other than that it was no different than pulling off at a scenic overlook spot on the BRP. Not really worth the money for admission.

It never ceases to amaze me how this community treats their guests. Their smiles and attitudes are infectious. Blowing Rock is a rather unique place to visit. Great views of faraway mountains.

The area is beautiful and the foliage was gorgeous. It was not worth $9 a piece, but it was pretty and had restrooms and areas to sit and relax.

I have been here twice but this time the weather was bad and you were not able to see most of the views. The gardens they have are very beautiful and calming. When the weather is good, the views are amazing.

Although it was raining and foggy we had a great time walking the trail. The trail was easy and the walkways were very manageable.

This is a nice place to visit. You are allowed to climb on the rock (at your own risk), take pictures and enjoy the story of the rock and the view. The wind comes up the valley and blows uphill, thus in the winter the snow blows uphill. We enjoyed walking on the trail and the nice view.

The most unfriendly girl at the register that we encountered on our trip, 99% of the people in the area were just as friendly as a good neighbor. $7 to get in for basically a walk behind the building to take a picture over the mountain. Save your $7 and look at the pic online.

I thought we were going to have to hike a bit to get to see the rock, but it is literally there just after you pass through the admission door. It would be great for people who have limited mobility. The admission price might be a bit steep at $7.00 due to the fact there really isn't anything other than a rock and museum. The museum is just a room with various news articles and photos.

This is a fun stop for all ages as the view is beautiful and the history is interesting. Last time we visited it was during the Fall and it was cold but wonderful with the colors. You do pay to get in but not terrible at 7.00 per person. There are two gift shops and a place to eat. Worth it if just for the scenery.

Enjoy the amazing views of several mountains at Blowing Rock. It is peaceful and beautiful! There are Trails and gardens with ponds and flowers to enjoy while you are there. A great place for a family visit.

This is a great place to visit and find out why they call it Blowing Rock. There is a small visitor, information and souvenir center located on the grounds. The view is spectacular and several mountain ranges are visible from the viewing platforms. Worth the small admission price to get awesome photographs.

I visited this beautiful park with my family. The entrance is wide and there is a big parking lot. You can have a nice walk and mild climbing and enjoy the great Mountain View.

Didn’t actually go to THE blowing rock, but could not find the town of Blowing Rock on choices to review. And the town is fun, clean, and very walkable. Took an Orvis Fly Fishing trip with Shawn and he was excellent. Could not find a place to review that either. Blowing Rock has a lot of charm, but we saw two hotels going up, so if the city leaders decide on overdevelopment as so many places have it will ruin the charm.

Yes, it is a nice view but NOT worth the price of admission. We spent $21 to get in and spent a whole 10 minutes there. I would not recommend this because of the outrageous admission fee. NOT worth it!!!

The rock itself is small and unimpressive. It looks more impressive because of the angle you photograph it, but it really isn't worth going out of your way to visit. There are some nice views, nice trails and a turtle pond, but I wouldn't make a special visit to this attraction.

One if the first things you hear about when heading to Blowing Rock North Carolina is the “Blowing Rock”. If you are a nature lover or just want something to do it could be a quick stop. Keep in mind there are no thrills here but some pretty scenery with a story.

Quaint town and we enjoyed shopping. We are not hikers and do not snow ski so it was not really a place for us.
We did enjoy the restaurants though!

Fun place for a family outing! The gardens and waterfall adds to the ambiance! The Indian legend about the "Blowing Rock" is provided in TINY print on the rock itself. A little difficult to find and read but wotthwhile.

The kids loved spotting the turtles and watching all the bird soaring. I loved the view and everyone was very friendly

A leaf peak trip to the mountains, we made time to go to The Blowing Rock. It was extremely busy, while respecting the COVID precautions, there are beautiful overlooks, not just “the Blowing Rock”. The museum is a real little gem here, if you take time to read how this location became a tourist attraction for the whole Blowing Rock area, the vision of a man long ago ... continues to grow and adds history along with the amazing views of the Carolina Mountain regions. There are plenty of things to do in and around Blowing Rock, the adult fee of $9.00 is well worth maintaining this site, take your kids and let them learn some history as well as expose them to natures wonder.

