Are you looking for a day trip that combines a history lesson, beautiful scenery, and fun for the whole family? Whether you are looking for activities for a day along the Blue Ridge Parkway or just want a quick respite from the city, this day trip is the answer!
We visited and here’s our review of Emerald Village in North Carolina’s Little Switzerland, including all the information you’ll need to make the most of your day in this “Hidden Gem” off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
One thing to plan around first: Emerald Village is seasonal. For 2026 it is open every day from April 1 through October 31, and the online store stays open year-round.
About Emerald Village
Set just a few miles off of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the picturesque town of Little Switzerland is so small that most mapping systems don’t recognize it. This resort community was founded in 1909 by a Supreme Court justice. Included in this town’s history is a fight against the Blue Ridge Parkway, which resulted in the narrowest part of the Parkway in North Carolina being found here at just 200 feet wide.
Are you looking for more fun things to do in North Carolina? Read our Guide to North Carolina!
The highlight of a visit to the town of Little Switzerland, and what draws most of its visitors, is the Emerald Village Mine. I learned about this place while browsing through Groupon. I’d been to a ruby mining attraction in Franklin, North Carolina pre-children and husband, and it sounded like a fun day trip adventure to enjoy with the family. The season now runs April 1 through October 31, and we went the last weekend of the 2017 season. It was a cold and rainy day. Luckily most of the Emerald Village activities are indoors or under some sort of cover.
When you first arrive at the Emerald Village, you’ll want to stop at the building on the right where the entrance to the Bon Ami mine is located. This tour includes a history of the mine and access to the mouth of the mine. Bon Ami scouring powder is an all-natural, scratch-free cleaning agent that was made from feldspar, mined here until the mine was closed and production was moved to Illinois.
I have to admit, not having any experience with actual gemstone mines or tours like this, my expectation was very different from what was actually there. The descriptions I’d read led me to believe that the tour included actually going into a mine. This is not the case. The mouth of the mine, just a few hundred feet, is what is accessible. Inside of this area are boards set up with information about the history of the mine along with some of the equipment that was used.
There is a blacklight tour that would definitely be more fun for children. It is offered on about 10 special nights each season, reservations are required ($22 for ages 13 and up, $12 for ages 5–12, free for ages 4 and under with a paying adult), and the 2026 dates can be found here.
The mine tour is not stroller friendly and I suggest wearing your infant (that’s what we did).
A short drive or walk up to the building on the left, will bring you to the Discovery Mill building.
Mining at Emerald Village
The Emerald Village also offers two different types of mining depending on the age of your children and the energy level of your group.
For families with younger children or those less adventurous types, the “gemstone mine” will be where you’ll want to head. With the purchase of a bucket (starting at fifteen dollars) you can have a seat at one of two different covered water flumes to sift for treasure from the contents of your bucket. Most of the buckets, with the exception of the “native bucket”, are peppered with gems from other mines. This ensures that no one leaves empty-handed.
We split two ten-dollar buckets between the four of us and came away with more beautiful gems than I could count. Unfortunately, we were there right up until closing time, so we weren’t able to utilize the gem identification service they offer. Staff will also take your order to cut and polish your special finds and set them into jewelry.
A trick that I learned from past gem mining adventures that I taught my son on this trip was to keep an eye out for what other people discard at the flume. Whether it be impatience, lack of knowledge, or just people being in too much of a hurry – you’ll be amazed by what you’ll find other people let wash down the flume. We sat at the very end of the flume for this reason. We could have had a nice little souvenir collection without even purchasing a bucket, although I don’t recommend that. With assistance, even our two-year-old was having a fun time looking for “beautiful.”
Gold panning is also available at this location, although I was unaware of that until I recently stumbled across that information on their website. Panning starts at $25 and includes a free lesson, with larger gold buckets available on up to $500.
For families with children over twelve and a more adventurous spirit, the Crabtree Emerald Mine option is for you!
In the entire United States, there have only been two significant sources of emeralds. At Crabtree Mine, you’ll be at one of them. For only twenty-five dollars a day (ages 13+) or $5 per day (kids 5-12), you can search the dump piles from the mine that for just under 100 years supplied emeralds to jewelers including Tiffany & Co of New York.
