30+ Best Things To Do In Little Switzerland NC and Nearby!

Published by Carl. Last Updated on August 8, 2024.

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Little Switzerland, North Carolina, is a beautiful NC mountain town just one hour away from Asheville to the south and Boone to the north. McDowell and Mitchell counties share this unincorporated community, a Blue Ridge Parkway stop at Milepost 334).

While it may seem like a tiny town, there are plenty of things to do in Little Switzerland for all visitors!

If you’ve never been or are looking to visit again, this Little Switzerland travel guide covers where to stay, eat, and play in this beautiful spot.

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Here’s how we’ve organized this guide:

Where is Little Switzerland?
Where to Stay
Things to Do in Little Switzerland
Things to Do Near Little Switzerland
Hiking Near Little Switzerland
Towns Near Little Switzerland (and Things to Do in Each One)
More NC Travel Guides

Whether you’re a new resident, a frequent visitor, or a local, we’re leaving no detail behind. If you live in the area and wonder, “What are the best things to do near me in Little Switzerland?” we think this guide will help you!

Where is Little Switzerland NC?

Little Switzerland is a mostly seasonally-open small town in Mitchell County and McDowell County, North Carolina, in a region known as the High Country. The closest town to Little Switzerland is Spruce Pine (15 minutes away), but many of our favorite places to visit are also nearby, including the following:

Burnsville (30 minutes away)
Marion (30 minutes away)
Old Fort (40 minutes away)
Black Mountain (50 minutes away)
Banner Elk (1 hour away)
Morganton (1 hour away)
Blowing Rock (1 hour 5 minutes away)
Asheville (1 hour 10 minutes away)
Boone (1 hour 10 minutes away)

Little Switzerland is known for its scenic beauty and is surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains. Nearby Pisgah National Forest makes it a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and enjoying the natural beauty.

You can visually travel and find things to do in Little Switzerland with our map of Western North Carolina and our North Carolina Travel Map. They will help you with directions to Little Switzerland and each attraction in our guide.

When is the Best Time to Visit Little Switzerland?

You can travel to Little Switzerland any time of year. However, many things to do in our guide (including hotels) are typically closed for the winter each year and reopen in April.

Where to Stay

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Little Switzerland, here are a couple of great options:

Switzerland Inn (86 High Ridge Rd, Little Switzerland, NC): Whether traveling with family or seeking solitude, the Switzerland Inn is ready for you. It’s the first place you’ll see when exiting off the Blue Ridge Parkway at MP 334. Here, you’ll find a variety of delectable views, food, and activities. Switzerland Inn includes a spa, two dining options, luxurious rooms with views, the Diamondback Lodge, and cute shops to peruse.
Big Lynn Lodge (10860 NC-226A, Little Switzerland, NC): You can also stay at Big Lynn Lodge on the Diamondback. It’s an affordable 42-room inn that comes with complimentary breakfast and dinner.

Things to Do in Little Switzerland NC This Weekend (and Most of the Year)

As mentioned, many of the Little Switzerland NC attractions (including hotels) we mention here are typically closed for the winter each year and reopen in April. Exceptions include Books and Beans, which reopens in late February.

Eat at the Switzerland Inn

Address: 1331 Stonewall Dr, Rocky Mount, NC
Website

The Chalet Restaurant and its locally sourced ingredients

Speaking of delectable, you have two dining choices at the Switzerland Inn—The Chalet Restaurant and The Fowl Play Pub & Tap Room. If you’re looking for a mountainous view and upscale dining, you’ll want to try The Chalet Restaurant and its locally sourced ingredients.

For a casual experience, The Fowl Play Pub offers delicious bar food, delightful cocktails, and 20 beers on tap, including some local options.

Little Switzerland General Store

Address: 9432 NC-226A, Marion, NC
Website

In the heart of Little Switzerland is the Switzerland Cafe & General Store. Don’t miss stopping by and trying their well-known barbecue.

They are also home to one of North Carolina’s largest wood-fired smokehouses. You’ll love it so much that you might want to grab a souvenir at the General Store afterward.

Little Switzerland Books and Beans

Address: 28749 9426, NC-226A, Marion, NC
Website

The entrance to books and beans coffee & espresso bar

a full bookshelf at Books and Beans in Little Switzerland, NC

A quick hop and skip next door from the General Store is a three-story bookstore with a coffee and espresso bar. Books and Beans came to life in 1987 and expanded in 2004.

