Our Complete Weekend Guide For Bryson, City NC

3 days of Outdoor Adventures Including Hikes, White Water Rafting, Steam Train Rides, Zip-lining, Canoeing, Creek Tubing (Whew!). Plus, Advice On Where To Eat And Where To Stay In And Near Bryson City.

Heads up: There are affiliate links below. If you buy from one of our affiliate links, you won’t pay a penny more but we may get a small commission. We only recommend things we personally use, whether they are affiliate or not. Disclosure Statement.

Why You Should Visit Bryson City, NC

Bryson City, NC is a such a fun outdoor town. Its downtown is filled with quaint shops and restaurants, the Tuckaseegee River runs right through it, and the mountains surround you everywhere, making for a charming and family- friendly escape that has so much to offer you will want to come back as soon as you leave.

There are tons of hiking opportunities as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is just a few miles from downtown and the Nantahala National Forest and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway are close by. Waterfall hikes are especially common in this area and are always popular with our kids.

Getting out on the water is so easy too. Within a 20 minute driving radius of downtown, you have the nearby Nantahala River for exciting whitewater rafting; the Tuckaseegee River for calmer and beginner- friendly kayaking; Deep Creek for a tubing adventure; and the beautiful Fontana Lake for swimming, boating, fishing, SUP, and canoeing.

There is also rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and scenic steam train rides on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. So many outdoor adventures in this area!

After a fantastic day out in the woods, come back to downtown Bryson City for great food, a couple of family-friendly breweries, old- fashioned ice cream counters, and neat local shops. You just can’t beat it and the town lives up to its motto “Uncrowded, Unhurried, Unspoiled, Uncommon.”

3 Day Itinerary In Bryson City - What To Do

DAY 1- You’ve arrived! Check into your lodging and then have lunch in downtown. In the afternoon, hike to the waterfalls at Deep Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Spend the evening strolling through downtown after a great meal and maybe visit one of the family- friendly breweries.

DAY 2- Have breakfast at Everett Diner and then choose your activity for the day: 1) canoe or swim at Fontana Lake, 2) ride the train, 3) whitewater rafting at the Nantahala Outdoor Center or one of the many other activities they offer at the NOC, or 4), enjoy a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway and hike to a couple of epic views.

DAY 3- Grab breakfast at La Dolce Vita Bakery and return home with a smile on your face. If you have time before you hit the road home, explore the "Road to Nowhere."

Maps To Help You Get Your Bearings

Where To Stay in Bryson City, NC

Hotels, Inns, Cabins, Airbnbs, and Campgrounds

Downtown Bryson City Lodging

Staying in downtown Bryson City is best for the convenience of restaurants, shops, and afternoon strolls to watch the train at the Train Depot. After a day out having fun, it is so nice to come back and park the car until the next day.

There are not a lot of hotels in Bryson City, and no good chain hotels (IMHO). The only chain you get is the Sleep Inn near the exit from Hwy 74 and not really within walking distance of the main street. Small local inns and other lodges with small numbers of rooms available are more common.

Aloft in the Smokies
Above the McClanahan’s Collectibles store on Everett St, Aloft has 4 lovely 2 BR/ 2 BA condos with efficiency kitchens. It is great to park the car at your lodgings and leave it there while you explore all that Bryson City has to offer out your front door. They also have 2 larger lofts on the 2nd floor of 2 buildings down the street across from the Presbyterian Church (at the north end of Everett St). Those 2 larger lofts have full kitchens and washer/ dryers.

The Lofts above McClanahan’s are quiet and have a separate sleeping area for the kiddos. It has one king bedroom downstairs and a queen bed up in the loft. Full bath upstairs and downstairs. Cooking supplies were limited, so if you plan to cook several meals we would recommend bringing a cutting board, knife, and sauté pan. Overall, we had a great experience here and it will be our first lodging choice when we return.

The Everett Hotel is a lovely boutique hotel with a great location downtown, a rooftop terrace with views, and an included full breakfast. Most rooms sleep only 2 but a couple sleep 4, and the basement 2 BR suite sleeps 6. This is probably the swankiest option in the area.

Calhoun House Inn & Suites has been hosting travelers to Bryson City since 1920 (it has been updated since then ;). Each suite has its own theme (I stayed in the Hollywood Suite with photos and memorabilia from the golden age of movies- it was so fun) and has a full kitchen. The 4 suites in the main house share a huge porch with a nice view over Bryson City and the mountains beyond. The 2 BR / 2 BA Tree House is in a separate building and is huge (880 sq ft), with a kitchen and washer/ dryer. It is a short walk to Everett St and all the things downtown from Calhoun House. (There is also a Historic Calhoun House Hotel on Everett St but it is not associated. Apparently the Calhouns were big on running lodgings back in the day in Bryson City.)

