Looking for a charming small town in the North Carolina mountains that still feels authentic? We’ve spent over 20 years exploring these mountains, and Burnsville continues to surprise us with its creativity, character, and community. From outdoor adventures to artsy downtown strolls, there’s more here than first meets the eye.
In this guide, we’ll share our favorite things to do in Burnsville—based on our latest visit and years of exploring—so you can plan your own unforgettable trip. Let’s dive in.
Updated 6/4/2025 - Added many new photos from our latest visits, marked Setrock Creek Falls and Mount Mitchell as closed, added new things to do and revised and updated existing items on our list.
Learn about Glass Blowing at Hearth Glass and Gallery
A visit to Hearth Glass and Gallery provides a unique experience when visiting Burnsville NC. The studio is founded by the children and grandchildren of Harvey K. Littleton, "the father" of the American Studio Glass Movement.
This working glass studio and gallery is located in the heart of the city, in a historic gas and service station.
The studio offers classes in glass blowing and torch working. At Hearth Glass and Gallery, you can learn to create your own works of art from glass or perhaps even purchase some of their exquisite glass pieces already made.
If you are a glass artist, you can also rent and use their facility to craft your own glass art!
We visited Hearth Glass and Gallery, met with the owners, and took an introductory glass-blowing class, and it was one of the most interesting things we've ever done, and definitely out of our normal "outdoor" element.
We really enjoyed working with and learning from Keikichi, Tadayoshi (Yoshi), and Miguel. They were very patient with us, explained the whole process, and we learned so much in just the short period of time we did our intro glass. With their help, we even made a vase and a drinking glass!
The intro class teaches you all the basic elements of crafting glass art, from the different furnaces and tools to the many tools used to form and shape the glass. The whole process was just incredible to watch and experience. It was really amazing to take hot melted glass, color it, shape it, and mold it into something you can use to drink from.
Be sure to browse their gallery too, which has items from their studio, and glass art from other artists as well. Some of the items are just incredible!
If you're visiting Burnsville, NC, you won't want to miss out on the incredible experience offered by the glass artists at Hearth Glass and Gallery!
Here are some photos from our visit!
Learn about Pottery and see Demos at High Country Ceramic Arts
High Country Ceramic Arts is a community-based ceramic art studio that works with both established and aspiring clay artists. At High Country Ceramic Arts, visitors can learn all about pottery and watch demonstrations of the craft.
They offer beginners and quarterly membership packages, private lessons, and parties. The classes offered allow you to explore the process of creating a piece, from "throwing" clay to firing your artwork.
We really enjoyed browsing the large gallery they have there in the studio, which is full of ceramic art items from many different local artists. Gallery items are available for purchase, making High Country Ceramic Arts a great way to get unique art for your home or as gifts for friends and family.
We also really enjoyed and learned a lot from the owner, Linda, who gave us a demonstration on throwing some clay and using the wheel to turn and shape it into pottery.
Explore and Shop in Downtown Burnsville
One of the highlights of our time in Burnsville was exploring its historic and welcoming downtown. The town square is a great place to park the car and take a stroll—lined with locally owned boutiques, art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants, and specialty stores. It’s the kind of place where you can easily spend an afternoon browsing for handmade crafts, unique gifts, and one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
We really enjoyed wandering from shop to shop—popping into a toy store for the kids, checking out antique treasures, and chatting with friendly shopkeepers along the way. At the heart of it all is the town park, a peaceful green space with benches under big shade trees. We spent some time there just relaxing and soaking in the laid-back mountain vibe.
Here are just a few of our favorites:
- Something Special Giftshop - Full of gift items, clothing, soaps, sweet treats, and home items
- Mountain Time Mercantile - Gift items, furniture, wood stoves, local arts, food and merchandise
- Monkey Business Toy Shop - Toys, games, puzzles and stuffed animals.
- Grapevine Clothing Story - Women's clothing
- Hammond Antiques - Antiques, vintage collectables and oddities
- Plott Hound Books - Book store focusing on regional topics - Newly opened!
- Shoppes at the Sawmill - Collection of vendor sections full of home goods, art, antiques, and more!
- Fill-More - Bring your containers and refill all your cleaning supplies, soaps, laundry, shampoos, conditioners, body care, skincare, and much more. A very unique store!
