2 Best Sights in The North Carolina Mountains, North Carolina

The Blowing Rock, after which the mountain town is named, is a cliff, which at 4,000 feet looms over the Johns River Gorge about 3,000 feet below. If you throw your hat over the sheer precipice, it may blow back to you, should the wind gods be playful. The story goes that a Cherokee man and a Chickasaw maiden fell in love. Torn between his tribe and his love, he jumped from the cliff, but she prayed to the Great Spirit, and he was blown safely back to her.

A Wild West theme park built into the side of a mountain between Boone and Blowing Rock, Tweetsie Railroad is centered on coal-powered steam locomotives beset by robbers. A petting zoo, carnival amusements, gem panning, shows, food, and concessions are also here. Several of the attractions are at the top of the mountain and can be reached from the parking lot on foot, by bus, or by ski lift.