The Best Summer Activities for Families Near Blowing Rock, NC
Published by Rachel and Peter White, Hosts of Hemlock Hill Cabin
Summer in the Blue Ridge Mountains is something families tend to underestimate until they experience it firsthand. While the rest of the Carolinas bakes in heat and humidity, Blowing Rock sits at 4,000 feet where summer highs hover in the mid-70s and the air actually feels like air. It is the kind of weather that makes you want to be outside all day, and fortunately, there is no shortage of things to do.
We have put together this guide from our own experience as hosts and as parents who have spent a lot of time exploring the High Country with kids. Some of these we do ourselves. Some are recommendations we give guests before they arrive. All of them are worth your time.
Start at Price Lake – Our First Recommendation for Every Family
If you ask us what to do on your first morning at Hemlock Hill Cabin, the answer is almost always the same: go to Price Lake.
Price Lake sits on the Blue Ridge Parkway just a short walk or drive from the cabin, and it is one of those places that works for every age. The loop trail around the lake is flat, easy, and beautiful – toddlers can handle it, grandparents can handle it, and anyone in between will enjoy it. In summer, the water is calm and the mountains reflect off the surface in a way that makes you want to stay longer than you planned.
The real highlight for families is the boathouse, which rents kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards during summer months. We have kayaked Price Lake ourselves and it is genuinely one of our favorite things to do in the area. There is no current, the water is often calm, and you can paddle all the way around the lake at a relaxed pace while the kids steer into lily pads and point at turtles. For younger kids who are not ready to paddle on their own, tandem kayaks work perfectly.
Arrive early on summer weekends – the parking lot fills up by mid-morning and the boat rentals go quickly.
Tweetsie Railroad – A Full Day for the Whole Family
We have been to Tweetsie Railroad with kids and it delivers every time. It is North Carolina’s original theme park, built around a historic narrow-gauge steam locomotive that has been running since 1962, and the whole experience has a nostalgic, unhurried quality that feels different from a corporate theme park.
The train ride itself is the centerpiece – a three-mile journey through the mountains with a Wild West show along the way that kids take very seriously. Beyond the train there are classic carnival rides, a petting zoo, live entertainment, and gold panning that could keep a seven-year-old occupied for an entire afternoon. For younger kids the rides are perfectly scaled. For older kids the shows and the train have enough going on to hold their attention.
Tweetsie is about eight miles from Hemlock Hill Cabin (about a 15 minute drive). ย Admission is all-inclusive with no hidden fees for individual rides or shows. Buy tickets in advance online at tweetsie.com, especially for summer weekends which sell out. Parking is always free.
One tip worth knowing: if you arrive after 3pm your ticket is valid for the following day as well, which makes a late afternoon visit an easy way to get two days of fun for the price of one.
Hunt Fish Falls – Our Insider Swim Hole
This one we give to guests who want to go somewhere the crowds have not found yet.
Hunt Fish Falls is a short hike through rhododendron forest to a two-tiered waterfall on Lost Cove Creek with a deep, clear swimming hole at its base. The water is cold in the way that mountain water always is – the kind that takes your breath away for the first few seconds and then feels perfect. The rocks and sandy spits around the pool make for a natural picnic spot, and the surrounding forest is quiet in a way that feels genuinely away from everything.
The trail is about 1.5 miles round trip with a steep descent to the falls – manageable for kids who are comfortable on trails, though remember you have to climb back out. Sturdy shoes for everyone. Bring a picnic, a towel, and plan to spend a few hours.
This is a summer secret worth keeping. Arrive early, especially on weekends.
Boone Fork Trail Loop – Another Swim Hole Worth Finding
The Boone Fork Trail Loop is one of our favorite hikes for families who want a little more adventure than a flat lake walk but are not ready for a strenuous climb.
The loop is about 4.9 miles and winds through forest, meadow, and along Boone Fork Creek. The creek crossings and swimming holes along the way are the highlight – cool, clear mountain water with enough flat rocks and shallow sections that kids can wade and splash without worrying about strong current. It is the kind of hike where you stop often, eat lunch on a rock next to the water, and arrive back at the car pleasantly tired.
