Climbing

There are many great rock faces to scramble up in the Western North Carolina area.

Mountain Farm Museum

The Mountain Farm Museum has a collection of southern Appalachian farm buildings assembled from different locations throughout the Park.

Glen Falls

Glen Falls is three tiers of 70, 60, and 15 feet in height for a total of about 145 feet of falling water.

Rafting

In Western North Carolina you will be able to find a very calm river or one that is a little more raging, depending on what suits you best.

News Papers

Listings of local news papers.

Fontana Disc Golf

A beautiful disc golf course located on the property of Fontana Village only minutes away from Fontana Dam. The course is 18 holes and is made up of par 3 and par 4 holes that offer players a diverse course of trees and open field to play on. This is a great course to play, […]

Choo Choo Coffee Company

The Choo Choo Coffee Company is not just a coffee shop, it offers much more than that to its patrons.

Highlands

This beautiful distinguished city is full of upscale dinning and shopping locations and surrounded by some of the south’s most prestigious golf clubs.

Weaverville

Visiting Weaverville means having a chance for you and your family to experience life at a slower pace.

Tribal Bingo

If the casino is too big for you then try your luck at Cherokee’s Tribal Bingo.

The Road to Nowhere

“The Road To Nowhere”, as most local residents call it, is a 6-mile scenic drive into the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where it dead-ends

Shining Rock Wilderness

Shining Rock became one of the original components of the Wilderness System in September 1964. It is the largest Wilderness area in North Carolina.

Big Laurel Falls

The falls are not tall, but they are pretty, and spill into a neat little pool.

Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing is a popular past time in Western North Carolina. With an immense amount of mountain streams in the area you are sure to be able to find some fish somewhere.

The Green River Narrows

The Green River Narrows Race happens once a year in November and is probably one of the most exciting kayak races to watch in the southeast.

Cataloochee Valley

A valley full of historic buildings, wildlife, and beauty, this is a great family destination inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Canton

A community that takes pride in it’s small hometown atmosphere makes Canton a city full of heritage and history.

La Dolce Vita Bakery

This a location full of decadent and delightful desserts that are bursting with unique and interesting flavors.

Orange Peel

Asheville hottest music venue and social club.

Brevard

Located right in between a state and national forest, and surrounded by waterfalls, Brevard is another great city where the outdoors are just minutes away.

Asheville

A city with something for everyone! Whether you enjoy art and music, the outdoors, eating and shopping local, or all of the above.

The Iron Skillet

Serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner to locals and visitors weekly.

Wilderness Falls

The waterfall is a high, steep slide with an open canopy before veering sideways into some smaller cascades that end under the trees.

Turtleback Falls

This falls is named for its shape, sort of like the domed shell of a turtle. It drops into a deep pool and some people use it for sliding.

Wheels Through Time Museum

A collection of over 250 rare antique American Motorcycles and Automobiles.

Mouse Creek Falls

Mouse Creek Falls pours into the larger Big Creek, which is one of the clearest and most pristine waterways in the Park.

Clingmans Dome

Rising 6,643 feet above the Great Smoky Mountains, Clingman’s Dome is the highest point along the Appalachian Trail and provides a 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains.

Mingo Falls

The Spectacular Mingo Falls located in Cherokee, NC are over 120 feet high and are rated one of the most impressive falls in Western North Carolina.

Bard Falls

This waterfall is a narrow tumble and cascade into a deep trough, that opens up and spills out into a deep pool – a fantastic swimming hole (if the water isn’t super high).

Schoolhouse Falls

This falls is not high, but it’s absolutely beautiful and accessible via a fairly easy hike.

Mills River Area

The Mills River area is the largest in the Pisgah Ranger District.

Anthony’s Restaurante and Pizzeria

Offering up Italian favorites to locals and visitors to Bryson City, NC.

Alarka Falls

This is a long tumbling cascade and slide, with a few free falling sections.

Camp Living Water

Sitting on the banks of Deep Creek, Camp Living Water offers week-long Christian camps and High Trek Adventures for various age groups from 7 to 18.

Backpacking

Sometimes to see the things you want to see in Western North Carolina it requires you to hike for multiple days, and we love it.

Drift Falls

A neat sliding cascade, which drops into a huge, deep pool.

Cherokee Skate Park

The Cherokee Skate Park is not only a great place to skateboard, bmx, or ride anything with wheels.

