We’ve visited 50+ Blue Ridge Mountain towns in the 4 years since we launched this site, and several of them we’ve visited numerous times.
Blowing Rock NC is one of our favorites, because it’s located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, in the heart of the North Carolina High Country, with an amazing array of attractions nearby.
There are jaw-dropping sunsets at the Blowing Rock attraction, which stands at 4,000 feet above sea level and overlooks the John’s River Gorge.
Blue Ridge Parkway hotspots such as Grandfather Mountain, Julian Price Memorial Park, and Moses H. Cone Memorial Park are all nearby, offering world-class hiking trails and more.
One thing that really sets Blowing Rock apart is its fun family-friendly attractions, such as the Appalachian Fossil Museum, Tweetsie Railroad, and Mystery Hill.
Although it’s ostensibly aimed at kids, we had a blast at Mystery Hill, which is named for its unique gravitational anomaly. But it has a lot of other elements to offer visitors of all ages.
Read on for our in-depth guide to visiting Mystery Hill in Blowing Rock NC, including multiple museums, a mechanical bull, gem mining, axe-throwing, and other fun activities.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Blowing Rock Cabin Rentals (1 to 4+ Bedrooms)
Looking for places to stay in Blowing Rock NC? Check out these options!
- The Blowing Rock Manor (locally owned 20-suite inn w/breakfast pastries)
Mystery Hill Info
ADDRESS: 129 Mystery Hill Ln, Blowing Rock NC
PHONE: 828-264-2792
HOURS: 10AM-6PM Daily
ADMISSION: Adults (ages 13-59) $29.95, Seniors (ages 60+) $27.95, Kids ages 4-12 $27.95, Kids under 4 Free. Add-ons (gem mining, tomahawk-throwing, etc) and package deals are also available.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM BLOWING ROCK
From Main St in Downtown Blowing Rock, use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto US-321 N/Valley Blvd and follow it for 4.1 miles.
Turn right onto Niley Cook Rd, then keep left to continue on Mine Branch Rd for 0.4 miles, where you’ll turn right onto Twisted Laurel Ln. Go o.3 miles, then turn left onto Mine Branch Rd, and in 0.5 miles you’ll continue straight onto Niley Cook Rd.
Turn left onto US-221 S/US-321 S, go 1.4 miles, and take a right onto Mystery Hill Ln.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM BOONE
If you’re coming from Boone NC, Mystery Hill is just 4.7 miles miles south. From Downtown Boone, simply take Hardin St/US-321 S (a.k.a. Blowing Rock Rd) to Mystery Hill Ln, then turn right.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Things to Do in Blowing Rock NC
Things to Do at Mystery Hill
1. Defying Gravity
After a brief overview of the property, you’ll start your guided tour of Mystery Hill in a small room that’s designed to showcase the unique gravitational anomaly for which the property is named.
The guides explain what is commonly known as a “gravity hill” (a.k.a. magnetic hill, mystery spot, gravity road, etc.), which is a place where the surrounding landscape produces an optical illusion.
They’ll show you what appears to be a ball rolling upwards, water running uphill, and take your photos while you do your best Matrix-style gravity-defying poses.
It’s a brief, but extremely fun introduction to the science of gravity. But the effect of the illusion was so dizzying, we were glad to make our way out and into the Hall of Mystery.
READ MORE: Visiting the Blowing Rock Attraction in Blowing Rock NC
2. Explore the Hall of Mystery
The Hall of Mystery is clearly designed to capture the imagination of children. But in our experience, anyone who’s in touch with their inner child can enjoy it!
This area is filled with interactive elements, allowing kids to get hands-on while subtly fueling their interest in science.
They can “touch lightning,” marvel at a myriad of optical illusions, create light shadows on a huge screen, and interact with educational info.
It felt a little like some of our favorite science museums from when Mary and I were kids.
READ MORE: The Mysterious Brown Mountain Lights of Morganton NC
3. Making Bubbles at Bubblerama
While the first two areas on our Mystery Hill tour offered different forms of entertainment and enlightenment, Bubblerama is really not much more than a photo opp.
But what a fun (and mildly frustrating) photo opp it is!
It seems simple: There’s a large basin filled with bubble-making water, and various tools you can make bubbles with.
The idea is to encase yourself, friends and/or family in giant bubbles. But clearly our skills are lacking, because the hourglass shape you see above is the closest Mary and I were able to get.