The views were amazing with the clouds touching some of the mountains. We had a stroller so we could not go on all the trails. It's also a pet friendly place but the pets need to be friendly also. I don't believe they should let in dogs not controlled by owners that bark constantly and lurches at people passing by. I have heard about this place for a long time and decided we needed to go. Somewhat disappointed but glad to see the views. Not much to see that you could have seen on the Blue Ridge Parkway and that is free. The ice cream was good and a nice gift shop not the real reason to stop.

Family and myself stopped in on a Saturday morning. Great views. Not overly crowded. We all had ice cream after walking the shirt trails. Bathrooms are clean.

Went and had great time, something you need to see at least once in your life. Cute little snack bar and gift shop.

This isn't a huge park full of hiking trails, but it doesn't pretend to be. It's a nice little place to visit... good views, well kept gardens, lots of information about the place - a nice stop and pleasant walk. Really enjoyed it.

I loved the views but it wasn't worth the $7. You can see views just at beautiful for free along the blue ridge parkway.

Beautiful views! It didn’t take long to go through everything, but the price is great and my kiddos enjoyed it.

Nice visitor center and gift shop. Good attraction to take young grandchildren—ours are 4, 6, and 8. They enjoyed walking the nature trails, climbing on some rocks, viewing the Blue Ridge Mountains, and hurrying through the photo gallery. They did enjoy some of the old artifacts on display. Their favorite part was probably the two resident cats. We spent just over an hour here.

Nice little stop with great views. It’s seven bucks for an adult and 2 for younger kids. That gets you back past the gift shop to see the rock. You can climb it if you want and take pictures. A little trail and observation deck gives you beautiful views as well. Fun way to finish a day of sightseeing in blowing rock.

We resisted the hype during our last visit to the Blue Ridge Parkway but gave into it this time. I was a bit underwhelmed as I was expecting a rock off in the distance that would make for great scenic photos. But you encounter "The Blowing Rock" almost as soon as you walk out the door onto the trail. Photo worthy- yes but just not what I was expecting. The admission price of $7 ($6 for seniors plus other military and child discounts) is not totally unreasonable but almost so. Don't go if you are expecting a peaceful hike in the woods. Also, I was able to get some nice autumn photos but I could get similar photos from BRP overlooks. At other times of the year, I think I would be disappointed. You can enjoy and believe (or not) the Indian legend behind the Blowing Rock. To me, this is another case of over-commercializing natural beauty. There is a huge gift shop that you enter and exit to the nature trails

Went to blowing rock in my 24 ft 2020 Mercedes camper van in 2024. Was told not to park on the street by a shop owner because " you are blocking my store and the police might give you a ticket". Ok just one bad shop owner does not a town make. Went back in 2025 and was told " you can't park here we dont like vehicals like this" I left and will never go back. If you have an rv dont go to blowing rock.

Awesome views and a cool legend. They allow you to climb the rocks at your own risk. My kids loved it. Great place to make photos.

A view worth the price of admission. Very interesting legend. Enjoyed the fall color that was beginning to show.

Disappinted in the high entry fee considering what it has to offer. The view was nice, but no different than what you see for free along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

My wife took me to Blowing rock for my 58th birthday. Unfortunately, the weather was wet and foggy so we were unable to enjoy the views. I reviewed the Chetola resort separately. I would like to say this was our experience and it is accurate for the few days we spent in Blowing Rock.

The first thing we experienced is the complete lack of parking. It was an exercise in frustration finding a place to park. Not a good start for sure. However, once parked we found the town cute and friendly, and with enough shops to occupy a good afternoon of browsing. Eating in town however is a true exercise in frustration. When we first arrived we drove around town looking for parking and I couldnt help but notive all the Inn's, Lodge's, hotels, and of course the resort. So many rooms so few restraunts. Expect to wait a long time or hear "reservations are required" before you sit down for a meal. Also the resources of this small town appear stretched to the max to accomadte so mant tourists. In our 2 day restaruant experince we heard this phrase often: "we are out of quiche", "we are out of soup", we are out of ketchup", we are out of mushrooms", we are out of meatloaf", "we are out of vanilla vodka (for the advertised drink special vanilla martini)".

I thanked my wife for the gesture however Blowing Rock although cute and I’m sure scenically beautiful is well "over touristed" and not on our list to return to.

It's very exciting to experience the history of NC, however it felt anticlimactic. However. The staff is wonderful there and grounds beautiful and in lovely condition so a great and wonderful experience overall.

