Fall Travel Diary: What I Packed (and Wore) for a Weekend in Blowing Rock, N.C. | Jo-Lynne Shane

Fall Travel Capsule: What I Packed for Blowing Rock, NC

The plan was to fly from Philly to Charlotte, then rent a car and drive to Blowing Rock, but as we were packing up to leave for the airport Wednesday morning, we got a notification that our flight was delayed three hours. We made a split-second decision to just hop in the car and drive the entire way. I figured the delay would likely get worse, and I didn’t want to risk missing dinner with our friends that night.

I was going to pack in a carry-on suitcase, but once I realized we’d be driving, I grabbed my AWAY The Medium and tossed in a few extra clothing options. I ended up wearing almost everything, and I was glad I had those extra pieces because the weather turned out to be warmer than expected. Here’s what I packed for our trip:

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I realize that three pairs of blue jeans seems excessive, but the wide-leg pair I planned to wear for flats and casual activities (including travel) felt a little snug in the waist that morning. When I realized I’d be in the car for nine hours, I tossed those in my suitcase and pulled on the MOTHER Insider Flood instead. (They’re bigger and much more comfortable for a long day of driving.) I ended up wearing them more than I expected, but I was still glad to have the other options, too.

Beyond that, I packed the rust kick flares for something fun and fall-ish to wear to the winery or dinner out. I also brought the dark-wash flares and brown boots as a dinner option, but I ended up wearing them all day instead. The Avery Barn Jacket and striped cashmere sweater were two other last-minute additions—nice to have, though I probably could have managed without them.

The only thing I didn’t wear at all was the light pink cashmere cardigan. I had planned to pair it with the darker flares and boots for dinner one night, but it turned out warmer than expected, so I opted for a short-sleeve sweater instead.

Here’s an easy shopping widget—some of my exact items are older and no longer available, so I linked similar options where I could.

Where We Stayed in Blowing Rock

We stayed at the Meadowbrook Inn, just one block from the center of downtown Blowing Rock. The location was perfect—I loved being able to walk into town, and there was plenty of free parking (a hot commodity in Blowing Rock this time of year).

The inn has the feel of a cozy mountain retreat—comfortable and charming without being too rustic—but there’s definitely a bit of an old-fashioned vibe. The rooms have been recently redesigned with updated furniture and new flooring, so that was nice. We reserved a suite, which was very spacious with mountain views and a gas fireplace. I sat out there every morning with the fire on, enjoying my coffee while trying to work… the Wi-Fi was a bit of an issue.

photo credit: Meadowbrook Inn

The entrance and lobby were beautifully decorated for fall, and they also have an outdoor patio with a fire pit that looked lovely, although we didn’t spend much time out there. The staff was friendly and helpful, and everything felt very clean and well cared for.

Barbour Clydebank Quilted Jacket (US 6) // White + Warren Striped Crewneck (M) (option) // Paige Anessa (29) // adidas Handball Spezial (8) // Clare V Moyen Messenger // similar hoops // Tom Ford sunnies

That said, the “High Country Breakfast” included with our stay was a bit underwhelming, so we only ate there once. And while the hotel advertised high-speed internet, the Wi-Fi was quite slow. Normally, I’d just use my phone’s hotspot, but Verizon service in the area was almost nonexistent—which made it tough to stay connected and share updates while we were there.

I know most people don’t think much about connectivity on a mountain getaway, but since both Paul and I needed to work while we were there—and sharing live coverage is part of my job—it definitely made things a bit more challenging. Otherwise, we really enjoyed our stay and would gladly recommend it for anyone looking for a convenient, walkable location downtown.

What I Wore (and Where We Went)

I had planned to travel in my boots and full-length flares since the boots were the heaviest (and bulkiest) shoes I was bringing—and the flares pair best with them. But once I decided to use the bigger suitcase, I decided to pack the boots and wear the leopard Mary Jane flats from my capsule instead. They’re so much more comfortable for a long day in the car and easier to slip on and off.

Of course, that meant my jeans were suddenly too long… lol! I tried the PAIGE Anessa wide-leg jeans, but as I mentioned above, they were feeling tight, and I couldn’t stand the thought of wearing them for nine hours in the car. So, I went back to my closet and grabbed these MOTHER Insiders instead.

Nordstrom Cashmere Vest (S) // MOTHER Insider Flood (31) // Dolce Vita Roslyn (8.5) // similar hoops // similar necklace

I chose the brown sweater because it’s cozy enough to wear under a jacket when it’s chilly but has short sleeves for when it warms up—which turned out to be perfect, since it was cool when we started out and warm by the time we arrived. I topped it off with my green quilted jacket with brown trim. If I’d been packing super minimally, this is the one coat I would have brought.

Barbour Clydebank Quilted Jacket // Nordstrom Cashmere Vest // MOTHER Insider Flood // Dolce Vita Roslyn // Clare V Moyen Messenger // similar hoops // similar necklace // Tom Ford Sunnies

We arrived in Blowing Rock just in time to check into the Meadowbrook Inn, drop our bags, and meet our friends for dinner. Hellbender is a fun little restaurant near the inn with outdoor seating—very casual and perfect for our first night in town. I had the shrimp and grits, which were delicious, and everyone else seemed happy with their meals. I’d definitely go back. (I’ll round up all the restaurants we ate at at the end of this post for easy reference.)

