[Updated February 13, 2023] Bryson City is surrounded by Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the north, Fontana Lake to the west, Cherokee NC to the east, and the Nantahala National Forest to the south. So even a shortlist of the best things to do in Bryson City NC could include dozens of exciting activities … Read more
[Updated February 11, 2023] Compared to burgeoning mountain towns like Asheville NC and Roanoke VA, Bryson City is a fairly small town encompassing just 2.3 square miles, with a population of around 1800 people. But the town, which is known as “the Gateway to the Great Smokies,” offers an exceptional array of things to do, … Read more
Covered bridges in North Carolina are one of those iconic images of America’s past. It’s that sense of nostalgia and romance that makes them so enjoyable to visit. In fact, they’re so beloved that there’s a National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges devoted to protecting these historic sites for future generations! Wood was … Read more
Schoolhouse Falls NC is widely considered one of the most popular Panthertown Valley waterfalls, and it’s not difficult to understand why. Pathertown Valley is a backcountry wilderness area and bear sanctuary that is part of the Nantahala National Forest in Western NC. There are nearly 30 miles of excellent hiking trails in this valley, winding their … Read more
[Updated January 25, 2023] As anyone who has ever visited will tell you, the state of North Carolina is truly a haven for nature lovers. The state is home to the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forest, dozens of beloved NC State Parks, the beaches of the Outer Banks, and famous scenic routes such as the … Read more
[Updated January 20, 2023] From Blue Ridge and Dahlonega GA to Asheville and Waynesville NC, nearly every great mountain town we’ve visited has had a fantastic, foodie-friendly assortment of restaurants to lure visitors. The Hendersonville eateries we explored during our recent visit proved the town, which lies just 20 miles south of Asheville, … Read more
Located off the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway (a.k.a. Pisgah Hwy) near Brevard NC, the Davidson River Campground is a perfect base for anyone wanting to explore Pisgah National Forest. This prime Pisgah campground boasts several of its own attractions. But it’s also just a stone’s throw away from many of our favorite North Carolina waterfalls, … Read more
Many travelers envision their NC mountain getaways in terms of the best mountain resorts in North Carolina. Some resorts are steeped in history, romance, adventure, or roughing it on challenging hiking trails. Others are built around soaking in small town charm, or exploring local arts and culture. I’ve lived in NC and explored its Blue Ridge Mountains region … Read more
[Updated January 13, 2023] We’ve explored 40-50 of small towns in North Carolina over the last few years, from tiny burghs like Bryson City and Little Switzerland to major tourism hotspots like Blowing Rock, Boone, and Cherokee. But none of these mountain towns has had more personal relevance for me than Waynesville NC. Located halfway between … Read more
[Updated January 5, 2023] For far too long, Hendersonville NC seemed like the Jan Brady to Asheville‘s Marcia, never quite garnering all the accolades and attention it deserved. But in recent years, Asheville’s immense popularity has proven to be a double-edged sword. Thanks to national media attention, Asheville’s population has grown by nearly 12% since … Read more
