PARKWAY

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Instead, pop on over to the famous Moses Cone Park and the Cone Manor residence (also known as Flat Top Manor), which are located on the Parkway just outside Blowing Rock.

The Cone Family — who were wellknown for their denim and textile businesses — originally owned this beautiful estate. The Cone Family kindly gave the National Park Service their farmhouse and more than 4,000 acres. While there, visit the Appalachian Arts and Crafts Store, where members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild created each item in the shop. The Guild and the National Park Service have shared management of the shop since 1951.

Flat Top Manor’s parking area also provides access to the Fire Tower Overlook Trail, a pleasant 4-mile roundtrip climb on sunny days. The 4,000-acre park has 25 miles of well-maintained

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Blowing Rock My Hometown

roads, including the Watkins and Black Bottom paths, the scenic Rich Mountain Carriage Trail and paths that round Bass Lake and Trout Lake. You may still see relics of the Cone Family’s vast apple orchards along these pathways, along with colorful rhododendrons, mountain laurels and other natural plants.

Moses Cone Park and Flat Top Manor sit near BRP milepost 294.

Heading south, the next 25 miles of the Parkway provides stunning vistas and trailheads. Love hiking, or are looking for breathtaking views? Visit Wilson Creek Valley View Overlook Rough Ridge Trail at milepost 300, Yonahlossee Overlook Trail near milepost 304. Finally, the Linn Cove Viaduct Information Center and the Beacon Heights Trail are at milepost 305.

You’ll also see the exit for Grandfather Mountain State Park at milepost 305, which offers a ton of family-friendly attractions and activities. Grandfather Mountain State Park provides amazing experiences with a menagerie of wild animals, hiking