Inside: A peek at visiting Blowing Rock, NC from a local mom, complete with where to eat, where to stay and things to do in Blowing Rock.

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Blowing Rock, NC is such a charming town and a lovely place for a weekend or even a day trip. The area has so much to offer, especially this mountain oasis. 

The town of Blowing Rock is nearly perfect – adorable Main Street, delicious restaurants, an ice cream shop, art studios, and a gorgeous location sitting 3,600ft in elevation with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains (current estimates for fall peak leaf viewing is the third week of October – Blowing Rock sites just below 4,000 feet). Especially for the outdoor lover, Blowing Rock has a lot to offer. 

About Blowing Rock 

Established in March 1889, expect to find shops along Main Street that carry goods from local artists, artisan soaps and apparel, and delicious restaurants. Bright flowers line the sidewalk and the temperature is always cooler here than in Greenville, which is a welcome relief during the summer. 

If you love the outdoors, Blowing Rock offers not only some great gear shops but it’s close to Grandfather Mountain, Rough Ridge, and tons of waterfalls. You can hit a trail without even leaving downtown Blowing Rock as a waterfall trail begins in the middle of town. 

Fun Things to do Near Blowing Rock 

Plein Air Festival 

Lots of places have art festivals but this one – the Plein Air Festival– is worth the trip. Plein Air just means that the art is done outdoors. The festival is held every August from Tuesday-Saturday and you’ll get to see 100 artists from all over the world painting around Blowing Rock and local trails and mountains and lakes. It is so much fun to get to see these amazing artists at work and view all the beauty there through their eyes. You can view and purchase the artwork on that final Saturday of the festival. The artwork below is by Jennifer Mills, one of the artists.

Go Shopping

The small shops that line Main Street have all kinds of interesting and unique gifts, apparel, decor, and things that you didn’t know you needed. One of my very favorite shops was the bookstore right off Main called FireLight Book & Candle. They have an amazing book selection (think books on recipes from Middle Earth, the latest in Young Adult fiction, and the best in true crime) plus handmade candles and a little book nook for kids that my youngest daughter didn’t want to leave. 

Enjoy the Playground

The playground in the middle of town is awesome. It has things for little kids through tweens and adults can hang out at the gazebo while drinking their coffee or eating ice cream and admiring the flowers. My kids love this playground. There’s even a sandy volleyball court and clean bathrooms. 

Check out the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum

This museum is gorgeous and hosts all the art from the Plein Air Festival. They also have lots of programs for families, including art clubs for kids and teens. Definitely don’t miss this place on your trip and if you love the outdoors, be sure to find Jennifer, the Education Center Director, who will give you recommendations on the best trails to visit!

Valle Crucis 

Valley Crucis claims the original Mast General store and it’s super cool, complete with the candy barrels and squeaky floors. There’s a great ice cream place next door as well. 

Go Skiing at Appalachian Ski 

During wintertime, you can go skiing at Appalachian Ski Mountain nearby. They even have homeschool specials. 

Nearby Trails and Waterfalls 

Rough Ridge 

This is one of my most favorite hikes ever because of the views. You feel like you’re on top of the world. The hike is within the Grandfather Mountain district and you see the park from the trail plus views of Linn Cove Viaduct and the Linville Gorge are stunning. It’s a short hike – under a mile roundtrip – and it’s crucial to stay on the trail as the landscape is exceptionally fragile. Most of the year, but especially during the fall season, the trailhead will be packed so get there early.

Moses Cone Manor 

An old summer retreat built by a textile magnet and his wife at the turn of the 20th century, the manor and its 25 miles of hiking and horse trails is now a part of the National Park Service. I love the Flat Top Tower trail, a four-mile round trip hike that winds through forests and meadows up to an old firetower where you get 360-degree views of the mountains. 

Linn Cove Viaduct

The Linn Cove Viaduct is an architectural marvel that is so beautiful and a magnet for fall leaf peepers. Be sure to not only take the Rough Ridge trail for an awesome view but head to the visitors center to learn how it was built and take the trail that goes under the bridge. 

Bass Lake

The lake sits right under the Moses Cone Manor and is filled with lilypads over the summer. It’s a popular place to have a picnic and take an easy stroll. 

Glen Burney Falls

This trail was closed when we went but the trailhead is in the middle of town and takes you to a beautiful waterfall. It’s a moderately difficult trek of over three miles with some areas where kids absolutely need to be watched.

Where to Eat 

The Town Tavern

The Town Tavern has typical pub food but they do it well. The Tavern is cozy and the staff are wonderful. We loved the burgers, nachos, and fries. 

Mellow Mushroom

The Holy Shitake pizza – oh my gosh. I think I dreamt about it that night after dinner. Their Greek salad and pepperoni pizza are amazing. Don’t miss eating at the Mellow Mushroom.

Camp Coffee Roasters

Camp Coffee Roasters is a super cute coffee shop that has creative concoctions plus lots of adorable things for sale like stuffed animals and beautiful pottery. They also have breakfast sandwiches. 

