Attractions in the Smoky Mountains
Whether it’s dining at a local bistro, taking a stroll through Bryson City’s shopping district, or simply taking a hike on one of our many trails, there are plenty of attractions and activities to partake in. One thing you can always count on is cool mountain breezes and plenty of things to do – whether you prefer a relaxed and quiet vacation, or an adventure-packed itinerary. And there are plenty of kid activities for the whole family to enjoy. Full of color, wildlife, small-town friendliness, and local uniqueness, Bryon City and the Great Smoky Mountains is a place you will return to… again and again.
FishingWhether you are fly fishing for native brook trout in a cold mountain stream, smallmouth or largemouth bass in beautiful Fontana Lake or rainbow or brown trout in one of the many stocked streams or rivers, Swain County hosts one of the most diverse fishing habitats in the world.
Bicycle Rental
There are many miles of uncrowded country roads for biking in Bryson City and throughout Swain County, many designated as bike routes.
Tsali Recreation Area
Located near Fontana Lake, Tsali Recreation Area is nationally known for its 42-mile trail system. The 4-loop network is open to hikers and horses, but the system is best known as a challenging mountain bike course.
Motorcycling
The American Motorcyclist Association named 3 roads in our area among the top 15 best in America to ride. AMA members ranked The Blue Ridge Parkway # 2, US 129 The Dragon #3, and The Cherohala Skyway #7.
Zip Lines
Part eco-tourism, part adventure tour, zip lines offer an opportunity to soar through - and above - a forest with a unique perspective of the land below you.
Fontana Lake
The 29-mile long, 11,700-acre Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) lake has more than 240 miles of shoreline. Fontana Lake provides a number of recreational diversions including fishing, boating and water skiing. And the scenery from the lake is unmatched. Those fortunate enough to go boating on Fontana Lake have a unique perspective of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At places the view is unobstructed from the lake level to the top of towering Clingman's Dome, the Park's highest peak.
Scenic Drives
Western North Carolina is Famous for its Scenic Mountain Roads and Spectacular Views
Museum of the Cherokee Indian
History of the Cherokee Indians
John C. Campbell Folk School
John C. Campbell Folk School provides experiences in non-competitive learning and community life that are joyful and enlivening. Located in scenic Brasstown, North Carolina, the Folk School offers year-round weeklong and weekend classes for adults in craft, art, music, dance, cooking, gardening, nature studies, photography and writing.
North Carolina Arboretum
Cultivating Connections Between People and Plants for 25 Years......amid a 434-acre public garden located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest. Surrounded by lush folds of the botanically diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum is adjacent to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, at Milepost 393, and is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural settings in America.
Oconaluftee Indian Village
Once you are at the Village, you will see that it’s more than just a place. It is also a time: 1760. The best way to get there is to un-tether yourself from the world that you know. Turn off your stress. Put your watch in your pocket. Sit under the trees, breathe the pure mountain air, and notice that the only sounds here come from nature. No cars. No blaring TVs. And instead of burnt fossil fuel, the faint tang of wood smoke wafts by on the breeze. Follow it. Embrace it at your own pace. As you step into the Oconaluftee Indian Village, you’re transported back to witness the challenges of Cherokee life at a time of rapid cultural change.
Bryson City - Swain County Chamber of Commerce
A visit to Bryson City will take you back to a simpler, less-complicated time. You'll have lots to do in the Swain County area of Western North Carolina. We're home to much of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including its highest peak, Clingman's Dome.
The Biltmore House
Biltmore Estate continues to be a top choice for photographers, producers, directors, and location scouts. It's an incomparable setting with easy access to America's largest home, historic properties, and 8,000 acres of woodland and gardens.
Blue Ridge Parkway
America's Favorite Drive: A journey on the Blue Ridge Parkway offers motorists spectacular views of Southern Appalachia’s diverse beauty for 469.1 uninterrupted miles.
Cataloochee Ski Area
Visit Cataloochee Ski Area this winter season and experience southern hospitality on the slopes. For generations of snow-loving families, Cataloochee is a winter tradition, and with good reason.
Cherokee Chamber of Commerce
When you visit Cherokee, North Carolina, you can almost imagine yourself living this way. The same mountains where the Cherokees have maintained their traditions for generations surround you.
Fontana Dam
Located in the Great Smoky Mountains, Fontana is the highest dam in the eastern United States.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Ridge upon ridge of endless forest straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the Eastern United States. The park attracts over nine million visitors each year. Once a part of the Cherokee homeland, the Smokies today are a hiker's paradise with over 800 miles of trails.The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is the most visited of our National Park system. The natural beauty and the four distinct seasons enjoyed in the GSMNP is unmatched! The Park includes over 500,000 acres with 800 miles of hiking trails, 10 campgrounds, 1,500 types of plants.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Enjoy year-round scenic train journeys, across valleys, through tunnels and across river gorges, in a spectacular region call the Great Smoky Mountains.
Harrah's Cherokee Casino
Don't miss the action and excitement at Harrah's Cherokee Casino, featuring live table games like Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and more of your favorites!
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Whitewater rafting, zipline tours, paddling instruction, the outfitter's store, restaurants, mountain biking, and so much more.
Santa's Land
Enter the magical village where Santa lives. It's a day of family fun! Designed for families with children, ages 2 to 8. A place where imaginations thrive and the magical world of Christmas comes alive.