The next day, Paul drove out to Brian’s house to take a few meetings for work—on his actual high-speed internet, lol—and Sarah joined me for a day of shopping in downtown Blowing Rock. It was chilly that morning, so I decided to try my barn jacket over a sweater. I was afraid it would feel bulky, but it actually worked out really well. I did a front tuck and added a belt for a little structure and to keep the hem of the jacket longer than the top.

I had planned to wear the Paige wide-leg jeans with my brown Adidas sneakers, but the jeans were still feeling snug, so I switched back into the MOTHER Insiders—but I don’t love how they look with sneakers. (Sorry I don’t have photos of each stage of the outfit evolution, I didn’t even think about it, but it would probably be helpful to see.) Ironically, this was the same day I published that post about struggling to get dressed. Isn’t it so frustrating when wardrobe essentials you’ve come to rely on suddenly don’t fit???

In the end, I grabbed my dark-wash MOTHER Weekenders and brown boots. Fortunately the boots are already broken in, so they held up to a long day of walking. I added gold hoops and two necklaces so if I wanted to take off the jacket, my outfit would still feel complete.

Avery Barn Jacket (S) // Jenni Kayne Flynn Sweater in Oatmeal (S) // similar MOTHER Weekender // Nili Lotan Belt (M) // similar Veronica Beard boots // Clare V. Moyen Messenger // similar hoops // similar link necklace // beaded necklace // Tom Ford sunnies

Sarah and I spent the day meandering in and out of the shops in downtown Blowing Rock, and I was so glad we’d driven—it meant I could do a lot more shopping than I would have if we’d flown!

We stopped for a light lunch at Social on Main, and later took a mid-afternoon break for a glass of wine at Sunset & Vine before meeting up with the guys again for dinner.

It had really warmed up by that point, so I ran up to my room to change. This green cowl-neck top is from EVEREVE last fall, and it always comes in handy when I travel—it’s lightweight, packs easily, and somehow works for both casual and dressier occasions. Sadly, it’s no longer available, but they brought it back this season in a pretty Nocturnal blue. I also grabbed my cropped trench for when it cooled off later that evening.

Michael Stars Nara Mock Neck Top (other colors) (M) // similar MOTHER Weekender (30) // similar Veronica Beard boots // Nili Lotan Belt // Clare V Moyen Messenger // similar hoops

Dinner that night was at Timberlake Restaurant at Chetola Resort, located just a mile from downtown. It’s surrounded by trees and rolling hills and overlooks a pretty little lake—such a peaceful spot. The restaurant sits inside the main lodge and has that cozy mountain-lodge feel with wood beams, stone fireplaces, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. We arrived a little early and spent some time outside taking in the views before dinner.

similar trench // Michael Stars Nara Mock Neck Top (other colors) (M) // similar MOTHER Weekender (30) // similar Veronica Beard boots // Clare V Moyen Messenger // similar hoops // Tom Ford sunnies

After that, we met up with our friends at Grandfather Mountain, which is known for its sweeping views, scenic trails, and the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge that stretches across the mountain peak. There’s also a nice visitor center with exhibits about the area’s history and geology, plus a few wildlife habitats.

I would have loved to hike one of the trails, but we ended up driving to the top and walking out to the Swinging Bridge, which offers the most incredible views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the valleys below. Paul had been there when he was a kid and still has a photo of himself on the bridge—so of course, we had to recreate the scene.

I had packed legit hiking clothes, but when I realized we weren’t really doing a full hike, I decided to stick with jeans and sneakers. I was a little worried the wide-leg pair I’d been wearing that morning might trip me up while climbing around on the rocks, so I changed back into the bootcut jeans.

EVEREVE Colette Cardigan Top (M) // MOTHER Insider Flood (31) // adidas Handball Spezial (8) // Clare V Moyen Messenger // similar hoops // Anna Beck necklace // Tom Ford sunnies

I also swapped into a lighter top since the afternoon was supposed to warm up again, and I brought my leopard flats to change into for dinner later.

Here’s a picture of Paul and me at the top of Grandfather Mountain—or at least as far up as I was willing to go! He and Brian climbed a little higher while Sarah and I found a rock to sit on and just enjoyed the view.

After that, we drove over to a kitschy little spot called Mast General Store—one of those places that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back a few decades. It’s a mix between an old-fashioned mercantile and an outdoor outfitter, with creaky wooden floors, barrels of old-fashioned candy, and shelves stocked with everything from flannel shirts to hiking gear to retro toys. I didn’t expect to actually shop, but I ended up finding some fun gifts for my kids and a few little home accessories. It was such a fun stop!

We rounded out the day with dinner at Twigs, which was absolutely amazing. It felt a little old-fashioned at first, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the food was fantastic and our server was wonderful. The pacing was perfect, and the whole experience was relaxing and enjoyable. It was such a nice way to end the day—highly recommend if you’re ever in the area.

