Cowee Bald Fire Tower Cowee Creek Road, 828-524-3161, An active fire tower used by the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources, this unique fire tower provides some of the best scenic and breathtaking views of three counties.

Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine 6771 Sylva Road, Franklin, NC 28734, 828-369-5271, Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine is open seven days a week April through Thanksgiving. Their 150 foot covered flume is covered and lighted and their gift shop features 14k gold and sterling silver jewelry.

Cullasaja Falls U.S. 64, Franklin, NC 28734, Located 11 Miles East of Franklin, Part of the Mountain Water Scenic Byway, this beautiful waterfall is located on the Cullasaja River in the lower part of the Cullasaja Gorge. It cascades over picturesque moss-covered stones at a height of 250 feet.

Franklin Family Entertainment Center 38 John Justice Road, Franklin, NC 28734, 828-524-8567, Bowling lanes, a pool parlor, pinball machines, a nursery room, a meeting room, a skating rink, a miniature golf course, and much more are featured at this complex that specializes in good, clean, honest fun and entertainment for the entire family. 

Fun Factory, The 1024 Georgia Road, Franklin, NC 28734, Located on Highway 441, 828-349-8888, The Factory is the place for games, mini-golf, bowling, go-carts, laser tag, big screen TV's, party rooms, a great dining experience, and more.  

Gem Mine at Gem World 1884 Georgia Road, Franklin, NC 28734, Located on Highway 441, 828-349-5411, Open rain or shine, Gem Mine at Gem World offers several different bucket types. Tari's RokGem, Rock Shop & Gift Shop offers custom gemstone cutting and jewelry design services with a gemologist on site. Tumblers and lapidary equipment are available and they also carry a wide variety of 14K gold and sterling silver jewelry. more...

Gold City Gem Mine 9410 Sylvia Road, Franklin, NC 28734, 828-369-3905, This unique family venue features gem mines, a gold mine, a chairlift that will take visitors on a journey above the clouds to an elevation of one mile at the top of Mount Cowee, a jewelry shop, and a country style general store.

Mason Mountain Mine and Cowee Gift Shop 5315 Bryson City Road, Franklin, NC 28734, Located 5.5 Miles North on Highway 28 North, 828-524-4570, Enjoy the experience of finding your own gemstone at this mine that offers a great selection of gems and minerals. A complete gem and gift shop is on site.

Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine 6961 Upper Burningtown Road, Franklin, NC 28734, 828-369-9742, Dig your own dirt for native stones at this mine that offers assistance to beginners with all tools supplied plus features picnic tables and a covered flume in a cool, mountain atmosphere. Open from 8-5 seven days a week April through November. Snacks and primative camping available. more... 

Matlock Creek Farm 301 Matlock Creek Road, Franklin, NC 28734, 828-524-0725, Matlock Creek Farm is an "extensive operation combining old farming methods with new farming research." They are "committed to produce naturally healthy, balanced soil which, in turn, yields high quality, "authentic" produce (vegetables, fruits, and herbs) and free-range poultry eggs for themselves and the community."  more...

Old Cardinal Gem Mine & Gift Shop 71 Rockhaven Drive, Franklin, NC 28734, 828-369-7534, Mining for rare gems is offered at this gem mine with all of the equipment furnished. There are cold drinks available on site, as well as snacks and a picnic area. 

Rocky Face Gem Mine 260 Sanderstown Road, Franklin, NC 28734, 828-524-3148, A native and enriched gem mine that features a large variety of gemstones and a covered concrete flume that is located beside a tree-lined creek. They are open seven days a week from April through October. 

Rose Creek Mine 115 Terrace Ridge Drive, Franklin, NC 28734, 828-349-3774, Featuring both a native and an enriched mine, these mines are the home of the star garnet and visitors can mine for rubies, sapphiers, garnets, rose quartz, quartz crystals, moonstone, amethyst, garnets, and much more. All equipment is provided and help is available for beginners. 

Rose Creek Mine Rock & Gift Shop 115 Terrace Ridge Drive, Franklin, NC 28734, 828-349-3774, Rose Creek Mine is one of three state licensed gem mines in Macon County. Here you can find rubies, sapphires, garnets, amethysts, citrine, moonstone, topaz, smoky quartz, rose quartz, and quartz crystals. Their gift shop carries ornamental pieces and lapidary supplies. They have a covered picnic area and a small playground. more...

