The "mysteries" of this quintessential roadside oddity were almost destroyed by neglect but were saved by fans of kitschy wonder.

An abandoned coal mine reached by a steep hike.

One day a year it is legal to jump off of this astoundingly tall bridge that spans an Appalachian gorge.

Hikers can still stroll beneath the long conveyer of this abandoned mining facility hidden in a West Virginia river gorge.

The remains of one of the last mining camps developed on the New River.

Once connected to the outside world by a single train track, this ghost town is looked after by the National Park Service.

An abandoned 1920s school with a mysterious history.

A historic coal mine that doubles as a museum and tourist attraction.

A Nessie-like monster supposedly lurks in this lake.

The highest point in North Carolina and the United States east of the Mississippi River, Mount Mitchell is named after argumentative explorer Elisha Mitchell.

Gnarled canopies of pink and purple wildflowers arch over the trail to the summit.

This bridge is haunted by the ghost of a distraught mother.

A wonderful display of arts and crafts handmade by local artisans in the Southern Appalachians.

The author's beautiful and historic home is also a fully functioning goat farm.

This Transylvania County city is home to a rare white squirrel population that is descended from an escaped carnival animal.

Mysterious ancient boulder carved with petroglyphs in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

Over 20,000 sets of spice shakers reveal the surprisingly telling history of our most basic spices.

While knives are the main feature in this store, visitors will also find dinosaur bones and meteorites.

A recreation of the doomed ocean liner in the middle of the Smoky Mountains.

The highest point in Tennessee, Clingmans Dome bears witness to the ravages of one type of insect.

For two weeks every June, fireflies in the Smoky Mountains perform an astonishing light show.

The art studio of an early 20th-century painter, hidden amid the Great Smoky Mountains.

An abandoned town is hidden in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

This winding road of 318 curves is a must-visit for (careful) motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts.