100 Things to Do in Mitchell County
May 14, 2003

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What's there to do around here?

You say nothing.

We say COUNT THEM!

1. Watch trains go by in downtown Spruce Pine.
2. Watch Jack grind corn at Dellingers Mill (a 130 year old mill, the states oldest working mill of its type) on Cane Creek in Bakersville.
3. Hike Charlie Woody mountain.
4. Row the Toe Canoe, kayak, or raft the Toe River.
5. Play a round of golf.
6. Go antique shopping in Bakersville and Spruce Pine.
7. Have ice cream and play a game of pool at Break Time in downtown Spruce Pine.
8. Watch Deborah and Fred weave a scarf at Local Color Weaving Studio in Bakersville.
9. See a flaming rock at Southwest Trading in Downtown Spruce Pine.
10. Browse Blue Moon Bookstore (one of the states top ten bookstores) enjoy a muffin and a cup of coffee, too.
11. Walk the historic bridge over the Toe River in Downtown Spruce Pine.
12. Climb a rock wall at Pinebridge Center.
13. Stay in a cabin at Bear Den Campground.
14. Visit Cynthia Bringles gallery for a pottery demonstration.
15. Mine for real treasures with Rock Mine Tours.
16. Have a home-cooked breakfast a Big Lynn Lodge ( and see the site of the old Big Lynn tree).
17. Ride go-karts at Grassy Creek Speedway.
18. Visit Wal-Mart.
19. Get a latte and a snack at DTs Blue Ridge Java.
20. Visit the EnergyXchange where trash is turned into treasure. Artists studios and a native plant greenhouse all operate from the gas of the landfill. Hwy 80 North.
21. Stop in at the Mitchell County Historical Society in Bakersville and learn about our past.
22. See Anita Lawson make hand crafted wire wrapped jewelry at her shop on Hwy226.
23. See an old-time general store at Pine Crossing Antiques.
24. Visit a local produce stand for the seasons freshest picks.
25. Tour the Museum of Frankie and Charlie Silver at Kona.
26. See sheep sheared and wool spun at Laurel Oaks Farm in Bakersville.
27. Visit the worlds largest natural rhododendron garden Roan Mountain.
28. Walk the Appalachian Trail.
29. Learn why Spruce Pine is the most important mining district in the world at the Museum of North Carolina Minerals.
30. See the llamas at Penland School of Crafts.
31. Get to know NC Living Treasure Arval Woody at Woodys Chair Shop. Ask him about the $10,000 Kennedy chairs he made.
32. Hear iron sing at Bea Hensleys iron works shop. (Ask him to tell you the story about Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson)
33. Browse the areas artistic works at the Twisted Laurel Gallery in downtown Spruce Pine.
34. Stop in at the Toe River Arts Council where you can see area art work on display or maybe catch a show.
35. Visit the shops at Little Switzerland.
36. Stretch your legs on the Bakersville Creekwalk.
37. Find your own treasure at one of the many local gem mines.
38. Check out the museums at Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine and Emerald Village.
39. See a clock made at Luther Stroups Hobby Shop.
40. Visit The Orchard at Altapass for a taste of a local apple (and maybe get a hayride, too).
41. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway.
42. Raft, canoe, or ride horses at Springmaid Mountain.
43. Hike to Crabtree Falls.
44. Go rafting on the Nolichucky.
45. Shop till you drop at the Grassy Creek Indoor Market.
46. Get the seasons freshest at the Bakersville Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.
47. Be a Street Walker: Enjoy the shopping in downtown Spruce Pine.
48. Visit the four Living Treasures in Mitchell County: Bea Hensley, Arval Woody, Harvey Littleton, Billie Ruth Sudduth.
49. Tap your feet and dance the two step at Youngs Mountain Music.
50. Fish Cane Creek, Pigeon Roost & Buladean.
51. Visit the Beauty Spot.
52. Eat the best country cooked food at Sallies Mountain View Restaurant in Bakersville.
53. Go see Gouges Creek Falls.
54. Take in a play at the Parkway Playhouse.
55. Climb to the top of Mount Mitchell.
56. See jewels from all over the world at the Mineral and Gem Festival (August).
57. Watch hundreds swim, bike, and run at the Swiss Pine Triathlon (July).
58. Throw a skillet at the annual Overmountain Victory Celebration (September).
59. Hear a tall tale at the Storytelling Festival (July).
