Small town charm, affordability and the natural scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains... these are just a few
of the characteristics that make the picturesque mountain villages of Boone and Blowing Rock great places to live. Here in
the High Country, in North Carolina's northwestern corner, the majesty and power of these soaring peaks, with their green
tranquil valleys, have given birth to generations of native musicians, artists, writers and craftsmen whose presence is readily
apparent in the rich cultural and artistic heritage of this unique region.
Today, the art and handwork of many of these
skilled individuals can be found in the wide array of shops and galleries lining the streets of both towns. In fact, it is
estimated that more than a thousand artists and craftsmen reside here, drawing from the beauty of the mountains as inspiration
for their works of art. And, not surprisingly, this under current of artistic tradition is a pervasive influence on Blowing
Rockís being such a unique and fascinating place to live.
In the picture postcard town of Blowing Rock, visitors
stroll streets lined with flower boxes spilling over with begonias and geraniums and browse quaint shops offering art, sweets,
antiques, and native crafts and pottery. Here, on Main Street, you will find Bob Timberlake's first gallery and horse-drawn
carriages for hire. Main Street is still the heart of the community complete with an old-fashioned park at its center that
is the site for Sunday concerts and for the annual summer Art in the Park, considered one of the finest arts and crafts shows
on the East Coast.
Perched atop the Eastern Continental Divide, Blowing Rock's year-round population of 3,200 mushrooms
every summer into a bustling, vibrant resort town, one with numerous unique and inviting lodging facilities, including bed
and breakfasts, cozy inns and rustic cabins catering to visitors who come to enjoy the summer mountain breezes, the many fine
and restaurants and the several quality golf courses found throughout the area.
Less than ten miles away, nestled in
a serene valley surrounded by the majestic Appalachian Mountains is Boone, a charming college town of 14,000 residents. Several
publications have ranked Boone among America's most livable and affordable small towns and a great place to retire...an honor
which can be attributed, in part, to the area's natural scenic beauty and outdoor activities, its low cost of living and its
many artistic and cultural diversions.
Unquestionably, the presence of Appalachia State University has contributed
greatly to the latter, as evidenced by its annual Appalachian Summer Music Festival, which has been hosting nationally known
performances for twenty years in the fields of dance, music and theater. A recent addition to the cultural life of the area
was the opening of the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, another university facility which is certain to have a major impact
on the future of art in the community.
Cultural diversions are not the only option for anyone living in the High Country.
Opportunities abound for almost any type of outdoor recreation imaginable, whether it be hiking or backpacking in a backwoods
wilderness area or fly fishing or rafting in a mountain stream. And outdoor adventure here is a year-round activity; four
major winter ski resorts are located less than an hour away.
Population: Boone (13,500) Blowing Rock (3,200)
Climate:
January average low (21) July average high (76)
Rainfall: 49" Snowfall 36"
Median House Value: Boone:
$171,400 Blowing Rock: $228,800
