Our local town · Mitchell County
Bakersville
Our closest town, about a 5-minute drive away. A quiet mountain community along Cane Creek, with local art and everyday essentials.
The area guide
Around Bakersville
Mountain walks, local art, and places to eat. Start close to Elka Gardens, then explore a little further.
Towns to exploreStart in Bakersville, then explore the neighboring mountain towns
Mitchell County
Spruce Pine
Explore the shops and restaurants along Oak Avenue and Locust Street, with a stop at Toe River Arts.
Blue Ridge Parkway · Mitchell County area
Little Switzerland
A mountain village with long-range views, a café, galleries, and scenic drives along the Parkway.
Neighboring Yancey County
Burnsville
Walk Main Street and the town square for shops, cafés, and local art.
Hiking, waterfalls, and parksRoan Mountain first, followed by woodland walks, waterfalls, and scenic drives
NC–Tennessee border
Carvers Gap & the Roan Highlands
Appalachian Trail access to open grassy balds and wide mountain views.
Roan Mountain
Rhododendron Gardens
Natural Catawba rhododendron gardens in a high mountain setting.
Roan Mountain, Tennessee
Roan Mountain State Park & Miller Farmstead
Woodland trails, the Doe River, and a historic mountain farmstead.
More to explore (8)
Bakersville
Bakersville Creek Walk
A community greenway along Cane Creek. The town’s website has the latest information on the park and walk.
Bakersville & Spruce Pine area
North Toe River
A river outing through the Toe Valley. Plan tubing or kayaking with a local outfitter, who can advise on access and river conditions.
Linville area
Linville Falls
Trails to waterfall and gorge overlooks, ranging from moderate to strenuous.
Marion area
Toms Creek Falls
A woodland walk to a cascading waterfall in Pisgah National Forest.
South Toe Valley
Roaring Fork Falls
A relatively short forest trail to a waterfall.
South Toe Valley
Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area
A riverside recreation area for picnics, fishing, and water activities.
Black Mountains · Longer mountain outing
Mount Mitchell State Park
Summit views and high-elevation trails on the highest peak east of the Mississippi.
Regional scenic drive
Blue Ridge Parkway & Chestoa View
Mountain scenery along the Parkway, with a short viewpoint walk at Chestoa View.
Food and drinkLocal food, cafés, and drinks, grouped from Bakersville to the surrounding towns
Bakersville
Mountain Holler Steak & Seafood
Steaks, seafood, and housemade desserts.
Bakersville
East Fork Artisan Bakery
Artisan breads and baked goods from a local bakery.
Bakersville
Mammie’s Breakfast Barn
A local stop for breakfast.
More to explore (17)
Bakersville area
Bonnie & Clyde’s Drive In
A longtime local drive-in restaurant in Loafers Glory.
Spruce Pine
DT’s Blue Ridge Java
Coffee, breakfast, and lunch in downtown Spruce Pine.
Spruce Pine
Fox and the Fig
A local café for coffee and a bite to eat.
Spruce Pine
Thai Table & Sushi Bar
Thai dishes and sushi on Locust Street.
Spruce Pine
Puerto Nuevo Mexican & Seafood Restaurant
Mexican food and seafood at the Spruce Pine location.
Spruce Pine
Western Sizzlin
A casual steakhouse option.
Spruce Pine
Grassy Creek Golf & Country Club Restaurant
Dining at the local golf and country club.
Spruce Pine
The Mad Hatter Tavern & Mad Platter Pizza
Pizza, sandwiches, and drinks in downtown Spruce Pine.
Spruce Pine
Spruce Pint Taproom
Regional craft beer, drinks, and live music.
Little Switzerland
Chalet Restaurant
Dining at Switzerland Inn with mountain views.
Little Switzerland
Switzerland Cafe
A café and general store in the village.
Little Switzerland area
Skyline Village Inn Restaurant & Bar
A restaurant and bar in a mountain inn.
Burnsville
Live Oak Gastropub
A gastropub stop for a meal in Burnsville.
Burnsville
Homeplace Beer Company
Locally brewed beer with food from Hog Hollow Wood Fired Pizza.
Burnsville
Carriage House Sundries
A café, wine shop, and market by the town square.