It’s incredible how many books they can fit into each nook and cranny of the space! That’s a big part of why we consider it one of the best bookstores in North Carolina.

You can also check out the art gallery where local artists showcase their crafts.

Drive the Diamondback

The sign for the Diamondback motorcycle trek in Little Switzerland

From Little Switzerland, you can ride the Diamondback for gorgeous views and fun twists and turns. This densely wooded 38-mile trek provides a challenging and exciting ride for motorcyclists and mountain drivers, with steep switchbacks looping almost 360 degrees.

It’s a diamond-shaped loop that includes NC-226A, US-221, Toms Creek Road, NC 80, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. You’ll feel the temperature cool as you climb the mountainsides.

You deserve swag from the Little Switzerland Trading Company if you make it through.

Things to Do Near Little Switzerland NC

You may want to venture out, and if you do, there are plenty of great things to do near Little Switzerland, including our most famous scenic road—The Blue Ridge Parkway.

Nearby Blue Ridge Parkway Stops
The Museum of North Carolina Minerals
Gem Mining
Emerald Village
Linville Caverns
Lake James State Park

Nearby Blue Ridge Parkway Stops

the Blue ridge parkway during fall in North Carolina — Linn Cove Viaduct.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is America’s longest linear park, and Little Switzerland is one of its stops at Milepost 334. There’s even a Little Switzerland Tunnel nearby!

Here are some nearby stops within 25 miles of Milepost 334 and Little Switzerland:

Linville Falls (MP 316)
Chestoa View (MP 320)
The Orchard at Altapass (MP 328)
The Museum of North Carolina Minerals (MP 331)
Crabtree Falls (MP 339)
Mount Mitchell State Park (MP 355)

We’ll mention a few of these stops in our “Hikes near Little Switzerland” section.

Read More: Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes

The Museum of North Carolina Minerals

Address: 214 Parkway Maintenance Rd, Spruce Pine, NC
3 miles away from Little Switzerland (5 minutes)
Website

You’ll find the Museum of NC Minerals at MP 331 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. At this free museum, you’ll learn about North Carolina minerals and gems and the nearby Spruce Pine Mining District.

The displays here share the importance of mining to this part of our state.

Gem Mining

Gem Mountain Address: 13780 Highway 226 South, Spruce Pine, NC
Website
Rio Doce Gem Mine Address: 14622 NC-226 S, Spruce Pine, NC
Website

The Little Switzerland area has one of the world’s richest deposits of gems and minerals. It is known for mica, kaolin, quartz, and feldspar. 90 percent of the raw materials for plumbing fixtures come from Spruce Pine!

There are several locally owned gem mines to explore in the area, including:

Emerald Village

Address: 331 McKinney Mine Rd, Spruce Pine, NC
3 miles away from Little Switzerland (7 minutes)
Website

But if you want a unique gem mining experience in North Carolina, we recommend going to the Emerald Village.

Start by getting a bucket to sluice for gemstones and minerals from a mining flume. Our kids love doing this because each shake of the pan is a new surprise!

You can also take home any gemstone inside the bucket, which invariably becomes a precious keepsake.

The Orchard at Altapass

Address: 1025 Orchard Rd, Spruce Pine, NC
Website

The Orchard at Altapass near Little Switzerland is an iconic Blue Ridge Parkway stop (Milepost 328) and a beautiful overlook with sweeping views of the apple trees.

You can pick apples when they’re in season and sip hot apple cider, but bring your dancing shoes! Live music creates a fun, festive mood from Thursday to Sunday during the apple season.

Linville Caverns

Address: 19929 US-221, Marion, NC 28752
19 miles away from Little Switzerland (30 minutes)
Website

Linville Caverns is a fascinating underground attraction near Little Switzerland. It is one of the only NC caves open to the public.

The caverns offer guided tours that take you through limestone caves filled with impressive stalactites, stalagmites, and other unique rock formations.

The year-round constant temperature inside the caverns makes it a comfortable destination regardless of the weather outside. Tickets must be purchased in person, so we recommend arriving early as they can sell out.

Lake James State Park

Address: 2229 Lake James State Park Rd, Nebo, NC
27 miles away from Little Switzerland (45 minutes)
Website

Lake James State Park sits at the base of the most rugged terrain in North Carolina, offering sparkling blue waters perfect for boating.

