This Small Town in North Carolina Has Fewer Than 1,500 Residents — and It's Called the 'Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Great Smoky Mountains'

Here’s how to plan a trip to Bryson City, North Carolina.

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With a population around 1,500, Bryson City certainly qualifies as a small town, but — like many places in Western North Carolina — it punches above its weight in terms of charm and access to the great outdoors. While the historic downtown is home to several boutiques, art galleries, bookstores, and breweries, its proximity to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of Bryson City’s most defining features. “We’re called the ‘Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Great Smoky Mountains’ for a reason,” says Mark Van Osdal, owner of Carolina Bound Adventures. Here, he says, you’ll be able to “get away from the urban noise and see nature at its finest,” whether you’re interested in hiking, white-water rafting, fly fishing, or horseback riding, among other pursuits.

According to Lance Holland, local historian, writer, location scout, and owner of Appalachian Mercantile, Bryson City has “slowly evolved into a popular tourist destination.” Although, he explains, it isn’t the “gimmicks of change, but the reality of stability” that has led to this shift. “Its attractions have been here for many years. Folks just finally discovered them,” he adds. One of the most popular attractions is the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which offers scenic single-day train rides departing from the Bryson City depot. This family-friendly activity is the perfect way to take in the beauty of the region — and get a feel for what makes this town so special.

To find out what else sets Bryson City apart from other towns and small cities in Western North Carolina, we asked a few locals to weigh in on the best places to stay, eat, and explore in the area. Read on to discover their recommendations.

Bryson City, North Carolina

• Stay overnight at the Fryemont Inn, a cozy historic lodge built in 1923. 
• Start your day with a hearty Southern breakfast of biscuits and gravy at Everett Street Diner.
• Head out to Deep Creek to spot the three nearby waterfalls: Juney Whank, Tom Branch, and Indian Creek.
• Hop aboard one of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad trains, which depart from (and return to) the historic depot downtown. 
• If you’re looking to avoid crowds, visit during the shoulder months of April and September.

Courtesy of The Everett Hotel

Best Hotels and Resorts

Fryemont Inn

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Fryemont Inn is both a place to rest your head at night and a must-see chapter of Bryson City history. “The inn is built largely of chestnut wood and remains very close to the original 1920s structure,” says Elizabeth Ellison, an impressionist painter with a gallery and studio on Main Street. Along with its accommodations, the inn has a seasonal dining room, which Holland describes as “a culinary and visual delight.” While the Fryemont Inn’s Historic Lodge and dining room are closed from late November to mid-April, guests can stay in the Stone Cottage Suites, Balcony Suites, or Log Cabin all year round.

The Everett Hotel

Housed inside a renovated bank building in Bryson City’s historic district, The Everett Hotel has 10 suites, as well as a restaurant and bar serving American fare and signature cocktails. Guests receive complimentary breakfast every morning plus priority dinner reservations and exclusive access to the hotel’s rooftop terrace with fire pits and mountain views.

Lakeview at Fontana

If you’re coming to Bryson City for rest and relaxation, look no further than Lakeview at Fontana. Open from April through mid-November, the getaway is part resort, part spa, with its private soaking cabanas — outfitted with oversized stand-alone tubs, soaking salts, and bathrooms — being one of the most notable amenities on property. Along with the “soaking-in-nature experience,” guests can take advantage of a spring-fed pool and complimentary coffee and snacks each day.

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Best Things to Do

Hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park is par for the course when visiting Bryson City. Both Holland and Allyson Gernandt, a local silversmith and jewelry maker, recommend checking out Deep Creek. “Located three miles from downtown Bryson City, [it’s] an easy 1.5-mile hike that will take the visitors past three dynamite waterfalls,” says Holland. You’ll get the “ease of seeing fabulous, beautiful Deep Creek and one, two, or three waterfalls — your choice,” adds Gernandt. If you prefer to hike with a guide, Carolina Bound Adventures has a few options for hiking tours. “When you go hiking with a professional guide, you’ll learn about the history of the Cherokee Indians who lived here first, the pioneers who came to settle here, and the creation of the national park, [as well as get] a deep dive into the plants, trees, insects, and animals that exist in this wonderful place,” says Van Osdal.

Drive the “Road to Nowhere.”

Officially, this scenic mountain highway is called Lakeview Drive, but it’s also known as the “Road to Nowhere,” a six-mile drive into Great Smoky Mountains National Park that ends at the mouth of the tunnel. Gernandt recommends driving “out to the tunnel parking lot” and stretching your legs by taking a walk through the tunnel. You can learn more about the road’s history here.

Get out on the water.

Summer in Bryson City is all about spending time on the water. “We encourage everyone to try our white-water rafting here on the Nantahala River,” says Van Osdal. “It’s family-friendly with kids seven years and older able to come ride, fun, and splashy with class I and II rapids and an exhilarating class III drop at the end.” If you prefer something more relaxing, venture out on Fontana Lake by kayak, paddleboard, or boat. Swimming is also an option. “The local swimming hole portion of Fontana Lake is the Fingerlake Day Use Area where you can go swimming or float around without worrying about being near boats,” he adds.

