Queue the Cheers theme song everybody, this is our hometown gathering place! BCO is a community hub for all the locals, an outdoor shop, a taproom and an epic lunch spot (with a rotating food truck available every day of the week). Also, you can grab one of their famous “Dream Whips” (just try one, trust us) and pick up a few locally farmed foods for a sustainable dinner at home. This second-generation family run local farm has all the small town charm! With swing sets and playgrounds for kids, picnic tables for families to enjoy and seasonal activities, like strawberry picking and hay rides, this is a perfect stop for a fun-filled family day. There’s a terrific hike once you cross the tunnel and plenty of opportunities for photos along the scenic drive there!Ĭlingmans dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains! This popular destination is the ultimate photo opp promising travelers the most stunning 360 views of these special mountains. The tunnel runs 6 miles into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park seemingly leading, well, nowhere. This is a unique site with an interesting history.

You can see beautiful waterfalls, take a number of hikes (of all levels), go biking, camping, have a family picnic and more! Named “One of the Best Outfitters on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure, the NOC is a highly rated vacation destination and training site for top Olympians and aspiring paddlers! You can try a number of water sports here, shop for outdoor gear or take a number of trails (including the AT)! Also a great spot for lunch or a BYOB picnic 😉ĭeep Creek is Bryson City’s treasure. Taproom hours vary depending on the season.All aboard! Easily one of the biggest attractions in town, the steam train takes folks down the Nantahala river for a scenic drive making stops at the Nantahala Outdoor Center or Dillsboro so passengers can soak in more sights on foot and stretch their legs. If you want to grab dinner, check out the Warehouse, an extension of the brewery that servces locally-sourced food. After a long day of hiking, fly fishing or rafting, try out a refreshing Dirty Girl Blonde from Nantahala. Also located in downtown Bryson City, Nantahala Brewing released its first batch of beer back in 2010. The Nantahala Brewing Company is named after one of the rivers in Swain County. Mountain Layers is open from 2-10pm every day except Sunday, when the hours are 2-8pm. This craft microbrewery opened in 2017, and its first beer was the Nydee Effret, an IPA that’s light on the bitterness but still hoppy and delicious. First, there’s Mountain Layers Brewing, which has a rooftop bar overlooking the Tuckasegee River and downtown Bryson City.

There are two breweries in Bryson City that both have an impressive selection of beer featuring everything from porters to IPAs to pilsners. The layover includes shops and restaurants to sample before the train starts its journey back to Bryson City. On this excursion, you’ll see where a portion of the film The Fugitive was shot (the train wreck scene was filmed here - no need to worry about a repeat showing during your ride, though!).

The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad also has the Tuckasegee River Excursion, which is four hours and travels 30 miles roundtrip. The train also stops for a layover at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, where you can walk around and snap photos of the beautiful scenery. Guides on the train will tell you about the history of Swain County and point out important landmarks.

The Nantahala Gorge Excursion is about four hours long and takes you through remote parts of Swain County, including a trip over Fontana Lake and alongside the Nantahala River. The train has multiple types of seating, and rides begin and end at the Bryson City Depot. One of the best ways to take in the natural beauty of Swain County is by taking a ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

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