I stopped here back in 2008 only to be disappointed because a thick fog obscured any views. I finally back it back and I was not disappointed! Although it was raining a little we donned our ponchos and trudged on. The views are amazing! We were unable to climb all the way to the top of the blowing rock because the rain made it slippery but we were able to climb up enough to get a selfie with the rock in the background. There is also an observation tower and a walking trail that goes underneath the rock. Be aware the trail has lots of stairs and is considered strenuous. The staff here is really friendly and there is a nice sized gift shop. Overall it is definitely worth a quick stop as it doesn't take more than an hour to see everything. Admission is around $9 and parking is free.

Stopped in for a couple of hours to check this spot out. Property is nicely presented-new sidewalks, kitty cats here and there, water features, gift shop and of course the views. Reasonable entry fee.

The main attraction is definitely the views. The rock itself isn’t much, but the fact that it’s perched at the top is a shear cliff is cool. You can climb (very easy) right to the tip, and beyond if you are not careful. There is a viewing platform that has the best views, and the strongest winds. It’s worth the price of admission.

A small mountain town where you cant park. Then walk down the sidewalk and see every guy sitting on benches on thier phones while thier wives go into over priced stores selling useless trinkets!

We happened to find this destination without trying, and we are so glad we did! Although an overcast day, we had gorgeous views of the mountains, the grounds have different spots to capture pictures. Nice little shop and small cafe to grab ice cream or a treat. Highly recommend.

Spent the entire day in Boone and never met an unkind soul until here. On the outdoor sign, it stated that they were closed Tues. and Wed. I was here on a Monday around 3 pm, which the website stated that they were open until 5 pm. As I open the door, a worker responded with "we're closed". Okay, no problem, I figured they might be closing early due to the fog. As I'm exiting, she says "yeah, that's why there's a sign on the door". Granted, the sign stated they were open on Monday's, so I didn't pay much attention to it. This could've been handled more professionally such as, "I'm sorry, we're closing early today", or "I'm sorry our sign is incorrect, we will be closing early today". I'm a grown adult, I do not need a smart remark back when it's not needed. Hope no one else encounters this RUDE lady!

Overrated. Nice little stop, but not impressive. Would not make a special trip to see this attraction, but if in the area worthwhile just to see it.

A stop you need to make if in the Blowing Rock area. Very reasonable admission price. Lot of scenic views. Plan on spending at least an hour to take in all the views.

While there is a great view of Grandfather mountain and you can climb up on the rock, we easily could have passed on this one. There are plenty of other places to get views like that. The rock is just through the entrance gate. We did walk around and looked at the historical pictures, but it didn't take us long to be done with everything.

This roadside attraction doesn't take long to see and it is a worthwhile stop if you are in the area of Boone. The owners keep it well maintained and the views are gorgeous. We loved that the rock is accessible and not roped off. You can get a picture up on the top of the rock. It isn't as dangerous as it looks.

This attraction is very much over rated. I was disappointed in the actual attraction. Huge gift shop you enter to pay in order to view the rock. A lot of hype little value for the price of admission

It’s a very small little hike through the exhibit area but we enjoyed it. Beautiful views and an interesting fact is that it is considered a rain forest. We did not eat at the café or buy anything at the gift shop but we did get some great pictures. When I come back with our children our next visit we will do it again so they can see it.

A bit of a tourist trap and certainly not worth the $9 admission ($7 for us "old" folks). A small garden with a small outcropping of rocks. It was small park with some great vistas but the same or better views can be seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

There also a museum that was a collection of old framed newspaper clippings.

No an attraction I can recommend.

BObK

Loved visiting the Blowing Rock. Some of the most spectacular views we saw on our trip! Friend staff and easy short stop on our trip. Great photo ops!

Beautiful and definitely worth the price of admission. Lots of great camera angles. We were there on a partly cloudy day, and the light shifts and sun angles made for some beautiful photographs.

So glad that our group/conference had a private event here. Otherwise, we may have missed this amazing view! And be sure to check out the folklore as to why it’s called “the blowing rock”

Let’s face it. The Blowing Rock is an old time tourist attraction complete with cheesy souvenirs, pay telescopes, and a snack bar that offers little more than ice cream and popcorn. It does, however, have a spectacular view, particularly from the furthest observation platform. I Well worth the price of admission.

....especially if you have a family. Albeit the views are amazing but the attraction takes all of 30 minutes to explore. You can do so much more for $9/adult.

