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Quaint North Carolina Mountain Town Named The South’s Best Place To Retire

Author Melanie Day

When you dream of retirement where do you picture it? Perhaps somewhere near the water, near family, or somewhere you can golf every day. Or maybe it’s a quaint mountain town that sounds like paradise to you. If that’s the case you’ll be happy to know that a new article by Southern Living recognized the South’s Best Places To Retire. The popular publication recognized 12 cities in different categories. And it was a North Carolina destination that took the title of best mountain town to retire in.

It’s Blowing Rock. This picturesque mountain town is located a few miles outside of Boone. It features an adorable Main Street full of shops, fantastic restaurants, a park, and more. There is an ease of access to skiing in the winter and other outdoor activities in the summer. And it’s right off the Blue Ridge Parkway and all the scenic views that come with it. With a population of approximately 1,400, this is just the place to have that small-town lifestyle in the mountains.

Another North Carolina city was also recognized on this list-Beaufort was named the best for healthy living. The best overall city in the south for retirement was Chattanooga Tennessee. The other cities recognized were:

  • Best All Around – Chattanooga, TN
  • Best for Healthy Living – Beaufort, NC
  • Best for Food – Greenville, S
  • Best Beach Town – St. Augustine, FL
  • Best Mountain Town – Blowing Rock, NC
  • Best for Outdoor Enthusiasts – Abingdon, VA
  • Best for Arts & Culture – Savannah, GA
  • Best for Affordability – Huntsville, AL
  • Best for Lifelong Learning – Lexington, KY
  • Best for Home Buying – Ocean Springs, MS
  • Best Access to Nature – Eureka Springs, AR
  • Best for City Lovers – Fort Worth, TX

The cities and towns recognized on this Best Places to Retire List were selected from a collection of 41 top-rated cities and towns from Southern Living’s The South’s Best 2023 series. The final consideration for the list compared each city or town to the U.S. as a whole on a variety of economic and lifestyle criteria. This included home and rental affordability, average resident age, unemployment, best industries for jobs and wages, and prevalence of restaurants, hospitals, and colleges.

So if you’re looking for a wonderful place to retire (or simply to visit) look no further than Blowing Rock! You can read more about Blowing Rock the best mountain town to retire to in the full Southern Living article here. Or check out some of my personal favorite spots in Blowing Rock below.

11 Must Dos When Visiting Blowing Rock, North Carolina

One of my favorite mountain towns to visit any time of year but especially in the summer months is the town of Blowing Rock. Just a short drive up 321 before you hit the college town of Boone, you’ll find the quaint village of Blowing Rock. The town boasts a rich history dating as far back as the 1700s. You’ll see some of that history reflected below. It’s also home to some charming mountain inns and the luxurious Chetola Resort. Blowing is close to the previously mentioned Boone, Linville Falls, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Banner Elk among other towns. So with so much to do in the general area what are the must-dos in Blowing Rock itself?

That’s where I come along. I grew up going to Blowing Rock with my parents as a kid every summer. In fact, my mom often reminds me that the first “vacation” I ever went on was a week in this North Carolina mountain town. So I’d say I have some qualifications to tell you the must-do activities. As a child, I would have told you about the playground in the park. They had the most fun slide I still remember to this day. The park has since been redone, and at this point, I’d look a little odd on a playground. But I bet it still brings the same joy to kids today as it did to me then. And while I didn’t include that park on my must-dos in Blowing Rock list, I did include another of my childhood favorites.

On this list, you’ll find activities, restaurants, shopping, places to grab a drink, and more. If hiking is your thing, you’ll have to do your own research. Outside of a leisurely stroll, I didn’t include any of that on this 11-item list. I’m not known for my outdoorsy spirit that’s for sure! So check out the collection of must dos and adventures in the town of Blowing Rock North Carolina.

  • Grab A Bite To Eat At Town Tavern

    Typically my first stop when getting into town in lunch at Town Tavern. While it is a sports bar, the food is excellent and the games on are just an added bonus! Have lunch and stay for the sports if you so choose. Plus it’s a great place my dad likes to hang out and have beers while my mom and I shop.

  • Browse The Vendors Art In The Park

    Art In The Park is a monthly arts and crafts festival that takes place in the summer months. It has a rich 60-year history and attracts vendors from across the southeast offering a variety of handmade goods. Each show features a different group of artists, so you’ll get a different experience each time you visit.

