Great Smoky Mountains Railroad: The Ultimate Summer Train Adventure in the Smokies
There’s something timeless about watching the mountains roll by from the window of a historic train. This summer, slow down and experience one of the most iconic attractions in the southern Smoky Mountains:Â Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Departing from downtown Bryson City, this unforgettable journey winds through mountain valleys, crosses historic bridges, follows rushing rivers, and […]
Fourth of July in the North Carolina Smokies: Where to Celebrate Across the Region
If you’re spending the Fourth of July in the North Carolina Smokies, you’ll find no shortage of ways to celebrate. Across the region, mountain towns are marking Independence Day with patriotic parades, fireworks, live music, family activities, and hometown festivals that make summer in Western North Carolina feel especially memorable. From Franklin’s America 250 celebration […]
Blue Hound Barbecue: A Smoky Mountain BBQ Stop Worth the Drive
Great barbecue has a way of bringing people together, and in the Smokies, few places have earned a more loyal following than Blue Hound Barbecue. Located in Dillard, GA, Blue Hound Barbecue has become a favorite among locals and visitors looking for authentic smoked meats, Southern comfort food, and a relaxed mountain-town atmosphere. Whether you’re […]
The Perfect Summer Ice Cream Treat in the North Carolina Smokies: Jack the Dipper
After a day spent hiking mountain trails, chasing waterfalls, exploring charming downtowns, or enjoying scenic drives through the Smokies, there’s one stop that locals and visitors alike have been making for years: Jack the Dipper. With locations in both Sylva and Waynesville, Jack the Dipper has become a summertime tradition in Western North Carolina. Known […]
Celebrating Scottish Heritage This June in the Southern Smokies
June settles into the Southern Smokies with a familiar rhythm to anyone with Celtic roots in these Highlands. Early Scots and Scots-Irish settlers found a climate and terrain that mirrored their ancestral home. And generations later, that cultural imprint still shapes Western North Carolina. From language and music to food and farming traditions, Scottish heritage […]
The Spring Food & Drink Trail in the Smokies: Where to Eat, Sip & Savor
Spring in the North Carolina Smokies brings fresh mountain air, blooming landscapes, and the perfect excuse to explore the region one bite at a time. This food and drink trail highlights real stops you can experience across the Smokies—paired with scenic drives and small-town charm along the way. Morning: Coffee & Breakfast in Bryson City Start […]
🎄 A Festive Christmas Getaway at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
Tucked into the snow-kissed peaks of Western North Carolina, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort transforms into a yuletide destination where dazzling entertainment, warm hospitality, and holiday spirit come together in a joyful celebration. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a full-blown Christmas vacation, this vibrant resort offers something merry for every kind of traveler. ✨ Step Into […]
Culinary Experiences in the Great Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains reveal wonderful culinary experiences with unique dishes, regional specialties and places to play along the way.
Self-Care in the Great Smoky Mountains
Fresh mountain air, serene environment, and stunning natural beauty — perfect for self-care in the Great Smoky Mountains.
A to Z: The Best Breweries in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina
Thirsty after a day of outdoor adventure? Here is a guide to some of the best breweries in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.
Best Summer Activities in the Great Smoky Mountains to Beat the Heat
Escape that excessive summer heat and instead, find yourself enjoying cooling mountain breezes and the even cooler waters of the Great Smokies of NC. Here are some fantastic summer activities in the Great Smoky Mountains that will help you beat the heat on your upcoming summer trip. Discover the Highest Peaks (and the Coolest Temps!) […]
Explorer’s Guide to Highlands and Cashiers, NC
Discover Highlands and Cashiers, NC – mountain havens offering luxury stays, stunning waterfalls, quaint village charm, and outdoor adventures in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
Best Breakfast Spots in the Smoky Mountains
There is no one definition of breakfast in the NC Smoky Mountains. For some, it’s an old-fashioned breakfast feast piled high with country goodness at a no-frills diner, for others it’s the bite of an inky espresso accompanied by a flaky pastry, and for others, it’s breakfast elevated to the status of fine dining. Here […]
Explore Wineries in the NC Great Smoky Mountains
A vacation, or staycation, in the Great Smoky Mountains of NC can have you exploring the ridgetops of a mountain after lunch and then sipping a glass of distinctive, locally produced wine by dinner. Here is your comprehensive guide to the best wineries and vineyards available in the western-most towns of North Carolina. B & […]
The Friendliest Stop Along the Appalachian Trail – Be a Lazy Hiker Awhile!
Although Franklin sparkles with its gems, I was impressed to see the way this town cares for the dirty and grungy (and I mean that in the best possible way!). You see, Franklin sits just 10 miles off the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail that hundreds hike through from Maine to Georgia each year. It was the […]
Ferncrest Winery Awards
FernCrest Winery is in the Snowbird Mountains above the Western Carolina Regional Airport, where we planted a small vineyard of Chardonel, Vidal Blanc and Cynthiana grape vines in 2010. We began making wine from them in 2013. Both the 2013 Chardonel and 2013 Vidal Blanc won Gold medals at the Wine Maker’s Magazine’s International Amateur Competition in […]
Elevated Mountain Distillery Awards
Congratulations to Elevated Mountain Distilling Co of Maggie Valley on beating out some of the best spirits in the world in three categories at the 2018 Cigar & Spirits Magazine’s World Spirits Competition. 2nd Place Vodka – Hurricane Creek 3rd Place American Blended Whiskeys – Purchase Knob Oak Reserve 1st Place Infused Whiskey – Raymond Fairchild […]
The American Dream Told by The Copper Door
Imagine dining in an old gas station where the chef spent 9 years as a bombardier officer in a B-52. Hard to believe? Maybe, but Open Table named The Copper Door (http://thecopperdoor.com/) as one of America’s top 100 restaurants in 2014. Here’s Copper Door’s back story. After graduating culinary school in New Orleans, Chef Dennis […]