Kilwins

Do yourself a favor and get the Salted Caramel and eat it while sitting outside and people-watching. You will probably need to go here a couple times during your trip because the addicting smell of waffle cones wafts throughout Main Street.

Bald Guy Brewing

A simple but tasty coffee shop on Main Street in Blowing Rock, Bald Guy Brew’s drip coffee is just perfect. They are also on the more affordable end of coffee shops, which is appreciated.

Where to Stay

Every time I’ve visited Blowing Rock for an overnight trip, I have had the opportunity to stay at the Hemlock Inn, one block off Main Street, and minutes from trails and shops. 

This 18-room inn is absolutely charming. It is owned by a very kind and sweet couple who will make you feel right at home. The rooms are big and include a mini-fridge, coffee maker, and microwave. Everyone gathers at the gazebo during the evening to rehash their day and meet new people. The decor feels like you’re in the Swiss Alps and is rustic and comfortable. There are flowers everywhere and wooden benches and tables outside your room to relax in.

The location is ideal. I walked to get coffee and dinner every day. The playground is within walking distance as is Bass Lake and all the cute shops on Main Street.

Why I Love Blowing Rock 

Blowing Rock is under three hours from the Upstate but feels a world away. It’s quaint, charming, and is one of those towns I thought only existed through the imagination of some movie director. 

I love the walkability of the town plus it’s within 25 minutes of some of my very favorite hiking trails. The restaurants are delicious, the coffee strong and smooth, and the people are so kind and sweet. 

Like most of Western NC, Blowing Rock struggled mightily after Hurricane Helene hit in September 2024. The storm dealt a huge blow to these businesses, taking away their busiest season. This is a wonderful area to take your fall trip to. They will treat you well and you probably won’t want to leave.

There’s more to love in Western North Carolina.

Check it out in our HUGE Guide to Kidding Around (Things to Do) in Western North Carolina

Inside: Local mom visits Folly Beach, SC, and has all the tips for your next trip there!

Have you visited Folly Beach, SC? No matter what kind of beach trip you are looking for, you can find it on the barrier islands of Charleston, South Carolina. Folly Beach is your best bet for the perfect mix of relaxing beaches and spots to dine. Folly Island is 18 square miles of sand and sun and offers a beach town vibe just 20 minutes from the tourist attractions of Charleston. 

This article includes:
Public Beach Access on Folly Island
Folly Island Places to Eat

For a truly relaxing resort right on the ocean with lots to do for families, couples, or groups of friends, Kingston Resorts in Myrtle Beach is the perfect choice. Once you park your car and check in, you won’t need to go anywhere for entertainment, food, and relaxation!

Thank you to Kingston Resorts for hosting us so we could write this review.

Rooms at the Embassy Suites

This hotel is perfect for families especially because every room is spacious and the bedroom is in a separate space from the living area. There are several options for sleeping and they all have a bedroom and a pullout couch in the living space for more sleeping quarters. 

There’s a mini-fridge, microwave, table and chairs, a big bathroom, and all the rooms here have big balconies that have full or partial ocean views. We got a partial ocean view that overlooked the pool space. Partial ocean view isn’t accurate – the view of the beach was huge. We could see far down to the pier. It was beautiful!

Included Perks at the Embassy Suites

Having stayed at several Embassy Suites in the past, my kids always remember the breakfast and are thrilled whenever we get the chance to stay at another one of the properties. The breakfast here is amazing. They have so many delicious offerings, both hot and cold, plus made-to-omelets.

We had eggs, bacon, waffles, yogurt, fresh fruit, cereal, grits, and oatmeal. The line was long for the omelets so we didn’t indulge there but they looked good! We had coffee and juice as well and the best part was eating at a table that overlooked the beach. It was beautiful. This is included with your room, which is a big cost savings when you travel. I love the perk of free breakfasts.

Also included every night is the happy hour at the bar area, which includes two alcoholic drinks for adults, mixed non-alcoholic drinks like Shirley Temple’s, and a snack bar with veggies, tortilla chips, dip, and other snacks. 

The Pools and Waterpark 

When you stay at the Embassy Suites, you have access to all the pools at the property plus the sister Hilton property, which includes a beautiful lagoon pool with a sandy bottom and small waterfall.

The big waterpark at the Embassy Suites is by far the largest area for swimming in freshwater. The main pool is enormous. There are a lot of reclining chairs and umbrellas here but they do get scooped up so if you plan to be at the main pool and waterpark all day, I suggest getting there within the first hour they open, between 8-9am. 

The waterpark at the Embassy Suites also has two big waterslides, which are super fun! My daughters and I went down them I don’t know how many times as we tried to go as fast as possible. It was so much fun. Kids must be 48” tall to ride them and will get turned away at the bottom – or top (way worse at this point so parents do your due diligence and measure your kid at the ruler at the bottom) – so be sure to check beforehand. 

If the kids are too small for the big waterslides, no worries because there’s a whole other smaller water play area with four slides and a big splashy tub for them to play in. To be sure I explain everything as accurately as I can to our readers, I tested all these little slides and didn’t get stuck, so that was great. I did get massively splashed on and targeted with the water pistols though. Be forewarned!

