Location: Spruce Pine
Top Things to do in Spruce Pine
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What to do and see in Spruce Pine, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Spruce Pine in United States, from Nouth America region, is best know for Mountains. Discover best things to do in Spruce Pine with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Spruce Pine
1. Whiteside Mountain
Overall Ratings
5 based on 363 reviews
Expert rock climbers are attracted to Whiteside Mountain, which offers some of the highest cliffs in the east, rising more than 2,100 feet to its summit at 4,930 feet.
Reviewed By Rebecca L - Atlanta, GA
We hiked here before our Thanksgiving meal and the roughly 2.5-mile trail is well marked The best thing about hiking in late November was that most of the leaves had fallen so we had spectacular views of the surrounding area. Halfway between Highlands and Cashiers, the trail is easy to reach. There is a small fee for parking and pit toilets are located in the parking lot. This is not a hard hike, but does climb about 700 feet. We saw people of all ages, including kids, the day we went.
2. Linville Falls Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 232 reviews
Reviewed By Whiteharts
The beginning of October provided us with a beautiful day for a gorgeous walk in the forest! A few trees are changing color already, but the park is not quite as crowded as it will probably be during peak color times.
We walked the loop marked "Moderate" difficulty from the Linville Falls Visitor Center, including the side trails to the overlooks. Some relatively gentle slopes, some steeper, and some sections with built stairs are included. The image posted of the stairs is one of the really steep sections. They are relatively short, which is what the trail is marked "Moderate." The other image is more representative of much of the trail above the first overlook side trail.
Don't think the first overlook you come to is a view of the whole Falls. The biggest part is actually just out of view downstream, and you need to hike on to the end of that trail to see that across the canyon. The views are definitely worth the hike.
3. Penland School of Crafts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Miller S - Raleigh, United States
There is no way to fully appreciate Penland without an " up close & personal" visit..My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our 2 days at Penland...The excitement and enthusiasm for the creation of art and life in the arts was contagious...The Gallery is absolutely the highest quality I have ever seen..!! The Gallery alone is worth the mountain adventure...Don't miss it if you are anywhere near Asheville....!
4. Emerald Village
Overall Ratings
4 based on 185 reviews
Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, about 1 hour from Asheville, NC, is Emerald Village, North Carolina’s #1 gem mining attraction! Go underground in a real mine at the NC Mining Museum. See old mining equipment and displays, and enjoy the splashing waterfall! Tour the Company Store, re-creating an old mining town. Visit Discovery Mill, with free displays, including the Music Museum, the Homestead Museum, the Blue Ridge model railroad display, and gift and snack shops. Spend time at our spectacular Gemstone Mine where you’ll have “buckets” of fun searching for real gems. Find colorful gems and keep them all! We also offer custom gem cutting, jewelry making, Gold Panning, night time Black Light mine tours, digging for minerals and digging for emeralds at the world-famous Crabtree Emerald Mine! You’ll have a gem of a day!
Reviewed By Ron L
A local mine turned into an area mine tourist attraction. That's not a bad thing as it portrays the now defunct mines of the area in a reasonable, historic context. It is not a mine tour as it only goes into the opening of the former mine. It is a pretty location with the natural flowing water up to and pooled in front of the mine opening. The museum portion is a little thin but does display and identify the old equipment and workings of the mining process of that era. We did not participate in any gem finding.
5. Linville Falls Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
We are pioneering unique mountain-grown wines in the North Carolina High Country on our 40 acre vineyard and farm. In the vineyard, you'll find grape varieties such as Rielsing, Seyval Blanc, Noiret, Marquette, Petit Verdot, and Foch. In addition to grapes, the farm produces blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, heirloom apples, pumpkins, and Christmas Trees. At our elevation of 3200 feet, we have an incredibly unique environment for grapes to thrive and make award-winning wine! Our heartbeat is to have a space where you can relax, take in the beauty of the area, and taste what our mountains have to offer. Come see our Tuscan-style Tasting Room and find us just off milepost 317 on the Blue Ridge Parkway and a couple minutes drive from famous outdoor spots like Linville Falls and the Linville Gorge.
