North Carolina – travelsouthernstates.com

The short answer is EVERYTHING! NOW for the longer answer read my post below........ After a three-night stay in Waynesville, North Carolina, we drove a short journey to Bryson City, an amazing town settled in the western North Carolina Mountains and on the southern entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. WE ARRIVED IN BRYSON CITY We decided to drive around Everett St and Main St, the main downtown intersections and see what the town had to offer. After parking, we exited to stroll along the walkable downtown, being wowed about the number and quality of the charming shops and eateries in such a small town. We saw a local bookstore, museum, restaurants, art galleries, outdoor outfitters, clothing stores, a chocolate store, a fudge store, bakeries, restaurants, and much more. We scouted a few and decided to revisit the downtown stores after our morning train adventure. THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS RAILROAD Located at 45 Mitchell Street, Bryson, North Carolina 28713(800) 872-4681 We drove to the train depot to pick up our tickets that we bought previously online so that we could be among the first to board the train. After receiving our tickets for the Nantahala Gorge excursion, we waited in the boarding area until passengers were given the green light to line up to board the train for the 10:30 A.M. departure. We enjoyed talking with others and met a very nice couple who had traveled a great distance for the train ride. GSMR Ticket Front GSMR Ticket Back GSMR Depot Ticket Area GSMR Depot Waiting Area GSMR Wildwater Car Having started in 1988, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad has a variety of trip options with steam or diesel-powered engines. For most of the year, they offer two awesome round trips, the Tuckasegee Excursion and the Nantahala Gorge Excursion. Each option presents a different aspect of the amazing scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains. The round trip for both is around 4 to 4.5 hours in length. You cannot go wrong with choosing either of them. The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad also offers several themed specialty train rides during selected days throughout the year. One of those rides is the famous annual Polar Express Train Ride. Available only in November through December, this trip is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes roundtrip and includes a visit to the North Pole. Appalachian Mountain man storyteller who went from train car to train car For our trip we opted for the Nantahala Gorge Excursion. We were excited about riding on a steam powered locomotive. It is reported that the 1702 steam engine was originally coal fired but was converted to run on diesel and recovered oils which produces its steam power. The Nantahala Gorge Excursion, a 4.5 hour round trip, starts from the Bryson City Depot and travels 44 miles to the Nantahala Outdoor Center with a layover and then the return trip back. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad 1702 Locomotive Seating OptionsWhen buying tickets, you will be offered some options for your seating arrangements. Adult First Class Seating features dining with assigned seating at a dining table with the meal served by the car’s attendant. This seating option is in a climate controlled car with large picture windows.Premium Open Air Gondola features dining with assigned seating in a car with unobstructed views, half-height walls with above roof to protect passengers from the weather. Adults (Age 21+) are served a meal by the car’s attendant.Crown Class features assigned seating in a climate controlled car with large picture windows. You can preorder a box lunch. Passengers are encouraged to exchange sides for the return route to appreciate the complete trip scenery.Coach Class features open seating in an enclosed car. Windows can be opened to take photos, cars are heated and have ceiling fans. You can preorder a box lunch.Open-air Gondolas features open seating in a car with unobstructed views, half-height walls, and a roof above to protect passengers from the weather. You can preorder a box lunch. Passengers are encouraged to exchange sides for the return route to enjoy the complete scenic view. To see a Class Comparision go to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad website. We selected the Open-air Gondolas option and, in my opinion, it provides an awesome scenic view for photo shoots. At the call of “all aboard” we climbed up the steps into the car to find the best seating spot. As the engine started and the locomotive began to chug along the tracks, we enjoyed the cool breeze flowing through the cars in the hot weather of early May. The Nantahala Gorge round trip provided a very close-up view of the Little Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers. We watched with awe the smoked filled steam puffing upward in the sky as the engine moved its way down the track. Across valleys and through the majestic mountains, the train passed by the Nantahala River and through the historic trellis bridge Fontana Trestle over Fontana Lake and into the spectacular Nantahala Gorge. GSMR Train Fontana Lake While we listened to the singing of a live banjo picker, our train chugged on through the Nantahala Gorge, coming to a stop at the Nantahala Outdoor Center for a one-hour layover for lunch, and some sightseeing. Explicit instructions are given to return exactly in an hour on the train. The train departs exactly as scheduled for the return trip to Bryson City. The Nantahala Outdoor Center was awesome. It has hundreds of acres of family-friendly outdoor adventure activities. They offer guided whitewater rafting, zip lining, mountain biking, flatwater paddling, and many more outdoor activities. They have two restaurants, and an Outfitter’s Store for outdoor gear and apparel. Since we did not buy the boxed lunch option to eat on the train, we were hungry and chose to eat at the River’s End Restaurant. It was packed with our fellow train riders and others who were camping and glamping at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. For lunch we all selected from their menu the Wesser Burger, French fries, and Sweet Tea. The meal and customer service were outstanding. As we ate, we were cognizant of the one hour limit so that we would leave in time to board the train again. We hurried back to the train and were ready for our return trip back to Bryson City. Just as directed by the train conductor the train’s whistle blew on schedule and the train started