The task of unearthing gems in the mine piles is not for the faint of heart or casual adventurer. The day permit doesn’t include the tools you’ll need to break rocks and move earth. They are available for rent for $25 per day (with a $100 deposit, $75 of which is refunded when you bring them back), however the task at hand is still not an easy one. The hard work could definitely pay off with the pride of being able to find an heirloom-quality gem that will have an exciting origin story!
Housed in the Discovery Mill building is a small mineral exhibit and different gem-related souvenirs for sale. Discovery Mill is a separate admission — $8 for ages 13 and up, $6 for ages 5–12, and free for ages 4 and under with a paying adult. The exhibit is up a flight of stairs, so it is not stroller accessible.
There is an outdoor picnic area and snacks and refreshments are available. Packing a picnic with you is welcome and most likely your best option.
If dining at the mine doesn’t sound like a good fit, back towards the Parkway you will pass several of Little Switzerland’s country dining choices.
Plan a visit to Emerald Village in Little Switzerland
331 McKinney Mine Road
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 765-6463
info@emeraldvillage.com
Emerald Village Website
Emerald Village Quick Facts
- Location: 331 McKinney Mine Road, Spruce Pine, NC 28777, near Little Switzerland — about 3 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 334, midway between Asheville and Boone/Blowing Rock.
- 2026 season: Open daily April 1 through October 31. The online store is open year-round.
- Hours: April 1–June 15, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; June 16–August 15, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; August 16–October 31, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Ages: All ages. Children 4 and under are free with a paying adult on the ticketed attractions. The Crabtree Emerald Mine and the McKinney mine dumps involve real digging, so they suit older kids and teens best.
- Prices: NC Mining Museum underground mine tour $15 (ages 13+) / $10 (ages 5–12); Discovery Mill $8 / $6; gem buckets from $15 up to $500; gold panning from $25; Crabtree Emerald Mine and mine-dump collecting $25 (13+) / $5 (5–12); night Black Light Tours $22 / $12.
- Activities: Self-guided underground Bon Ami Mine tour, gem mining at the covered flumes, gold panning, the 12-level Discovery Mill exhibits, mineral collecting on the mine dumps, dig-your-own at the Crabtree Emerald Mine, and seasonal night Black Light Tours.
- Contact: (828) 765-6463, info@emeraldvillage.com. Check current rates and dates before you go.
Would your family enjoy a visit to Emerald Village in Little Switzerland?
Emerald Village FAQ
Where is Emerald Village?
Emerald Village is at 331 McKinney Mine Road, Spruce Pine, NC 28777, near the village of Little Switzerland in western North Carolina. It sits about 3 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Little Switzerland exit at milepost 334, roughly midway between Asheville and Boone/Blowing Rock. Most mapping systems don’t recognize Little Switzerland, so plug in the Spruce Pine street address instead.
When is Emerald Village open?
Emerald Village is seasonal. In 2026 it is open every day from April 1 through October 31. Hours run 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from April 1 to June 15, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from June 16 to August 15, and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from August 16 to October 31. The online store stays open year-round.
How much does gem mining at Emerald Village cost?
Gem buckets at the Gemstone Mine start at $15 for a one-gallon sampler and go up to $500 for the largest mix, and a gem find is guaranteed in every bucket except the native bucket. Gold panning starts at $25 and includes a free lesson. The underground mine tour at the NC Mining Museum is $15 for ages 13 and up and $10 for ages 5–12, and Discovery Mill is a separate $8 / $6 admission. Digging at the Crabtree Emerald Mine or on the McKinney mine dumps is $25 for ages 13 and up and $5 for ages 5–12. Discounted combination tickets can be bought online in advance but aren’t required.
Can you actually go inside the mine?
Yes. The Bon Ami Mine tour at the North Carolina Mining Museum is a self-guided walk into a real underground mine, with a 12-page souvenir booklet as your guide. Emerald Village suggests allowing 30 to 45 minutes, and no reservations are needed.
Is Emerald Village stroller and wheelchair friendly?
Partly. Emerald Village says the slide show, the Gemstone Mine, the gift shops, restrooms and picnic areas are all partially accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Because of stairs, the underground mine tour, the Black Light Mine Tour and the Discovery Mill displays are not stroller or wheelchair accessible.
Do you need reservations?
Not for daytime activities — you can turn up any time Emerald Village is open and buy tickets or a digging permit on arrival. The night-time Black Light Tours are the exception: they run on about 10 special nights each season and reservations are required.
Looking for more fun places to travel in the United States? Read our Kidding Around Travel guide!
