13 Best Things To Do In Spruce Pine, North Carolina - Updated 2024

1. Emerald Village

This tourist attraction in Spruce Pine is what attracts tourists the most to the town. If you’re interested in getting a closer look at what it looks like, as well as how it bears significant importance to the quaint town, a visit to Emerald Village will suffice. Open seasonally to visitors from near and far, Emerald Village prides itself in its whopping 12 mines, as well as gorgeous scenes of what man-made nature can offer.

It’s not just all - the complex also houses the coveted North Carolina Mining Museum, giving guests a glimpse of the full history of the state’s mining industry. Aside from the museum, a wide range of tours and immersive experiences is on offer for visitors of all ages.

Emerald Village

Address: 331 McKinney Mine Road, Spruce Pine, NC 28777, USA

Website: Emerald Village

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily, through April - May, September - October) / 9am - 6pm (daily, through May - September)

Price: 4 USD onwards

2. Toe River Arts

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you’re keen on immersing yourself in the several events taking place in Spruce Pine, Toe River Arts is one of the few places to get you started. Art lovers will certainly find something useful in the tight-knit organization’s several exhibits and workshop offerings. From thought-provoking art pieces to meaningful community engagements, Toe River Arts has it all covered for your refined taste.

The collective routine holds exhibitions showing works from local and visiting artists in their flagship gallery, located within the town’s center. Meanwhile, their interactive experiences, such as workshops and studio tours, are held in several other art spaces and galleries around Spruce Pine. You can join any of these activities, especially in your free time.

Toe River Arts

Address: 269 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC 28777, United States (Spruce Pine Gallery)

Website: Toe River Arts

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10:30am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

3. Linville Falls

Located off mile marker 316, Linville Falls is the most visited waterfall on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Three tiers of waterfall plunge into the deep, roaring Linville Gorge. A popular hiking spot near Spruce Pine, there are several trails around the area, but the main one to see the falls is 1.6 miles (2.5 km) round trip and very easy.

Come get up close and personal with this natural feature, listening to the roar of the water and feeling the power of the river, or letting your feet dangle into the gorge. This really is one of the best spots in North Carolina.

Linville Falls

Website: Linville Falls

4. Linville Caverns

Linville Caverns is a privately owned cavern located just south of Linville Falls. This cavern is open for tours year round and stays a brisk 52 degrees F (11 degrees C) inside no matter the weather. Spend a half-hour learning about the lore of the cave and seeing stalactites, stalagmites, and other cave formations. You may even encounter a bat!

Linville Caverns

Address: Pisgah National Forest, 19929 US-221, Marion, NC 28752

Website: Linville Caverns

5. The Orchard at Altapass

The Orchard at Altapass has a rich history and is perched right on the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They have over 40 apple varieties, from the sour yellow transparent to the sweet king luscious. You can purchase apples in the store, or buy a bag, wander the orchard, and pick your own varieties straight off the tree.

The orchard also focuses on conservation and education. One of the ways they do this is through monarch butterfly preservation. They hatch and raise these butterflies in a controlled environment on the property until they are ready to release, and also work hard to plant milkweed in the area.

Orchard at Altapass

Address: 1025 Orchard Rd, Spruce Pine, NC 28777

Website: Orchard at Altapass

6. Blue Ridge Parkway, Loops Overlook

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic roads in the United States. Visitors drive slowly along winding ‘S’ turns, admiring stunning mountain views along the way. You can stop at any of the many overlooks along the way to admire views and take beautiful photographs.

There are several landmarks, waterfalls, attractions, and other things to see right off of the Parkway – the one nearest Spruce Pine is known as the Loops Overlook. Found at milepost 328.6, this view will allow you to see a beautiful panorama of the mountain ranges making up the Blue Ridge, as well as spot the Clinchfield Railroad tracks.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Website: Blue Ridge Parkway

7. Crabtree Falls

Known as one of the most photogenic waterfalls in the area, Crabtree Falls is a 70-foot (21 m) cascade that tumbles over a rock face with many small ledges. This gives the waterfall a very exquisite, almost dainty, appearance. The hike to view the waterfall is a very moderate 3 mile (5 km) round trip and will take you through a dense wooded forest and lots of wildflowers. The bridge to view the falls runs right over the base, allowing you to be extremely close to this natural beauty.

