Sightseeing

NC-226, Bakersville, NC, USA Bakersville, NC is situated along the Blue Ridge Mountains and is known for its picturesque beauty and quaint small-town charm. The town is filled with history, artists' studios and galleries, and Southern Appalachian culture. MUST VISIT: Just Local Market is a beautifully curated shop of local deliciousness! The shop carries top-quality items from nearby growers and food artisans. Open 12 PM–5 PM Wednesday-Friday, and 10 AM–4 PM on Saturday. Lee's County Cafe is home-cooking at its best! A casual, local favorite with amazing breakfast sandwiches. Open 6 AM–2 PM, Tuesday-Friday.

Loafers Glory, NC 28705, USA Loafers Glory Rafting and Tubing - incredible fun and relaxing! Located in the mountains of Mitchell County in Western North Carolina, we provide fun for the whole family with river trips for kids as young as four. We are the original and longest-operating river company on the Toe River in Mitchell County. Loafing is not only acceptable here - it is encouraged!

Carver's Gap Carver's Gap, a low point in the ridgeline of Roan Mountain, is 8 miles past the park on Highway 143. As you drive up the road you leave Roan Mountain State Park and enter Cherokee National Forest, which is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

Roan Mountain, North Carolina 28705, USA It's Magic! The total hike is about 4.5 miles roundtrip. Another option is to do a 2.4-mile roundtrip hike to the stunning Roan High Bluff overlook via the Cloudland Trail.

Toe River Arts Toe River Arts, first organized as the Toe River Arts Council in 1976, was founded to promote and encourage the existing cultural and educational organizations of Mitchell and Yancey Counties, North Carolina.

Penland School of Craft The Penland Gallery exhibits the work of artists affiliated with the Penland School of Craft from across the country and beyond. These include current and former instructors, resident artists, and students working in contemporary craft media: books and paper, clay, drawing and painting, glass, iron, metals, photo, print and letterpress, textiles, and wood. The gallery exhibits work by an ever-changing collective of established and emerging artists making sculptural and functional objects, conceptual and narrative work – representing the creative expanse that exists at Penland School. Penland School of Craft is a national craft education center dedicated to the creative life. Located in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Penland offers total immersion workshops in sixteen beautifully equipped studios along with artist residencies, a gallery and visitors center, and community programs.

Mt Mitchell, North Carolina 28714, USA Located in Yancey County 30 miles northeast of Asheville, Mount Mitchell State Park was the genesis of North Carolina's state parks system. At 6,684 feet, the mountain is the highest point east of the Mississippi River, and an observation deck provides breathtaking mountain views on a clear day. Easy trails at the summit explore the Fraser fir forest, while a vast network of challenging trails — including the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail — extend into adjacent wilderness areas and lead to backpacking opportunities within Pisgah National Forest

Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina 28714, USA Pisgah National Forest is comprised of more than 500,000 acres of hardwood forest, mile-high mountain peaks, whitewater rivers, thundering waterfalls and hundreds of miles of top hiking trails. It's no wonder, this area is considered one of the nation's best for outdoor recreation. Pisgah National Forest (pronounced PIZ-guh) is located in Western North Carolina, both to the north and south of Asheville. The nearest access point to Pisgah National Forest is less than 10 minutes from downtown Asheville. Among its claims to fame, Pisgah National Forest is home to the United States' first forestry school, which you can see today at the Cradle of Forestry in America historic site. And, the Forest is the site of two of the first designated wilderness areas in the Eastern United States—Shining Rock and Linville Gorge. Parts of Pisgah National Forest are considered a temperate rainforest because of its climate and annual rainfall. Nearly 100,000 acres of the forest near Asheville was once part of Biltmore Estate, the site of America's Largest Home.

Blue Ridge Mountains, United States The mountains and foothills of Western North Carolina are laced with waterfalls, from the majestic Whitewater Falls, highest east of the Mississippi, to simple, small, burbling but beautiful falls found in branches and creeks, especially after a rain. The beauty of these natural wonders offers spiritual as well as physical refreshment and renewal. The chilly mountain waters at the foot of many falls collect in natural swimming holes. Wildlife drink from the crystal clear waters, and anglers search out trout that lurk beneath the surface at the foot of many waterfalls.

Great Smoky Mountains The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited National Park in America. Covering more than half a million acres in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, the Park attracts nature lovers, hikers, campers, fishermen, photographers, and other travelers looking for beauty, refreshment, and renewal of spirit. Created in 1934, the Park and its mountains take the name “Smoky” because of the soft, blue haze that hovers over the Great Smoky Mountains range, especially in summer.

Mica - Fine Contemporary Craft Great art gallery showing a diverse group of local artists.

In Tandem Gallery Part of what makes Bakersville such a great small town.

Sweetgrass Artisan Mercantile A fantastic gallery featuring local artisans.

The Colorful Gypsy A very cute little gift shop featuring local artisans and artists.

Monkey Business Toy Shop Fun toy store with something for all ages!

Dark Sky Observatory One of the few Dark Sky Observatories on the East Coast. Call to see about the touring schedule.