Historic Hazel House - Downtown Bryson City is a lovingly restored 1902 house on Main St, just across from Jimmy Mac’s restaurant. With 2 BR/ 2 BA, a full kitchen, washer/ dryer, a nice porch, and a cool display of all the historic bits and pieces they found while renovating, this is a great house made for a fun weekend getaway.

BC Downtown Villa! Walk To Shops, Food, Brews! If you are traveling with your 4 legged and furry family members, this is a dog- friendly house with a secure backyard. For all human family members you will find a spacious 3 BR/ 1 BA house that sleeps 6 and has a backyard fire pit. On Academy Street near the Methodist Church and easy walking distance to everything downtown.

Mountain Cabins With Views For Rent Near Bryson City

But if you want more room or a mountain view, you are probably better off with a cabin or other short-term rental versus staying right downtown. There are plenty of cabin rentals in the area (understatement!) and many are not more than a 5 minute drive from downtown. Some are precipitously situated on mountainsides however, and may require 4 wheel drive to get there, especially in inclement weather, so read descriptions carefully.

Check this page of VRBO listings in the area. These are some of our favorites that look very nice and are within 20 minutes of Nantahala Outdoor Center, Tsali Recreation Area, and downtown Bryson City:

2 Bedrooms plus a loft with a 3rd bed and full bathroom. VRBO 3849684ha.  Mountain views and a covered porch. Within 15 minutes of everything. Average Nightly Rate: $189

Million $$$ Views at Longview Cabin. VRBO 28792. Amazing views and a basement with pool table and ping pong. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Average nightly rate: $214

CHARMING LOG CABIN..Views..Secluded..Hot Tub..Game Room..Fire Pit..Close to Town You must be doing something right to have 165 people giving you 5/5 reviews. This 2 BR (with additional beds in an upstairs loft) can sleep 6 and has 2.5 bathrooms, which is so helpful when you have teenagers that take 30 minute showers. Great views from the porch and fire pit area plus a washer/ dryer mean this cabin certainly has just about everything you could want and still is just a 5 min drive into Bryson City.

If You Need A Large House For A Family Reunion

Sunrise/ Sunset Mtn View Pool Home sleeps 17 across 5 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. I have stayed in this one with a large group of friends and there was plenty of room for 7 adults and 5 kids. The sunset views really are fantastic - it is where the photograph of the sunset at the top of this blog was taken. The house has some wear and tear and the porch could use a power wash and paint but the pool was great and the price was pretty good considering the amount of space. Beds were comfy. Just a few minutes to Bryson City and you don’t need 4 wheel drive to reach the house.

Campgrounds Near Bryson City, NC

Campgrounds are also plentiful in the area and some are quite close to town, including the national park campground at Deep Creek.

The large Great Smoky National Park Campground at Deep Creek can be crowded and offers little privacy, but it does have great access to waterfalls and tubing and is located just a 5 minute drive to Bryson City’s downtown. Like all NPS campgrounds in the Smokies, there is no electrical or sewer hookups at any site nor showers in the bathhouse. It is a little quieter during the week but fills up on weekends. Try for one of the walk- in tent sites along the river but be ready to socialize with your neighbors because they will be right there. But you can walk from your tent with your tube up the Deep Creek Trail and spend the day floating through the park so that can make up for it.

Deep Creek Tubing Center And Campground is a fun, family-friendly campground along Deep Creek that offers a bit of everything, plus some goats to pet. 5 tent only primitive sites, a variety of other campsites with electrical and sewer, cabins to rent, a playground, camp store, tube rentals, bathhouse with hot showers, a picnic pavilion with electricity, and even a gem mine. Add in the goats and your kids will love this place. And you can tube all the way back from the national park back to the campground. What’s not to love? Located between Bryson City and the national park, it is less than 5 minutes to each.

Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) offers cabins, a hostel, and platform tents. The platforms tents would work best for large groups, and the cabins are a bit pricey, but you can’t beat the location. I have stayed in large group platform tents with about 10 friends years ago and we had a great time. It’s kind of a walk to the bathrooms at the main area though so might not be a good place for young kids.