Hiking

Thousands of miles of trails can be found to hike in Western North Carolina, whether you find yourself in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or one of the many National Forests. There are tons of trails to choose from that vary in length and difficulty, but no matter which one is for you there […]

Cemeteries on the North Shore of Fontana Lake

List of cemeteries that are located on the north Shore of Fontana Lake and the surrounding area which were eventually taken over by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service after the Tennessee Valley Authority built the Fontana Dam. Bradshaw Cemetery: On Possum Hollow Branch on Hazel Creek. Hickory Bottom Branch on Possum Hollow. On […]

Boone

A mecca for outdoor adventure lovers makes Boone a great place to visit and live.

Hayesville

Hayesville in known as “The Best Kept Secret in North Carolina” by Western North Carolina locals, and rightly so.

National Parks & Forests

Nature trails, parks and scenic roadways abound in Western NC. Walk the Appalachian Trail; explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, Nantahala National Forest, or Pisgah National Forest; or drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherohala Skyway, or Mountain Waters Scenic Byway. There is fun for everyone in Western NC.

Oconaluftee Indian Village

This village is an authentic replica of an 18th century Cherokee community.

Scottish Tartans Museum

Visitors are invited to view their family tartan, connect with their clan, and learn about the history of Highland Dress.

Dillsboro

Dillsboro is a small city where you can take a step back in time and tour around the downtown area visiting shops, restaurants, and art galleries that are held within historic buildings.

Rainbow Falls

The falls is know for its rainbows, which can be seen in the ample mist they produce.

Wayah Bald

Wayah Bald provides a beautiful view of Franklin and the surrounding Western North Carolina Mountains.

Smoky Mountain Jet Boats

Offers trips that encompass everything that’s great about Western North Carolina-hiking, picnicking, swimming, and a thrilling jet boat ride.

Cherokee Bear Zoo

Cherokee Bear Zoo & Exotic Animals is the home of many native Black Bears along with non-native Grizzlies, Lemurs, a Tiger, and a Monkey.

Blowing Rock

Known as “The Crown of the Blue Ridge”, Blowing Rock is a special place to many visitors and residents alike.

Big Ivy

This area of the Pisgah National Forest, located along the upper reaches of the Ivy River, has long been known by locals as the Coleman Boundary.

Murphy

A great small town experience in the heart of the Appalachian mountains.

Mount LeConte

With an elevation of 6,593 ft Mount LeConte is the third highest peak in the national park, it is however the tallest peak in Tennessee.

Big Creek Falls

The water is clear, and in higher water the falls feels pretty powerful despite the creek’s relatively small size.

Stand Up Paddleboarding

Stand Up Paddling is one of the fastest growing water sports today. It fun, healthy, and can help improve the overall quality of a persons life. Strengthen your core, improve your balance and get to know a part of nature you may be unfamiliar with. Bryson City Outdoors – Come see what all the fuss […]

Tuckaseegee Tavern

The Tavern is where you go to get served up some pub style food in Bryson City.

Mountain Waters Scenic Byway

Beginning in Highlands, this approximately 61 miles of nationally-recognized byway winds through southern Appalachian hardwood forests, by numerous waterfalls and lakes and through two river gorges.

Mountains to Sea Trail

North Carolina’s longest trail, the North Carolina Mountains to Sea Trail, is an ambitious project to provide a foot path linking the Mountains in the West to the Coastal Plain in the East.

Biltmore Estate

Discover America’s largest home, magnificent gardens, award-winning winery, great shopping and delicious dining.

River Arts District

The River Arts District is home to many studio artists of all mediums.

Andrews

A small town located deep in Western North Carolina offering a charming small town experience for all visitors.

Bartram Trail

The North Carolina Bartram Trail, blazed in yellow, crosses over some of the most scenic mountains of the state.

Bull Cove Falls

An attractive, two-tiered cascade with some free-falling sections, across tilted rocks.

Cades Cove

This is one of the most popular destination for visitors to the park, attracts more than two million visitors a year because of its well-preserved homesteads, scenic vistas, and abundant display of wildlife.

Mars Hill

Marked by charming rural character and the scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Mars HIll is a great stop and play location in Western North Carolina.

Frolictown Creek Falls

A short falls but in a cozy setting, this one is worth a stop if you’re on the main trail.

