Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the village of Blowing Rock, with its quaint main street, would look at home in a snowglobe. Visitors seeking a getaway in North Carolina’s vaunted High Country region have been flocking to Blowing Rock since just after the Civil War, when several townspeople converted their homes into hotels. Today the town caters to travelers with upscale dining, a small but robust art and history museum celebrating the heritage of Southern Appalachia, and such quirky local attractions as the Tweetsie Railroad amusement park, where you can ride a steam locomotive built in 1917. It is also the only full-service town to be found on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, and an ideal base for winter trips to Appalachian Ski Mountain.

Temperatures are cool in this high mountain town. May through September, expect temperatures in the low 60s to mid-70 degrees Fahrenheit. October through February, temperatures dip into the 30s and even 20s before rising into the 50s in March and April. If you are here for a ski trip, know that winters can bring snow, sleet, and freezing rains, so pack accordingly.

Blowing Rock

The village was named for its most famous local attraction, a distinctive rocky outcropping located high in the Blue Ridge Mountains that juts out 3,000 feet above Johns River Gorge. The walls of the gorge force air past the rock in such a way that light objects are blown upward, which earned the landmark its moniker. Reportedly the state’s oldest tourist attraction, the rock can be accessed via a short trail, affording you uninterrupted views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which look especially spectacular in fall when the trees erupt in brilliant oranges, golds, and reds.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Often called America’s Favorite Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway is a meandering 469-mile highway that runs along the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains, slicing through astonishingly beautiful scenery. Start your journey just outside town at the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, where you can explore a Gilded Age Mansion built by a rich textile entrepreneur, and shop local crafts curated by the Southern Highland Craft Guild. If waterfalls are your thing, there are several nearby that can be accessed from the highway, including the Cascades, a long series of falls accessed by steep wooden steps; Hebron Falls, which courses across massive boulders; and the majestic 60-foot Crabtree Falls.

Appalachian Ski Mountain

Swoosh down your choice of 12 slopes at Appalachian Ski Mountain, or show off your freestyle ski and snowboarding skills at three terrain parks. On Friday and Saturday nights, the park lights up, allowing visitors to stay on the slopes until midnight. You can also strap on a pair of skates and glide around an outdoor ice skating rink. When you need a break, head to the expansive Bavarian-style lodge, where you’ll find a massive fireplace, food and drink, and a large viewing deck. Equipment and clothing rentals are available on site.