Bryson City, NC Restaurants

*Many places close in the offseason (roughly Dec- March) so be sure to check websites and social media if you are visiting then to see what’s open.

Anthony’s - Since 1990, this has been a favorite of locals and visitors alike. I know that my friend group makes a point to come here on our yearly trip to Bryson City (coming since 2013- holy cow. I just realized how long we have been doing our yearly trip!). Any of the pizzas and the garlic knots appetizer are perennial faves. Anthony’s is also very kid-friendly, important as we have added some tiny people to the group over the years. Try to sit outside on the large porch if you can but it can get so busy here that you best take what you can get. Food service can get a little slow as well if it’s busy so try to come early and we always order an appetizer to tide the kids over (and a craft beer for ourselves). Across the street from Smoky Mountain Railroad Depot so the kids enjoy looking at the trains while you are waiting for your tasty food.

Everett Street Diner - Do you want whopping portions of good old- fashioned biscuits and gravy with eggs and bacon? How about homemade pancakes or delicious french toast? Then head to this unpretentious diner run by super nice people and have at it. Only serves breakfast and lunch. (Lunch is fantastic too but I looove breakfast.) Across the street from the Aloft and McClanahan’s.

Bryson City Brewing - I love the atmosphere of this place with a huge, fenced- in yard with plenty of space for kiddos to run around and plenty of outside tables to enjoy the scenery. They even had chalk for the kiddos to scribble on the painted fence- what a neat idea. Serves farm fresh burgers, sandwiches, wings, and salads and has a good craft beer list.

High Test Deli & Sweetshop (aka The Filling Station) - really good deli sandwiches that are perfect for bringing on your hike into the woods. Also has hot dogs, chili, fresh soup, and kids meals. Try their wonderful turkey rueben. Plus they do a really cool frozen sandwich where they mix and match their homemade cookies with their soft serve ice cream and then freeze it. Combinations vary but it is fun to try. On Everett St next to the shopping center with the fly fishing shop.

The Rice Wagon is an interesting addition to Bryson City (and they leave it uncapitalized on their food truck so I did too for all you grammar gremlins - you can take it up with them). It is a permanent food truck behind Mountain Layers Brewery that serves Hawaiian BBQ and Asian Fusion food. You can eat at one of the 3 tables in the tiny area by the truck but I would take it up to the open deck on the second floor of Mountain Layers Brewery and enjoy it with a much better view. One of its Facebook reviews sums it up best by saying “if you don’t go to the rice wagon, you will have wasted your entire trip to this beautiful little town.” I have to agree.

Soda Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor is a wonderful trip back to 50s kitsch and serves you delicious ice cream, milkshakes, or sundaes for the ride. It is hard not to smile when you walk in and the kids are certainly massive fans.

Bakeries And Coffee Shops In Bryson City

La Dolce Vita is an inviting little coffeehouse serving all the fancy kind of coffees you could find in a big city but without the big city prices. Also has house baked bagels and biscuits, yummy cookies, and an assortment of other baked goods. They do serve light brunch type fare as well, such as bagels and biscuits loaded with toppings plus wraps and salads. It is not a big place though so it can get busy. Try for the tables on the sidewalk so you can watch the action on Everett St.

Bryson City Bakery and MRKT On the Square combine two things I like- great coffee and poking through fun local shops all in the same building. Run by Bryson City Outdoors, the MRKT has kids toys, games, gifts, clothes, souvenirs, and old- fashioned candy section. The bakery has a wide variety of treats and fresh baked breads as well as breakfast sandwiches and quiches. Their coffee is on point as well. There’s even a kids area for them to play whilst you browse or just enjoy your coffee in peace. Two thumbs up!

Breweries In Bryson City

Mountain Layers Brewing Company is a great place to hang and has one of the best views in town from their 2nd story deck. Lots of their own brews on tap but also have soft drinks and wine. The rice wagon is permanently out back so grab a delicious meal and a beer and enjoy the evening. They often have live music as well. Definitely more of a bar atmosphere later on but I have brought the kids there in afternoons and early evening.

Bryson City Brewing (also mentioned above under “Where To Eat”) recently opened in the space previously operated by Nantahala Brewing Company which is why my picture below taken in 2022 still has that logo. The website says that their own brewery will be online by Oct 2023 but until then, they are carrying a nice selection of area craft beers plus interesting cocktails and a full bar menu. I hope they make a go of it because I really love the space and the giant beer garden.