READ MORE: Exploring Downtown Blowing Rock NC: Restaurants, Shopping & More
4. Native American Artifacts Museum
I was fascinated by Native American culture years before I knew I had Cherokee blood on two sides of my family, often attending pow-wows and visiting Indian mounds in Georgia.
Mystery Hill’s Native American museum (officially the Moon Mullins Native American Artifact Museum) is home to one of the world’s largest private collections of Native American artifacts.
Their expansive collection includes over 250,000 pieces from 20 different states, including arrowheads, pottery, woodcarvings, statues, and more.
It obviously can’t compare to the much larger museum in Cherokee NC, but it’s a great little museum for anyone interested in Native American history.
READ MORE: 50 Fascinating Facts About Cherokee Culture & History
5. See Appalachian History at the Dougherty House
The Artifacts Museum is located on the ground floor of the Doughtery House, which will be of more interest to adults (especially those who love Appalachian history and culture) than children.
This house– the first in the area to have electricity and running water– was built in 1903 by Dauphin Doughtery, the founder of Appalachian State University.
It originally housed ASU classrooms and administrative offices, but is now being restored as an Appalachian Heritage Museum complete with turn-of-the-century furniture, antiques and memorabilia.
Kids may be bored by this section of the building, but they’ll love the bunnies and chickens in the Historic Farmyard out back!
READ MORE: The Appalachian Culture & History of the Blue Ridge Mountains
6. Bull Ride Challenge
I’m not sure when I’ve laughed harder than when Mary and I attempted Mystery Hill’s Rodeo Rampage Bull Ride Challenge.
Thankfully, we were the only ones there to bear witness to the hilarious travesty!
You know the drill: You climb on “Butter Saddle” the mechanical bull, give the operator the go sign, and then hold on for dear life in an attempt to stay vertical for 8 seconds.
With all the spins and bucking, Butter Saddle could be challenging even for experienced rodeo pros. As first-timers, we were flat on the padded mat in seconds (but they do take it easier on children).
Two rides are included with your Mystery Hill Base Ticket, but you can also upgrade to 4 rides for $9.
READ MORE: Exploring Julian Price Campground & Memorial Park in Blowing Rock NC
7. Tomahawk Hill Axe-Throwing
Fortunately, we both proved more adept during our first axe-throwing experience at “Tomahawk Hill.”
After a short safety briefing, a Mystery Hill employee watches you do a few practice throws and offers tips for improvement.
Then you get 3 scored rounds of axe or knife-throwing, with 5 throws each (15 total per person).
I had some boyhood experience with knife-throwing, so I actually managed to hit the bullseye on the first try. But by the second round both of us really seemed to have gotten the hang of it.
Note that there are smaller axes, foam axes, and inflatable targets available for younger guests.
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8. Gem Mining at Prospector Hill
Mining in the Blue Ridge Mountains dates back 200 years. Gold was discovered in North Carolina and Georgia in the 1820s, and the influx of prospectors led to the creation of numerous mountain towns.
Gem mining remains a popular hobby in the region today. The Prospector Hill Gem Mine gives kids a taste of what it’s like, with indoor and outdoor sluices.
Guests can choose from 5 different buckets, ranging from “The Prospector” (with 1 pound of gemstones) to “The Precious Bucket” (with 3 pounds of emeralds, rubies, and sapphires in rough form).
They also offer The Big Dig Deal, which includes a Prospector Bucket, Souvenir Collection Bucket, Light up Miners Helmet, and Souvenir sticker or patch for $36.95.
READ MORE: Festive Fun at Tweetsie Railroad Christmas in Blowing Rock NC
9. Professor Finnegan’s Old Time Photos
As a professional photographer for nearly 30 years now, I tend to be much more comfortable behind the camera in front of it.
But, as someone who grew up watching classic cowboy films (and my Granddad grew up in Texas and New Mexico), I was delighted by the Western theme of Professor Finnegan’s Old Time Photos.
And so it was that Mary wound up dressed as a sexy saloon girl, while I was decked out in a trench coat and cowboy hat, with my hands stuffed with whiskey and cash.
Was it cheesy? Yeah, maybe a little. But it was also a lot of fun. And the photo they took of us in a passionate embrace was so sexy, it looked like the cover of a Wild West romance novel.
Fortunately for y’all, we thought that one was a little too steamy for the blog… –by Bret Love; all photos by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett unless otherwise noted
