Budding paleontologists, fossil enthusiasts, or even dinosaur enthusiasts will love a trip to Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine and Appalachian Fossil Museum. The museum is home to the largest private collection of fossils in the entire state of North Carolina, and proudly displays fossils found from various states in the country. Additionally, the museum also has unique and rare fossils from abroad with some of the most prized fossils coming in from Mozambique and Africa. Those who are interested in learning about the work that geologists and paleontologists put into fossils can drop by the prep work display where professionals will work on stabilizing and restoring fossils. Not to be missed is either is the museum’s rare minerals and gemstones collection features aquamarine crystals from Georgia, amethysts from South Carolina, and many more.

100 Shoppes on the Parkway Road, Blowing Rock, North Carolina 28605; Phone: 828-295-2034

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