Bryson City Outdoors & Taproom is one of my favorite shops. I love outdoor gear and I love trying beers from craft breweries new to me so I get to do both here. They don’t brew their own but carry a lot of interesting ones from all over the country. They also have wines and wine slushies for those dog days of summer!

Day 1- Things To Do In Bryson City

Overview of Day 1

• Lunch in downtown Bryson City

• Hike to the waterfalls at Deep Creek - 10 minute drive from town

• Stroll through downtown, check out some cool local shops, and try some craft beer

• Dinner downtown or back at your cabin rental around the fire pit

Arrival, Lodging Check-In, Downtown For Lunch

Hopefully you can arrive in Bryson City by mid- morning/ early afternoon and go ahead and check into your lodgings. If not, park the car and get lunch while you wait. Or head straight to the Deep Creek parking area for a quick hike.

High Test Deli , Everett Street Diner, La Dolce Vita, and Bryson City Bakery are all great options for lunch and sandwiches. Getting deli sandwiches to go from High Test Deli to take on your hike to Deep Creek is another option.

Day 1 Afternoon- Hike To Waterfalls Or Go Tubing At Deep Creek In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Deep Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is just 2.5 miles from downtown Bryson City. It is a popular tubing destination and the short trails to the waterfalls are perfect for the family, especially nice for stretching your legs after being in the car. You can hike a loop around the 3 main waterfalls or just go to Juney Whank Falls and Tom Branch Falls if you are short on time.

Directions to Deep Creek
The parking area is about a 10 minute drive from downtown Bryson City. This can be a crowded area, especially on summer afternoons as tubing is very popular. Better to arrive earlier in the morning than in the afternoon if you can or you may have to wait for a bit.

Don’t forget that you need a parking pass for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park now. You can buy passes at the automated kiosk in the Deep Creek Campground, at the Swain County Visitor Center on Everett St in Bryson City, or online thru the NPS website. $5 per day/ $15 per week/ $40 per year and all the money is used in the Smokies for sexy infrastructure work, like refurbishing bathrooms and trash removal. National Park Passes are not the same thing as the parking pass because it isn’t an entrance fee. Read here for more about the Parking Passes.

Trails to the waterfalls start from the large parking area at the end of Deep Creek Road (across the creek from Deep Creek Campground).

3 Waterfall Loop Trail In The GSMNP

2.4 mile RT, easy to moderate (there are some steep sections up to Juney Whank Falls), 60- 90 minutes

Park at the Deep Creek parking area (this could be hard on summer afternoons as this is a very popular spot for tubers). Start up the Juney Whank Trail and get the steepest trail out of the way first. It is just a 1/4 of a mile long though and the falls are quite pretty. Then keep going on Juney Whank trail until you get to Deep Creek Trail. Turn left to go up the mild incline of Deep Creek Trail.

Tom Branch Falls is the second waterfall you will see, on your right as you up Deep Creek Trail and not far after you turn onto it from Juney Whank Trail. The waterfall is across the creek from the trail so keep an eye out. But you have a second chance to see it on the way back as well when you descend down Deep Creek Trail to the parking lot.

Once the trail crosses a bridge over Deep Creek, look for Indian Creek trail on your right. You won’t go far up Indian Creek trail at all until you see a sign to the left for Indian Creek Falls. It’s a short path and some stairs to the viewing area for the waterfall.

*To make this a bit longer hike, turn left onto Deep Creek Horse Trail from Juney Whank trail. Then take that to Deep Creek Trail. Turn right when you get back to Deep Creek trail, cross 2 bridges, and you are at the Indian Creek Trail intersection. Not sure of the mileage but it took me about 30 min from Juney Whank Falls to Indian Creek Trail going this way. It took me about 20 min the other way so adding in Deep Creek Horse Trail didn’t really significantly change my time and prevented me from backtracking a ton which I always like.

Once you have seen Indian Creek Falls, make your way back to Deep Creek trail and back to the parking lot, checking out Tom Branch Falls again on your way back.

* If you want to keep hiking, you can keep going on Indian Creek trail to Deep Creek Loop Trail which will take you back to Deep Creek trail but farther upstream. It makes a roughly 5 mile loop with some elevation gain near the Sunkota Ridge trail intersection with Deep Creek Loop trail. See map above.

Go Tubing At Deep Creek

You’ll find several places to rent tubes on West Deep Creek Road on your way to the Deep Creek parking area from Bryson City. Here's a list of outfitters renting tubes.