I was glad I’d brought along the leopard Mary Janes—they elevated the look just enough to feel polished and dinner-appropriate.

EVEREVE Colette Cardigan Top (M) // MOTHER Insider Flood (31) // Dolce Vita Roslyn (8.5) // Clare V Moyen Messenger // similar hoops // Anna Beck necklace // Tom Ford sunnies

On Saturday, Sarah and I met up with a longtime blogging friend at a fun coffee shop in Boone called Hatchet Coffee. It’s pretty unassuming on the outside, but full of personality inside. I wish I had some pictures.

It was so much fun catching up with our friend Sarah from our old-school blogging days. (Yes, that’s me with two Sarahs!) We all started back when the blogging space was still new and just finding its footing. We used to attend mom blogging conferences (we all roomed together once!) and we’ve kept in touch on social media ever since.

Sarah Pinnix // Sarah Peppel // me!

We had plans to meet the guys at Old Barn Winery afterward, and this was the one event I’d actually packed for with a specific outfit in mind. I wore my rust kick flares with leopard mesh Mary Janes and paired them with a brown sweater since it was shaping up to be another warm afternoon. (If it had been cooler, I’d planned to wear the oatmeal sweater instead.) I also brought my cropped trench in case it was chilly in the wine cellar or cooled off before we got back.

cashmere sweater vest (S) // KUT from the Kloth Kelsey (8) // Dolce Vita Roslyn (8.5) // Clare V. Moyen Messenger // similar hoops // similar link necklace // beaded necklace // Tom Ford sunnies

To ride home on Sunday, I pulled on the same bootcut jeans and Mary Janes I wore on the way down, along with my oatmeal v-neck sweater and quilted jacket. It ended up being quite a warm afternoon, but I was fine in the car with the A/C. This time of year is so unpredictable weather-wise, so having plenty of mix-and-match options is key!

Barbour Clydebank Quilted Jacket (US 6) // Jenni Kayne Flynn Sweater in Oatmeal (S) // MOTHER Insider Flood (31) // Dolce Vita Roslyn (8.5) // Clare V Moyen Messenger // Tom Ford sunnies

And that’s a wrap on our Blowing Rock getaway! I wanted to finish up with a quick list of restaurants and hotels, as a resource for anyone who may be planning a trip to the area.

Where to Eat in Blowing Rock

We ate well all weekend—here are a few of our favorite spots!

Hellbender Bed & Beverage // Service was a bit spotty, but the food was good and the ambiance was nice. They have a pleasant outdoor seating area we enjoyed and it’s conveniently located just a block off Main Street.

Social On Main // Known for their breakfast, although we opted for lunch. It was fine for lunch, but I have a feeling breakfast would be better. Also has a nice outdoor seating area and a convenient Main Street location.

The Speckled Trout // We tried to get a reservation here, but it didn’t work out. It comes highly recommended and also has a great Main Street location.

Sunset & Vine // Great spot for grabbing a glass (or bottle) of wine with a cozy ambiance right off Main Street. They also have a selection of cheeses, chocolates, and small gifts.

Timberlake Restaurant at Chetola Resort // A rustic spot overlooking Chetola Lake, featuring seasonal dishes crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Not our best meal of the trip—kind of plain—but good service and a beautiful setting.

Camp Coffee Roasters // Delicious coffee and a nice assortment of pastries. I especially loved their gluten-free Camp Bar—it wasn’t too sweet and made the perfect snack or light breakfast.

Twigs // Slightly old-fashioned atmosphere but fantastic food and service. Plenty of parking, and located just a mile from downtown. Highly recommend for dinner.

Storie Street Grille & Sidecar Bar // Nice atmosphere, though not much outdoor seating. Great location right on Main Street near some of the nicer shops. The Sidecar Bar is adorable—and as an aside, I had the Sidecar cocktail at dinner… delicious!

Hatchet Coffee // Actually in Boone, but it was only 15 minutes from our hotel. Fun, quirky coffee shop with creative drinks, delicious coffee, and locally made pastries. Lots of space to hang out, work, or visit with friends.

Where to Stay in Blowing Rock

If you’re planning a visit, here are a few places we considered:

Meadowbrook Inn // This is where we stayed. It’s charming and beautifully decorated for fall, with a convenient downtown location and plenty of free parking. The rooms were spacious and freshly renovated, and breakfast is included with your stay. However, the Wi-Fi was very slow and the breakfast itself was underwhelming, so we’d probably stay elsewhere next time. (You can read my full review above!)

Chetola Resort // Gorgeous setting with lake views and excellent Wi-Fi (Paul tested it while we enjoyed a drink!). The restaurant and bar are both lovely, with that cozy mountain-lodge vibe. It’s a little more tucked away and quieter than the downtown spots—though not really walkable due to winding roads without sidewalks. It also has EV charging stations and a spa. Definitely a great option if you don’t mind driving into town.

Embers Hotel // A newer property right downtown with a modern feel, an outdoor restaurant, and live music on weekends. It has EV charging stations, which we used a few times—it would’ve been much more convenient if we’d been staying onsite. Probably our top pick for next time… although I do wish we’d tested their Wi-Fi, lol!