Absolute five-star experience. Definitely a little bit out there but we went on a Saturday early…read moreSeptember and it wasn't too bad. They do apple picking on the hour most days. It's all listed online and very user-friendly. We showed up around 1130 and wandered around. Picked apples at noon. Then had some live music at one. Very well planned and I'm proud of the way we did it. If you're driving from Asheville, old fort is a great stopping point. We got cinnamon rolls on the way there and Hillman on the way back. It did look like this Orchard had some very affordable barbecue on site. Tons of snacks in the gift shop too. The parking lot was pretty big and they have extra parking. The staff was super kind. I love that it's a nonprofit and there's tons of educational pieces. You will find a bunch of maps and other displays. They have a bee and caterpillar to stay for kids and adults alike. The gift shop. Also both a lot of local crafts like candles, ciders, and honey. No drinking on site. The apple picking is around back. You can get a little bag or two sizes of a basket. We opted for the bag because there is no reason for us to keep a basket around. For eight dollars it's all very affordable. It got us about 12 big apples. The trees are well marked. For picking. It is lots of space for wandering. Definitely not in the shade so it's pretty hot. For me, I really like the extra things that this place had. Cornhole, checkers, Jenga... They usually have bands on the weekend too.

My husband, our 8 year old daughter and I were excited to head up to the orchard at Alta pass…read moreyesterday! We've been apple picking at a couple of the orchards to the south of Asheville, and wanted to check out this nonprofit orchard near Spruce Pine. When we arrived we were pleasantly surprised to see that the crowd was reasonably sized, and we could walk around without feeling pushed and prodded. But the pleasant surprise ended there. We headed around back where we purchased two buckets for apple picking at $15/each. They were small buckets that could fit, we were told, 4-5 lbs of apples each. Okay, fine. But it was not until after purchasing the buckets that we were placed into a very touristy feeling group, and told that we'd be picking "these small and ugly (..."but delicious!") green apples. Huh? No one is going apple picking for just green apples. Are you kidding? The guide proceeded to inform us that as we walk through the orchard we absolutely, positively, should not pick the red apples because they "aren't ready and will most certainly give you a tummy ache". What?!?! Okay....still on board but feeling a little less excited. Then we start to walk toward the orchard. With a giant group of people. At a veeeerrrryyyy slow pace. And then we have to wait on a few stragglers. Seriously excruciating by this point. Finally, as we get to the orchard, the guide tells us to look for the trees with pink ties on them, an ONLY those trees. In fact, pay no mind to the beautiful red apples surrounding you on all other sides - they are not ready! No matter how they look, do NOT eat those apples! But then we are off and looking for the promised green apples....which I kid you not are almost completely picked over! My 6'5 husband could barely reach the apples, and definitely not me or my eight year old - we can only watch in horror as our husband/father scavenges the tops of the trees for "ugly but delicious green apples" on the trees to our right, while simultaneously trying to ignore the beautiful red apples on the trees to our left. I seriously felt like Eve in the garden of Eden..... And then, we noticed that everyone else in our group was feeling the same way. Then one daring person took a red apple off a tree and took a big, juicy bite from it. Gasp! I thought we'd all be wearing fig leaves and trying to hide from one another in the next instant. But lo and behold....no tummy ache. Just confirmation that the red apples were, in fact, ready to be picked (and further confirmed by the mounds of ripe, red apples also falling from those trees). The whole thing was ridiculous, and by the time we headed out of the orchard it was a big joke. Everyone was picking the red apples and putting them on the bottom of their baskets, and placing a few green apples over the red ones in hopes of looking less guilty. We all concluded that they just wanted to get the ugly but delicious green apples out of the orchard. On the way in/out of the orchard there is a cute little building that is a "cafe". We were excited to try the pulled pork with apple bbq sauce, and some fresh homemade cider! But yet again, when there was an opportunity for this place to shine, it was a huge let down. We ordered an apple cider and a green apple lemonade, which also sounded like it had the potential to be delicious because it MUST be made with ugly but delicious green apples from the orchard! Nope. It was Country Time at best, with a couple shots of Torani Green Apple syrup splashed in the bottom. The pulled pork was gross (though, granted, in this area we have high standards for pulled pork), and not cooked in the bbq sauce but rather placed on the bun and then a little sauce was ladled onto the meat, leaving the bun wet and soggy. The apple cider was apple juice, probably from Ingles. By this point, while we had planned to go purchase some goods inside, we were done. This business has SO MUCH POTENTIAL. The setting is bucolic, and the weather was perfect. I don't know who is running it, but since it's a nonprofit I took a look at their 990 and it seems like they are probably just too dependent on a volunteer board. I don't know, but I think this could be a true gem up in this area. Unfortunately, it just falls short. We'll see how my apple crisp turns out - I'll try to update my review when I find out.

