Summer is coming to an end, the kids are back in school and that means vacation time for most families has passed! September in Mitchell County however is a great time to still take advantage of the beautiful weather and enjoy time with your family right here! What many people don’t realize is that you can have a great family “staycation” right here in Mitchell County! With cooler temperatures, mountain breezes, and lots of fun options for you and your family, Mitchell County has many vacation activities without the crowds and long drives!
Take the family for an afternoon in Little Switzerland…explore the shops and grab a bite to eat while taking in the beautiful views throughout the summer village. Hiking, gem mining and art galleries are also nearby. If just you and your sweetheart are exploring…schedule a spa treatment at a local Inn to end your weekend on a relaxing note.
What a better way to cool off than by hitting the river for a day of fun on the water! Join Loafers Glory Rafting and Tubing for the summer adventure you have been waiting for! For those looking for a way to beat the heat, nothing will do that like tubing down the cool rushing rivers of the Toe and Nolichucky Rivers of Mitchell County.
Western North Carolina has quickly become a world class rock climbing destination and our area offers some amazing waterfall rappelling adventures too! Whether you are a seasoned professional or this is your first time climbing, Thrifty Adventures will have something for everyone!
Who doesn’t love horses and what could be better than horseback riding in some of the most spectacular scenery in the world? Horseback riding at Springmaid Mountain will be the adventure of a lifetime as you experience the winding trails and lush greenery of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
Parkway Playhouse (Burnsville) offers a great selection of plays produced, directed and performed by locals from the surrounding counties! This renowned playhouse will impress even the harshest of critics. Summer brings the release of many new plays, featuring everything from comedies and dramas to children’s plays. This is one of the best ways to experience the arts while here in the Mountains.
September brings in the early apple varieties at The Orchard at Altapass on the Blue Ridge Parkway just down the road from Spruce Pine. You can pick your own, or grab a bag of already picked in the pack house. While you are there enjoy free live music, a storytelling hayride and some delicious fudge too!
Stop by the Toe River Arts Council and get a list of local artists who keep their studios open year round. Take a local road trip to enjoy our beautiful county and visit with our local artists.
Enjoy the latest attraction at the Bare Dark Sky Observatory near Spruce Pine You will have the opportunity to view the moon, planets and stars through the 34″ diameter Sam Scope, as well as a smaller planetary telescope. Check out their website at Mayland Community College to see reservation information.
Gem Mining has been a part of our local history for generations, and our local gem mining establishments offer something for everyone. From Emerald Village’s Mining History Museum, to Rio Doce’s connections right to the actual gem mines of Rio Dòce (Sweet River) Brazil and Gem Mountain’s unique Gift Shops and mine tours….you can visit all of the gem mines and enjoy something a little different and special at each one!
10. Explore Inside A Mountain-Linville Caverns
You may have hiked on top of the mountains, but have you hiked and explored inside one? Linville Caverns is North Carolina’s only cavern open for tours. Entertaining and informative guided tours take visitors along a level walk to see “inside” Humpback Mountain. Affordable family fun that features amazing mineral color, unique formations, an underground stream with native trout, the “Bottomless Pool” and a peek into total darkness.
These are just a few of the many activities that are great staycation ideas for Mitchell County. So make plans to stay close to home in September and enjoy all of the great attractions and activities in our own backyard.