From the trailhead you can walk about 5 min up the trail for a 15 minute tubing trip or you can go nearly up to Indian Creek Falls for a longer float. Remember to bring water shoes for tubing and playing in the creeks. And sunscreen, parts of the creek are not shaded so you get more sun than you might think. Kids are now required to wear life jackets when tubing and most places should be able to rent those to you for an additional fee or refundable deposit.

Stroll Through Downtown Bryson City

Spend the rest of the day strolling through downtown. There are only a couple of main streets in Bryson City you should check out - Everett St (which has the most amount of shops and restaurants on it and crosses over the Tuckaseegee River) and Main St - where the Visitor Center and some other shops are located, and Depot Street - where the Smoky Mountain Railroad is located.

Definitely walk by the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad even if you aren’t interested in a train ride. Let the kids climb on the various stationed trains and pose for keepsake photographs. There is a Model Train Museum onsite with lots and lots of model trains plus a giant setup with working trains going thru mountains and a model town. It costs $9 for 12 and up/ $5 for kids 3-11, so I wouldn’t pay for it unless you are really into model trains or have kids that are. It was pretty cool though, but then again, I like model trains.

Make a stop at Bryson City Outdoors on Main St for local recreation info. They rent mountain bikes here as well as kayaks and paddleboards during the summer at their outpost on nearby Fontana Lake. They also have a ton of neat stuff for any outdoor enthusiasts you know and some interesting Bryson City souvenirs if you are looking for something besides the usual shot glass.

If you are here Thursday- Saturday, pop into the small but mighty (and FREE!) Appalachian Rivers Aquarium, on Collins St, 2 blocks east of Everett St. Exhibiting famous regional fish like trout but also important non-game fish like darters, this is a neat place to take the kids.

The hellbender exhibit is the best and they have 2 of these federally protected species. Hellbenders have been around for 6 million years and are the largest salamander in North America. This is a rare animal in the Smokies and I had never seen one in person before. A fly- fishing museum is also onsite and they have all kinds of rods, reels, and flies that I am sure somebody who didn’t only catch trees on their one and only trip fly- fishing would appreciate.

If you take a right on Bryson St from Everett St (catty-corner to the red Bryson City caboose) and walk to the end, you will come across a short pedestrian bridge that takes you to Bryson City Island Park, a small island in the Tuckaseegee River with a walking trail and river access. A popular dog walking spot, it is a nice place for a stroll along the river.

Visit Bryson City’s website for a full list of shops, events, etc. Look for any fun festivals or good live music in the area. Nearby Nantahala Outdoor Center often has some good bands and events going on as well.

Day 1 Dinner

Grab an outdoor table at Anthony’s . Remember to arrive a bit before the dinner rush to avoid a wait. It’s right across the street from Smoky Mountain Railroad Depot so the kids enjoy looking at the trains while you are waiting for your tasty food.

Day 2 Things To Do In Bryson City

Day 2 Overview

• Breakfast At Everett Diner In Downtown

• Outdoor Activity (choose 1 of 4) - 1) Explore Fontana Lake On A Boat, 2) Smoky Mountain Railroad, 3) Whitewater Rafting, 4) Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes

• Eat Dinner Downtown Or At The Nantahala Outdoor Center

Breakfast on Day 2

Awake and make your own breakfast or head downtown to Everett Diner, right across the street from the Aloft in the Smokies. They offer regular diner fare with fantastic french toast and a kids menu. Their biscuits and gravy are also terrific. To avoid a wait, arrive early if possible. Everett’s is kind of an institution in Bryson City and super popular. Back up choices would be La Dolce Vita or Bryson City Bakery.

Outdoor Activity Option 1: Explore Fontana Lake By Boat

Fontana Lake is a beautiful lake. The water is clear enough to see your feet when you swim and warm enough to enjoy it. Much of the shoreline is undeveloped too.

Boat Rentals In Bryson City: Rent a canoe, kayak, paddleboard, or motorized boat or bring one from home to head out to one of its islands for a picnic. If you’d like to rent kayaks or SUPs when you arrive in Bryson City, check out this downtown store: Bryson City Outdoors. You can also rent a pontoon boat from Almond Boat Park and tour all the coves of the lake. 

As you paddle the shoreline, look for signs of camping spots or accessible beaches. Beach the boat, hook up the hammocks, and have a great time hanging out on the lake, swimming and taking in the scenery.