The Fun Factory
Located in scenic Franklin, North Carolina, the Fun Factory in the Smokies is Western North Carolina's award-winning destination for family friendly entertainment. Fun for kids of all ages, the Fun Factory is the place for games, mini-golf, bowling, go-karts, laser tag, big screen TVs, party rooms, great restaurants and more. Plus, there's even an area with fun just for the little kids. There's something for everyone to enjoy.
FishingWhether you are fly fishing for native brook trout in a cold mountain stream, smallmouth or largemouth bass in beautiful Fontana Lake or rainbow or brown trout in one of the many stocked streams or rivers, Swain County hosts one of the most diverse fishing habitats in the world.
Bicycle Rental
There are many miles of uncrowded country roads for biking in Bryson City and throughout Swain County, many designated as bike routes.
Tsali Recreation Area
Located near Fontana Lake, Tsali Recreation Area is nationally known for its 42-mile trail system. The 4-loop network is open to hikers and horses, but the system is best known as a challenging mountain bike course.
Motorcycling
The American Motorcyclist Association named 3 roads in our area among the top 15 best in America to ride. AMA members ranked The Blue Ridge Parkway # 2, US 129 The Dragon #3, and The Cherohala Skyway #7.
Zip Lines
Part eco-tourism, part adventure tour, zip lines offer an opportunity to soar through - and above - a forest with a unique perspective of the land below you.
Fontana Lake
The 29-mile long, 11,700-acre Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) lake has more than 240 miles of shoreline. Fontana Lake provides a number of recreational diversions including fishing, boating and water skiing. And the scenery from the lake is unmatched. Those fortunate enough to go boating on Fontana Lake have a unique perspective of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At places the view is unobstructed from the lake level to the top of towering Clingman's Dome, the Park's highest peak.
Scenic Drives
Western North Carolina is Famous for its Scenic Mountain Roads and Spectacular Views
Museum of the Cherokee Indian
History of the Cherokee Indians
John C. Campbell Folk School
John C. Campbell Folk School provides experiences in non-competitive learning and community life that are joyful and enlivening. Located in scenic Brasstown, North Carolina, the Folk School offers year-round weeklong and weekend classes for adults in craft, art, music, dance, cooking, gardening, nature studies, photography and writing.
North Carolina Arboretum
Cultivating Connections Between People and Plants for 25 Years......amid a 434-acre public garden located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest. Surrounded by lush folds of the botanically diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum is adjacent to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, at Milepost 393, and is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural settings in America.
Oconaluftee Indian Village
Once you are at the Village, you will see that it’s more than just a place. It is also a time: 1760. The best way to get there is to un-tether yourself from the world that you know. Turn off your stress. Put your watch in your pocket. Sit under the trees, breathe the pure mountain air, and notice that the only sounds here come from nature. No cars. No blaring TVs. And instead of burnt fossil fuel, the faint tang of wood smoke wafts by on the breeze. Follow it. Embrace it at your own pace. As you step into the Oconaluftee Indian Village, you’re transported back to witness the challenges of Cherokee life at a time of rapid cultural change.
Bryson City - Swain County Chamber of Commerce
A visit to Bryson City will take you back to a simpler, less-complicated time. You'll have lots to do in the Swain County area of Western North Carolina. We're home to much of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including its highest peak, Clingman's Dome.
The Biltmore House
Biltmore Estate continues to be a top choice for photographers, producers, directors, and location scouts. It's an incomparable setting with easy access to America's largest home, historic properties, and 8,000 acres of woodland and gardens.
Blue Ridge Parkway
America's Favorite Drive: A journey on the Blue Ridge Parkway offers motorists spectacular views of Southern Appalachia’s diverse beauty for 469.1 uninterrupted miles.
Cataloochee Ski Area
Visit Cataloochee Ski Area this winter season and experience southern hospitality on the slopes. For generations of snow-loving families, Cataloochee is a winter tradition, and with good reason.
Cherokee Chamber of Commerce
When you visit Cherokee, North Carolina, you can almost imagine yourself living this way. The same mountains where the Cherokees have maintained their traditions for generations surround you.
Fontana Dam
Located in the Great Smoky Mountains, Fontana is the highest dam in the eastern United States.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Ridge upon ridge of endless forest straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the Eastern United States. The park attracts over nine million visitors each year. Once a part of the Cherokee homeland, the Smokies today are a hiker's paradise with over 800 miles of trails.The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is the most visited of our National Park system. The natural beauty and the four distinct seasons enjoyed in the GSMNP is unmatched! The Park includes over 500,000 acres with 800 miles of hiking trails, 10 campgrounds, 1,500 types of plants.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Enjoy year-round scenic train journeys, across valleys, through tunnels and across river gorges, in a spectacular region call the Great Smoky Mountains.
Harrah's Cherokee Casino
Don't miss the action and excitement at Harrah's Cherokee Casino, featuring live table games like Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and more of your favorites!
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Whitewater rafting, zipline tours, paddling instruction, the outfitter's store, restaurants, mountain biking, and so much more.
Santa's Land
Enter the magical village where Santa lives. It's a day of family fun! Designed for families with children, ages 2 to 8. A place where imaginations thrive and the magical world of Christmas comes alive.
The Fun Factory
Located in scenic Franklin, North Carolina, the Fun Factory in the Smokies is Western North Carolina's award-winning destination for family friendly entertainment. Fun for kids of all ages, the Fun Factory is the place for games, mini-golf, bowling, go-karts, laser tag, big screen TVs, party rooms, great restaurants and more. Plus, there's even an area with fun just for the little kids. There's something for everyone to enjoy.