Things To Do
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a ton to offer. Located just outside of Bryson City, accessing the park is easy via the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are numerous hikes with beautiful vistas and lots of waterfalls. Check out AllTrails for details! A couple suggestions: Clingman's Dome, Oconaluftee River Trail, Waterrock Knob, & The Pinnacle Favorite Overlooks: Newfound Gap and Thunderstruck Ridge
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest
This forest is one of the Nation’s most impressive remnants of old-growth forest. The forest contains magnificent examples of more than 100 tree species, many over 400-years-old, and some more than 20 feet in circumference and 100 feet tall.
All the Water Activities
Nearby rivers (Tuckaseegee, Nantahala, Oconaluftee), lakes (Nantahala, Glenville, Bear, Fontana), and waterfalls provide all sorts of picturesque backgrounds and entertaining water activities including boating, paddle boarding, fishing, rafting and tubing. Favorite Falls: Mingo Falls, Soco Falls, & Dry Falls
Fishing in the Area
This entire region has great fishing if that's something that interests you. Please keep in mind that you are required to have an NC fishing license to fish in the area! Any local fly shop can sell you a license ranging from 10 day to annual. If you are in Cherokee please note that you must buy a license from the Tribe directly! NC fishing licenses do not work on the Reservation!
Bryson City
Bryson City is a great little town, and the first place Dave and I ever took a trip together. We love to grab a beer, browse, and sit on the patio at Bryson City Outdoors. We highly recommend La Poblana for authentic, delicious, and cheap Mexican. If you're a fly fisher, check out Tuckaseegee Fly Shop for great recs on local spots and on what's rising. Walk around town for cute shops and local restaurants, and check out Bryson City Island Park for a nice place to sit and enjoy the rivers.
Sylva
Check out Sylva if you like a small artsy town with a big craft beer scene. This picturesque little town has 4 breweries and numerous cute shops and restaurants.