If you’re visiting in the summer or on a weekend, keep an ear out—there’s often live music or local events happening right in the park. It’s a small-town atmosphere that feels genuine and full of life.
Hike to Setrock Creek Falls - Currently Closed
Temporarily closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene.
Setrock Creek Falls is a pretty waterfall that is located at the end of a moderate out-and-back hike located about 30 minutes from downtown Burnsville and near the base of Mount Mitchell.
The hike is a 1.4-mile round-trip hike with an elevation gain of about 300 feet, leading up to Setrock Creek Falls which is more than 50' high.
The waterfall isn't one of the most beautiful falls we've seen during our Blue Ridge Mountain adventures, but it's definitely pretty and worth visiting, especially given the short and relatively easy hike to get to it.
We enjoyed photographing the falls, and just sitting there listening to the sounds of the water.
See the stunning Roaring Fork Falls
Just a few miles from Setrock Creek Falls, you'll find the stunning Roaring Fork Falls. Roaring Fork Falls is a gorgeous set of cascades, that is easily one of the most beautiful waterfalls and settings we've visited in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Roaring Fork Falls is exceptionally photogenic.
The hike out to the falls is an easy to moderate hike with only a small elevation gain and a total roundtrip distance of 1 mile. The hike is along an old and wide logging road until just before the falls where it becomes a more narrow trail.
Along the way, you'll pass 2 old concrete buildings. These were storage buildings for crews working on the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway. One building was used to store dynamite and the other fuses. The logging road was used by crews going up to the parkway to work.
Roaring Fork Falls is a stunning 100' high waterfall with multiple beautiful cascades down into a basin below. The falls and surrounding area are very pretty and definitely worth a visit.
Grab a Coffee at Appalachian Java
Appalachian Java is a charming coffee shop in the heart of downtown Burnsville, NC. With its cozy atmosphere and town views, it's the perfect place to come for a cup of coffee or food.
They offer a variety of fresh coffees, from espresso drinks to cold brews, with many flavor options. You can also enjoy delicious pastries and light food items like parfait cups and delicious sandwiches. One of my favorites is their yogurt with granola and fresh fruit! The staff is super friendly and helpful.
They have both indoor and outdoor seating, and the outdoor seating is dog friendly, so you can bring your "pupper" along for an outdoor adventure.
We really enjoyed grabbing morning coffee there, and also lunch as well. We've visited here many times during our trips to Burnsville, and it's one of our favorite places to relax and enjoy all the downtown activity.
Get Ice Cream at Tulsi Rose Tea and Cream
While we were recently in town for the NuWray Hotel re-opening, we made a stop at Tulsi Rose Tea & Cream—and it quickly became one of our favorite finds.
We actually visited this same shop about 2 years ago, when it was primarily a tea and home care products store. Since our last visit, they expanded, and not only sell lovely teas, but some tasty goodies as well, and their speciality is ice cream.
We tried the strawberry ice cream, which was rich, creamy, and bursting with real flavor. Even better? Their ice cream comes from Thrive Appalachia, a local mission-driven creamery focused on Appalachian farmers and ingredients.
We also picked up a few macaroons to take with us—flaky, flavorful, and perfect for the ride home. Inside, you’ll find a cozy spot to relax with pastries, lattes, loose-leaf teas, and specialty coffees. They also sell their dried teas to-go if you want to stock up. Whether you’re craving a sweet treat or just a peaceful spot to unwind downtown, Tulsi Rose is absolutely worth a visit.
View Stars at Bare Dark Sky Observatory
The Bare Dark Sky Observatory, located about 20 minutes away from downtown Burnsville NC, is a great place for stargazing and astrophotography. With its dark skies and minimal light pollution, it's the perfect spot to spend a night under the stars.
The Observatory allows visitors and the local community to view the moon, planets, and stars through their 34″ diameter mirror on a custom-built Newtonian telescope, as well as the smaller 14″ mirror Meade planetary telescope. CNN recognized the observatory as one of the 23 best places in the world to stargaze.
Visit and explore the wonders of space at the Bare Dark Sky Observatory near Burnsville NC!
Learn more in our Bare Dark Sky Observatory Guide.
Stay in and explore the Historic NuWray Inn - Now Open!
The Historic NuWray Inn is hard to miss in the center of downtown Burnsville, NC and is a historic inn that dates back well over 200 years, established in 1833.
