Dog Friendly Vacations North Carolina – Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Blowing Rock, North Carolina, is a thriving mountain town known for its outdoor recreation, great restaurants and shopping, and beautiful scenery. Blowing Rock is also one of the most dog-friendly towns we’ve had the pleasure of visiting.
Affectionately known as the “Crown of Blue Ridge,” this beautiful city is a must-see destination when traveling the world-famous Blue Ridge Parkway. If you have a favorite four-legged friend, even better!
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Would you like to take a short tour of this fairytale mountain town? Here’s a look at the best things to do with your dog in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
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Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know to plan your trip to dog-friendly Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
Located at mile marker 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Blowing Rock, Moses H. Cohn is a great destination for history lovers, hikers, hikers, dog walkers, and sunset enthusiasts.
The park encompasses 3,500 acres of the once sprawling property of Moses and Bertha Lindau Cohn, who made their fortune in the denim industry.
The house, known as Flat Top Manor, was built in the 1890s. The property was donated to the Blue Ridge Parkway in 1950. While much of Flat Top Manor is being restored, visitors can take a ranger-guided tour on the second floor or explore the local craft store on the first floor. However, dogs should insist on exploring the terrain.
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The beautiful grounds include 42 miles of carriage trails, two small lakes, and an observation tower atop Flat Top Mountain.
Dogs must be kept on a leash on the property and you will find many walkers, photographers, runners and horseback riders as you explore the trails.
If you’re short on time, we recommend exploring the Figure Eight Trail, which starts around Bass Lake or near Flat Top Manor. If you have a little more time, be sure to walk the 7.2 kilometers (one way) to the observation tower.
The sunset from the road just after the Blue Ridge Parkway underpass is spectacular. It is also a perfect place for an evening picnic. For more information about visiting Moses H. Cohn Memorial Park, visit the National Park Service website.
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Considered North Carolina’s first tourist attraction, Blowing Rock has been attracting visitors since 1933.
Charging $9 per person to see this rock and its stunning views is certainly a commercial venture, but it is dog-friendly and a beautiful spot for an afternoon picnic.
Stroll along the level, publicly accessible boardwalk, enjoy the views and explore the beautiful gardens and gift shop.
Blowing Rock, the city’s namesake and tourist attraction, is a chunk of gneiss that rises 4,000 feet above sea level from the surrounding cliffs.
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Perhaps the canyon walls below form a wind tunnel. The wind blows with such force that it repels light objects thrown from the rocks into the void. There was no wind the day I was there so I can’t guarantee it.
Rough Ridge Trail is a beautiful little hike (2.4 miles round trip) with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the Lynn Cove Viaduct.
The Rough Ridge Trail, which begins at Rough Ridge Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway, mile marker 302.8, is actually a small portion of the 13-mile Tanawa Trail.
For a longer hike, start at Boulder Fields Overlook (mile marker 302.4), hike to Tanawa Trail, and then hike to Rough Ridge Summit at 4,500 feet. If it’s not cloudy, you’ll have endless views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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The hike is quite steep, passing through rhododendron and hardwood forests, passing several wooden bridges and small waterfalls, and finally reaching a wooden walkway built to protect the delicate vegetation at the top of Masu.
Blowing Rock is a very walkable town with cute boutiques and restaurants, as well as beautiful parks and small museums.
Most importantly, there are two ice cream shops and a great coffee shop, and almost every store has a bowl of water for your thirsty dog.
Memorial Park, just off Main Street, does not allow dogs, but just down Laurel Lane from Main Street is Broyhill Park, where dogs are welcome. There is a small pond, garden and benches to relax.
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Many places in downtown Blowing Rock are dog-friendly, but your dog’s favorite spot is definitely Stella Blue’s Portique.
Flynn and I stopped by to give him a gift and were surprised by the variety of dried animal parts for sale. I bought him a duck neck and he ate it in two seconds.
Stella Blues loves to meet the dogs that come to town and she has a great selection of treats, toys, beds, collars and more. If you’re visiting with your dog, be sure to stop by!
Dogs are not allowed at most Blowing Rock restaurants, but many have great terraces, patios, or outdoor dining areas that allow dogs, weather permitting.
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During our visit we ate at many local restaurants. Here is a list of pet-friendly Blowing Rock restaurants:
Located on Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock Ale House is the perfect place to relax after a day of shopping or hiking. There are several outdoor picnic tables to choose from. Blowing Rock Brewing Company, located behind the restaurant, also brews a wide variety of beers.
The food is pretty typical pub food with a local touch. My waiter recommended the roasted poblano and white cheddar appetizer. This is a dip that is served with flatbread chips. It was very tasty, but perhaps too gooey and cheesy on such a hot day.
I ordered three beers and really liked the High Country Ale, a golden ale with a floral aroma. As far as I’m concerned, the perfect summer beer. Flynn enjoyed a glass of ice water and lots of petting and praise from waiters and other customers.
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He had never heard of this national pizza chain before visiting Blowing, but the food options at Mellow Mushroom in Blowing Rock are delicious. Delicious shiitake pizza, tempeh hoagie, lightened spinach salad and more. Dogs are allowed on the outside terrace. There are 24 types of beer on tap.
Another great pub in the center! Six Pence Pub has a large patio where dogs are allowed. As soon as we sat down, Flynn was served a large bowl of ice water. We share the yard with two other dogs without any problems.
I started with Wicked Weed Cucumber Golden Ale. It was seasoned with cucumber slices and was very refreshing.
For dinner I ordered a grilled portobello sandwich on rye and sweet potato fries. The fries came with blue cheese and were very delicious that day. Most of the menu consisted of classic British pub food, cooked to perfection.
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Speckled Trout offers a small menu of local dishes and is dog-friendly on the patio. The eclectic menu includes pickled watermelon salad, fried trout belly and roasted bison ribs.
The Town Tavern is a sports bar on Main Street with the largest outdoor dining area. With live music on weekends, water bowls and dog treats, and an extensive izakaya menu and beer selection, it’s a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
Hillwinds Inn in Blowing Rock is not only dog-friendly, but welcomes them with open arms, belly rubs, and sweet words. Located just a short drive from downtown Blowing Rock, this beautiful inn is the perfect base for exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The staff at Hillwinds Inn really love dogs and make you feel like they not only tolerate them, but welcome them. A pet fee of $35 per night applies. This includes additional cleaning costs for dog-friendly rooms.
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We were excited to book the Tarheel Suite, which has a separate bedroom with a queen bed, a living room with a gas fireplace, a balcony, and a kitchenette.
The rooms are temperature controlled and very comfortable, so it was sometimes difficult to get out and explore the area every morning. My only complaint is that there is no work space or table in the Tarheel suite. No problem, I worked and ate on the couch, but it wasn’t ideal.
On this visit I had the opportunity to take a look at the regular rooms, and they are just as nice, with comfortable beds, microwaves, mini-fridges, and warm, inviting decor.
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In front of each room are adorable rocking chairs for relaxing and a great way to meet other travelers passing through the area.
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A free breakfast is served every morning in the dining room off the main lobby. Although it was a pretty standard meal, the Chobani yogurt and waffle bar was a delight.
Front desk staff said Flynn was welcome for breakfast or evening wine.
