Guidebook to the Hidden Gem

Gabrielle
Guidebook to the Hidden Gem

City/town information

A small town with deep roots in arts and culture, industry, and the mountains themselves.
42 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Spruce Pine
42 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
A small town with deep roots in arts and culture, industry, and the mountains themselves.

Hiking & Waterfalls

Linville Falls is the most popular waterfall in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is a spectacular three-tiered waterfall plunging into Linville Gorge, the “Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians.” The Falls Trail distance is 1.6 miles round trip and easy. The Gorge Trail distance is 1.4 miles round trip and strenuous. Pets are welcome but must be on a leash.
436 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Linville Falls
436 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Linville Falls is the most popular waterfall in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is a spectacular three-tiered waterfall plunging into Linville Gorge, the “Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians.” The Falls Trail distance is 1.6 miles round trip and easy. The Gorge Trail distance is 1.4 miles round trip and strenuous. Pets are welcome but must be on a leash.
Daily 8am-6pm Tickets are available through online reservations. Ticket sales end one hour before the park closes. Grandfather Mountain is open every day of the year, weather permitting, except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
716 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Grandfather Mountain
2050 Blowing Rock Hwy
716 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Daily 8am-6pm Tickets are available through online reservations. Ticket sales end one hour before the park closes. Grandfather Mountain is open every day of the year, weather permitting, except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Carved deep into the Blue Ridge Mountains by the Linville River, Linville is one of Eastern America’s most scenic gorges. For 12 miles, the river descends more than 2,000 feet to level at Lake James. Part of the Pisgah National Forest, the Gorge is called the "Grand Canyon of the East."
85 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Linville Gorge Wilderness
85 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Carved deep into the Blue Ridge Mountains by the Linville River, Linville is one of Eastern America’s most scenic gorges. For 12 miles, the river descends more than 2,000 feet to level at Lake James. Part of the Pisgah National Forest, the Gorge is called the "Grand Canyon of the East."
Mt Mitchell’s summit is the highest point east of the Mississippi at 6,684 feet. From its observation deck see the spruce-fir forest of Mt Mitchell State Park. Its trails allow you to explore with short hikes near the summit and challenging treks leading to adjacent wilderness areas.
414 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Parque Estatal Mount Mitchell
2388 NC-128
414 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Mt Mitchell’s summit is the highest point east of the Mississippi at 6,684 feet. From its observation deck see the spruce-fir forest of Mt Mitchell State Park. Its trails allow you to explore with short hikes near the summit and challenging treks leading to adjacent wilderness areas.

Sightseeing

The Blue Ridge was the first national rural parkway to be designed and constructed for a leisure-type driving experience. Its topography and numerous vista points offer easy public access to spectacular views of central and southern Appalachian rural landscapes and forested mountains.
757 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Blue Ridge Parkway
3884 Blue Ridge Parkway
757 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
The Blue Ridge was the first national rural parkway to be designed and constructed for a leisure-type driving experience. Its topography and numerous vista points offer easy public access to spectacular views of central and southern Appalachian rural landscapes and forested mountains.

Rock Hounding

Mine buckets at a covered flume (rain or shine) or make a reservation to take the 4-hour trip out to the mine to dig your own. Plus a General Store/Gift Shop, Jewelry, fluorescent rock display, & a picnic area. They are just one mile off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
47 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine
13780 North Carolina 226
47 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Mine buckets at a covered flume (rain or shine) or make a reservation to take the 4-hour trip out to the mine to dig your own. Plus a General Store/Gift Shop, Jewelry, fluorescent rock display, & a picnic area. They are just one mile off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Emerald Village is a group of gem, mining, and historical attractions in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located in a spectacular mountain setting, Emerald Village is home to 12 historic REAL mines and has been featured on National Geographic TV, the Travel Channel, and many other TV programs and Magazines.
62 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Aldea Esmeralda
331 McKinney Mine Rd
62 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Emerald Village is a group of gem, mining, and historical attractions in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located in a spectacular mountain setting, Emerald Village is home to 12 historic REAL mines and has been featured on National Geographic TV, the Travel Channel, and many other TV programs and Magazines.
One of the coolest and most fossil forward businesses. Great for kids! A hands-on, education of the historical geology of the Appalachian Mountains, how they were formed, and what can be found here. Located near the Tanger Outlets in Blowing Rock.
32 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Doc's Rocks Gem Mine
100 Shoppes on the Parkway Road
32 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
One of the coolest and most fossil forward businesses. Great for kids! A hands-on, education of the historical geology of the Appalachian Mountains, how they were formed, and what can be found here. Located near the Tanger Outlets in Blowing Rock.

Fishing

You need a license to legally fish NC Trout waters, and you can get one at most sporting goods stores or Walmart. Look for fish and game wildlife markers (shown left) to ensure you are fishing legally and complying with state law.
6 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
North Toe River
6 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
You need a license to legally fish NC Trout waters, and you can get one at most sporting goods stores or Walmart. Look for fish and game wildlife markers (shown left) to ensure you are fishing legally and complying with state law.

Food scene

Colombian but also a little bit of everything! Delish!! Hours: 11:30 am - 8pm/ Sun: closed
32 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
The Tropical Grill
198 Oak Ave
32 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Colombian but also a little bit of everything! Delish!! Hours: 11:30 am - 8pm/ Sun: closed
Coffee , Breakfast/Lunch Cafe Hours: 7am-5pm/ Sat: 7am- 4pm/ Sun: closed
48 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
DT's Blue Ridge Java
169 Locust St
48 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Coffee , Breakfast/Lunch Cafe Hours: 7am-5pm/ Sat: 7am- 4pm/ Sun: closed
Steak, Sandwhiches, Burgers & Desserts Hours: 11 am -8pm/ Sun & Tues: 11am-3pm monday: closed
11 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
No. 3 Grill
2360 Swiss Pine Lake Drive
11 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Steak, Sandwhiches, Burgers & Desserts Hours: 11 am -8pm/ Sun & Tues: 11am-3pm monday: closed