This place is so easy to get to, it would be fooling not to experience it. It's a short drive from downtown Blowing Rock. If you come in the warmer months there are great places to have a family lunch outside with stellar views of the valley some 3000 feet below. In addition to the gift shop there is a separate cafe where you can get ice cream or a hot cocoa for the kids or a bite to eat. The attraction is not large, if you didn't stop to take it in, you could walk it all in under 10 minutes, but the object is to take in the views which are just stunning.

Fun to climb on rock for a photo but be careful as it is at your own risk. Check out the lookout point.
Nice gardens and koi pond. Turtles at the bottom.

Small park but very lovely meet 2 cats! The views are stunning. It’s good if you have mobility issues and very easy

Not expensive to visit. Staff was very friendly and the park is clean, well kept with gorgeous views. The story behind it was also interesting.

We caught this at the end of the day on our Western NC leaf tour. The view is nice, but to charge $7 to take a five minute walk is really steep. We felt like we had been suckered by a tourist trap - the oldest one in NC, since 1933. For a better view and more for your money, go to Grandfather Mountain where they have wonderful views, a mile high suspension bridge, a mini zoo, and much more to see and do, where you will feel like you got your money's worth.

It’s definitely worth the trip and the $. For seniors it was $6. We both enjoyed it. Great views and we had great weather. Amazing geological formations.

Blowing Rock is a cool place to visit. It is easy to get to, not too expensive or crowded, small, quiet, and easy to walk around without having your heart attack you. The views are spectacular. This is a good spot for the entire family to enjoy. The gift shop is not unreasonable with their pricing. Yes, it is a little higher than souvenir shops down the road but not too bad. There are plenty of places to eat close by so don't worry about that. This is a good place to go if you are in the area.

Gift shop the rocks ledges overviews scenery all fun and breath taking. This place is worth a visit and price! Take a little walk and climb the ledges something for everyone. Also handicap assessable too

Admission is $6 for seniors. Hard to spend more than 30 minutes outside at scenic overlooks. Well maintained. Bathrooms are probably not handicap accessible.

We enjoyed our visit, unfortunately it was too hazy on the day of our visit. Also, a little too early for the spring flowers. The waterfall in their garden wasn't flowing yet and their garden wasn't in bloom as of yet. It had been 30 years since our last visit, so it was a nice trip down memory lane.

It was a beautiful sunny day, and we could literally see for miles and many, many mountain ranges! Don't miss seeing this idyllic spectacle when in Blowing Rock, NC!

We enjoyed our visit to blowing rock. The view at the over look was spectacular to look at the Fall Color Foliage.

It costs $9 per adult, $3 for kids and $6 for senior citizen

The Blowing Rock was fun and provided beautiful views of Grandfather Mountain and the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is family-friendly and worth the admission price.

"Senior" discount for those over 60 was $7 per person. Great view, especially if you don't have time to drive up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We have visited Blowing Rock many times over the last 25 years, and just never stopped here, so we knocked it off our tourist trap checklist.

I read some reviews before and after going to Blowing Rock. Being a single traveler, I could spare $6 to benefit the park. Unless you love or don’t mind high winds, I would not suggest going in January. I can not comment on the trails due to wanting to get to Grandfather mountain. There is a beautiful overlook where Blowing Rock is and there are several other clustered tall flat rocks which make an interesting landscape. Of course, I can’t forget the cats that roam around.

Blowing Rock has always been known for the legend behind the rock. The gardens that surround it and the Koi and Turtle pond are lovely. The view from this place is so lovely.

My husband and I recently visited and spent an hour walking the grounds. The views are incredible and it was $18 for the 2 of us which was very affordable. I wouldn’t plan to spend over an hour there.

We enjoyed our visit. The views are really nice. The grounds are well kept & the cost reasonable. Very much worth seeing.

We thought this would be more of an event, but we were in and out in less than 30 minutes. It was pretty, but the same view from my room.

We have been to Blowing Rock quite a few times over the past 15 years and we had NEVER been to the actual "rock". So glad we made the quick trip to see the view this time around. We stopped in on a beautiful Saturday (mid 60's) and spent about 45 minutes to an hour walking around and taking lots of pictures. The price of $7 per person is well worth it. It is a must see on your visit!

Yep - Dog-Friendly. This park offers a gentle stroll with great views. The price is $7 per person. Go inside, with your dog, and pay at the counter. Then, walk through the door on your right to enter the park. You will exit through the gift shop with your pet.

