Blowing Rock Named North Carolina’s Top Small Town by Southern Living

Blowing Rock, a mountain town in North Carolina, has been named the state’s number one small town by Southern Living magazine. The publication’s annual South’s Best Awards, based on reader surveys, highlighted Blowing Rock for its charm, dining options, and scenic surroundings.

The survey, conducted by Proof Insights, involved over 20,000 readers who voted for their favorite destinations across the South between July 12 and August 23, 2023. Southern Living focused on communities with populations of 50,000 residents or fewer for this list.

Southern Living described Blowing Rock as a town that is “big on charm” and offers unique experiences. The magazine noted the town’s dining options and its proximity to outdoor attractions, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, which offers panoramic mountain views. The town itself is home to approximately 1,000 residents and boasts a “storybook downtown” with accommodations ranging from cabins to hotels. Legend has it that author Jan Karon based her Mitford series on Blowing Rock.

Blowing Rock has previously been recognized by Southern Living, having been included in the magazine’s “best tiny towns” list last year. One of its restaurants has also received national recognition from the travel website Tripadvisor.

Other North Carolina towns that received recognition in the South’s Best Awards include Beaufort at No. 2, Boone at No. 3, Hendersonville at No. 4, and Mount Airy at No. 5.

The magazine praised the award-winning towns for being “small in size” but “big on charm,” suggesting they are all worth a visit for a road trip.