The accessible fishing pier is a great spot in the Catawba River Area of the park. There are also several great hiking, biking, and fishing opportunities here!

Trails are scattered around the park’s two main accesses. We especially love the 1-mile Lake Channel Overlook in the Catawba River Area.

Holly Discovery Trail (0.75 miles) is great for kids in the Paddy’s Creek Area. This trail is also close to the Overmountain Victory Trail, which runs for 2 of its 330 miles through Lake James State Park.

You can also ride your bike on loop trails ranging from 1.4 to 6 miles.

For an even more challenging ride, the Fonta Flora State Trail snakes 19 miles and loops around Lake James. When completed, this trail will connect Morganton and Asheville. The Fonta Flora is multi-use and very popular for cyclists.

Hikes near Little Switzerland NC

Some of our favorite places to go hiking near Little Switzerland are among our top statewide trails! The public is no longer allowed to visit Grassy Creek Falls, but here’s a list of even better hikes nearby followed by a description of each one.

Crabtree Falls
Roaring Fork Falls
Setrock Creek Falls
Linville Falls
Mount Mitchell State Park
Grandfather Mountain
Beacon Heights Overlook Trail
Rough Ridge Trail
Wiseman’s View

Leave no trace at these hikes near Little Switzerland so we can all enjoy them as you did.

Crabtree Falls

4 miles away from Little Switzerland (10 minutes)

One of the best waterfalls in North Carolina is the epic Crabtree Falls, just a short drive from Little Switzerland. An impressive 70-foot waterfall, this is one of our favorite waterfalls near Asheville.

The falls are located about 1.6 miles into a moderate 2.5-mile loop. While you can trek in and out to see the falls, we recommend completing the loop for the full experience.

The ascent directly after the waterfall is relatively steep, but the trail levels out and follows a beautiful creek.

Roaring Fork Falls

13 miles away from Little Switzerland (25 minutes)

Roaring Fork Falls is a 100-foot waterfall near Crabtree Falls (and Setrock Creek Falls, which we’ll mention next).

The hike to Roaring Fork Falls is more of a half-mile stroll. The formerly active forest service road you’ll walk along is mostly flat and paved.

Once you reach Roaring Fork Falls, you’ll love the 100-foot-long cascade that weaves along the rocks, framed by rhododendrons and greenery.

Setrock Creek Falls

16 miles away from Little Switzerland (30 minutes)

Setrock Creek Falls is a 75-foot waterfall just down the road from Roaring Fork Falls. The hike to and from this waterfall is a flat 1-mile path, originating at the Black Mountain Campground.

While the parking lot may be nearly full when you arrive, the hike and falls are not as crowded. This could be for various reasons.

One is that the campground also serves as the trailhead for the 12-mile round trip Old Mitchell Hike that takes you to the summit of Mount Mitchell.

Linville Falls

19 miles away from Little Switzerland (30 minutes)

Lineville Falls allong the Blue Ridge Parkway near Little Switzerland NC

The Linville Gorge Wilderness Area is home to some of our favorite hikes in North Carolina. Linville Falls is another excellent Blue Ridge Parkway stop (MP 316.3), running over the gorge and a beautiful sight!

A 2-mile round-trip hike will take you to three different vantage points of the falls. For more of a challenge, the Plunge Basin Trail approaches the waterfall from the opposite side and will take you to the base of Linville Falls.

Mount Mitchell State Park

22 miles away from Little Switzerland (40 minutes)

At an elevation of 6,684 feet, Mount Mitchell is the highest peak in the eastern United States. Inside Mount Mitchell State Park, you’ll find some of the best hiking trails, picnic areas, and breathtaking views accessible from an observation deck.

Hike the epic Black Mountains Crest Trail (24 miles round-trip) or keep things comfortable with a short walk to the Summit (0.15 miles one way) and the Balsam Nature Trail (0.75-mile loop).

Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain State Park is 45 minutes away from Little Switzerland
The Private Attraction is 1 hour away from Little Switzerland

Grandfather Mountain is many things, including a mountain, a non-profit tourist attraction with a mile-high swinging bridge, and a North Carolina State Park.