The historic inn has been closed for over 3-years, while undergoing extensive renovations, including new plumbing, electrical, HVAC, installation of a commercial kitchen, and so much more. All of the rooms have been completed redecorated, and private bathrooms added for each room.
The restoration was being completed with sensitivity to historical and existing materials.
The Inn recently re-opened with twenty-two rooms with en-suite bathrooms and a full-service restaurant. We were there to celebrate the official re-opening on May 31st. We even stayed in the hotel opening weekend.
The restored in is absolutely stunning, and we encourage you to stay there and eat there. If you just want to see the results of all the hard work, stop by and walk around.
You can also stop by and visit Roland's Bar, behind the NuWray. The old hotel smokehouse has been restored and converted into a wonderful outdoor bar, surrounded by outdoor seating - they even kept the original wood and structure! The name pays homage to Will Roland, and popular chef at the NuWray for over 40 years.
The bar and surrounding hotel grounds are a great place to relax, enjoy a nice drink, and good company. It's a popular place for locals and visitors.
The restored NuWray Inn Carriage House is now home to the recently opened Carriage House Sundries, a wonderful new cafe that serves breakfast, lunch, and brunch. They also offer a large selection of wines, scotch, and cigars in the evening as well.
Dine at one of the amazing local restaurants
Burnsville, North Carolina, is home to some of the most amazing restaurants in the area. From Southern-style BBQ to Mexican cuisine, there's something for everyone.
Try the pulled pork at Pigs and Grits, the burgers at Snap Dragon, a deli sandwich at The Garden Deli, or a Pizza with some craft beer at Homeplace Beer Company.
Appalachian Java coffee shop features an array of homemade pastries, sandwiches, and light bites to enjoy. Visit the newly opened Carriage House Sundries for some gourmet breakfast and lunch, including brunch on weekends.
Don't miss out on some wonderful food at the new Live Oak GastroPub (recently opened). The restaurant is beautiful, and the food and drinks are fantastic!
Burnsville, NC is full of great places to eat, with lots of different options. You definitely won't go hungry during your visit!
See our full guide to Burnsville, NC Restaurants for more!
Visit the Highest Mountain on the East Coast - Mount Mitchell - Closed
CLOSED - Due to being inaccessible due to closed sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mount Mitchell State Park is currently closed.
Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the Eastern United States, sits atop the Black Mountains of North Carolina at an elevation of 6,684 feet. Mount Mitchell is located just a few miles from Burnsville and is a popular destination for hikers and visitors looking for an outdoor adventure and incredible views.
The summit of Mount Mitchell can be reached by driving up to the top along the access road, then taking a short but fairly steep walk up to the observation deck. For those wanting a more challenging route, there are several trails that lead to the summit of Mount Mitchell as well.
The most popular route is the 1.6-mile Black Mountain Crest Trail which takes around 2-3 hours to complete. This trail offers some of the most stunning panoramic views of any hike in North Carolina — you can see over 50 mountain peaks from this lofty vantage point!
At the top, there is a large parking area, restrooms, a snack bar that offers light food and drinks, and a nice gift shop. The paved trail to the summit is next to the gift shop.
From the parking area, you can also walk along the stunning Nature Trail, which offers a magical walk through the unique fir forest at the top of Mount Mitchell.
At the Summit is a large observation deck that offers up 360-degree and long-distance views of the surrounding mountains.
Also at the top is the grave of Reverend Elisha Mitchell, who is credited for identifying Mount Mitchell as the highest mountain east of the Rockies. Sadly, Reverend Michell died while exploring Mount Mitchell.
Whether you are looking for an incredibly scenic drive, challenging hiking, or just incredible scenic views, a visit to Mount Mitchell should definitely be on your shortlist when visiting Burnsville NC.
Visit the Arthur Planetarium for a movie or show
The Arthur Planetarium, located just outside of Burnsville NC, is a great destination for those looking to explore the world of science and astronomy.
The modern planetarium offers a variety of events and shows throughout the year. From family-friendly screenings of educational films to interactive lectures from experts in space-related fields.
During our visit to Burnsville, we explored the night sky around Burnsville NC in the planetarium and traveled light years to view various objects, including stars, universes, and nebulas. They even have special chairs called "zero gravity" chairs, that allow you to recline all the way back and look up at the virtual sky presented by the Planetarium.
