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Top Ten Things To Do

Welcome to Burnsville, NC, where the air is fresh, the temperature is ideal, and the people are friendly. Established in 1834, Burnsville is the perfect small-town mountain getaway, just 40 minutes northeast of Asheville. No matter where you go in Yancey County, you’ll feel our warm hospitality.

1. Visit Downtown

1. Visit Downtown

Stroll iconic Town Square and Main Street. Visit locally-owned shops, art galleries, and eateries. Visit the local farmer's market and stop by the Visitor’s Center for maps and information.

2. Ascend Mt. Mitchell

2. Ascend Mt. Mitchell

Access the observation tower atop the highest mountain east of the Mississippi River. On a clear day, see up to 85 miles, with views of the Black Mountain Range and Pisgah National Forest.

3. Discover the Arts

3. Discover the Arts

Experience Burnsville's robust art scene while visiting studios and galleries throughout Yancey County. The Toe River Arts Studio Tour is a showcase for local artists to feature their work and studio spaces.

4. Drive Quilt Block Trails

4. Drive Quilt Block Trails

Travel scenic byways to view colorful quilt blocks displayed on barns, buildings, and churches. Burnsville's multiple trails comprise one of the largest concentrations of quilt blocks anywhere in the US.

5. Star Gaze at the Bare Dark Sky Observatory

5. Star Gaze at the Bare Dark Sky Observatory

Peer into the night sky through the Southeast’s largest telescope dedicated to public use. View wonders of our galaxy and beyond at this certified International Dark Sky Park.

6. Travel the Globe at the Arthur Planetarium

6. Travel the Globe at the Arthur Planetarium

View the world’s skies, experience places around the globe, and enjoy laser light shows in an all-new 60 seat planetarium with a 36' projection dome. Opening Spring 2022.

7. Hike the Highest Trails in the East

7. Hike the Highest Trails in the East

Enjoy 100 miles of public trails, a third of which reach above 6,000 feet in elevation, making them the highest trails in the Eastern U.S.

8. Visit Beautiful Waterfalls

8. Visit Beautiful Waterfalls

Explore Roaring Fork Falls and Setrock Creek Falls, two popular and easily accessible falls off NC Hwy 80. A few miles away along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Crabtree Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in NC.

9. Relax in a Mountain Cabin

9. Relax in a Mountain Cabin

Escape the bustle of everyday life with a mountain getaway. Burnsville is home to a variety of cabins, cottages, and online rentals.

10. Explore the Blue Ridge

10. Explore the Blue Ridge

Enjoy outdoor adventures including hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, fly fishing, and waterfalls. With scenic river valleys and high peaks, there is a new adventure every day.

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