Guidebook to the Hidden Gem
City/town information
A small town with deep roots in arts and culture, industry, and the mountains themselves.
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Spruce Pine
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.
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Linville Falls
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.
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Iqabane likaGogo
2050 Blowing Rock HwyDaily 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."
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Linville Gorge Wilderness
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.
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Iparke yaseMount Mitchell
2388 NC-128Mt 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.
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Blue Ridge Parkway
3884 Blue Ridge ParkwayThe 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.
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Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine
13780 North Carolina 226Mine 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.
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Emerald Village
331 McKinney Mine RdEmerald 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.
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Doc's Rocks Gem Mine
100 Shoppes on the Parkway RoadOne 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.
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North Toe River
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
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The Tropical Grill
198 Oak AveColombian 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
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DT's Blue Ridge Java
169 Locust StCoffee , 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
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No. 3 Grill
2360 Swiss Pine Lake DriveSteak, Sandwhiches, Burgers & Desserts
Hours: 11 am -8pm/ Sun & Tues: 11am-3pm
monday: closed