Museum Of North Carolina Minerals

First of all this museum is free. Basic info about geology found in North Carolina and lots of mineral examples. There are a number of interactive parts that kids would enjoy. This is also a National Park Service location so you can get a stamp for your book. Small pieces of paper were not provided if you did not have your book. Instead white round stickers were for sale. A sheet of 3 cost 1.25. Bathrooms were clean and the parking lot is paved. There is a small gift shop area. A number of items feature minerals. Tshirts, mugs, Christmas ornaments are also for sale.

This seemingly humble little museum is outstanding. It presents a systematic description of various types of rocks and minerals and a very informative explanation of plate techtonics. There is a marvelous moving model depicting the motion of electrons in a magnesium atom according to the principles of quantum mechanics. There are also displays related to the history of mining in North Carolina. In other words this is not just a rock shop, but a short course in geology and mineralogy. Don't miss it!

I liked this so much more than I thought I would! Especially for a free museum - and if nothing else, there are good bathrooms and a gift shop and visitor center here. But a walk through the rest is interactive and interesting. It's only worth about 30 minutes, but it's worth the stop, especially if you have kids.

Yes, this place is sort of out of the way, but it is very neat. Nice little stop. Nice displays of rocks and minerals and interesting information. (Love for rocks). Came here to get a stamp cancelation. No regrets. (It was extremely windy up here! February...imagine it to be windy year round.) If u want to go mining, there's a giant gift shop one mile away.

A very fascinating look at the history of minerals and their mining in NC, especially the Spruce Pine area. Also, the portrayal of tectonic plates around the world and their role in forming mountain ranges was excellent. It was very helpful in understanding and appreciating our own Blue Ridge mountains, especially Grandfather Mountain. And we also enjoyed the brief historical information display about the Over-Mountain trail of the Revolutionary War militias! Check it out!

Didn't go inside because my dog was hyper active but there's a huge grassy field here so we utilized that.

Free museum with learning plus bathrooms? Sold. This is a nice place to get out and stretch your legs and learn a little about geology. The interactive displays were working today (I know someone else said they weren't during their visit) and the history of the geology was neat. Gift shop is small, but nice. Bathrooms are clean.

Love the history of North Carolina and I just learned much more. Thank you for this place. The history of our country is under attack. Thank You for those who work here and share this beautiful fine history of our beautiful state.

Beautiful & informative displays. Helpful & kind rangers. Nice gift shop with variety of gifts and souvenirs. Public restrooms and handicap accessible parking/entrance.

A great spot to start or end your day 9n the Blue Ridge Parkway! Be mindful of the hours posted, and in case Google doesn't show it, they lunch from 1pm to 2pm, and the facility is closed during that time.

What a surprise!! While biking the Blue Ridge Parkway we stopped in to see the Museum of North Carolina Minerals.. Great educational displays explaning North Carolina's vast natural resources....

Totally enjoyed visiting this museum which I had driven by many times. It is free to enter and very educational. Interesting to learn about all the different minerals and what they were used for. The staff on site were also very helpful knowledgeable.

Small, interesting geological museum explaining the local rocks, etc. Some very cool exhibits -- especially the geigercounter! Nice small gift shop & free parkway maps and assistance.

Very interesting, learned allot stuff they should be teaching our kids in school now days .

Nice small, donation-only museum. Needs to be updated (some displays didn’t work, the plaques on outdoor exhibit were faded or missing). Good overview of the area’s history with minerals. Gift shop is decent.

This is a real "hidden gem." Dad joke was intentional. But really, I've driven by it thousands of times and never stopped until now. There's so much information packed into such a small place, and it's totally free! I'll definitely be coming back here to spend a little more time.

This was a nice little break off of the Parkway with some cute little exhibits about minerals, rocks and mining. They also had a tile from the space shuttle which I thought was particularly neat for such a small museum.

This is a great stop before you jump up on the parkway or if you need a restroom break. They have nice facilities. Great little museum it’s free. They also have a gift shop and a place for you to stamp your park passport. Prices on the gift shop items were very reasonable. I will definitely be back. I was a little disheartening to see that the plaques outside for the sample minerals have not been maintained and some were even missing.

A fun museum, gift shop & visitor info center. They have bathrooms. And a cool @ 2 mi easy to moderate section of The Over Mountain Victory Trail.

Small, but very interesting. Especially if heading to a gem mine afterwards :)