Growing up in Macon, Jimmy pestered his parents constantly to go search for gems at this wonderful mine just down the road from Chimney Pond Farms. You are guaranteed to find some beautiful quartz, garnets, rubies, or really any gemstone. After all, you are in the Gem Capital of the World! Prices vary depending on the size of the bucket you'd like, and they also offer tumbling and cleaning of the gems you do find.
A short drive from the venue, Dry Falls is a short, but somewhat taxing hike back up to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Southeast. Close to Bridal Veil Falls, Dry Falls offers stunning views that can be seen from afar at the base of the hike, or up close via the trail that puts you directly under the falls, placing you just a few feet away from cascading mountain water.
Whiteside Mountain is a 2-mile round trip hike that offers stunning views of the natural beauty that spills across the mountains of Western North Carolina that Emily and Jimmy have long cherished. In the link above, you can find several other hikes, differing in length and difficulty, but we recommend if you have a free minute on Thursday, Friday or some spare time on the way out Sunday, go hit the trails and explore this wonderfully gorgeous corner of the world.
A short drive from the venue, this stunning center for the visual arts offers a glimpse into some of the most amazing art in the area. Featuring exhibits from artists around the globe, The Bascom also offers a wide variety of classes and events for you to partake in.