on our return trip. As we took some amazing photos on the first trip, we repeated the same on the return trip. We were able to capture both sides of the fantastic scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. We were able to see floating house boats, terrific mountain formations, stunning foliage, Fontana Lake and Nantahala’s whitewater rapids with people on rafts having the time of their life. Fontana Lake houseboat Nantahala Gorge Excursion Nantahala Gorge Excursion-and Rapids When we returned to the Depot, we exited the train. It was early afternoon so we decided to spend time downtown for the rest of the day. DOWNTOWN BRYSON CITY HAS MANY SHOPPES Downtown Bryson City Downtown Bryson City has many awesome shoppes and things to do. Here are some of the shoppes and attractions we enjoyed. There are many other amazing shoppes and attractions in and around Bryson City. Smoky Mountain Trains Museum at 100 Greenlee Street We visited the museum first. They have the largest collection of Lionel trains. The trains are displayed on a operational track with model towns, people, buildings, mountains, and trees. They also have some interactive exhibits for children and a gift shop. IMPORTANT TIP: If you ride the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, admission to the museum is free. So, KEEP YOUR TICKET! McClanahan’s at 115 Everett St. We loved browsing through this very unique general store. They offer many items including home decor, glassware, women's and men's clothing, boots, shoes, and handbags. Appalachian Mercantile at 158 Everett St. This store was enjoyable to browse through. They have specialty foods and sauces, candies, and many handcrafted items. They also have a selection of books and maps about the local area and gift items. Soda Pop’s Ice Cream Parlor at 25 Everett St. This is an old-fashioned Soda Fountain shop of yesteryear with red and white tiled floors, and green shaded walls. They serve many flavors of delicious Ice cream. The shop is decorated with Coca-Cola memorabilia and various antique soda fountain shop items. They offer ice cream cones, milk shakes, malts, floats, banana splits and candies. Their cones were great! The place was packed with customers when we were there. You can sit inside or outside. Soda Pops Ice Cream Parlor The Chocolate Shoppe at 134 Everett St. Across the street from Soda Pop’s Ice Cream is The Chocolate Shoppe. They have handmade fudge, barks, and chocolates! They offer selections from salt sea caramel, pecan turtles, toffee and much more. They also offer caramel corn, peanut brittle, caramel apples, specialty popcorn and hand dipped ice cream. We bought some pecan turtles and they were out of this world! Heavenly Fudge at 225 Everett St. We also bought some fudge from Heavenly Fudge to take back to our room at the Inn. It was delicious! Read the fascinating history about this confectionary shop. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Clingmans Dome It is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, reaching some 6,643 feet. The paved trail leading to the Dome is a steep, half-mile long climb. The Dome offers brilliant views of North Carolina and Tennessee. The altitude makes the temperature often 10 degrees colder from what it is in Bryson City. Even in the summer, it was very cold! Plan on wearing a heavy coat or jacket, hat, scarf and gloves. They also have a Information Center and Store where you can buy various souvenirs, and books. It makes a very nice getaway for a few hours. Clingmans Dome Observatory Tower Clingmans Dome Paved Trail leading to Observatory Tower Clingmans Dome Awesome Mountain Scenery Check out my other blogs on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I have blog articles on Cades Cove, Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Mountain Farm Museum and the Mingus Mill, Clingmans Dome and Cataloochee Valley. Give these a read and visit these fantastic adventures while in the Smokies! Check out this video! Clingmans Dome - Highpoint of the Great Smoky Mountains © GSMA 2012. All rights reserved" www.smokiesinformation.org https://youtu.be/kKSRToF2szo?feature=shared Appalachian Trail The Appalachian Trail is approximately 2200 miles long and some segments of it are in the Bryson City, Swain County area. Appalachian Trail The Blue Ridge Parkway When in Bryson City, you need to drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway which starts in nearby Cherokee, North Carolina. A drive on the Parkway is one of the best things to do if you love outstanding scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains. You might even see some elk. We did! OUR BOOKED ACCOMMODATIONS McKinley Edwards Inn208 Arlington Avenue, Bryson City, North Carolina 28713innkeeper@mckinleyedwardsinn.com 828-488-9626 McKinley Edwards Inn McKinley Edwards Inn Dining Our stay at the McKinley Edwards Inn was amazing. I cannot even begin to list all the qualities of this awesome Inn, starting with its exceptional customer service, the delicious continental breakfast, and the very commodious room that we stayed in. MORE ACCOMMODATIONS There are many other accommodations in Bryson City including three historical hotels downtown. Fryemont Inn located at 245 Fryemont Street.This historic hotel, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, offers 37 rooms, some even are interconnecting which makes it popular with families. They have a full-service dining room serving breakfast and dinner. Everett Hotel located at 16 Everett Street.Built in 1905 as the Bryson City Bank, the Everett Hotel has 9-rooms, with an on-site restaurant that serves exclusively for their guests. Calhoun House Hotel located at 135 Everett Street. This Historic Hotel was built possibly as early as 1904 when used as a Boarding House. Today it serves as a historic Hotel with dining in the heart of Bryson City. OTHER ADVENTURES Bryson City has many other places to admire and things to do. If you love the outdoors, Bryson City will not disappoint you. They offer many outdoor adventures. Go ride the Rapids on the Nantahala River in boats, kayaks, or double or single duckies. Hiking, Zip-lining and tubing are some other great outdoor adventures. THERE YOU HAVE IT! Bryson City was an exciting adventure for us. We had major fun riding the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad and all the other places and adventures we experienced in this small town were unbelievable. Go soon to Bryson City for the time of your life! See what it has to offer! https://www.pinterest.com/travelsouthernstates/travel-southern-states/