We also watched Flight of the Butterflies, a documentary film about a scientist who spent his life trying to find where monarch butterflies migrate to each year. the Film was presented on the 360-degree wide screen of the planetarium.
No matter your interest or skill level, visiting the Arthur Planetarium in Burnsville NC is sure to be an experience you won't soon forget!
See beautiful Pottery at Page Pottery
Page Pottery is owned by husband and wife JR and Kristen Page, both exceptional and well-known crafters and artists in the Burnsville area. The pages have a gallery and studio at their beautiful mountain home, just outside of downtown Burnsville NC.
They create hand thrown pottery items such as dinner sets, mugs, vases, pitchers. and more. They even create mixed media art, blending their pottery with other forms of art. Their work is exceptional and the large number of orders they receive keeps them busy and in demand.
JR and Kristen welcome locals and visitors to their gallery and studio, just call ahead at (828) 381-6638.
We were fortunate and able to visit them at their studio, along with their adorable little dog Foxy. We explored their gallery of gorgeous pottery and were able to watch them working on a number of different items at various stages of the pottery process.
The pages are wonderful, friendly, and incredibly talented artists. Their passion for their home, Burnsville and their craft is infectious, in a good way!
The Page's gallery at their home is full of beautiful and detailed hand-thrown pottery items available for purchase. It is also the location of their working studio, where you can watch them crafting their amazing art.
Their home garden is a work of art in and of itself, with beautiful plants and flowers surrounding a stunning and amazingly crafted waterfall.
In addition to selling their pottery in their gallery, you can also explore and purchase their pottery on their website.
Grab a local craft beer and just relax at Homeplace Beer Company
Homeplace Beer Company is the perfect place to unwind after a day of taking in all that Burnsville has to offer. With its cozy atmosphere, great selection of craft beers, and food menu, it's easy to make yourself at home here.
Guests can choose from an extensive range of local beers on tap, including IPAs, pale ales, stouts, and many others. They offer a large selection of both beers and wines. My favorite is the Mustang Oil Stoute.
For those looking for something a bit heartier than beer, Homeplace also serves up delicious pub fare like stone-fired pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. A number of the various menu items are also stone-fired, including the Jalapeno poppers.
Their space has plenty of seating options too - including indoor and outdoor seating and booths for groups and tables where you can enjoy your beer with friends.
If you're looking for some entertainment during your visit to Homeplace Beer Company, look no further – they regularly host events such as trivia nights and karaoke nights as well as local live bands throughout the week.
So grab a pizza and beer - you'll be sure to have an enjoyable time and an excellent cold beer.
Enjoy local produce, crafts, and food at the Yancey County Farmer's Market
On Saturdays from 9am to 1pm, be sure to visit The Yancy County Farmer's Market which is located just down main street at 322 West Main Street. The market moved from its former location near the town square.
At the market, you will find a variety of fresh produce and craft items sourced directly from local farmers and artisans. Fruits, vegetables, honey, cheese, jams, pickles, and other homemade goods line the tables of the vendors.
As well as these delicious offerings, some vendors sell homemade soaps, jewelry, and other crafts that make for great gifts. There are also prepared food options available, such as pies and pastries for those looking for something quick to eat!
We visited early on a Saturday morning and were greeted with live folk music and lots of activity. We really enjoyed browsing all the various vendors and merchandise for sale. There was even a local food truck there that we heard had the very best burgers in town.
Over in the town square, there were special events and games set up for kids, including dancing.
Discover Burnsville's Vibrant Downtown Murals
One of the things we really enjoyed during our time in Burnsville was hunting for the colorful murals scattered throughout downtown. It’s a fun and creative way to explore the town—and the murals themselves give you a glimpse into the area’s culture, history, and personality.
As you walk along Main Street and the nearby side streets, you’ll find murals on the sides of buildings, tucked into alleyways, and around unexpected corners. Each one feels like its own little discovery. One of our favorites was a whimsical Wizard of Oz mural, which has become a bit of a local landmark.
Another notable one has a unique one has a working clock.
Some murals reflect Burnsville’s mountain heritage, while others are more modern or abstract—but all of them add character to the downtown area. If you enjoy public art or just want a fun photo opportunity, taking a self-guided mural walk is a great way to see more of what makes Burnsville special.
Here are our photos from the ones we found, did we miss any?