You can reach Grandfather Mountain’s NC State Parks side from the bridge, where some difficult hiking trails and rewarding views await. The include the following:

The Grandfather Trail (2.4 miles) is reachable via the Underwood Trail (0.5 miles). The Grandfather Trail is advanced-level and will take you to the Calloway Peak, the highest of Grandfather Mountain’s four summits.
The Grandfather Trail also connects with the Profile Trail (3.6 miles), another popular yet tough hike in this state park. The Profile Trail leads to both the Profile View and Foscoe View.

A fantastic annual event is the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, held each July. The GMHG brings colors to Macrae Meadows with pageantry, athletic competitions, and more to celebrate North Carolina’s Scots-Irish heritage.

Beacon Heights Overlook Trail

31 miles away from Little Switzerland (50 minutes)

Beacon Heights is the first of a couple of Tanawha Trail hikes that we’ll mention, and it is a nice one for being so short. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll be greeted with sweeping views and endless mountains.

You can even look back toward Grandfather Mountain, and that’s not all there is to remember about this easy hike. Beacon Heights is an intersection for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail from Clingmans Dome out west to Jockey’s Ridge on the coast.

Rough Ridge Trail

31 miles away from Little Switzerland (50 minutes)

Rough Ridge is a quick, steep Tanawha Trail hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway (MP 302.8). This is one of the road’s most beautiful spots and easily one of its most rewarding hikes.

You’ll have incredible views of the Linn Cove Viaduct and its surroundings from the overlook. One of the oldest ecosystems in North America is here, too, so please, stay on the path.

Wiseman’s View

22 miles away from Little Switzerland (55 minutes)

Another short hike close to Little Switzerland is the immaculate Wiseman’s View. It’s reachable via a drive on a bumpy, mountainous road.

However, the short walk after parking and the view are certainly worth the drive up.

Note: We’ve made it up and down this road multiple times in a Toyota Camry, though our SUV easily handles the road.

Towns Near Little Switzerland

Little Switzerland has quite a few fun neighbors if you’re seeking even more adventures.

Spruce Pine (15 minutes away)
Burnsville (30 minutes away)
Marion (30 minutes away)
Old Fort (40 minutes away)
Black Mountain (50 minutes away)
Asheville (1 hour away)
Banner Elk (1 hour away)
Morganton (1 hour away)
Asheville 1 hour 10 minutes away)
Boone (1 hour 10 minutes away)

Here’s a breakdown of each one, including the best things to do.

Spruce Pine

8 miles away from Little Switzerland (15 minutes)

Spruce Pine in Mitchell County is about 15 minutes away from Little Switzerland and is full of adventures. As mentioned, Emerald Village is a great place where you can pan for gems and gold seven days a week from spring through fall.

Stroll around downtown Spruce Pine, and you’ll find some great small businesses (including Burnette’s Country Store) and great eats at The Tropical Grill.

Burnsville

18 miles away from Little Switzerland (30 minutes)

Burnsville is a charming town near Little Switzerland and one of our favorites in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The town is known for its vibrant arts and crafts community, with numerous galleries and studios showcasing the works of local artisans. You’ll also find some great restaurants in Burnsville, and we’re partial to Homeplace Beer Company for food and craft beer.

Burnsville is also surrounded by the Black Mountains, meaning plenty of hiking trails, waterfalls, and outdoor recreational activities are nearby.

Marion

17 miles away from Little Switzerland (30 minutes)

Marion is about 30 minutes from Little Switzerland, and you’ll likely pass through it if you’re coming from Central and Eastern North Carolina. The town is known as the place “where Main Street meets the mountains.”

We love strolling through town but also visiting the beautiful Tom’s Creek Falls, only 15 minutes away from town. You can reach it after a short walk in the woods.

Old Fort

25 miles away from Little Switzerland (40 minutes)

Old Fort is another of our favorite North Carolina mountain towns off I-40 (Exit 73), best known for gold and Catawba Falls. There’s a bit of a dispute that we won’t get into, but Old Fort’s Gold Festival typically kicks off each June.

About Catawba Falls, we think you’ll love the 2.3-mile hike that leads to the 100-ft tall waterfall with beautiful cascades. Many people come to this waterfall every year as the trail is an almost entirely flat gravel road.

Black Mountain

34 miles away from Little Switzerland (50 minutes)

Just off I-40 (Exits 64 and 65), Black Mountain is the closest NC mountain town to Asheville if you’re traveling westbound. Black Mountain features quaint shops, impressive restaurants (including Blue Ridge Biscuit Company), some of our favorite breweries, and many great local shops.