Burnsville
Yancey County Farmers’ Market
Local produce, plants, baked goods, and handmade items from area producers.
Linville Falls area
Linville Falls Winery
Wine flights and a tasting-room stop in the mountains.
Art and local craftGalleries and studio visits across Mitchell and Yancey Counties
Bakersville
Mica Fine Contemporary Craft
An artist-run cooperative gallery of fine art and contemporary craft.
Penland · Mitchell County
Penland Gallery & Visitor Center
Curated exhibitions of contemporary craft at Penland School of Craft.
Downtown Spruce Pine · Oak Avenue
Toe River Arts Gallery
See exhibitions from the region’s arts community, then explore the surrounding downtown shops.
More to explore (2)
Burnsville
Hearth Glass & Gallery
Glass art, a working studio, and opportunities to try glassmaking.
Mitchell & Yancey Counties · Scheduled events
Toe River Arts Studio Tour
Visit participating artists in their working studios during an organized, self-guided tour.
Stargazing and other experiencesNight skies, local history, river outings, and places to explore the landscape
Mayland Earth to Sky Park · Burnsville
Bare Dark Sky Observatory
Guided telescope viewing at a dedicated dark-sky observatory.
Mayland Earth to Sky Park · Burnsville
Glenn & Carol Arthur Planetarium
Astronomy and science programs under an immersive projection dome.
Bakersville area · Regional trips
NC Outdoor Adventures
Guided river and mountain adventures, including paddling and climbing.
More to explore (6)
Bakersville area
Loafers Glory Rafting & Tubing
Tubing and relaxed kayaking trips on the Toe River.
Spruce Pine area · Blue Ridge Parkway
Museum of North Carolina Minerals
Exhibits about local minerals and the region’s mining heritage.
Spruce Pine area · Blue Ridge Parkway
The Orchard at Altapass
A heritage apple orchard with walking trails, mountain music, and local history.
Little Switzerland area
Emerald Village
Historic mine tours, a mining museum, and gem-mining activities.
Marion / Linville Falls area
Linville Caverns
Guided underground tours exploring a limestone cavern.
Burnsville area
Carolina Native Nursery
A retail nursery specializing in native plants, including azaleas and rhododendrons.
Explore fartherLonger day trips beyond the immediate area. Choose a destination and leave room for the journey
Farther day trip
Asheville
Restaurants, galleries, shops, and live music in a mountain city.
Farther day trip · Boone & Blowing Rock
North Carolina High Country
Mountain towns, outdoor attractions, and a wider choice of day-trip destinations.
High Country · Challenging hiking
Grandfather Mountain State Park
Rugged mountain trails for experienced hikers. The state park is separate from the ticketed Swinging Bridge attraction.
More to explore (8)
Blowing Rock area
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park
Historic estate grounds and carriage roads for mountain walks.
Banner Elk area
Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster
An alpine coaster winding down the mountainside in individual carts.
High Country · Winter sports
Sugar Mountain Resort
A destination for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing.
High Country · Mountain resort
Beech Mountain Resort
Winter skiing and snowboarding, with mountain activities in other seasons.
Barnardsville · Farther outing
Navitat Canopy Adventures
Guided zipline experiences in the forest and above the mountain canopy.
Nebo area · Lake outing
Lake James
Lake days, wooded trails, and opportunities for paddling, swimming, and fishing at Lake James State Park.
Northeast Tennessee · Farther lake day
Watauga Lake, Tennessee
A mountain lake bordered by the Cherokee National Forest, with boating, paddling, and designated recreation areas.
Across the Tennessee border · Farther day trips
Northeast Tennessee
Explore the towns, outdoor destinations, music, and regional history across Northeast Tennessee.
Keep exploring
Useful local resources
Discover Mitchell NC
Bakersville, Spruce Pine, Little Switzerland, dining, and local events.
Explore Burnsville
Yancey County towns, art, food, and outdoor ideas.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Official road closures and access updates for a wider mountain outing.
North Carolina road conditions
Current state-road information from NCDOT.
Use the linked official websites for current visitor information, opening times, tickets, and access.
Or stay close
Walk the woodland trails to the pond at Elka Gardens. The pond is a feature along the walk, not a swimming or recreation area.
About the property