Name - Spruce Pine Gem Mine

City/State - Spruce Pine, NC

County - MITCHELL

Region - North Carolina High Country

Description - Spruce Pine Gem Mine has been family owned and operated for generations,so you can mine with one of the oldest mining families in the nation,mining since 1810.We offer buckets of the finest gem ore from the best native gem mines.Search for your own valuable gemstones in the safety & comfort of our location south of Spruce Pine,North Carolina.We can make custom jewelry from your finds or from gemstones in our GemStone Shop.We are nationally recognized in magazines,books,PBS & local TV stations.

Name - The Orchard at Altapass

City/State - Little Switzerland, NC

County - MITCHELL

Region - Western North Carolina

Description - The Orchard at Altapass is an Appalachian cultural center celebrating the music, art, and natural beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains. Over 100 years old, the Orchard sits right on the Blue Ridge Parkway providing some of the most amazing scenery in North Carolina. Open May through October, 10am-6pm. http://www.altapassorchard.com

Name - Dellinger Grist Mill

City/State - Bakersville, NC

County - MITCHELL

Region - Western North Carolina

Description - Historic Dellinger Mill,listed in the National Register of Historic Places,is the only grist mill of its kind left in the state of NC. I produce water powered/stone ground cornmeal and grits every third week of June-Sept. and every day in October and November, except Sundays. http://www.dellingermill.com