Attracted to the Wild
An outdoor paradise waits to be explored - hike, ride, zip and float your way through the wilderness that surrounds Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat in North Carolina.
Visit the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River at Mount Mitchell State Park.
With the parkway just around the corner, a beautiful drive or bike ride through the country awaits.
Relax as you float down the Big Toe River, accessible just down the hill from our entrance or hire the folks at Loafer’s Glory.
Great waterfall hikes are all around, Crabtree Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway is a good place to start.
Visit the internationally-recognized school for crafts, a jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Big Toe River offers amazing local swimming, the best being the Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area just down the street.
Glass Blowing
Learn the craft of glass blowing at Hearth Glass and Gallery (across the street from Homeplace Brewery).
Observatory & Planetarium
The Bare Dark Sky Observatory has the state’s largest public telescope and the Glenn and Carol Arthur Planetarium has amazing shows about our night skies.
Lots of great fly fishing in the local rivers, try a guided tour from Freedom Flies or Southern Appalachian Anglers.
Take a drive to see block art on the Quilt Trail, which has a concentration in Yancey and Mitchell Counties.
A great way to explore the nearby Mountains, this riding outfit is just on the other side of Burnsville.
Learn about the area’s botany from an expert - try Snakeroot Eco Tours or The Wander School.
Mountain Gardens is a botanical garden of useful plants featuring the largest collection of native Appalachian and Chinese medicinal herbs in the Eastern US, organically grown at the foot of the Black Mountains.
Beautiful Mount Mitchell Golf Club is less than two miles away, rated 4.5 Stars by Golf Digest Magazine’s “Places to Play.”
Explore the art, culture and food of this one-of-a-kind city.
Fly through the mountains on the highest and fastest zip line in the south!
Spend the day searching for buried treasure in one of five gem mines in our area, often considered the gem and mineral capital of the world.
Outdoor Adventures
The Historic Orchard at Altapass has apple picking, butterfly cultivation, live music, and more.
Our valley has one of the highest concentrations of artists in the nation!
Called farm-to-pint beer, this local craft beer maker uses Yancey County ingredients.
See plays from the longest continually-operating seasonal theater in North Carolina.
Find out who’s playing and where with this list event list compiled by a friendly neighbor.
There’s a reason it’s called “mountain biking,” you’ve come to the right place.
A fun kids’ activity in downtown Burnsville - one hunt for art and another for history.
Do Nothing
Why do something when you can simply do nothing at all?
Special Events In the Burnsville, NC Area
May each year
The Assault on Mount Mitchell is a 102.7-mile self-paced bike ride from Spartanburg, SC, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, to the summit at Mount Mitchell State Park - a total vertical ascent of more than 10,000 feet.
Mid-September
A ride that’s open to all ages, the Burnsville Metric is a scenic ride through Yancey and Mitchell Counties.
Early September
A celebration of books and reading in Burnsville’s downtown.
Late July/Early August
Considered one of the most popular gem festivals in the country, the North Carolina Gem and Mineral Festival has been an annual tradition for over 60 years.
Mid-September
The music of Appalachia at it’s best!
Spring
The Get Fit Family 5K runs through downtown Burnsville, NC.
1st weekend of August
Enjoy craft demonstrations, art, food and music during this celebration of one-of-a-kind artworks.
1st weekends in June & December
Tour the studios of the area’s fabulous artists and see their work in a variety of mediums.
Late September
This family-friendly festival in downtown Burnsville is a celebration of the season.
Map of Adventures Listed Above