Bryson City, Great Smoky Mountains

Spend a fabulous day or two in Bryson City, Swain County, and the Great Smokies with waterfalls, hiking, rafting, food and shopping. In fact, since this little jewel of a town offers so much to visitors, it's one of our top "Cool Mountain Towns" in western North Carolina. Located about 70 miles southwest of Asheville via a freeway, this is paradise for outdoor and nature lovers since much of the county is part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's whitewater rafting mecca, with the Nantahala River cascading through the Gorge and Nantahala National Forest. ABC’s Good Morning America’s “Vacationland” series named the Nantahala River the number one place to spend a wet and wild vacation in the U.S. In fact, the Smithsonian named Bryson City as one of the "20 Best Small Towns to Visit."

At the Bryson City Depot, hop aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for scenic train rides by rivers and Fontana Lake. Special excursions throughout the year include the Wizard of Oz Train and Polar Express. Downtown Bryson City is small-town America with a variety of shops with friendly owners. Many shops showcase area artisans who create one-of-a-kind musical instruments, handcrafted jewelry, hand-turned wood objects and pottery. For a small town of only 1,500 residents, there is a surprising number of nice restaurants and two breweries. Take a selfie in front of the caboose! We give only a sampling of things to do... for much more, go to the Bryson City Great Smokies website.

Stand Up Paddleboard with dog Lager the Tuckasegee River in the middle of town with Bryson City Outdoors (169 Main St).