Places to stay near attractions in Franklin

Franklin, North Carolina is the seat of Macon County and calls itself the Gem Capital of the World — the surrounding hills are studded with commercial gem mines where visitors sluice for rubies, sapphires, garnets, and moonstone. Cowee Valley just north of town is the historic center of this industry, and the Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum on Phillips Street displays finds from more than a century of local mining.

The town sits on the Little Tennessee River and is a designated Appalachian Trail Community — the AT crosses through Nantahala National Forest just outside town at Winding Stair Gap. The Bartram Trail parallels William Bartram's 1775 route through the region, and Wayah Bald's stone lookout tower delivers one of the most famous views on the trail. To the north, the Cullasaja Gorge drops down U.S. 64 toward Highlands past Bridal Veil, Dry, and Cullasaja Falls.

Franklin is the natural base for Nantahala Lake, the Nikwasi Mound (a 1,000-year-old Mississippian ceremonial mound in the middle of town), and for travelers heading south to Highlands or west to the Nantahala Gorge and Bryson City.