After many years of avoiding the “tourist trap” we decided to go last weekend and were we pleasantly surprised. The rock is as advertised and is fine, but the view is amazing. We stayed for maybe 2 hours having ice cream, looking at the grounds and enjoying that VIEW. We’re going back in October now 😂😂

This was a great get away for us. The views are amazing and the trails (although somewhat challenging) are neat. The pictures in the basement museum are neat too.

I do not ever recall visiting The Blowing Rock. The view of the area is overwhelming. Be prepared for some butterflies in your stomach because the altitude.

Don't waste your time. There's very little to see here for the price. Drive the scenic roads and have better views with less crowds for free. Pick up a brochure about the rock from anywhere and read the legend. The photos in the brochure pretty much show you all that's there.

Nice place. They let you climb on the rock and they have great views. Dogs are allowed and it is only a short walk. But they are closed Tues and Wed.

Very nice small attraction with I am sure a stunning view. Unfortunately, it was so foggy we saw nothing on the day we went. Stood on Blowing Rock and visited museum. Will try again in better weather 👍

I thought the fees to get in were acceptable
There are gift shops, a small museum, the blowing rock and various outlooks. What we saw was a beautiful view even though it was somewhat obscured by the smoke from the Canadian fires.
It was a nice place to go and walk around. We did not do any of the hikes. It was a nice activity for a couple of hours and easy to get to. The staff were all very nice.

This is a great site to see if you are not a fan of hiking. You park in the lot and walk to the entrance, pay a fee of $6 (for seniors or military), walk out the back door, walk a few more feet and there's the rock - right outside of the entrance. It is not the easiest rock to climb for an older person as it's very smooth and extremely easy for one to slip. My 82-year old husband decided to try it and got to the top but he slid most of the way down. There's a small gift shop and an even smaller museum (not worth going into) but the scenery from the rock is gorgeous.

We visited the Blowing Rock on our weekend trip. There are amazing views, nice walk, interesting experience. Only minus would be the price to entry the observing deck .

This was a great time. Beautiful lights, high energy, great people, the shops were the best with very unique things. We almost couldn't fit everything in the car to go home with. Just lots of fun and beauty

The Blowing Rock has outstanding views and a small entry fee. We throughly enjoyed walking along the nature trails, gardens and the lookouts. The gift shop is also nice. If you don't want to hike too much, but still enjoy the views, I highly recommend visiting the Blowing Rock.

Well,the actual Blowing Rock is a little under whelming,but sure you can climb up and take ome pics,but the views and vista's around the whole grounds are spectacular,various trails criss cross the area affording different views It must be a clear day to really enjoy.A can't miss for all.

I’ve always heard of The Blowing Rock and was curious. The legend is interesting and the views are breathtaking from the observation areas. It was cool to be able to climb up on the rock to find the little historical marker. Minimal trails - very short. Some led to secluded picnic tables. Not much else. I’d say we were there less than an hour.

The price was reasonable. We are glad we stopped in. Once was enough.

(Similar views are free along the Blue Ridge Parkway.)

This was just ok. Views were pretty but we were expecting more. In an area where the views are breathtaking, I don’t think I could recommend this. I was more interested in the history of the 2 buildings on the site.

Although a nice view you will be much better served going to Grandfather Mt. in stead. Seems like they could manage the upkeep on this little site for a fraction of the cost.

What a pleasant surprise to find there was an actual Blowing Rock. The views…breathtaking…the grounds…immaculate. Enjoyed the hiking, the photo gallery and the awesome “fat cat” who was real and not a prop. He takes tips. 😮

Very small attraction. Flowers were lovely but really nothing to do. Bottled water $3.00 at gift shop and $3.25 at snack bar 100 ft away. 👎Would not recommend.

I heard Blowing Rock was a scenic mountain town and decided to make a stop here while in North Carolina. The town is nice and worth it, but The Blowing Rock was nothing special. It has a big rock, mountain views, a man-made waterfall and a small pond with turtles. It also has a few trails, but nothing too long or difficult. It also had a small museum and nice giftshop.

Sooooooooo beautiful!
Enjoyed our afternoon there so much!
LOVED the cat!
If you go, you’ll know what we are talking about.
It was a great day….. we had a picnic on some rocks and just enjoyed the amazing view!!!

We stopped here on a clear day, not a close d in the sky. The view is fantastic. Take time to read about the legend as to how Blowing Rock received it’s name. Also, wear sturdy shoes if you plan to walk any of the short trails.