The trailhead is located at the Boone Fork parking area off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Price Lake. No admission fee.
High Gravity Adventures – For the Thrill Seekers
We have not done High Gravity Adventures ourselves yet – it is on our list – but guests who have done it come back raving about it every time.
High Gravity Adventures is an aerial adventure park located between Boone and Blowing Rock featuring a zip line tour that culminates in a 70-foot free fall, a multi-level ropes course, a giant swing, and a kids-only course called the Foothills that sits just 15 feet off the ground for ages four and up. The full aerial course is best for kids seven and older.
For families with a mix of ages and thrill tolerances, the variety of options means everyone can find something at their level. The guides are professional and the safety equipment is provided. Reservations are strongly recommended in summer – book ahead at highgravityadventures.com.
Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park โ For Active Families
For families who want to get out on bikes, Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park is worth knowing about. Named an Ultimate Ride Hotspot by Velo Magazine, the park offers trails for a wide range of skill levels. ย From beginner-friendly flow trails to more technical routes for experienced riders. The Sunset Skills pump track is a great place for kids to practice and build confidence before hitting longer trails.
Rocky Knob is a short drive from Blowing Rock and admission is free. Bring your own bikes or check local outfitters in Boone for rentals. It is the kind of place that works well as a half day activity. ย Active families could easily combine it with a morning at Price Lake and an afternoon at the cabin hot tub.
Grandfather Mountain – Wildlife and Views That Stick With Kids
Grandfather Mountain is one of those places that families remember for years. The Mile High Swinging Bridge gets all the attention and rightfully so – the views from the top are stunning and crossing the bridge with kids is the kind of thing they talk about on the drive home.
But for families with young children, the Wildlife Habitat is the real highlight. Black bears, river otters, bald eagles, cougars, and white-tailed deer, all in naturalistic habitats close enough that kids can actually watch them move around. It is better than any zoo we have been to for showing kids what animals look like in their natural environment.
Grandfather Mountain is about 20 miles from Hemlock Hill. Admission is date-based and prices vary – book tickets in advance at grandfather.com. The mountain is about a 30 to 35 minute drive via the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway route which is worth the extra few minutes.
Gem Mining โ Still on Our List
We have not done gem mining ourselves yet but it is on our list and guests with kids love it every time. The High Country has several gem mining spots where you buy a bucket of mineral-rich dirt and sift through it in a water flume to find real gemstones – quartz, amethyst, garnets, and occasionally more valuable finds. Kids get to keep everything they find which makes it feel genuinely exciting rather than staged.
Two spots worth knowing about:
Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine in Blowing Rock is the closest to the cabin and has indoor flumes which makes it a perfect rainy day activity. They also have mini golf and a Nerf arena for kids who want more after the mining.
Foggy Mountain Gem Mine near Banner Elk is another popular option with a reputation for generous finds.
Both are good options – Doc’s Rocks wins on convenience and the rainy day factor.
Mystery Hill – Quirky and Surprisingly Fun
Mystery Hill is one of those places that looks cheesy from the outside and turns out to be genuinely entertaining once you are in it. The main attraction is a room built on a slant where everything rolls uphill and optical illusions mess with your sense of gravity in a way that is hard to explain until you experience it. Kids love it. Adults find themselves surprisingly disoriented.
Beyond the gravity room there is gem mining, a Native American museum, and a small arcade. It is not a full day activity but it is a fun hour and a half, especially good as a midday activity between a morning hike and an afternoon at the cabin.
Mystery Hill is located on US 321 between Blowing Rock and Boone, about 10 minutes from the cabin.
Art in the Park – Free and Worth Knowing About
Every second weekend from May through October, downtown Blowing Rock hosts Art in the Park – a juried art show on Saturday followed by a free concert at the Rotary Gazebo on Sunday.
