Western North Carolina offers several locations for gem mining and exploration. Emerald Village, near Spruce Pine, allows visitors to dig for gems and go underground. Other popular spots in and around ...

There’s a lot to love about mountain towns—cozy lodging, gorgeous scenery, and endless opportunity for outdoor adventure, just to name a few. Towns in and around the Great Smoky Mountains have their ...

Tucked in the mountains of Western North Carolina, the small town of Franklin may not get the same attention as nearby Highlands, but that’s part of its charm. The town of just over 4,000 residents ...

While there are plenty of places around the world listed as "hidden gems", few are actually tucked away from the crowds, undiscovered, and worth checking out. However, there's a small town in North ...