Nice view, but you can get as good along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Overpriced.The blowing Rock itself was underwhelming. Go to Grandfather Mountain!

First of all - we are very experienced within national parks and amazing scenary. To say I was disappointed with the blowing rock monument would be an understatement of the highest order. We drove up and paid almost $40 for the experience of seeing the rock (family of 4 at $9 a piece) so I thought this would be amazing. The rock itself is so unimpressive based on any other place I have even went that is connected with nature and if you are on the Blue Ridge highway - there are much better and free views. There was a person guarding the observation tower who said a wedding was finishing up and we would have to wait to go to the top. Meanwhile I kept asking which one of the Formations was “the Blowing Rock” . You can definitely do stupid things and fall and not make it but you really have to try and ignore lots of signs. The gift shop was open but the ice cream shop wasn’t. There were people not wearing masks and sneezing as well. I guess it is the Lion King Pride Rock appeal and instagramable nature - but if you have ever seen any giant rock formation ever in your life - you will probably be more impressed with anything else ever. Even going to the top of the Tower was less impressive than the free views you get on the Blue Ridge. There was a coy pond and some flowers and some turtles and my teenagers were more interested in the turtles and coy than the Rock itself. I really tried and failed to understand the appeal and the most fun we had was making light of the attraction itself like “It really Blows Rock”. I would 100% skip this attraction and spend your time and money in the town of Blowing Rock - you could easily find a better way to blow $40.00

The view from the small park cannot be beat, a must while you are in Blowing Rock especially on a beautiful day! There is an easy trail to walk around in plus restaurant on the premises.

Underwhelming, but to be fair it was a cold windy day so we basically checked it off the list of things to do. Let's just say it is not Monkey Face at Smith Rock in Oregon. But, it is free.

Disgusting! They put wooden fence around the area and charging per person just to go over and see a rock. Lol. This is getting bizarre.

We didn't realize there was an entry fee to see the Blowing Rock, but it turned out that it was well worth it as there was a museum with historic photos and a lovely park and observation lookout, even some resident turtles. We truly enjoyed our visit. Allow at least an hour, maybe more.

We thought this was going to be some cool walking / hiking excursion to get to “the blowing rock” but it is not. Walk out the door of admission and you’re there.... so that was a little disappointing. However, that being said, the views from there are pretty amazing. If you go in the fall, it’s well worth a look. There’s also some history on sight for you to see. Just don’t be surprised if you’re expecting something more than it is.

This park is no good for the disabled, elderly or those with mobility issues. It is not possible to use a wheelchair, mobility scooter or any wheeled equipment such as a walker since it has steep hills mostly covered with loose gravel. Many of the paths and displays are only accessible by steps leaving very little or anything to do if you can't walk.
Why they would even sell a ticket to anyone coming in with a scooter or wheel chair I have no idea other then they simply have no regard for the disabled.

Gift shop, coffee/ice cream shop, photo gallery and.. oh, yeah.. the rock. People are allowed to climb on the rock for photos. Lookout and short path with a few seating areas. Free parking. $9. per adult admission. Takes about 10 minutes to walk the entire property. Very nice views.

The rock itself is underwhelming, but the perch it creates is amazing! Great photo opportunities and majestic views with an easy to walk trail. Much more accessible than other places! The best part was the view was on BOTH sides of the trail, and you could clearly see grandfather mountain.

My family really enjoyed visiting The Blowing Rock. The views were awesome and no fences or rails to obstruct the view. The staff was very nice and the price is very reasonable. It is definitely worth the price of admission.

We just couldn’t go to Blowing Rock without seeing The Blowing Rock. Unbelievable views from several spots. Small museum was very informative about the Rock, the town, and Grandfather Mountain. There are two shops for gifts and food with super friendly staff. Can’t beat it for $6!

Stopped by The Blowing Rock attraction while driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. I had read about the legend of the maiden and the Cherokee brave, so thought this would be a fun place to visit. What a disappointment! Admission was $9/person. While there was a nice view of the mountains, the “nature trails” were lame 2-minute hikes, and The Blowing Rock was underwhelming. We didn’t even realize we had walked past it. This attraction is nothing more than a cheesy tourist trap and gift shop. Don’t waste your money.

Cute place with fog we were not being able to enjoy the views the price was not worth it.
Not much else to see

Very nice park with incredible mountain views. Most trails are easy, with one trail being more strenuous.

