Historic mining attraction offering underground tours, gem mining, gold panning, and educational exhibits across multiple restored buildings and real mine sites.
General Information
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day: 9am to 6pm daily
Closed November through March
Discovery Mill: Ages 13+: $8, Ages 5–12: $6, Under 5: Free
Gem Buckets: Starting at $15
Gold Panning: Starting at $25
Mineral Collecting: Ages 13+: $25, Ages 5–12: $5
Black Light Tours (select nights): Ages 13+: $22, Ages 5–12: $12, Under 5: Free
How to Get There
From Asheville, NC (55 mi): Take I-40 E to Exit 86 for NC-226 N toward Marion/Spruce Pine, continue on NC-226 N, then follow signs to Little Switzerland and turn onto McKinney Mine Road to reach Emerald Village.
Overview
The Emerald Village is a captivating destination nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, offering a unique blend of history, geology, and hands-on adventure. This historic site features 12 real mines, including the Bon Ami Mine, where visitors can take self-guided underground tours and explore the North Carolina Mining Museum. The Discovery Mill building houses 12 levels of exhibits, from antique tools and minerals to a model railroad and music museum. Whether you're panning for gold, digging for emeralds, or marveling at fluorescent minerals during a black light tour, Emerald Village offers an immersive experience into the region’s rich mining heritage.
Open seasonally from April through early November, Emerald Village is a family- and pet-friendly attraction that has been featured on National Geographic and the Travel Channel. Guests can purchase gem buckets, try their hand at gold panning, or explore the scenic grounds and waterfalls. With picnic areas, gift shops, and educational displays, the site is ideal for both casual tourists and rockhounding enthusiasts. Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Little Switzerland, Emerald Village is a gem of a destination that brings the past to life through interactive exploration and natural beauty.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Emerald Village, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.