Directions to Fontana Lake
If you brought your own kayak/ canoe/ motorboat, park at the boat ramp at Tsali Campground and Recreation Area. Follow signs to the Tsali Campground and veer right just before the Tsali Trailhead Parking lot. Ample parking is available at the launch. From Bryson City, it takes about 20 minutes. Take U.S. 19 south for 9 miles to NC 28 west. Turn right on NC 28. Go 5 miles and look for the sign on right. 

Mountain Biking: Tsali Recreation Area also provides excellent mountain biking if anyone is so inclined. In fact, Outside Magazine rated this as one of their Top Ten Mountain Bike Trails in the U.S.

The trails are fine for a newbie mountain bike rider in good shape but might be a little much for an occasional greenway rider. The trails are always open to hikers and there is a $2 fee for use. For a good overview, see the Insider's Guide to Tsali from Blue Ridge Outdoors.

Outdoor Activity Option 2: Take a Ride On The Great Smoky Mountain Railway

Bryson City is home to the Great Smoky Mountain Railway offering scenic train excursion trips through the North Carolina mountains along the Nantahala and Tuckasegee Rivers, across valleys, and through tunnels.

All of the train rides depart from downtown Bryson City at the Train Depot. You can either take the Nantahala Gorge Excursion that lasts 4.5 hours and takes you up through the heart of the river gorge (see picture above) or the 4 hour Tuckaseegee River Excursion that meanders along that river to historic Dillsboro. The Dillsboro train passes by the The Fugitive movie set where they filmed the train escape so that is pretty cool. Both train trips include an hour long layover, either at the Nantahala Outdoor Center or in Dillsboro.

You can order lunch served in your train car or a boxed lunch (depending on your ticket class) on the train, but you can’t bring picnics or coolers.

One of the trains from the Great Smoky Mountains Railway headed past me on one of my kayaking trips down the Nantahala River.

Outdoor Activity Option 3: Nantahala River Whitewater Rafting

Located roughly 20 minutes from downtown Bryson City, Nantahala Outdoor Center (aka “the NOC" and is pronounced either “Knock” or “the N- O- C”) offers guided rafting trips on Level II/III rapids on the Nantahala River. You could spend a half day at the NOC just hanging out (there is a surprising amount to do) or a full day if you are rafting.

Safety Notes: Kids must be 7 years or older and weigh at least 60 pounds. I would also say they need to be confident swimmers. The river is not the most difficult as whitewater goes, especially in a raft, but people do fall out and the current is swift.

You do need to pay attention to the mandatory safety briefing as well, this isn’t like an airplane safety briefing where everyone has their Airpods in and is only pretending to listen.

The NOC provides all necessary gear and equipment. Make reservations in advance. There are two, large, public bathrooms with changing areas at the NOC and they will rent wet suits and booties.

If you are in a raft and it's late summer, I would not worry about renting additional gear. But if you are going early or late season in a duckie, I might think about it. The water temperature stays in the low 50's year- round. Your feet get cold. 

If the the NOC is packed (and that's almost a guarantee on weekends in the summer), I also like Fast Rivers outfitters. They have a nice new building way up the road by the put-in off of Wayah Road.

Click on our coupon to get 10% off of your Nantahala River Adventure. This is hands down the kids’ favorite thing to do in Bryson City, even the teenagers. It is like a roller coaster except provided by Mother Nature!

Other Activities at the NOC:

If you are not into white water and want something more land-based, NOC has lots of activities. You can also visit the NOC and just hang out, it is a compact area right around the takeout for the river and the biggest rapid is just upstream making for very entertaining viewing. You can walk the pedestrian bridge over the river and watch the kayakers and rafts come down the river.

It’s a really fun scene and parents can grab a beer onsite at Wesser’s on the River and watch the kids splash in the cold, calm water there. Kayakers also like to practice on the rapids right in front of Wesser's picnic tables so there is always something to watch. The NOC often has live music on the weekends as well so there is always something going on it seems.

River’s End Restaurant is located across the pedestrian bridge from Wesser's. It's a favorite with the Appalachian Trail thru-hikers for its giant rice plates and has been around since the 70’s. It has huge windows overlooking the river, so the view is outstanding. 

Other activities at the NOC besides the whitewater rafting include a Zip Line tour, a Zip Line Adventure which is zip lining plus aerial challenges, camping, mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking on Fontana Lake, and Treetop Adventures, an aerial, net-enclosed playground for ages 3+ (this is super cool and right next to Wesser’s On the River. The NOC really is one stop shopping for outdoor adventure.

