Things To Do
The Omni Grove Park Inn
One of the country’s most celebrated resorts for its history, elegance, and southern charm. Ten U.S. Presidents and countless luminaries from the worlds of art, entertainment, sports, and politics have stayed at this one-of-a-kind hotel. This historic resort offers sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, innovative and locally sourced restaurants, a Donald Ross designed golf course, an expansive tennis and fitness center, an award-winning Spa, and spacious convention facilities. This AAA Four-Diamond Property is listed on Fodor's "Top 10 Luxury Spa Resorts" and Travel + Leisure’s rankings of “Top Spa Resorts” in the world.
Biltmore Estate
George Vanderbilt's historic country estate in Asheville, NC; Biltmore includes Biltmore House--America's largest home--plus gardens, winery, Antler Hill Village, historic farm, 4-star Inn on Biltmore Estate, shops, restaurants, branded products, and outdoor adventures. This National Historic Landmark is an amazing destination offering a wide range of activities for all ages.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway! It is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty and amazing hiking opportunities. The parkway, which is America's longest linear park, runs for 469 miles through 29 Virginia and North Carolina counties, linking Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Recommended local hikes along the Blue Ridge Parkway: Craggy Garden, Mount Pisgah, Graveyard Fields, and Black Balsam Knob
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Western North Carolina is known for its love of food and passion for great craft beer. At the Mills River Taproom and Restaurant you’ll find an abundance of both. Visit the Taproom to sample one of their 23 beers on tap, many produced just a few feet from the restaurant. Beers are accompanied by artful, chef-driven food focused on small plate, sharable, whole animal and farm-to-table dishes sourced mainly from local suppliers. While you’re there, grab a beer and head outside to our Back Porch and Beer Garden to take in the views of the beautiful forest or stroll through our Mills River Estate Garden. We use the homegrown vegetables and herbs for our restaurant and small-scale pilot brewery.
South Slope Brewing District
"The South Slope" has eight breweries all within walking distance of each other. Some of the local favorites are Green Man, Funkatorium (Wicked Weed - address listed above) and Twin Leaf. Green Man has been brewing legendary English Style Ales since 1997. Funkatorium, offshoot of Wicked Weed Brewing, offers a wide selection of sour and wild beers. The tasting menu is created to complement their beer selection and wooded beer caskets give this venue an old world feel. The new kid on the block is Twin Leaf Brewing. With an exciting beer list, beer yoga on weekends and a selection of group games, this brewery is pushing the limits. This neighborhood is not solely about beer. Vortex Doughnuts offers hand crafted, locally sourced doughnuts and beverages. Next door to Vortex, Buxton Hall barbecue restaurant transformed a former skating rink, created by Chef Elliott Moss. French Broad Chocolate Factory has daily self-guided tours of the facility and chocolate tastings.
Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
This upscale casino resort is housed in a single-story building off US Route 19, and is 3.9 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Polished mountain-view rooms are decorated with local Native American artwork and come with Wi-Fi (fee), 42-inch flat-screen TVs, minifridges and coffeemakers. Suites add separate living rooms, wet bars and microwaves; some have whirlpool tubs. The resort features a lively casino with slots, over 100 table games and poker, an entertainment center hosting concerts and other events, and multiple dining options, including an all-you-can-eat-buffet. There are also indoor and outdoor pools, plus a gym and a spa.
Dillsboro, NC
Follow the link to view all the fun and charming things that Dillsboro, NC has to offer. In additional to the links recommendation: Innovation Brewing and Forager's Canteen are both super yummy as well.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad historic train depot sits in the heart of Bryson City, North Carolina and is a favorite regional attraction for family fun. A round-trip on the train is an ideal way to see extraordinary places that you can’t get to by car. Get a front-row view of Fontana Lake, the historic Fontana Trestle, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Nantahala National Forest, the Nantahala and Tuckasegee Rivers, historical structures, and stunning foliage. Choose from steam-powered with the official “Steam of the Smokies” or climb onboard an excursion powered by diesel locomotive. A variety of passenger round trip train options and special event trains — including the popular Polar ExpressTM excursion — makes this the perfect attraction for making memories and experiencing the true form of railroading. Climb aboard for your next unforgettable adventure today.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park.
Bryson City
Bryson City is a small town in North Carolina. It’s a gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with wildflowers, streams and part of the Appalachian Trail. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers train rides through the park, plus the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum. The Tuckasegee River is popular for white-water rafting. The Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians has fishing gear and 1800s fly rods.