Santa's Land Theme Park & Zoo Route 1 Box 134-A, Franklin, NC 28719, Cherokee, 828-497-9191, This amusement park offers a Christmas and Santa Claus theme and features Christmas-themed rides and shows, as well as a turn-of-the-century mill, numerous restaurants and food courts, and a petting farm that includes reindeer.

Sheffield Mine 385 Sheffield Farms Road, Franklin, NC 28734, 828-369-8383, This mining facility offers a native mine for true rock hounds, as well as an enriched mine for children. Star Rubies and Star Sapphires can be found here and the site also offers picnic tables, snacks, and refreshments. Wire Wrap Classes are offered for teens and adults as well as GeoCraft Classes for kids. 

Wayah Bald 372 Wayah Bald Road, Franklin, NC 28734, 828 524-7472, Visitors can climb an old stone fire tower built in the days of the Civilian Conservation Corps at this unique mountain venue that is at an elevation of 5,335 feet and offers breathtaking views of the mountains and four adjoining states.

Harrah's Cherokee Casino Highway 19 & 441, Franklin, NC 28734, 828-497-7777, Open year round, seven days a week, this beautiful casino brings you all of your favorite games in video format plus features numerous table games, fine dining restaurants, and a luxurious 15 story, 252-room hotel. more...

Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum 25 Phillips Street, Franklin, NC 28734, 828-369-7831, Located in the historic old jail on the square in Franklin, this museum features exhibits related to gems, minerals, and mining. There are displays of specimens from around the world inside the museum, as well as a good exhibit of Indian artifacts. more... 

Macon County Historical Society & Museum 36 West Main Street, Franklin, NC 28734, 828-524-9758, Displays on education, the Civil War, early medicine, textiles, photography, and the local history and genealogy of Macon County can be found in this museum that is located in a beautifully preserved 1904 retail store, the J. R. Pendergrass building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. more... 

Museum of the Cherokee Indian 589 Tsali Boulevard; P.O. Box 1599, Cherokee, NC 28719, 828 497-3481, Located at Highway 441 and Drama Road, this museum is dedicated to the telling the story of the Cherokee tribe using artifacts and high-tech exhibits. more...

Ruby City Gems & Minerals 130 East Main Street, Franklin, NC 28734, 828-524-3967, "The World's Largest Sapphire" weighing 385 pounds as well as one of the largest gem quality rubies found in the area (162 carats) are on display at Ruby City Gems & Minerals. Specimens, artifacts, ivory carvings, and rare gems among other items are on display at Ruby City Gems & Minerals. Open April through December. more...

Scottish Tartans Museum & Heritage Center 86 East Main Street, Franklin, NC 28723, Located in Downtown Franklin, 828-524-7472, This museum contains the official registry of all publicly known tartans and is the American extension of the Scottish Tartans Society in Edinburgh, Scotland. Displays on the culture, dress, customs, military, and history of Scotland are featured at this museum that also houses an expansive gift shop.  

Wilderness Taxidermy & Outfitters 5040 Highland Road, Franklin, NC 28734, 828-524-3677, An art wildlife museum, Wilderness Taxidermy is a unique 5,000 square foot facility that features a museum, wildlife art gallery, and a working studio. Treasures from around the world are on display including paintings, woodcarvings, and original pieces of animal art. Visitors can also watch demonstrations on the process of taxidermy while at this facility. 

Little Tennessee River Greenway 23 Macon Avenue, Franklin, NC 28734, 828-369-7331, "The Little Tennessee River Greenway is one of more than a thousand such trails snaking their way across America turning old canals, abandoned railbeds, and forgotten riverbanks into green recreational corridors." more...

Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory 3160 Coweeta Lab Road, Franklin, NC 28763, Otto, 704-524-2128, This Southeastern Forest Experiment Station represents a cooperative effort between the USDA Forest Service and the University of Georgia. The long-term dynamics of the ecosystems of Eastern deciduous forests, including hardwood and white pine forests and plantations, is researched at this facility with a focus on environmental and human disturbances and their influences and effects.