There’s a Swiss-inspired City within the North Carolina Mountains — and It’s Solely Open 6 Months a Yr

You don’t need to e book a transatlantic flight to expertise slightly little bit of Europe this summer time and fall. In reality, you solely have to hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway — the 469-mile drive connecting Shenandoah Nationwide Park and Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park — and head towards mile marker 334. Right here, you’ll discover Little Switzerland, North Carolina, an unincorporated neighborhood with direct entry to the parkway. Its origins return to 1910, when a justice of the North Carolina Supreme Courtroom got here throughout the realm and determined to assemble a resort city. Because the title suggests, Little Switzerland has parts of Swiss architectural kinds, however its geography is the unique inspiration for the general aesthetic. 

Sitting at an elevation of practically 3,500 toes, Little Switzerland overlooks the area’s breathtaking valleys and mountains — together with Mount Mitchell and the Black Mountains. Stated to resemble the foothills of the Swiss Alps, these sweeping vistas are simply one of many causes vacationers make the journey to expertise the self-proclaimed “jewel of the Blue Ridge Parkway.”

Finest Issues to Do in Little Switzerland, North Carolina

Little Switzerland and the encircling space provide a lot to do for the entire household. Exploring the city itself gained’t take very lengthy, however there are just a few must-see stops whereas there. Bibliophiles will admire Little Switzerland Books and Beans, a three-story bookstore and occasional store that encourages shopping by way of the stacks and its maze of rooms. Souvenirs and kitschy gadgets can be found at Little Switzerland Buying and selling Firm, and you may spend a day gazing upon the mountain views from Switzerland Inn. If dwell music is extra up your alley, be sure to go to over a summer time weekend. Each Saturday night in July and August, Geneva Corridor hosts mountain music and conventional sq. dancing. 

Emerald Village, which incorporates the North Carolina Mining Museum, is without doubt one of the extra well-liked stops within the area. A few 10-minute drive from Little Switzerland, Emerald Village options 12 historic mines, underground excursions, and the chance to pan for gems and gold — you get to maintain what you discover, too.

You’ll be able to’t go to Western North Carolina with out experiencing the wonderful mountaineering alternatives and varied waterfalls. Linville Falls and Crabtree Falls are each inside driving distance of Little Switzerland, and also you’ll wish to cease at Chestoa View to look out on Desk Rock and Grandfather Mountain. Within the fall, apple and “U-pick” season arrives, though the Orchard at Altapass and its normal retailer are open in the summertime months too, with dwell music, strolling trails, a butterfly backyard, and tractor-pulled “heyrides.”

Given its location alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway, many guests are drawn to Little Switzerland for the drive itself — hold an eye fixed out for Little Switzerland Tunnel, one of many parkway’s 26 tunnels. The Diamondback, particularly, appeals to motorsports fanatics. The curvy NC-226A route is full of S-curves and switchbacks that twist by way of the mountains, cresting proper at Switzerland Inn.

Little Switzerland Motels

If you need the complete Little Switzerland expertise, you’ll wish to e book a room on the historic Switzerland Inn, which has a spa, outside pool, scorching tubs, and, in fact, expansive mountain views. The 16-room Sky Line Inn additionally boasts panoramic scenes that friends can absorb whereas sipping espresso on the shared balcony. There are 12 rooms at Alpine Inn, a country choice down the highway from the middle of city, and Huge Lynn Lodge, a 42-room inn, gives complimentary dinner and breakfast with bookings. Though every of the realm’s lodges is barely completely different, all of them have that distinct chalet-style feel and look synonymous with Little Switzerland.

The place to Eat and Drink in Little Switzerland, North Carolina

Inside Switzerland Inn, you’ll discover Chalet Restaurant and Fowl Play Pub & Faucet Room. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all overlooking the close by mountain vary. In good climate, meals might be taken out on the terrace. Eating reservations can solely be made by resort friends; in any other case, it’s first come, first served. Contained in the pub, friends can cozy as much as the bar for a burger, steak, or buffalo wings (typical pub fare), in addition to a big choice of beers on faucet. These with a candy tooth can get their repair at The Swiss Shoppe (additionally inside Switzerland Inn), which gives sweet, candy treats, and regionally made ice cream. For one thing exterior of the inn, however nonetheless equally iconic, there’s the Switzerland Cafe and Common Retailer, identified for its North Carolina barbecue and smoked trout BLT sandwich.

Finest Time to Go to 

Little Switzerland is just open from mid-April by way of October, so that you’ll have to plan your go to in late spring, summer time, or early fall. The hotter months present lush greenery, however autumn comes with beautiful oranges and reds of the autumn foliage in addition to apple selecting season. Should you’re visiting firstly or finish of the season, it’s a good suggestion to name forward to make sure your required stops are open to the general public as precise dates could range. 

Getting There

Little Switzerland sits between Asheville and Boone, North Carolina; each are about an hour’s drive away. Relying on the place you’re driving from, you’ll be able to take the Blue Ridge Parkway (by far essentially the most scenic choice) or a mix of I-40 and state routes. Asheville Area Airport (AVL) is the closest airport to Little Switzerland, though it’s 60 miles away, so that you’ll have to hire a automobile.