Crabtree Falls

Website: Crabtree Falls

8. Little Switzerland

Known as the “Jewel of the Blue Ridge Parkway,” Little Switzerland is an unincorporated community nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains that is full of shops, dining, lodging, and things to do. Enjoy a dinner in Mountain View Restaurant surrounded by amazing views, or enjoy a quiet cup of coffee in a bookstore with a homemade canoe in the basement. You may even find a beekeeper selling her honey right outside the door.

Apart from its scenic spots and things to do, Little Switzerland also quips a handful of homemade treasures, gifts, jewelry, and various arts and crafts. Stop here for a dining and shopping experience you will not be able to find elsewhere.

Little Switzerland

Website: Little Switzerland

9. Grassy Creek Falls

Located just five minutes from Little Switzerland is the amazing Grassy Creek Falls. After a sloping downhill 1 mile (1.6 km) trip down the path, you will find an alluring, gentle 2-tier waterfall. It is not known as one of the tallest waterfalls in the area, but it is one of the most tranquil and beautiful. When you are done admiring the falls, simply return back the way you came on a gentle uphill path beside the creek and through the forest.

Grassy Creek Falls

Website: Grassy Creek Falls

10. Gem Mountain

Gem mountain began long ago as a working gem mine. Miners came from all around to hunt for a fortune in the mountains in the form of sparkling gemstones. Today, they have two mines still open for public tours. Aquamarine Mine gets its name from the aquamarine gemstone most often found here, and Hoot Owl Mine was once a source for emeralds.

You can also experience flume mining year round. Here you can go through lots of rock in the flume to discover your own treasure. The stones you discover will be inspected free of charge and can also be cut into jewelry by expert gem cutters on site. If all your mining efforts come up dry, you can always purchase beautiful gems inside the gift store.

Gem Mountain

Address: 13780 NC-226, Spruce Pine, NC 28777

Website: Gem Mountain

11. Museum of North Carolina Minerals

After you’ve had your own fun mining gems, make a stop at the Museum of North Carolina Minerals to learn all about the area’s mineral resources and mining heritage. Explore interactive exhibits describing the history and resources in the area and learn how the Blue Ridge Mountains were created. Admission is free, and the museum is open 7 days a week year round.

Museum of North Carolina Minerals

Address: 79 Parkway Maintenance Rd, Spruce Pine, NC 28777

Website: Museum of NC Minerals

12. Blue Ridge Soap Shed

Blue Ridge Soap Shed offers 130 varieties of soaps, all handmade completely from scratch. They use ingredients such as tropical oils, herbs, vegetables butters, and goat milk. There are soaps to remove strong scents, repel bugs, and even fight hard to treat skin conditions. All of their soaps are custom-wrapped and come in five different sizes.

Blue Ridge Soap Shed

Address: 179 Meadow View Rd, Spruce Pine, NC 28777

Website: Blue Ridge Soap Shed

13. Festivals in Spruce Pine

You may know that Spruce Pine is labeled “The Mineral City”, you should therefore definitely try to attend NC Mineral and Gem Festival and shop for beautiful gemstones, minerals, fossils, jewelry and more!

NC Mineral and Gem Festival

Dates: August 2 - 5, 2018

Website: NC Mineral and Gem Festival

For those looking for a weekend of music and great food, do check out Spruce Pine BBQ & Bluegrass Festival. Admission is 5 USD per day, and you can enjoy the best of local and regional musicians, delicious BBQ and various other craft vendors.

Spruce Pine BBQ & Bluegrass Festival

Address: Riverside Park across the river from downtown Spruce Pine

Dates: July 20 & 21, 2018

Website: Spruce Pine BBQ & Bluegrass Festival

Interested in blacksmithing? Then do check out Fire On the Mountain - the region’s renowned blacksmith festival and catch nationally-acclaimed blacksmiths demonstrating their skills. There are vendors set up too for you to purchase each blacksmith’s work.

Fire On the Mountain

Address: 165 Locust Street 28777

Discover the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains

Spruce Pine is located in one of the most beautiful areas of the country. Spend some time here and discover all the riches the great outdoors can provide.