60. Celebrate our famous bloom at the North Carolina Rhododendron Festival (June).
61. Visit Sugar Plum Farm, for a tour and to pick out your Christmas tree for this year.
62. Visit the site of the Frankie and Charlie Silver tragedy.
63. Visit Penland School of Crafts' Gallery.
64. See gems from around the world at Rio Doce Gem Mine.
65. Tour an inn that was once a school (Pinebridge Inn.)
66. Watch Brown Mountain Lights from Wisemans View.
67. Visit Cabin in the Laurel: a 200 year old cabin in Bakersville.
68. Get a bite of an award winning apple at Saylors Orchard in Bakersville (voted NC Apple Grower of the Year in 2000).
69. Walk through 1200 colors of Daylilies at the Daylily Farms and Nursery on Hwy. 261 in Bakersville.
70. Visit an organic nursery at Murdock Farm on Hwy. 80N. An artist studio and gallery are also at the Farm.
71. Camp and roast marshmallows at Buck Hill Campground.
72. Buy some goat cheese and see the goat family at Oak Moon Farm in Bakersville. Learn how to make your own goat cheese at a one day workshop.
73. See soap made at Blue Ridge Soap Shed on Hwy 226 in Spruce Pine.
74. Check out the general store at the Switzerland General Store in Little Switzerland. (Have a slice of a great dessert next door at the Switzerland Café).
75. Visit with Joe at Two Trees Pottery in Bakersville see the most unique salf shaker youve ever seen!
76. Visit the local airfield and take a tour (maybe even get an aerial view of the area!)
77. Have a weekend getaway at home by renting one of the local cabins.
78. Drive by the Old English Inn in Spruce Pine, which housed soldiers in the American Revolution.
79. See apple butter made and even milk a cow at the Annual Hillbilly Festival in Downtown Spruce Pine.
80. Visit nearly one hundred artists studios during the Spring and Holiday Studio Tours.
81. Park your camper or tent at the Spruce Pine Campground. Enjoy getting away while staying close to home.
82. Enjoy a meal just like the good ole days at the City Drive In!! Park your car and enjoy a lunch of cheeseburgers and milkshakes with your family.
83. Inspect artifacts of the Native Americans as well as rocks and minerals at the newly opened Rocks and Things on Upper Street in Spruce Pine.
84. Check out some of the finest wood creations on Dula Road at the Appalachian Wood Creations shop.
85. See inside a mountain at Linville Caverns.
86. Catch some of the finest trout in Loafers Glory.
87. Browse through a treasure trove of unique gifts at Dellingers Christian Bookstore.
88. Drive over to Mayland Community College to check out one of their entertaining shows, or new exhibit.
89. Go cross country skiing on the trails of Roan Mountain during the winter months.
90. Grab a picnic lunch at an area restaurant and head over the Brad Ragan Park.
91. Stay in a local cottage or cabin like the Chinquapin Inn at Penland, a 1937 mountain house.
92. Visit the Blue Ridge Gemstone Mine in Little Switzerland.
93. Drive down halltown Road to see the impressive antique collection of Calvin Hall.
94. Howl at the moon at the Wolf Sanctuary on Cane Creek.
95. Swing your partner at the Summer Square Dances at Geneva Hall in Little Switzerland.
96. Visit the Richmond Inn, a half-century year old Inn in downtown Spruce Pine.
97. Enjoy the wlaking path or have a picnic at Spruce Pines Riverside Park.
98. Stop in the Henredon Clearance Center to see the work of our local furniture maker.
99. Visit the original Penland Post Office (circa 1879.)
100. Visit our neighbor, Grandfather Mountain, to see the bears (did you know Grandfather Mountain was once in Mitchell County?)
101. Take a drive through the county and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.*

*OK. Theres more than 100 things to do, but we ran out of room!

Call us to add your favorite activity to the list.

Tourism brings almost $18 million dollars into Mitchell County each year and provides over 200 jobs. As the tourism season begins, welcome our visitors and guests, and share our beautiful area with them. You now have a list of 100 things to encourage them to see and do in our area. You can never say nothing again.

Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce celebrates National Tourism Week May 10-18, 2003.