Check the list of activities on the NOC website to get seasonal dates and prices as it does change.

Pro-Tip- Parking at the NOC can get crazy, so allow time for it. You might have to circle a few times or have people get out of the car to hold spots.

Outdoor Activity Option #4: Hiking Along The Blue Ridge Parkway

If you are here in fall, spending some time along the Blue Ridge Parkway might be the best option to see some gorgeous fall colors from scenic vistas.

These are 3 great hikes all within 4 miles of each other on the Blue Ridge Parkway -- Devils Courthouse (mm 422), Black Balsam Knob (mm 420), and Graveyard Fields (mm 418). It will take you about an hour to drive there from Bryson City, getting on the famous Blue Ridge Parkway near Balsam, NC at mm 443.

The roughly 25 miles you will travel on the Blue Ridge Parkway will take you much longer than the almost 30 miles you drove to get to it but it is known as one of the most scenic roads in America so the curvy road with its low speed limit will be worth it, I promise.

Devils Courthouse (mm 422) - A steep 0.5 mile hike leads you up to the top of this rocky outcropping with fantastic views. Stay on the trail though so you don’t disturb the falcons that nest on the rocks.

Black Balsam Knob on the Art Loeb Trail (mm 420) - An easy 1.4 mile RT hike to the top of a bald with 360 views makes this a legendary hike in the Smokies. You can keep going on to Tennent Mountain, another bald that is just under 2 miles from the trailhead, or head back to the parking area and drive further along the spur road to Sam Knob for a 2.5 mile RT hike to yet another glorious Smoky Mountain bald. Asheville Trails has very helpful descriptions of all of these awesome hikes.

Graveyard Fields (mm 418) - A 3.3 mile loop to 2 different waterfalls that is popular with families and anybody who likes pretty waterfalls.

Day 2 Dinner

If you ended up at the NOC today, I would probably eat there and see if there is any live music going on. If your outdoor adventures took you elsewhere, then I would return to Bryson City and eat at one of the restaurants there. If you haven’t eaten at Anthony’s yet, I would head there first. If you have, then I would head to Bryson City Brewing (over on Depot St) or check out the Rice Wagon (the food truck behind Mountain Layers) for something different.

Day 3- Things To Do In Bryson City

Day 3 Morning - Breakfast and check out of your lodgings

Check-out of your lodging, grab breakfast at La Dolce Vita Bakery or Bryson City Bakery. If you have time before you have to hit the road home, drive the "Road to Nowhere" to the tunnel at the end and take a short hike.

Road To Nowhere

* The NPS has closed Lakeview Drive aka “The Road To Nowhere” from Aug 14, 2023 until Nov 14, 2023 to do much needed maintenance. Check the NPS website for updates on reopening. Make sure to look for Lakeview Drive and not the Road to Nowhere.

The “Road To Nowhere” is a complicated tale that in many ways is typical of the history of this area as the story involves TVA, the park service, locals unhappy about losing their land, and what is now a wonderful natural area that is hugely popular with all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. It is definitely worth a trip just a few miles out of town to go see.

A condensed history to bring you up to speed if interested (I find it fascinating myself):

The road was originally promised to locals to replace a road flooded when Fontana Dam was built on the Little Tennessee River, forming Fontana Lake. The dam was built in the 1940s to help control flooding in the area, but more importantly, provide power to the ALCOA factory just over the state line in Tennessee making metal for the war effort and for Oak Ridge’s nuclear bomb production. Many of the locals on the north shore of Fontana Lake lost their land originally when the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was formed in the 1930s but were still able to visit their original homesteads and cemeteries until the road was flooded by Fontana Lake. The locals on the north shore who did not lose their land to the park, lost it when the dam was built and road access was lost. The entire north shore of the new lake was then added to the national park.

A new road along the north shore of Fontana was promised to these locals to preserve access to their heritage, ie their former homes and communities. The road building went very slowly though, until it was stopped in the 1960s over environmental concerns from the National Park Service. The saga has continued intermittently over the years with locals wanting the government to uphold the agreement that was made when the dam was built and the government not wanting to shell out 300+ million (est. cost in 2005). It appears to have been finally settled with a $52 million payment in lieu of building the road agreed to in 2007 and payment completed in 2018.

Nowadays, the “Road To Nowhere” starts at the park boundary just outside Bryson City. It goes for 6 miles and has several pull- offs for scenic overlooks and trail heads. At the end of the paved road is the famous tunnel, built wide enough for 2 lanes of traffic and right through the mountainside. This is as far as the road building got before it was halted in the 1960s.

