Crown of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Everyone loves a good tale of romance. If towns could tell their own tales, the prize for ‘Most Romantic Beginning’ could easily be awarded to Blowing Rock, NC. Early in this small mountain town’s history, before it was settled by Europeans, the Cherokee and Catawba tribes inhabited its windy cliffs along the Blue Ridge Mountains. As the legend goes, two star-crossed lovers from these rivaling tribes were so distraught by their ill-fated romance that the young brave, torn by his choice between duty and love, leapt from the edge of The Rock. But his maiden called upon the Great Spirit for help, and the famous winds of the John’s River Gorge blew the young brave back into her arms, uniting them in love and inspiring The Legend of The Blowing Rock for generations to come.
Today this enchanting site attracts throngs of curious tourists, eager to see if there’s truth to the tall tale that says this huge rock cliff known as The Blowing Rock will blow objects back to you if you drop them from the top. Wintertime tourists come to confirm the rumor that wind gusts here are so strong, it’s the only place on earth where it snows upside down near the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Having sprung from such wondrously magical legends, this town was destined to become known for its beauty and romance. It’s no wonder then that Blowing Rock is considered by many to be the perfect place for a romantic escape. Its relaxing spas, B&Bs, quaint cabins, and peaceful retreats, are favorite places to relax and unwind with that special someone.
This town has a wild side too. It’s teeming with exciting activities for adventurers and thrill-seekers. For the outdoor adventurers, there’s hiking, biking, and spelunking. Thrill-seekers will want to add bouldering, zip-lining, snowboarding, and crossing the mile-high swinging bridge. (Talk about exhilarating!) And everyone will want to come to Blowing Rock to check out some of the best festivals in North Carolina.
As more and more visitors become enamored with the wealth of opportunities that adorn this “Crown of the Blue Ridge Mountains,” there is growing interest in Blowing Rock real estate. Just up the road, an easy 30-minute drive along Highway 321, you’ll find The Coves Mountain River Club, a gated mountain community with its own blend of adventure and relaxation. It’s a Baby Boomer’s paradise, complete with all the coziness of mountain living, plus easy access to the High Country. Residents there answered the call of the mountains by choosing The Coves and settling into a lovely custom-built mountain home that’s close to High Country highlights in towns like Blowing Rock, Boone, and Banner Elk.
This trio of towns along the Blue Ridge Parkway provides endless Southern charm and mountain recreation for residents of The Coves and surrounding areas. Weaving your way in and around the breathtakingly beautiful scenic parkway on your way to explore each town will make your journey just as memorable as the destination. As you wind your way up higher and higher from Boone (3,300 ft. above sea level) to Banner Elk (3,739 ft.) to Blowing Rock (4,000 ft.), you’ll understand why this area is one of the most popular destinations for mountain lovers.
Boone, NC
If Blowing Rock is the “Crown of the Blue Ridge Mountains,” then Boone is one of her most precious jewels. With pleasantly high elevations, this town lures Southerners with her cool mountain breezes, providing a perfect escape from the blazing summer heat. Travel magazines call Boone one of the Southeast’s “ultimate outdoor adventure destinations.” The town’s namesake, Daniel Boone, camped here on his way to Kentucky in the late 18th century. And today, it’s still a favorite spot for those who love camping out in the heart of High Country. Not only does the National Park Service provide tents and RV sites along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, the Boone area also offers campers a wide choice of privately owned campgrounds perfect for parking an RV or pitching a tent under a blanket of stars in the clear Appalachian sky.
Boone is not only a campers’ paradise, it’s also a college town with a rich history. College life here is infused with the same pioneering spirit of the town’s founders who prevailed in the face of the many hardships of early mountain living. The Boone Campus of Appalachian State University was established over a century ago with strong roots in the community. Its impressive alumni network helps “App Grads” find leadership roles within the community, an important factor in helping build Boone’s reputation as a commerce hub in the NC High Country area, and contributing to the big city-feel of this small Southern town. Boone is a “big small town” in more ways than one. At 3,300 feet above sea level and with a population of over 10,000, Boone has the highest elevation of any town this size east of the Mississippi River.
Banner Elk, NC
Just 18 miles west of Boone (and equidistant to Blowing Rock) you’ll find the small but culturally rich town of Banner Elk. It’s nestled within some of the highest mountains east of the Rockies, including Grandfather Mountain and two mighty slopes – Sugar and Beech Mountains – that are perfect for wintertime skiing, tubing, and snowboarding. This stunning stretch of Blue Ridge is known as “The Ski Capital of the South.” At over 3,000 feet above sea level and tucked cozily in the embrace of these highest of mountain peaks, the Banner Elk elevation makes for cool year-round mountain lake climates and ideal conditions for winter sports and recreation.
In the warmer months, lake lovers are drawn to Banner Elk for swimming, boating, fishing, and picnicking at family-friendly Wildcat Lake. Or, for a larger lake experience, nearby Watauga Lake, famous for its more than 6,000 acres of gorgeous mountain-fringed shoreline, spans along 16 miles of lush landscape and welcomes visitors to enjoy a variety of Cherokee National Forest activities, including boating, swimming, and fishing for bluegill, bass, and rainbow trout. Because this lake is so peaceful and secluded, it’s a favorite location for private cabins and lake houses. Those in the market for vacation properties will find an abundance of charming cabins for sale or rent in Banner Elk, and land for sale near Boone. Visitors and residents alike are fans of this town’s lively arts and culture scene. World-class restaurants, upscale boutiques, diverse cultural venues, and unique shops along the pedestrian shopping promenade give this town colorful character and an artsy feel.
If it’s starting to sound like the three small towns that make up High Country’s “Southern Loop” are a virtual four-season playground, you’re right. This fun-paced region has something for everyone, and it’s visited often by neighbors in nearby communities like The Coves Mountain River Club, who count their blessings every day that they get to wake up in their own personal mountain haven plus have quick access to all the goings-on in nature’s year-round playground.
When they’re ready to drive on down the Parkway to play for the day (or set up camp and stay a while), our mountain friends are sure to jump in and enjoy all the not-to-be-missed attractions in these three bustling towns – Blowing Rock, Boone, and Banner Elk
Exploring the area for the first time?
Let us know & ask for our 70 page complimentary Western North Carolina Visitor's Guide which provides more information about living in the foothills.
While you’re in the shopping groove, don’t forget there are some heavenly day spas and relaxing salons in this region for those who prefer the gift of pampering. When you want to take a souvenir home with you, there are plenty of fabulous wineries, art galleries, craft stores, and specialty shops in all three towns. You definitely won’t be walking away without that perfect High Country experience (a mountain massage… aaah) or a unique Appalachian gift to preserve and share your mountain memories.
If you’re like your mountain-loving neighbors, you’ll want to preserve those memories each time you visit the High Country of North Carolina. And eventually, you’ll realize it’s not only a great place to visit, it’s also a great place to live. That’s when you’ll start exploring Blowing Rock real estate or land for sale near Boone. When you get to that point, be sure to put The Coves Mountain River Club at the top of your list of neighborhoods to consider.
Tucked away in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the peaceful Johns River, and with so many leisure activities built in to this gated-community lifestyle, The Coves is one of those places that feels like a vacation retreat. But the good news is, this place is home sweet home. And it’s a home you can have custom built to your specifications, with impressive great rooms, sloping ceilings, and wrap-around porches. This is your home, built your way, in a mountain paradise that’s tailored for a happy ever after.
Start writing your own romantic tale with your perfectly happy ever after by visiting The Coves Mountain River Club and discovering the joys of scenic mountain living.