The outdoor pool at the Embassy Suites are heated so they are open all year. The waterpark is heated as well but open on limited availability.

Cabanas

There are cabanas all around the Hilton and Embassy Suites pools. They all have TVs, comfortable couches, small tables, and reclining chairs. They are private and oh-so-relaxing. 

The Embassy Suites was kind enough to give my daughters and I a cabana rental for the day we were there. I had never used one of these before and now I’m completely spoiled. It was really – like really – nice. It was so relaxing to have this space to hang out in, to have reliable shade and chairs and a comfortable area to enjoy throughout the day. When the waterpark got busy and chairs were nowhere to be found, I was really happy to have had this space.

While you can order food from anywhere via your phone and have it delivered to your chair, servers make the rounds to the cabanas often and are there to take your order and get you whatever you need. Food doesn’t come with your cabana rental but there are plenty of options to order for delicious food and drinks. We got the hummus plate, nachos, chicken tenders, and chicken club sandwich. I also indulged in a pina colada-type drink and it was refreshing on that hot day!

The cabanas would also be great for families with smaller kids who need to nap or rest up in between playing at the waterpark. 

The cabanas can be reserved when you arrive at the hotel or online ahead of time, which would be ideal for those busier summer weekends and holidays. They vary in price by date and location.

Black Drum Brewing and Currents

Black Drum Brewing is the newest addition to Kingston Resorts. It’s a beautiful restaurant with an incredibly delicious menu featuring Southern cuisine and local craft brews. 

We got their huge soft pretzel because I can never refuse such an offering. It was delicious. Dinner was a kids meal of mac & cheese and fruit, Carolina Gold pulled chicken with mac & cheese and fruit, a side of mashed potatoes, and a pepperoni pizza. There are four different BBQ sauces to choose from and you need to choose the blackberry one. 

Everything was very good but the chicken and pizza were our favorites. Both were flavorful and the servings were huge. There were three of us and we took back leftovers to our hotel room. The place has cozy but welcoming atmosphere and while the doors weren’t open to the pool area, when they are, you’ll get a beautiful view. There’s also cornhole outside to play while you wait. 

When you’re at the main pool at the Embassy Suites, you can order from Black Drum Brewing or Currents. Since we had tried Black Drum the night before, we ended up getting our lunch from Currents, which was also really good! The portions weren’t nearly as large though but the chicken tenders, nachos, and chicken club sandwiches were great. The tenders and sandwich came with a side of fruit, cole slaw, or fries. Expect to pay around $18-$20/person for either of these places. 

Beachfront Location 

Obviously the big draw of Kingston Resorts is its oceanfront location. You cannot get any closer to the beach than if you were laying in the sand. There are multiple beach access points so you don’t need to lug all your beach gear out of the parking lot and down a half mile boardwalk. It’s so close!

We truly enjoyed our evening beach walk right on the water to the pier. It had been storming all day and the clouds finally parted and we got to enjoy a beautiful night walking along the water and taking fun photos. I loved showing my girls the cool shots you can take under the pier and then just walking the few steps back to the hotel and up to our room. It was a terrific way to end the evening. 

If you don’t want to lug your beach equipment out to the sand, you can easily rent beach chairs and umbrellas and make your trip hassle free. The other neat thing about the resort is that the beach in front of the hotel is just for those guests. We were there on a really hot day and there was so much space out on the sand, even with lots of people there. It wasn’t crazy packed, which was really nice. And there are lifeguards stationed throughout the beach as well. 

Other Experiences at Kingston Resorts

While we wish we could have stayed longer – we want to go for a week next time! – we could not do everything the resort has to offer. Actually, we probably couldn’t even do everything if we had a week here. 

There is a full service spa on site. There’s a huge fitness room with classes you can enjoy while on vacation. There are mermaid experiences, tie dye shirt making, slime fun, and tons of other things to do that look like a lot of fun. 

Be sure to browse the Kingston Resort website before booking your trip to make sure you see everything that’s available and don’t miss out on the cool stuff they offer.

Honest Mom Review

This was a quick trip for my daughters and I but it was truly one of our favorites. The hotel makes everything so easy – from dining to entertainment to relaxation. I didn’t have to worry about where were going to eat or what things I had to plan for the trip. It was all just there and waiting for us to enjoy.

And you cannot beat the proximity to the ocean. While I’m a hardliner mountains girl, the endless expanse of the water is exceptionally calming. I loved walking on the beach with my daughters in the evening and the views from the room were spectacular.

Lastly, the location of the resort in North Myrtle Beach is very quiet and calm. You are not in the epicenter of the loud boardwalk and entertainment, which I honestly loved. We did do a quick shopping trip on our way home at the Tanger Outlets, five minutes from the resort, but I could hardly call that loud and crazy.

I was so happy with the entire experience at the resort and hope to come back to do it again!

Kingston Resorts
900 Queensway Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC
 Kingston Resorts Website | Kingston Resorts Facebook

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