Field Trips to The Blowing Rock
The Blowing Rock Attraction is the perfect destination for school field trips. Students can learn how the “Rock” was formed, what the “Rock” is composed of, and the history and legend of The Blowing Rock. Bring science, history, and language arts teaching standards to life as your students experience firsthand the beauty and history of the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains at The Blowing Rock Attraction.
What will you experience at The Blowing Rock Attraction?
All areas are handicapped/wheelchair accessible with the exception of the nature trails
- The Blowing Rock, an immense cliff 4,000 feet above sea level, overhanging Johns River Gorge 3,000 feet below (climb at your own risk)
- Nature trails leading underneath the Blowing Rock and Observation Tower
- A scenic stroll through the park, gardens featuring seasonal growth and mountain laurels
- The observation tower suspended 3500 feet above the valley providing views of Grandfather Mountain, ski slopes, and other mountain vistas
- Turtles, Koi fish, and Grover & Lena, the Blowing Rock Cats
- Beautiful gift shop featuring mountain arts & crafts made in USA
- Man-made waterfall
- Ice Cream/Coffee Shop & Picnic areas throughout park
- Views of the Charlotte skyline (on clear days)
- Photo Gallery featuring history of The Blowing Rock and surrounding areas, including Grandfather Mountain and Tweetsie Railroad
- Video describing the history of The Blowing Rock
TEACHER RESOURCES
Scavenger Hunts
Click image above for a printable document
Take your students on a scavenger hunt through the park as they learn about:
- Human responses to environmental conditions
- Relative age of rocks and fossils
- Rock formations and layers of rocks
- Cultural narratives (legend)
- The Cherokee and Chickasaw Native American tribes
- Wind patterns and speed
- Movement of air masses
- Plants and animals in ecosystems
- Turtle and Koi fish habitats
- Tools for prediction of weather and wind speed
- Effects of temperature and weather patterns on environment and economy
- Identification of long range mountain peaks
- Human interactions with their environments
- The influence of physical features on the development of civilization
- Interpret maps that contain symbols, legends, and directions
Students will be given history of tourism and the development of the town of Blowing Rock.
Lesson Plans for teaching standards available upon request once field trip is scheduled.
Tour guide can be provided if prior arrangements are made with management.
Click image above for a printable document
Lesson Plans
Planning Your Field Trip
Your Arrival
- If arriving by bus, the driver can stop at the entrance for unloading. He/she should then drive the bus to the upper end of the parking lot and park horizontally alongside the trees.
- The group leader should bring the students inside the gift shop and check in with the admissions attendant.
- The attendant will then admit your group to the park.
- The map in the brochure will direct you on a self-guided tour through the park (Group leaders will be responsible for behavior of the students and will maintain their safety at all times).
- Group leaders may allow students to safely explore the rocks, the observation tower, and other features of the park (with proper safety precautions).
- Picnicking is encouraged, so feel free to send an adult(s) to the bus to bring in your coolers and food.
Group Payment
- In order to receive group rates, there must be at least 15 paying guests in your party.
- Elementary School Students: $2.00
- Middle and High School Students: $5.00
- Bus Driver and up to (4) Teachers: FREE
- In order to expedite the admissions process, prior arrangements should be made for payment in one lump sum.