We visited the blowing rock at 5:00pm on a Wednesday. It was great as we were almost alone and could stroll around at our leisure. worth a visit for the wonderful views, the nervous thrill of the outlook, for one who suffers from a little vertigo and the excitement at watching other visitors perched precariously on the blowing rock to take selfies!

First off went with a great group of friends. The staff was super friendly and welcoming. Hearing the Native American legends behind the blowing rock and the development of the blowing rock observation decks, trails and yards in the 1930s was iconic. I’m a nerd so the history and nature science at this park was amazing and would be a great field trip for any age. The views were absolutely gorgeous it feels surreal. It’s not a view you get to see every day. The park also has a local cat that hangs around, she is super friendly and has a kitty door into the photo gallery. Worth the 9 dollar admission, cheap fun we spent about 2 hours here but we Lolly gaged and have fun. It’s a small park so you could probably do the whole thing in 45 minutes to an hour if you want more of a quick nature pit stop.

To highlight how we felt about this attraction, my friend that I was with walked past the Blowing Rock and when they were at the end of the trail asked "So where's the Blowing Rock". It's not worth the $9 price - that's for sure. It's also not some place I would visit again. Perhaps if the facility had some interactive experience to make the lure more real the visit might have been worthy. But the views are nice from the rock, though you can get these any many other locations as well e.g., Grandfather Mountain.

I wanted to get the views of the North Carolina mountains and Blowing Rock is a great place to do that. I felt like the price was a tad overpriced conservative there aren’t any trails to hike. You walk around to various observation decks and get fabulous views but if you’re looking for a hike, this is not the place for you.

Worth the $7. What a view! Well kept always and overlook. Easy to reach from the highway. Cute little gift shop.

Beautiful place to visit. The views from "The Blowing Rock" are amazing. There is a small museum with local history that is interesting. And of course the requisite gift shop!

An easy, super and beautiful hour. The oldest attraction in the state. I hear it can be windy ! Very touristy gift shop.

Definitely a must see... the views were breathtaking with various lookout points. It’s classified as a rainforest so it is cooler and rainy. There is a gift shop and snack shop too. Great for kiids and pet friendly.

View is amazing! Nice, must see destination if you are in the area. Also has a quaint gift shop with some cool stuff.

Nice area to walk around and see some great views of the Blue Ridge mountains. Not expensive to get into.

Our third trip to The Blowing Rock - took family and guests this time. One of the great mountain vistas that doesn't require a half day or more. We had lunch in town, spent an hour+ at the park taking pictures, enjoying the gardens, museum and views, and were back at our cabin in time to get ready for dinner. Staff is knowledgeable and friendly and you can take a photo that makes you look like "King of the World" without climbing hours to get there. Great family attraction!

Well you're in town, but honestly there's not much to see here. You can see the top of the rock and read about the legend, but the views are nothing special, plenty better in the area. Save your money and hit the overlooks on the parkway

Something you should do with your love once. It was actually safer than I realized at first which made me feel so much better!❤️

We went on a total white out day. Which is unfortunate about the view we didn’t get to see but we just enjoyed being in the park and climbing the rock (at our own risk!). I could see myself coming here often if I lived locally, just to enjoy the elements.

This was the first time I had ever visited The Blowing Rock and was pleasantly surprised how well the park was laid out. It was small, but the views were amazing and would have stayed longer, but we arrived close to closing time. The staff did not rush us, even though we arrived so late. The gift shop was nice and quaint. Price was not bad for the park, will try and go back when can enjoy longer.

If you're in Blowing Rock, it's definitely worth a stop. There is a modest entrance fee, but the views are worth it. The actual Blowing Rock is easily accessible. There are other modest trails for further exploration. Snack bar, restrooms, and gift shop on site.

There is not all that much to see here, but it is very charming. Before you go, read the legend surrounding the rock. There is an admission fee of $7 for adults. The cost is a dollar less for seniors and military. Children are cheaper. You can climb on (at your own risk) and photograph the rocks. There is a small museum, snack bar, observation platform, and gift shop. The attraction has been around since the 1930s. The bathroom under the snack bar was very clean and attractive. Everyone was quite friendly. I'm glad I went and it was interesting, but it was probably not something I would make a return trip to.