We love this town throughout the year, but for two days in August, Black Mountain comes together to host the Sourwood Festival, full of food, arts and crafts, rides, and bees!

Banner Elk

36 miles away from Little Switzerland (1 hour)

Floating high at 3,700 feet is one of our favorite NC mountain towns near Little Switzerland—Banner Elk. Home to the Woolly Worm Festival in October, we can’t get enough of this place, its fantastic restaurants and shops, and the gorgeous surroundings.

Grandfather Vineyard and Banner Elk Winery are two lovely spots along the water. While in the area, don’t miss out on Apple Hill Farm, an ethical and working alpaca farm!

Down the road from Banner Elk are Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain, two of our best ski resorts and snow tubing parks. The Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster is a newer attraction nearby, sure to provide you with a year-round thrill!

Morganton

40 miles away from Little Switzerland (1 hour)

Morganton is one of the easternmost towns near Little Switzerland. It’s known as the gateway to the Blue Ridge mountains.

You can see Table Rock Mountain, one of the most incredible hikes in the area, from downtown Morganton. Several great restaurants and breweries (including Fonta Flora) are based here, too.

Venture out and explore the rest of Burke County, hike to Hawksbill Mountain in the Linville Gorge and High Shoals Falls inside South Mountains State Park. The last one is a fantastic introduction to the latter state park.

If you brought your bike, check out the Catawba River Greenway in Morganton. It’s a nice scenic trail along the river.

Include stops in Valdese (more on it later), Connelly Springs, and other great smaller towns. Visit a historic mill-turned-movie scene at the Henry River Mill Village in Hildebran.

Blowing Rock

42 miles away from Little Switzerland (1 hour 5 minutes)

From the moment we first arrived in Blowing Rock, we knew this wouldn’t be our only time exploring.

This town near Little Switzerland is home to some of our favorite hotels, like Green Park Inn and Chetola Resort. Visitors also keep coming back for great shopping from locally owned businesses, awesome places to eat, famous tourist attractions like the Blowing Rock, and of course, amazing scenery.

Glen Burney Trail is home to 3 waterfalls and one of our favorite places to hike. Moses H. Cone Memorial Park has some great trails and is an awesome historic site to include in your Little Switzerland itinerary.

Asheville

49 miles away from Little Switzerland (1 hour 10 minutes away)

Asheville is the largest city in the NC mountains and near Little Switzerland.

We’ve often used it as a base for nearby hikes and waterfalls. Asheville is also perfect for hopping on the Blue Ridge Parkway or just relaxing in luxury at Biltmore Estate or The Omni Grove Park Inn.

The city is perfect for a winter getaway, thanks to milder weather, great events like Christmas at Biltmore, and more!

Throughout the year, we think you’ll love eating and walking around downtown, tasting some of NC’s finest beer at local breweries, and exploring the area’s arts scene.

Boone

45 miles away from Little Switzerland (1 hour 10 minutes)

a crowded house party at Appalachian State University

It is no secret that Boone is one of our favorite towns near Little Switzerland.

Home to Appalachian State University, Boone is a thriving college town with delicious restaurants, trailblazing breweries, and more things to do.

Boone is truly a four-season destination: they boast hiking and waterfalls in spring through fall and world-class skiing in the winter.

However, Otter Falls near Boone is a beautiful hike, especially if there’s snow down there!

Is Little Switzerland NC Worth Visiting?

a fun bookshop in Little Switzerland, NC

As you can see, this is truly a fantastic mountain town. There are so many great things to do in Little Switzerland and its surroundings.

We love visiting this area and hope to continue sharing more of our experiences here with you.

If you’re familiar with Little Switzerland, we’d love to know what you think of this place. Please feel free to let us know in the comments.

Don’t forget to share your Little Switzerland adventures in our North Carolina Travel Facebook Group! Photos welcome.

More Things to Do in Little Switzerland NC (Travel Guides and Mentions)

We’ve featured many of these things to do in Little Switzerland and nearby in our vast collection of NC travel guides. Here are a few of them.

More Things to Do in Western North Carolina

Little Switzerland is one of our favorite places to visit in Western North Carolina. These NC travel guides feature more spots nearby.