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in Blowing Rock
by Renee Wright
Although you can undoubtedly find your favorite chain or franchise eatery along US 321, it's more fun to seek out some of the special places prized by local residents.
You can "eat in the rough" at Woodlands Barbecue & Pickin' Parlor. "Pig out specials" arrive at your table on pig-shaped platters and banjo and fiddle players entertain every night until 10pm.
There's plenty of upscale dining in the area, as well. The dining room at Crippens Country Inn & Restaurant has garnered national attention and holds a Certificate of Honor from the James Beard Foundation. Heirlooms, in the Inn at Ragged Gardens, offers innovative American fare. Both inns occupy historic buildings right in the heart of Blowing Rock.
For lunch, it's hard to beat the broiled or pan-fried Fresh Mountain Trout at the Speckled Trout Cafe & Oyster Bar. The cafe sits smack in the middle of Blowing Rock Village, but if fish isn't your dish, a handful of other restaurants of every culinary persuasion—Tijuana Fats', Cheeseburger In Paradise, The Six Pence Pub—line Main Street interspersed with fascinating shops.
For a relaxing afternoon, roam around Blowing Rock Village, shopping for gifts and antiques at unique places such Oz (devoted to Wizard of Oz memorabilia), Man in the Moon, the Dulcimer Shop, Follow Your Dream, etc. Other shops specialize in jewelry, hammocks, needlework, candles, bath products, dolls, heirlooms and much more.
For history buffs, there's a historic walking tour of the Village, including a stop at the Madonna of the Hills Episcopal Church to see its impressive Elliott Daingerfield altarpiece painting.
Mountain Galleries & Crafts
The area's premiere contemporary art gallery, Gallery 9 near Banner Elk, is a primary destination for visiting art lovers and collectors. Owned by artist Wayne Trapp, "9" presents the works of many nationally and internationally known artists in a charming venue overlooking a mountain stream.
Many traditional crafts survive in the mountains and the results are featured at area shops. To see one of these traditions in action head down Blackberry Rd. to the Bolick Family Pottery and nearby Traditions Pottery. Both owned by members of the same family, they make many pieces in traditional NC styles, including mugs, bowls, candle holders, even Folk Art Face Jugs and miniature tea sets.
In the Manor House at Moses Cone Memorial Park, the Parkway Craft Center presents a wide selection of hand-made objects from the Southern Highland Craft Guild.
The area is excellent for furniture and antique shopping. Local establishments such as Cabin Fever and Wellington's Leather Furniture represent top national lines, while Distinctive Furniture sells one-of-a-kind, hand-made designs.
Several shops along Blowing Rock's Main St. specialize in antiques and the Antique Bookshop at Happy Apple Farm (also on Blackberry Rd.) stocks some 12,000 old, used and rare books, maps, sheet music and games.
The 35 stores at Tanger Shoppes On The Parkway offer factory outlet prices on merchandise from Bass and Bali, Polo, Ralph Lauren, London Fog, IZOD, Jockey, Corning, Royal Doulton, Adolfo, Old Dog, Geoffrey Beene and much more. Nearby, the Tanner Factory Store sells samples of the popular Doncaster women's line at up to 70% off. DeWoolfson Down, manufacturers of European quality goose down comforters, pillows and featherbeds, has an outlet store in Blowing Rock Village, or visit the factory in Banner Elk and watch the feathers fly.
Mountain Information
Find out more about many of the places mentioned in this article at The website of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce <www.blowingrock.com> where a gallery of member pages gives you access to dozens of websites. For a taste of local color see especially the webpages of The Mountain Times, a local weekly.
Originally published in Charlotte's Best Magazine.
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