A must see if you come to the town of Blowingrock and has great views I do understand you have to pay a small fee to enter it is not a free exhibit they have an ice cream shop a gift store and is dog friendly and kid friendly

While we adored the small town of Blowing Rock and the magnificent waterfalls inside the park, the actual Blowing Rock attraction was nothing to see. The cost was six dollars per person and while that's not much and I'm not "mad" about spending it, the views are just as spectacular from the parking lot. The rock itself is just a rock.

Beautiful gown. Great Main Street. The Oldest NC tourist attraction is there: Blowing Tock. Nice attraction. It was a small attraction, we had a hike and took great pictures. The story behind Blowing Rock was sweet.

A nice small, easy to navigate park. Beautiful views and areas for photos. Great area for the family to explore the mountain area without any hiking. We enjoyed the time here.

considering it is a rock you are seeing isn't that exciting, but it's a great view and you can learn about why it is called that. learn some history while you are there and taken in all there is to see.

a nice quick stop, doesn't take too long. $7 admission charge, ( as compared to $22 for Grandfather Mtn visit) the views are simply breathtaking. And there is a cute gift shop and accompanying ice cream parlor for a tasty treat. The staff was very pleasant.

Sadly underwhelming, considering the STUNNING mountains and trails nearby. But a great option for those unable to hike.Nice historic gift shop with local pottery and expected t-shirt and hats, etc

Truly majestic views of God's creation. Late September/early October is the best times for autumn beauty. Recommend going at sunset that time of year for some awesome photos.

Beautiful lookout location to see Mt. Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain and Beech Mountain. Easy access to the lookout spots.

Went in Oct 2019, staff was very helpful. Rainy, cloudy, foggy day so the views weren't great but the park was almost empty and still beautiful. Staff was super nice and gave us a rain discount plus two free passes to come back another day. Lovely area, been before and the views are spectacular, price is fairly cheap for the area.

WOW!!! A must visit if you're in the area absolutely stunning views and such friendly and kind staff. My wife and I couldn't believe how far you can see. We hit it just right for the changing of leaves.

Enjoyed the rock and gardens with our family after visiting as a child with my family. An escape form the foothills! must see. good gift shop also + ice cream.

The view is beautiful, and the gardens are peaceful. The paths are nice and give you a variety of angles to see various points of interest. Unfortunately, it wasn't windy when we visited, but still a nice stop. We also walked through the gallery which was interesting.

Entrance fee was $7. We didn't get to see anything blowing upwards from the wind current but it was OK for that price. There is an observation deck. Doesn't take much time

Stopping here seemed like the vacation thing to do since we’re spending a few days in the area. It was better than expected and really did provide spectacular views.

The parking lot is just the right size and it’s a short walk to see it all. There is a choice of trails to see the cozy park. The main walkway through the park is paved and level and there is a gravel/dirt trail that goes around and under some of the rock formations.

After reading the reviews and planning our drive along Blue Ridge, we were looking forward to something special. It is very much a tourist place focused on people who like sidewalks and gift shops.
The tiny museum had some interesting information but based on how "famous" this location is, I was expecting more.
The fact there was a $9/person charge to see 'a rock' it was not worth the time or the money unless you really want your nature served up to you via a sidewalk.
Rough Ridge and Linville Falls were sooo much better views and experiences but they are hikes (not sidewalk strolls). I don't know why this gets high reviews based on the what is available nearby.

Watching the breathtaking mountains. Such a relaxing moment to be there for an hour. If you are in town, make sure to go to The Blowing Rock. Highly recommended!

Views are amazing. The staff were very friendly to us. They have some beautiful flowers on the premises.

Half redneck/half snooty senior citizens. Went expecting a nice quiet stay but could tell immediately that it was going to be a rowdy drinking crowd and our small dog was stressed out. People were not friendly, they really should say leave your pet at home!

We stop here every year. The gift shop is cute and to too expensive. The staff is great and the views are amazing. This is a small attraction but it's where Blowing rock get's it's name from. You gotta check it out,

You can't beat the views from this location and the history of blowing rock is really interesting to read about. It is a little pricey though if you have a few adults with your party. It's also a small place. We were lucky it was not very crowded, but I imagine it can get very crowded and not easy to navigate the short path around the few overlooks.

The views are great. Several viewing stations that let you look out over the valleys. You can see the clouds come down the mountains. Multiple walking trails. They also have a Koi pond and another one with turtles in it. You can probably cover everything in an hour. One warning, if you pull into the parking lot, and it’s cloud covered, turn around and go somewhere else. Our experience was clear weather in the morning, not so much in the afternoon.