3 days in North Carolina Mountains Itinerary

Blowing Rock is a town in Watauga and Caldwell counties in the U.S. Kick off your visit on the 24th (Fri): look for all kinds of wild species at Grandfather Mountain, admire the sheer force of Linville Falls, admire the sheer force of Otter Falls, get outside with Elk River Falls, then walk around The Valle Crucis Community Park, and finally get interesting insight from Tours. On the 25th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the awesome beauty at Rough Ridge Lookout, admire the majestic nature at Julian Price Memorial Park, then stroll through Bass Lake, then trek along Glen Burney Trail, and finally trek along The Greenway Trail.

For where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Blowing Rock day trip planning site.

Raleigh to Blowing Rock is an approximately 4-hour car ride. You can also fly; or do a combination of train, bus, and taxi. Plan for a bit cooler temperatures traveling from Raleigh in July, with highs in Blowing Rock at 78°F and lows at 61°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Cherokee.

The center of Cherokee culture in the eastern part of the country, the town named after this Native American tribe serves as a base camp for hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Your day by day itinerary now includes Oconaluftee River Trail as well as Mingo Falls. On the 26th (Sun), walk around Oconaluftee Islands Park, admire the sheer force of Mingo Falls, then hike along Oconaluftee River Trail, then shop like a local with Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, and finally explore the world behind art at Cherokee Heritage Museum and Gallery.

For where to stay, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Cherokee road trip website.

You can drive from Blowing Rock to Cherokee in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and car; or do a combination of bus and taxi. In July, plan for daily highs up to 83°F, and evening lows to 62°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 26th (Sun) early enough to go by car back home.