Winter Staycation

Mayland Earth to Sky Park’s Bare Dark Sky Observatory—winter is the ideal time for stargazing. Photo by Patti Grosh Bridge over the North Toe River, from Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel to Riverside Park and downtown Spruce Pine. Courtesy of

www.discoversprucepinenc.com.

By Elizabeth Baird Hardy

Winter here in the High Country does come with its fair share of challenges. From shorter days and cold temperatures to slick roads and chapped lips, winter can sometimes seem like a burden to endure, rather than a season to celebrate. Even with the holidays, it’s easy to get a case of the winter doldrums. Sometimes, it seems like the best solution to a gloomy winter weekend is to pack those bags and head off someplace warm and sunny, but there’s really no reason to run away to experience a magical and refreshing break during the chilly months. A winter “staycation” in our very own Spruce Pine, NC, promises fun and relaxation with delights new and old to revive the spirits and warm the heart.

There’s no need to look far afield for a marvelous stay in a charming setting that is both new and old. Spruce Pine’s Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel is the perfect staycation destination. The former Spruce Pine Elementary school, the building retains its historic charm while boasting modern comfort from the renovations and facelift that have transformed the 1921 building into an inviting location for wintertime recreation. Each of the thirty-two unique rooms celebrates a local site with beautiful photography by Patti Grosh. Grandfather Mountain, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Penland School of Craft, and the Orchard at Altapass are just a few of the grand High Country locales showcased in the rooms of the hotel. There are room sizes and layouts for every visitor, from the individual seeking a quiet respite with a spectacular view to the active family eager to head out on adventures in town and beyond. Cozy quilts in each room add to the winter appeal of the Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel, and there is hot coffee available all day. With WiFi, a library, and the new tiered patios and firepits, the hotel has so many amenities that guests can spend their staycation right there, but there are plenty of attractions in Spruce Pine as well.

Just across the footbridge in downtown Spruce Pine are restaurants to suit a wide variety of tastes. Familiar favorites like DT’s Blue Ridge Java and the Tropical Grill offer both treats and delicious meals to warm up a winter’s day, whether the heat comes from a big cup of hot cocoa or spicy jerk chicken. Spruce Pine also hosts exciting new restaurants like the Live Oak Gastropub and Chill Thai and Sushi Bar, each with an inviting selection of tempting foods and beverages that will provide a cosmopolitan experience without ever leaving the Toe River Valley.

Shops in Spruce Pine present plenty of winter attractions as well, especially for those seeking a perfect gift for a special occasion, holiday, or just to drive off the winter blues. Since downtown is within easy walking distance from the Boutique Hotel and convenient parking spots, staycationers won’t even get too cold as they check out original artwork, regional crafts, furniture, and more on Upper or Lower Street. Art studios beckon with artisans demonstrating and displaying a host of artforms, from glass to sculpture, with something to brighten up any winter day. A visit to Toe River Arts is a great way to learn more about the many artists in the area and to perhaps even pick up a class or workshop.

For some staycation pampering, the Mayland Community College Cosmetology Salon offers a variety of spa treatments, like facials, manicures, pedicures, and a wide range of haircare services. The new salon, which just opened in 2022, is located in the Three Peaks Event Center, adjacent to the Boutique Hotel, and features state-of-the-art spa tools to make anyone look and feel better on a winter’s day. A new style or some relief for dry winter skin are both just a step away for anyone on a Spruce Pine staycation.

Special winter packages are available for those seeking to bring a little sparkle to the colder months, such as the Valentine’s Day special in case a romantic winter staycation with wine and chocolate is just what Cupid ordered. Ski season deals are available for those heading over to the slopes.

A beautiful winter snowfall is often a treat, but the glorious views of the clear sky on a winter night are beyond

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The Mayland Community College Cosmetology Salon at their new Cosmetic Arts Center offers hotel guests and the public a variety of spa treatments, like manicures and pedicures.

Enjoy a vibrant Main Street A cozy room with colorful quilts inside the Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel.

Architectural Rendering of the new Blue Ridge Boutique hotel; the hotel is now open and all construction is slated to be completed this spring.

compare. Spruce Pine visitors and staycationers have the unique opportunity to experience those amazing winter skies at the Bare Dark Sky Observatory, just outside town at the Earth to Sky Park. Using the Observatory’s remarkable 34-inch Newtonian telescope, or even the smaller Meade scope, visitors can marvel at the wonders of the heavens. Stargazers can even bring their own telescopes and take advantage of stunning 360-degree views at the Observatory, which sits at over 2,700 feet and is handicapped accessible.

When the weather does not cooperate with clear skies, the Earth to Sky Park is still a perfect winter destination since the new Glenn and Carol Arthur Planetarium is warm and comfortable in any weather. A number of shows are offered each week, including new, wintery features on the Aurora Borealis and the Arctic Circle. A planetarium show is the perfect chance to travel without going far, relaxing in a comfortable zero-gravity chair while soaring through space or over the ocean.

This winter is also a great time to enjoy the planetarium’s new laser light shows. Classic rock shows feature bands familiar to an older audience, while other shows, like Peter and the Wolf, are perfect for the younger crowd, and the Christmas show is a delight for all ages. Friday and Saturday evenings at the planetarium are ideal winter date nights, and there is even a special Valentine’s Day show featured with the Boutique Hotel package.

With so much to do and enjoy right here in Spruce Pine, it’s never necessary to run away to have the perfect winter vacation. A few hours, a weekend, or even an entire week of shopping, dining, and adventure enjoying the wonders of nature can do wonders for the soul any time of year, but for a winter rejuvenation staycation, it’s hard to beat Spruce Pine.

To learn more about what Spruce Pine has to offer, check out www.discoversprucepinenc.com.

For more information on the Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel, including special winter packages and discounts, visit www.blueridgeboutiquehotel.com.

For Observatory or Planetarium schedules and tickets at the Earth to Sky Park, go to www.mayland. edu/foundation/foundation-events/earth-to-skyobservatory/ or www.mayland.edu/foundation/ foundation-projects/the-glenn-carol-arthurplanetarium/.

As a Main Street America Affiliate™, Spruce Pine Main Street is part of a national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservationbased economic development. Spruce Pine is also a North Carolina Main Street Community, designated by the NC Department of Commerce and Main Street and Rural Planning Center. Learn more at www.mainstreet.org and www.ncmainstreetandplanning.com.