Reviewed By dkwCharlotte - Fayetteville, North Carolina
Blessed with a beautiful Sunday, we headed for the winery! What a great idea! This place has been so carefully planned, you must enjoy every aspect of it! Beautiful grounds, carefully designed and lovely interior. Comfortable seating inside and out and fabulous wine! The Juke Box Boys were playing great dancing tunes and everyone was enjoying the trip! We shall return!
6. Linville Caverns
Overall Ratings
4 based on 621 reviews
Reviewed By Wanda W - Stanley
We loved this my 12 year old had a blast. Very informative. We did one similar in Tennessee which was much more expensive and way to long this experience was just right. Our guide was awesome funny and informative. I wish I had tried this little hidden treasure sooner. The gift shop was pretty neat too not to be expensive and everyone was friendly. Thank you for the spur of the moment afternoon fun!
7. The Orchard at Altapass
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By Lois P - Candler, North Carolina
I have passed this place many times on my trips up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway, but usually it has not been open as I pass by, or I haven't had time when it was open. This time, it worked out and we finally got to go inside and enjoy the local delights. This time of year, you can go among the trees and pick apples, I do believe. We went in for some of their especially excellent hard icecream and fresh hot cider. We also bought a pound of their made on site key lime fudge. Very creamy and smooth. There are a few cafe seats, and also an outdoor pavilion. They also had some live old time music going on and a little clogging. Plenty of atmosphere in this old school parkway side attraction. Especially for the Fall season. The biggest problem was the parking. The place was swarmed. It is best to enter by the building and exit left. It is a long drive down a gravel road to exit, but it avoids the traffic snarls in front of the building. Nice bathrooms. They also sell home canned goods, some jewelry and other locally crafted items.
8. Snakeroot Ecotours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 69 reviews
Snakeroot Ecotours operates in the shadow of the Black Mountains, the tallest range in the eastern U.S. Not far from Asheville, in the heart of the Blue Ridge, our forests are among the most diverse temperate forests in the world. The hills are carpeted with over 1500 native flowering plant species and countless fungi and critters. Join us for an immersive guided tour of this special corner of Appalachian wilderness.
Reviewed By Noa K - Los Angeles, California
A guided nature walk with Tal opened my eyes to the natural world around me -- the go-to 'green' descriptor of the forest became mundane as Tal taught me about the types of trees, flowers, shrubs, moss, fungi, creatures, etc., along the path we walked. Tal is beyond knowledgeable, a patient guide, and skilled at sharing his passion about nature in an engaging, interactive, and exciting style. A nature walk with Snakeroot can only be described as a tremendous treat!
9. Museum of North Carolina Minerals
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Museum that displays spectacular emeralds, rubies, amethyst and quartz that were found in the mineral-rich Spruce Pine Mining District.
Reviewed By Sara_sakflva - Arlington, VA
We stopped by on our BRP road trip. The museum was insightful and helped understand the geology of North Carolina. In addition to the exhibits, the location was where a revolutionary war march occurred. Outside there is a monument to the men who marched through.
10. Little Switzerland Books & Beans
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Switzerland
Reviewed By Mike D - Deltona, Florida
We were meeting several other friends in this beautifully breathtaking small little town and decided to stop in here for breakfast. We got some sweet rolls, coffee and the best hot chocolate I've ever had. We sat by the fire place surrounded by an enormous number of books. Before we knew it was time for lunch so we walked next door to the restaurant and had some of the best barbecue I've ever tasted. Our server Tracie was very friendly and helpful with the limited menu. All of our guests liked their meals.
It was a little overpriced but it was well worth it considering the scenery and tranquility of this part of North Carolina.
(The famous CHALET is only a quarter of a mile down the road. You gotta see that too)!
Can't wait to return!
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