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13 of the Best Things to

Do in Little Switzerland
(and Nearby!)
by Carl Hedinger

Last Updated on September 14,

2022

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Little Switzerland is a
beautiful NC mountain town located
just one hour away from Asheville to
the south and Boone to the north. Both
McDowell and Mitchell counties share
this unincorporated community. 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 just off
the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost
334).

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Here’s how we’ve organized this guide:

Where to Stay
Things to Do in Little
Switzerland
Places to Go Nearby (and
Things to Do)

Read More: Unique Things to do in

North Carolina

Seasonal Opening/Closing Note:

Many of the 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.

Read More: 25 of the Most Amazing

Winter Hikes in North Carolina

Where to Stay

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Whether you’re traveling with family or

looking for some 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.

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The Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina

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.

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.

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Read More: 100+ Wonderful Places

to Visit in Western North Carolina

Things to Do in Little
Switzerland
Eat at the Switzerland Inn

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.

Top-Rated
Family
Destination

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Open

For a more casual experience, The

Fowl Play Pub offers delicious bar
food, delightful cocktails, and 20 beers
on tap that include some local
options. 

Read More: 30+ Great Things to Do

in Boone (Hikes, Eats, and More in
App Town)

Shop and Eat at the Little

Switzerland General Store

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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
afterward at the General Store.

Read More: 50+ Great Things to Do

in Asheville (Downtown, Biltmore,
and More!)

Peruse and Sip at Books and

Beans

A quick hop and skip next door from

the General Store is a three-story
bookstore with a full coffee and
espresso bar. Books and Beans came
to life in 1987 and expanded in 2004.

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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.

Read More: How to See Waterfalls

Park in Newland (near Banner Elk)

Drive the Diamondback

Save

IRODETHE

226A LITTLESWITZERLAND.NC

2022 PRIUS
Get $500 CASH BACK

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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 some 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.

DEAR PIONEERS,
THE ORIGINAL HYBRID NOW HAS
AVAILABLE AWD-e.

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If you make it through, you definitely

deserve some swag from the Little
Switzerland Trading Company.

Read More: Colorful Fall Hikes in

North Carolina (+ 20 Beautiful
Places to Explore!)

Ready to Enjoy These Things

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

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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 share
with us here or in our Facebook Group!

Places Near Little Switzerland

(and Things to Do)
The Blue Ridge Parkway

Linn Cove Viaduct.

Speaking of America’s longest linear

park, the Blue Ridge Parkway is right
next to Little Switzerland. There’s even
a Little Switzerland Tunnel nearby!
Here are some nearby stops within 25
miles of MP 334 and Little
Switzerland.

Search for

1 TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

THINGS TO DO IN
2 SWITZERLAND

4
THINGS TO DO IN
GATLINBURG

MOUNTAIN VIEW MOTEL

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Linville Falls (MP 316)

Bear Den Mountain Resort &
Campground (MP 317)
Chestoa View (MP 320)
The Orchard at Altapass (MP
328)
Crabtree Falls (MP 339)
Mount Mitchell State Park (MP
355)

We’ll mention of few of these stops in

more detail shortly. Before that, here
are a few more small towns near Little
Switzerland.

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WHAT'S NEXT
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Inn: Your Ne…
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