Take a ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is the fact that, while it’s seen as a tourist attraction, it’s still functional. “The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is not a theme park ride; it’s a real railroad that still hauls a little freight,” shares Holland, adding that “it has a long and rich history” that can be traced back to 1884 “when the Murphy Branch’s tracks reached Bryson City, opening far Western North Carolina to the rest of the world.” Today, visitors can buy tickets for various train excursions, all granting views of Fontana Lake, the Nantahala and Tuckasegee rivers, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Holland also notes that you may recognize the tracks from several movies, including the 1993 film “The Fugitive” starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones.

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Best Shopping

Bryson City Outdoors

“If visitors need to pick up outdoor gear for adventuring, we would encourage them to stop in at Bryson City Outdoors,” says Van Osdal. After you’ve found what you’re looking for, feel free to stay a while and enjoy a cold drink at the taproom or lunch from one of the food trucks out front.

Appalachian Mercantile 

Ellison recommends stopping at Appalachian Mercantile for its “large selection of unique gourmet specialty foods, condiments, and old-time candies.” Whether you’re searching for a souvenir for yourself — or something to bring home to your loved ones — you’re guaranteed to not leave empty-handed.

Smoky Mountain Farmers and Artisans Market 

If you’re in Bryson City from May through October, you may get the chance to explore the Smoky Mountain Farmers and Artisans Market at Aquarium Park. Not only will you discover local produce and amazing art, including Gernandt’s pieces, but the jewelry maker also notes the “beautiful location in view of [the] Tuckasegee River” and proximity to the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians.

Best Restaurants

Everett Street Diner

The “can’t-miss breakfast spot” in Bryson City, according to Holland, is Everett Street Diner. The menu features all of the classics, including omelets, breakfast burritos, pancakes, and steak and eggs. And if you’re not sure what to order? Van Osdal says to “go for the biscuits and gravy.”

Mountain Perks Espresso Bar and Cafe

When in need of a pick-me-up, make your way to Mountain Perks, a cafe located across the street from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Choose from a variety of frappuccinos, espresso drinks, smoothies, or regular coffee, and fill up with a bagel, sandwich, wrap, salad, soup, or quiche. Gernandt says, “[The] owners are very fastidious if you have food sensitivities.”

Pasqualino’s Italian Restaurant

For a sit-down lunch or dinner — complete with hand-thrown pizza, fresh pasta, and warm breadsticks — you can’t go wrong with Pasqualino’s Italian Restaurant. According to Holland, it’s an excellent choice “for great wine and even better food later in the day.” And while you may experience a line, you can be sure the wait will be worth it.

Food Trucks 

After a day of a long day of hiking, there’s nothing better than grabbing dinner at one of Bryson City’s food trucks. “The Rice Wagon or Big Laurel Food Truck [are] sure choices every time for an on-the-go dinner,” says Van Osdal. Dinner at the former, he says, “should always include an order of katsu chicken or seared tuna,” and the latter serves the “best nachos in three counties.”

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Best Time to Visit

“Bryson City’s outdoor adventures are essentially March through December,” explains Van Osdal. Each month, however, is slightly different. “Late March through late May brings the amazing spring ephemeral wildflower show to the surrounding forest lands,” says Holland, who also shares that the following months — June through September — are all about the water. “Paddle the Nantahala River, tube down Deep Creek, boat on Fontana Lake … and fish in them all, even the Tuckasegee River that runs through the center of town.”

October is the best month for seeing fall foliage, of course, and December is surprisingly exciting. “[The] annual defoliation signals the end of the tourist season in most of Appalachia, but not in Bryson City,” says Holland. “The town is decked out in Christmas finery for the throngs that ride the Polar Express train excursion to Santa’s home at the North Pole (a little make-believe fun here) and go home with a checked-off Christmas gift list from the unique shops in town.”

If you want to visit Bryson City and avoid the crowds, Van Osdal suggests the shoulder months of April and September, which feature “beautiful weather and lower tourism times.”

How to Get There

Flying into Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) will get you relatively close to Bryson City, but you’ll need to rent a car to drive the final 70 miles to your destination. If you arrive with a full day ahead of you, you may have time to stop in a few other small towns along the route, including Waynesville, Sylva, and Dillsboro. Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is another option, although it’s about 84 miles from downtown Bryson City.

How to Get Around

A car and decent walking shoes are necessary if you want to explore Bryson City and the surrounding area to the fullest extent. “Bryson City is very walkable and … an entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is only a few miles out of town,” says Van Osdal. If you enjoy driving, he also recommends taking the scenic route through Great Smoky Mountains National Park or along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Those at the wheel are encouraged to keep safety top of mind when in Bryson City. Gernandt advises, “Drive slowly through town because of the many people crossing the streets.”

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