Franklin, NC

united states

Franklin is a small mountain town in western North Carolina that sits at the crossroads of US 441 and US 64 in the Appalachian foothills. It's about 65 miles southwest of Asheville and serves as a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains. The town draws visitors heading to nearby Highlands or exploring the Nantahala National Forest. Franklin is famous for its gem mines where you can dig for rubies and sapphires right in town.