  • Take The Kids To Tweetsie Railroad

    When I was a kid Tweestise was my must-do on any Blowing Rock trip. While I was afraid of the cowboy and Indians on the train, I loved the ferris wheel and the smaller kiddie train. And they have even more rides to offer now. As well as special events including a ghost train, Thomas The Train, and more! If you have kids visiting with you, they are sure to love a trip to Tweetsie!

  • Go Antique Shopping

    Hannasofblowingrock

    Hannasofblowingrock

    The town of Blowing Rock is home to several antique shops perfect for treasure hunting. As someone who loves the Grand Millenial style, I love browsing antique stores and stumbling across gems. One of my favorites is Hanna’s but some other options include Winwood Antiques, Possom Hollow, and Blowing Rock Antiques.

  • 6 Pence Pub

    British Pub, Bar & Grill: Blowing Rock, NC: Six Pence Pub

    Join us at Six Pence Pub located in the heart of the village, we are proud to serve you the finest food and ale in the High Country.

    This quaint British Pub is a favorite of mine for dinner. It’s affordable and the food is delicious! You can choose outdoor dining on the patio, or inside at in the cozy pub. Enjoy British favorites like scotch eggs, bangers and mash or fish and chips. But don’t worry if American Fare is more your style with chicken fingers, salads, sandwiches, and burgers also as options.

  • Visit Moses Cone Manor and Memorial Park

    Moses Cone Memorial Park - Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

    With abundant natural beauty at the Moses Cone estate, the Southern Highland Craft Guild bridges the landscape with its people in a splendor of craftsmanship. Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, preserves the country estate of Moses Cone, a prosperous textile entrepreneur, conservationist and philanthropist of the Gilded Age.

    Moses Cone Memorial Park is home to the Moses Cone Manor a gilded age mansion that is now home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild. The park also includes 25 miles of carriage trails perfect for a leisurely stroll. The most popular is surely the Craftsman’s trail which is a 20 minute loop around the home and estate.

  • Have A Beer At Blowing Rock Inn And Alehouse

    This unique bed and breakfast is also the town’s first microbrewery. Overnight guests and daily visitors can enjoy all-day dining and fifteen tap beers. Plus the patio has fantastic views of the town and Sunset Dr.

  • Take Home A Homemade Candle From High Country Candles

    Not only will you find 80 different candle scents at High Country Candles you’ll also find some unique designs that I wouldn’t even dare burn (they are too pretty!). I love the layered candles pictures above and have several Christmas ones as well as some smaller ones I use in my every day decor. I always look forward to seeing what’s new and adding to my collection.

  • Have Some Wine & Cheese at Sunset And Vine

    Wine Shop, Wine Tasting, Cheese in Blowing Rock, NC

    Sunset and Vine is a wine shop offering wine tasting, cheese in the heart of downtown Blowing Rock, NC.

    Personally, I’m more of a wine kind of girl than beer. So you’ll more often find me at Sunset & Vine having a glass of wine and some cheese. You can also shop their selection of wine to take home as a souvenier or just take back to where you are staying.

  • Shop The Boutiques

    Services ⋆ Blowing Rock

    No Description

    Downtown Blowing Rock is full of adorable boutiques as well as home decor stores. You never know what you may find, but some of my favorite clothing items have come from stores in town. Some of my favorites include the Funky Tulip, Monkee’s of Blowing Rock, and The Gilded Lily. My mom and I also enjoy shopping decor stores such as the Brass Exchange and The Last Straw.

  • Enjoy An Ice Cream Cone at Kilwin's

    Kilwins Blowing Rock 1

    About Us Welcome to Kilwins Blowing Rock Welcome to Kilwins Blowing Rock. With friendly service, the world's best Mackinac Island Fudge, our Original Recipe Ice Cream, and dozens of treats made right in the store, Kilwins Blowing Rock is a "must-visit" stop on your next visit to the High Country.

    What is any vacation without ice cream? You’ve probably tried Kilwin’s Ice Cream before, but that doesn’t mean you should pass up the chance to grab a cone. Located on Main Street, they will almost always have a line after dinner, so perhaps go for a mid-afternoon snack instead.

Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.

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