Mt Mitchell Museum

About this museum

Mt Mitchell Museum, located in Burnsville near the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, ranks among the finest free museums in the North Carolina mountains. Offering FREE ADMISSION year - round, this welcoming museum provides visitors with an enriching experience. Mount Mitchell, known as Attakulla in Cherokee, rises to 6, 684 feet and is protected by Mount Mitchell State Park.Nature lovers and history enthusiasts will discover a wealth of fascinating exhibits at Mt Mitchell Museum, where the natural and human history of the Black Mountains takes center stage. The museum features displays about the ecology, geology, and weather patterns of this unique high - elevation environment, as well as the history of human exploration and scientific study of the peak. Visitors learn about the diverse plant and animal communities that thrive in the spruce - fir forest ecosystem, one of the most endangered habitats in the eastern United States.The museum's location within Mount Mitchell State Park means visitors can combine their museum experience with hiking to the summit observation deck for panoramic views of the surrounding Appalachian ranges.Mt Mitchell Museum is located in Burnsville. Open most days of the week (Friday: 9:30AM - 5PM, Monday: 9:30AM - 5PM, Saturday: 9:30AM - 5PM, Sunday: 9:30AM - 5PM, Thursday: 9:30AM - 5PM). Admission is always free, though donations are warmly welcomed. Next time you find yourself in Burnsville, make time for Mt Mitchell Museum. This free museum proves that the most rewarding travel experiences are often the ones that cost nothing at all.