One of our favorite places is Blowing Rock, NC. You drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway that has beautiful & scenic views to Blowing Rock for great shopping and lunch spots.

The Swinging Bridge:

One of the top highlights and memories of visits to Grandfather Mountain nature park is walking across the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge. Since 1952, visitors have “oohed” and “aahed” at the bridge’s 360-degree panoramic views. America’s highest suspension footbridge gives easy access to the spectacular views atop Grandfather Mountain’s Linville Peak, elevation 5,305 feet.

Wildlife Habitat:

Visit the environmental habitats to see cougars (which no longer live in the wild on Grandfather Mountain), black bears, bald eagles, river otters and elk. Observing these animals up close in their native settings, it’s easy to imagine what it would be like to come face-to-face in the wild. They are located adjacent to the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery.