With high gas prices, it’s a challenge to find a fun trip to take with your kids that won’t break the bank. Fortunately, Boone, Blowing Rock and the amazing area attractions are a half tank of gas away (or less) for most people in the Charlotte area, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Asheville, Greenville, SC area and Eastern Tennessee. Whether you are planning a day trip or a whole vacation, our area is an affordable option with tons of unique attractions to help you make great family memories!
Mystery Hill
Located just off Hwy 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock, Mystery Hill used to be called a roadside attraction but has grown to now be an amusement park. Discover North Carolina’s Natural Gravitational Anomaly, pan for gems at Prospector Hill, throw axes at Tomahawk Hill, see if you can hold on for 8 seconds in the Bull Riding Challenge, have fun with science in the Hall of Mystery, encase your friends in bubbles at Bubblerama and so much more! Be sure to also explore Appalachian history in our 1903 Dougherty House Museum, adjoining Historic Farmyard with farm animals, and the Native American Artifacts Museum, Finish off your action-packed day with commemorative souvenir photos at Professor Finnegan’s Old Time Photos and an Over-the-Top Mason Jar Milkshake at Front Porch Eats. And be sure to visit during our super fun annual events including Chill at the Hill, Halloween on the Hill, Crazy Christmas, and Murder at the Hill.
Tweetsie Railroad
Located between Boone and Blowing Rock, Tweetsie Railroad is wild west fun for the whole family! Experience an action-packed day where you can hop aboard a historic, narrow-gauge steam locomotive, enjoy classic amusement park rides, feed the animals in the Deer Park zoo, pan for gold, enjoy live entertainment, and more! Be sure to check out special events including Day Out with Thomas, Ghost Train, and Tweetsie Christmas.
Grandfather Mountain
Just a few more miles down the road, Grandfather Mountain is a nature park home to amazing biodiversity and scenic beauty in an International Biosphere Reserve. Walk across America’s tallest suspension footbridge, the Mile-High Swinging Bridge, enjoy hiking trails and learn about indigenous animals in their habitats including bears, cougars, otters, and deer. In addition, learn about area gems, plants, birds, and history in the Nature Museum.
Outdoor Adventure
The Boone & Blowing Rock area have excellent outdoor adventure options year-round. From skiing and snowboarding at Appalachian Ski Mountain, Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain, to tubing and winter ziplining at Hawksnest Tubing and Zipline, the High Country offers excellent winter adventure activities. In the warmer months, folks love to go river tubing, whitewater rafting, canoeing, zip lining, adventure parks, kayaking and fly fishing with area guides including Wahoo’s Adventures, and more.