Voted Best in the Smokies 2026: Top Places to Visit in Western North Carolina
These were voted Best in the Smokies 2026. Now you can explore the top attractions, restaurants, shops, and places to stay across Western North Carolina, chosen by visitors and locals. The Places Visitors Choose Again and Again The “Voted Best in the Smokies 2026” winners reflect something visitors cannot fake. These are the places people […]
A Perfect One-Day Schedule at Nantahala Outdoor Center
An itinerary of adventure, scenery, and riverside rafting and relaxation in the heart of the Smokies Tucked along the banks of the Nantahala River, the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is an iconic outdoor destinations. Known for whitewater rafting, scenic settings, and easy access to the mountains, NOC offers a full day of adventure and relaxation in one […]
Wildflower Season in the Smokies: Where to See Spring in Bloom
Discover the color, beauty, and quiet magic of spring across Western North Carolina Each spring, the mountains of Western North Carolina transform into one of the most vibrant natural displays in the country. With more than 1,500 species of flowering plants across the region, the Smokies are often called “Wildflower National Park,” and for good […]
A Perfect Spring Break: The Smoky Mountain Blueways Trail System
Trophy Water, Wild Fish, and the Backbone of the Southern Appalachians Designated in 2020, the Smoky Mountain Blueways Trail System quietly stitched together one of the most diverse and rich fishing water networks in the Eastern United States. For anglers just now hearing the name, the timing makes sense—the official designation is young, but the […]
One Year After Hurricane Helene – The Great Smoky Mountains
Next month will mark the one year anniversary of Hurricane Helene’s unforgettable impact across the Smoky Mountains. Recovery continues in the hardest-hit areas, but destinations in the Smokies region are open and enthusiastically welcoming visitors. Roads and trails are open, businesses are bustling, and autumn is arriving in all its richness. This season is vibrant, […]
John C. Campbell Folk School celebrates 100th Anniversary
John C. Campbell Folk School celebrates 100th Anniversary with a fall festival October 4-5th. Expect exhibitors, storytelling, artists showcase, and projects highlighting the impact.
Travel in the Smoky Mountains After Helene
Here at Visit Smokies, our hearts go out to all of the mountain communities devastated by the severe flooding and strong winds caused by Tropical Storm Helene. We are incredibly grateful for the first responders and volunteers who are working tirelessly to support these communities. Their efforts, alongside the resilience of the people in these […]
Free Things To Do in the Smokies for the Budget-Minded Traveler – Part 2
Bryson City Edition This is part two of a five part series that will help stretch those vacation dollars a little further by exploring free things to do in the Smokies of North Carolina. Part one – Waynesville, Maggie Valley, and Sylva Edition Part two – Bryson City Edition Part three – Franklin & Highlands […]
Museum of the Cherokee People – A New Vision
Cherokee is known for many things – its many lakes, rivers, streams, fishing and beautiful mountains, and in more recent years, its casino. It’s also home of the Museum of the Cherokee People, formerly known as The Museum of the Cherokee Indian until a recent rebranding to align more authentically with the Cherokee, as people. […]
Free Things To Do in the Smokies for the Budget-Minded Traveler – Part 1
Waynesville, Maggie Valley, and Sylva Edition This is part one of a five part series that will help stretch those vacation dollars a little further by exploring free things to do in the Smokies of North Carolina. Part one – Waynesville, Maggie Valley, and Sylva Edition Part two – Bryson City Edition Part three – […]
Rolling The Dice In A Smoky Mountain Paradise
Explore not just one casino, but two, here in these Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina.
Heads Up: New Parking Fee at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A new “Park It Forward” program has been implemented for visitors wishing to park within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP). As of March 1, 2023, parking tags are being sold for $5 per day, $15 per week, or $40 per year per car. Passes are for sale online at Recreation.gov or Smokiesinformation.org for […]
Big Music Fun in a Little Bitty Town
The tiny village of Brasstown and town of Hayesville near the Georgia border are a hotbed of traditional mountain music in the Smokies. John C. Campbell Folk School Friday night concerts are popular with both locals and visitors. Want to learn more about this very American kind of music? Learn to play an instrument, dance, or explore […]
Be Amazed by This 43-mile National Scenic Byway
The Cherohala Skyway is a 43-mile National Scenic Byway and National Forest Scenic Byway that connects Tellico Plains, Tennessee, to Robbinsville, North Carolina in the southeastern United States. Deep in the wilds of western North Carolina, and about 11 miles west of Robbinsville, can be found Snowbird Mountain Lodge. A place where time stands still, […]