Mitchell County: Blue Ridge Parkway, Rivers and Art
Accommodation in Mitchell County
Mitchell County combines the Appalachian landscape with winding scenic roads, river trails, mining history and a remarkable art scene. The county lies along the Blue Ridge Parkway and therefore offers a range of travel ideas: you can combine a drive through the mountains with museums and studios, experience the North Toe River or learn about regional traditions at a festival in Bakersville.
Scenic Roads and Mining History
A good starting point for a cultural and historical excursion is the Museum of North Carolina Minerals. It highlights the region’s mineral resources and mining history and is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Milepost 331, at the intersection with NC-226 and about six miles east of Spruce Pine. The museum also includes an exhibition about the Overmountain Victory Trail. From there, visitors can hike two certified sections of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail: one is 1.8 miles long and the other 1.2 miles.
Emerald Village also explores the area’s mining history. There, visitors can take an underground tour through the historic Bon Ami Mine. At the Gemstone Mine, visitors choose from various gemstone buckets and can keep the stones they find. Exhibits on model railways, native wildlife, fluorescent minerals, antique tools and music history are spread across 12 levels of the Discovery Mill building. For a trip combining several interests, this visit pairs well with a drive along The Diamondback: The route has more than 190 curves over 12 miles and climbs nearly 2,000 feet toward the Blue Ridge Parkway. At Milepost 334, it provides direct access to the parkway.
Arts, Crafts and Regional Events
Mitchell County is also ideal for travelers who want to discover art in more than just a single museum. The Penland School of Craft campus offers a self-guided tour with historic buildings, art installations, studio visits, a café and an art-supply store. The Penland Gallery & Visitors Center presents contemporary crafts by current and former faculty members, resident artists and former students. Toe River Arts’ Spring & Fall Studio Tours are self-guided driving tours featuring between 85 and 100 Toe River Arts artists.
In Bakersville, the McBee Museum is located in a historic building from the 1890s in the town center. The building was originally used as a medical office by Dr. Prestwood. During the festival held annually on the third weekend in June, Roan Mountain turns pink with more than 600 acres of blooming Catawba rhododendrons. The festival includes a craft fair with local artists and craftspeople, food vendors, as well as a 10-kilometer race and a one-mile run or walk.
River Trails and Outdoor Excursions
The Toe River Canoe Trail runs 37 miles down the North Toe River, from Riverside Park in Spruce Pine to Poplar. The trail includes Class I, II and III rapids and passes mostly through undeveloped forests and farmland. Riverside Park also has a paved walking path and access to the Toe River for fishing, paddling and river tubing. In Bakersville’s community park, a 0.6-mile paved Creek Walk offers a shorter excursion; accessible fishing piers are also available there.
When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home, the desired focus of the trip is therefore particularly important. Those who want to combine scenic drives, minerals and art can focus on the parkway and cultural attractions. Those who prefer to spend the day by the water can include the Toe River and its various activities in their plans. For additional excursion destinations and a different local atmosphere, you can also include Spruce Pine and Bakersville in your travel plans.
More Impressions of Mitchell County
The Mitchell County Quilt Trail is a self-guided driving tour through the county’s scenic landscape. Quilt blocks are displayed on barns, shops and homes. Annual events also include Fire on the Mountain, a blacksmithing festival held in downtown Spruce Pine on the last Saturday in April, with demonstrations of blacksmithing. The NC Mineral and Gem Festival in Spruce Pine was organized to attract tourists and highlight the region’s mining heritage; mine tours there require a reservation and are paid for separately.
For the broader travel overview: North Carolina.
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