My only regret is that I didn't know I could do this sooner. My Mom was in neighboring Yancey…read moreCounty. Yancey County Hospice Dr Jeff Polgar officially turned us down 10/23/12, AGAINST his nurses' recommondation...which is unheard of. Used the "6 month rule". My mother died 4/10/13. It was 6 months 4/23/13. Mitchell County accepted us Good Friday 3/29/13. They were complete Angels in a situation beyond difficult. There are no words to describe what myself and especially my mother went thru. I just wish we would've known we could've gotten them in earlier. They would have been glad to come. They have their own full load and picking up the slack of others. From what I hear from other local residents, it is becoming quite a common occurance. God Bless these folks day in and day out!

My parents needed hospice from early January through to last week when my Dad passed away from…read morecancer. They both had nothing but good to say about them. Hospice was there from the very beginning, explaining everything very clearly and making sure all their questions were answered. Any time Mom & Dad needed anything they were very quick to respond, and as Dad's need for help increased they did whatever was necessary to meet his needs. And they were there for Mom as well; they would regularly send someone to sit with him so that she could go shopping, or just take a break from the stress. In the end, Mom is so grateful for their help that she's asked anyone who wants to express their condolences do so by a donation in his name to them. I'd like to add my thanks for helping my parents through this!

Very neat, organized and clean thrift store. Fantastic prices. New stuff all the time.read more

One of the bigger thrift stores I've been to. With great lighting to, it doesn't feel like a…read morebasement like some tend to. They also put out new stuff frequently so there's almost always new stuff to find. Definitely recomend

Alan has the knowledge and experience to provide prompt and reasonable service. I have been…read moredealing with him to solve my pc technical needs for almost a year now and have no complaints. He is friendly, down to earth, and you can count on him to do as agreed. I am satisfied and grateful for the service.

Friend with a body shop here in Spruce Pine recommended I check them out. Pretty fast, fixed my…read morelaptop in a day, price was good, seemed like a good deal. Only thing was finding them. Got to go to the last house at the top of the hill. Don't stop at the first stone house you see. There are two of them.

I want to say this has been one of the highlights of my family trip. When your 16 yo his 17 yo best…read morefriend and wife all agree on this fact it says something. As adults we have this tendency to say "if I knew then what I knew now, I'd have paid more attention in school!" Well here's your chance. This tiny aquarium will impart more knowledge in a short visit than you probably take in most months if you take advantage of it. The interns and owner (a former teacher) are committed to answering questions. The things they are studying and sharing are amazing. If you go in and you want to learn and ask questions this will be an experience you won't forget. Think of the best science teacher you ever had, having an opportunity to show the world what she loves to talk about... and that is what you have here. Do yourself a favor, go, enjoy and learn!!

We went awhile back to see Charlotte and were sorely disappointed. Hearing of her death today…read morereminded me I had forgotten to write a review. This location is privately run and not for educational purposes. More like going to a friends house to see their pets. Please consider going to an aquarium run by scientists for educational purposes.

Our visit there was amazing. We toured the property, met and fed the goats, sheep and the donkey…read more We were treated to a breathtaking view as well as feeling the tranquility of this place. For the value you get more than you paid for. I highly recommend going here. You will also learn about edible and medicinal plants that are native to the area and most everywhere.

I had a guy to come move some heavy stuff in my house. He was great and very nice thank you Joseph…read more !!

Thanks to the Junk Pirates for getting the job done! They were very responsive and took care of my…read moreproject very quickly. They charged a flat fee of $90 to remove and haul away a box spring from my daughter's apartment. I will be sure to call them again for my junk removal needs.