Swimming

Water is one thing there is not a shortage of when you come to the mountains of Western North Carolina.

Tsali

Tsali has 39 miles of trails in a four loop system that wind around the Fontana Lake and through US Forest Service Land.

Rufus Morgan Falls

A high, cascading slide in an pretty cove.

Golf

Some of the most beautiful golf courses you will ever play on can be found amongst the mountains and valleys of Western North Carolina.

Darnell Farms

Darnell Farms offers many weekend festivals: Strawberry Jam Festival, Tomatoefest and Timberfest plus a Corn Maze depending on the season.

Horseback Riding

Saddle up for some of the most beautiful horseback ridding that you have ever done!

Black Mountain

This historic city offers a hometown experience where your family can watch local craftsmen demonstrate and age-old technique.

Ghost Town in the Sky

Located at the top of this mountain, in Maggie Valley, is a mile high fun center with an old west setting.

Hendersonville

The historic town of Hendersonville offers visitors many different recreational activities for the entire family, along with local festivals that will satisfy any apple craving you have ever had.

Blue Ridge Parkway

A scenic roadway, which travels 469 miles to connect the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee.

Cullasaja Falls

This impressive, multi-streamed cascade has a roadside view, but accessing it can be dangerous. US Hwy. 64 has cliffs on both sides and is narrow and curvy here.

Soco Falls

Soco Falls is located on the Qualla Boundary (Cherokee Indian Reservation) just beside US Hwy. 19, between Cherokee and Maggie Valley, NC

Granny Burrel Falls

This falls starts with a short drop, which goes into a very long, gentle slide into a deep pool.

Kayaking

Western North Carolina is a special place in the kayaking world.

FryDay’s

Do you get a hint of what this place serves from the name? Well, you should because they serve up fried goodness every day of the week.

Nantahala Brewing Company

The fresh smell of hops and everything else that goes in to a great craft beer fill the air when you approach doors of the Nantahala Brewery.

Sylva

Sylva is the closest city to Western Carolina University; and is another great location for exploring the great outdoors.

Greenland Creek Falls

A beauty worth visiting. A steep cascade drops over a ledge onto an outcrop among boulders before shifting right, and dropping over another, smaller, cascade into a deep and wide pool.

Fishing

Fishing is one of the main activities that brings sportsman both young and old to the area.

Santa’s Land

A family Theme Park and Zoo, Santa’s Land is an enchanted Christmas theme park everyone will love.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad winds up, down, and around the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.

WNC Nature Center

Located on a 42-acre Natural Heritage site the center has many species of wildlife, gardens, trails, indoor exhibits and farm animals.

Nantahala Lake

The Lake is 3,000 feet in elevation and offers to visitors many activities ranging from boating and fishing, to swimming and sightseeing.

Franklin

Located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Franklin is a city filled with many things to do for the whole family within the city.

Shelton Laurel

The beautiful valley of Shelton Laurel Creek – and the coves, tributaries, and mountains lining it to its North – comprise a remote part of the Pisgah National Forest, known as the Shelton Laurel Backcountry Area.

Graveyard Fields

Surrounded by mountains exceeding 6000′ in elevation, the base of the valley is itself over 5000′, which accounts for some of its unique characteristics. A variety of hiking trails wind throughout the valley for your exploration.

Pack Place

Located in the heart of Asheville, North Carolina is educational Pack Place.

Asheville Art Museum

The Asheville Art Museum is the single visual arts facility serving Western North Carolina.

Big Shoals (Secret Falls)

A relatively large creek pours over a nearly vertical bluff into a big, deep, beautiful pool, complete with a sandy beach, before spilling over some smaller cascades and into a dark, rocky cove.

Wesser Fire Tower

A wooden fire tower at the summit provides hikers with amazing 360 degree views of the mountains of western North Carolina.

Linville Gorge

Averaging 1,400′ deep, the Linville Gorge was carved by the Linville River on its way down the Blue Ridge Escarpment.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, established in 1934, covers 520,408 acres of land with heights ranging from 840 feet at Abrams Creek to 6,643 feet at Clingmans Dome.

Linville Caverns

Deep inside of Humpback Mountain lie the Linville Caverns, North Carolina’s only caverns.

Soda Pops Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor

Bryson City’s most unique ice cream parlor takes you beck to the old days right when you step foot inside the door.