The tunnel is longer than you think, and many people bring flashlights as it gets quite dark in the middle but they are not really necessary. Kids love walking through the tunnel and making spooky sounds.

Lakeshore Trail continues on the other side of the tunnel and is the second longest trail (about 33 miles) in the national park. Hike as long as you want and then head back. Or take the Goldmine Loop trail for a moderately easy, 3 mile hike. See Explore Bryson City’s website for a trail map for additional trails in the area.

Directions to the “Road To Nowhere”- Take Everett Street north out of town and stay on it for 2 miles until you cross into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From there, it is another 6 miles until you see the tunnel and the parking area just before it.

See Bryson City’s Chamber of Commerce article for more info about the Road To Nowhere. You can also read the nice article the Asheville Citizen- Times wrote about it.

Rainy Day Activities

If it turns out to be a rainy weekend in Bryson City, NC, we’ve got you covered with these things to do:

Great Smoky Mountain Railway - If you haven’t already taken the scenic ride through the mountains, a rainy day might be a good time to do it.

Smoky Mountain Model Train Museum - The train museum is located next to the Great Smoky Mountain Railway boarding area. It boasts a great selection of various model trains, numerous layouts, a children’s activity center, and gift shop. Admission is free with your ticket to ride the Smoky Mountain Railway, otherwise it is $9 for 12 and over/ $5 for ages 3-11. Mon-Sat: 8:30-5:30. 226 Everett St.

Appalachian Rivers Aquarium - Take the kids to see the hellbenders at this free museum in Bryson City. Its small and will probably not take more than 30 minutes to see but that might be enough to let a passing shower move on.

Museum of the Cherokee Indian - Located 20 minutes away in the nearby town of Cherokee, you’ll find this excellent museum detailing the history of the Cherokee Tribe. Open daily 9am-5pm. Tickets are $10 adults and $6 children. 589 Tsali Boulevard. Cherokee, NC.

Oconaluftee Indian Village- Tour the authentic working Cherokee village with dwellings, residents, and artisans right out of the 1760's. Experience traditional medicine and interact with villagers as they hull canoes, make pottery and masks, weave baskets and beadwork, and participate in their daily activities. Open Mondays- Saturdays, April 30- November 10. 10 am- 4 pm. Closed on Sundays. Tickets are $20 for ages 13+, $12 for ages 6-12, and free for children under 5.218 Drama Rd, Cherokee, NC.

Cherokee Cinemas - Catch a movie on one of their 6 screens with stadium seating. Open daily. 91 Sequoyah Trail in nearby Cherokee, NC.

Additional Tips That Might Be Helpful

Nearest Grocery Store To Bryson City

The IGA Supermarket is super close to downtown Bryson City, but I would recommend a car to get to it.  It’s located at 345 Main St.  and is open until 8pm. If you are in a pinch, a Dollar General is located within walking distance in downtown Bryson City. 255 Everett St. Good for Cokes and chips. 

There is a larger Ingles supermarket about a mile outside of town. From Aloft, turn right onto Main St/ Hwy 19 and go about 3/4 of a mile then turn left onto Hughes Branch Road. Ingles is just ahead on your left. This is a big grocery store with a good selection and generally where we go if staying for an extended period or have a large group.

Driving Tips When Going To Bryson City, NC

You’ll find several options when looking for directions to Bryson City. You may save time by following some of these suggested routes but the drive may involve super curvy mountain roads. So look at the directions carefully.

Coming from the Knoxville area, we take I-40 East to Smoky Mountain Expressway (Highway 23) because our family is prone to car sickness. Avoid Highway 129/28 (this is called “The Dragon” for a reason) and also 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (this is because of stupid amounts of traffic plus the curvy road).

Interested in more North Carolina mountain towns? See our book available on Amazon.

“Need a change of scenery from the hustle and bustle of life? Want the kids to unplug from their devices for a while and connect together as a family?

A family weekend getaway in the great outdoors can do wonders for everyone, kids and adults alike. Enjoy easy scenic hikes, float a river, try apple picking or antiquing, go mountain biking, pitch a tent, or explore the local shops along a charming Main Street.

The North Carolina mountain towns of Asheville, Brevard, and Bryson City provide the perfect combination of outdoor fun, terrific local restaurants and craft breweries, and charming downtowns. ”

More North Carolina Blog Posts