The show features local and regional artists selling handmade pottery, jewelry, paintings, and crafts. The Sunday concerts cover everything from bluegrass to jazz to Appalachian folk. Both events are free, they happen rain or shine, and the downtown location means you can combine them with lunch or ice cream and make an easy afternoon of it.
For a summer trip timed around an Art in the Park weekend, it adds a layer of local culture that most visitors miss entirely.
Blowing Rock Public Pool – Easy Summer Cool Down
Sometimes the best summer activity is the simplest one. The Blowing Rock public pool sits right in the heart of town behind the playground at Broyhill Park and is one of those local spots that visitors rarely know about until a local tells them.
The pool features a water slide, sprayers, and shower facilities, with most of the pool sitting at 3 feet deep โ perfectly scaled for young kids who want to splash around without worrying about depth. It is open to the public during summer months and admission is per person by the day. Parking is in the lot behind the playground which also serves the pool.
One heads up – summer camp groups occasionally book the pool for field trips which makes it busier than usual. Call ahead or arrive early if you want more space. After the pool, the playground right next door and the Broyhill Park pond loop make for an easy full morning without driving anywhere.
Fourth of July in Blowing Rock
If your summer trip overlaps with the Fourth of July, Blowing Rock’s Independence Day celebration is one of the best small-town parades you will find anywhere. The parade runs down Main Street with local families, musicians, and community organizations making the kind of procession that feels genuinely celebratory rather than corporate. Music in the park follows the parade through the afternoon.
Note that Main Street closes to parking from midnight the night before through just after the parade, so plan accordingly.
A Note on Summer Temperatures
One of the most common surprises guests mention is how comfortable the summer weather actually is at this elevation. Mid-70s in July with low humidity is the norm. Mornings and evenings are genuinely cool โ bring a light layer for evenings on the porch or around the fire pit even in August.
The exception is occasional afternoon thunderstorms, which are common in the mountains in summer. Plan outdoor activities for morning and early afternoon, and keep the hot tub and fire pit in reserve for evenings when the storms have usually passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to visit Blowing Rock with kids?
Summer is the most popular season for families and for good reason. Cool temperatures, all outdoor activities in full swing, and no school conflicts make it the easiest time to plan a trip. Fall is spectacular for foliage but moves faster and fills up earlier. Spring is beautiful and less crowded with wildflowers along the Parkway. Winter is magical if your family skis.
How hot does it get in Blowing Rock in summer?
Typical summer highs are in the mid-70s. Occasionally it reaches the low 80s during a heat wave but the elevation keeps it significantly cooler than Charlotte, Raleigh, or the lowland Carolinas. It is one of the most popular summer escape destinations in the Southeast for exactly this reason.
Is Price Lake good for young kids?
Yes! Price Lake is one of the best spots in the area for young children. The loop trail is flat and stroller friendly. The kayak and paddleboard rentals at the boathouse are manageable for families with kids of any age. The water is calm with no current.
How far is Tweetsie Railroad from Hemlock Hill Cabin?
About eight miles (roughly a 15 minute drive). It is one of the easiest day trips from the cabin and one we recommend to almost every family that stays with us.
Are there swimming holes near Blowing Rock?
Yes! Hunt Fish Falls and Boone Fork Trail both have excellent swimming holes within 25 miles of the cabin. Both require a hike to reach. Arrive early in summer to beat the crowds and check trail conditions before you go.
Is there anything free to do near Blowing Rock?
Quite a bit. Price Lake trail, Boone Fork Trail, Art in the Park, Moses Cone carriage trails, the Bass Lake loop, and most Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks and trails are all free. The Fourth of July parade and concert are free. The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum is free with a suggested donation.
Ready to Plan Your Summer Trip?
Summer dates at Hemlock Hill fill up quickly โ July and August weekends in particular go months in advance. If a specific summer week is on your mind, checking availability sooner rather than later is always the right move.
Check availability and book directly at Hemlock Hill Cabin for the best available rate and no platform fees. We look forward to welcoming your family to the mountains.