Moses Cone Memorial Park

An often mentioned attraction for this area is the Blue Ridge Parkway. With the beautiful views and charming stops along the way, there is always something to enjoy on your ride. One such destination along this scenic highway is the Moses Cone Memorial Park, at milepost 294. This historic mountain estate has thousands of acres, not to mention the grand mansion! The house was built by Moses H. Cone, a textile entrepreneur of the Gilded Age, as his summer retreat. Called the Flat Top Manor, the 20-room mansion has enormous mountain views from the front porch. On the first floor of the former residence you may look through the Parkway Craft Center with hundreds of regional artists’ work on display and available for purchase. Open from April through November, the admission is free and well worth the visit! There are new exhibits for 2018 on Moses and Bertha Cone along with facts about the estate.
If you are wanting to stretch your legs after the driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, go for a hike on the many trails of the Moses Cone Memorial Park. These 25 miles of trails were originally for horse-drawn carriages or horseback riding. The mountain backdrop creates a stunning scene those exploring by foot today!