If you are looking for a fun filled getaway destination, you have got to check out Bryson City!! Located in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, there is SO much to do – especially if you enjoy outdoor activities. We visited the last weekend of October and it was the absolute perfect time of year. The weather was amazing (chilly in the mornings, warm in the afternoons) and the Fall foliage was beyond beautiful!! Pictures don’t even do it justice. I’m going to share all the details on where we stayed, where we ate, and what we did each day!
Where We Stayed:
We actually stayed about 30 minutes outside of Bryson City in a small cabin up the mountain, and we absolutely LOVED it! Watershed Cabin’s Dreamcatcher cabin is the perfect spot for a cozy, romantic getaway. The cabin had a kitchen, living room area, and one very spacious bedroom with a fireplace, jacuzzi tub, and super comfy king size bed! Outside, the cabin had a wrap around deck with hot tub overlooking the mountain as well as a backyard area with bed swing and fire pit. It was an absolute cozy dream! The picture above was taken in the cabin’s yard.
I do want to mention that the cabin can be a bit tricky to get to – you can’t plug it into a GPS, and will need to follow written out instructions on how to find it. The cabin is really UP the mountain and through the woods with steep and windy gravel one-way roads, but it’s so secluded we never even saw another car! It’s close to the Nantahala Outdoor Center if you want to reference on a map.
What We Did:
Horseback riding at Smokemont Riding Stables: We did their 2.5 hour waterfall trail, and had SO much fun!! The trail took us through the mountain and included a short stop to get off the horses and walk to a waterfall. It was absolutely beautiful!! We stopped here on our way into Bryson City. PS – this was very beginner friendly if you are like me and don’t have much horseback riding experience!
Shop: plaid top // vest // faux leather leggings // boots
Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Excursion: I highly recommend making time for a train excursion if you visit Bryson City! It was such a fun way to see the views as the train takes you along the river. There are a few different excursions you can choose from – we did the Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience which included breakfast and a moonshine tasting! It was 4 hours total with one stop to get out and explore the Nantahala Outdoor Center. We had such a fun time!
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Hiking: There are TONS of hiking trails around the area! We did the waterfall trail at Deep Creek and it was a perfect (not too difficult) 2.5 mile loop with several waterfalls along the way!
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Explore Downtown: There is so much to do around downtown Bryson City, and it’s an adorable town with “Hallmark movie” vibes. There are tons of shops, restaurants, bars/breweries, and cafes all within walking distance. We loved just walking around exploring!
Elk Viewing: Yes you read that right, elk viewing! There are tons of elk in the area, they’ll stop traffic crossing the road haha. Head to the Oconaluftee Visitors Center where you can park and walk out to a viewing area – there are hiking trails and a really cool farm museum there too!
Scenic Drives: Bryson City is known for their scenic drives, especially in the Fall with the colorful foliage. We drove the “Road To Nowhere” which actually dead ends at the Tunnel To Nowhere. The drive was beyond beautiful with tons of scenic overlook spots!
Shop: sweater // faux leather leggings // boots
Tunnel To Nowhere: Like the name says, it’s a tunnel to nowhere! The tunnel was built before construction on the “Road To Nowhere” was shut down (which is why the road just stops.) The tunnel is 1/4 mile long and you can walk through it – it’s really cool, and a little creepy! I believe the tunnel is part of some hiking trails in the area too.
Shop: sweater // faux leather leggings // boots // beanie
There is SO much more to do in the Bryson City area that we couldn’t fit into a weekend – you can check out their website for more!
Where We Ate:
Anthony’s Pizza: We had a late dinner here the night we arrived, and it was really good! My husband got the cheese pizza and I got the chicken bacon ranch salad. Both were delicious! If you’re looking for a laid back atmosphere with plenty of food & drink options – definitely add this place to your list!
Mountain Perks Espresso Bar and Cafe: Great spot for a quick breakfast and coffee! I got a bacon egg & cheese croissant sandwich and a latte. Yum!
Nantahala Brewing: I always like to checking out local breweries when we travel, and this was a fun spot for casual lunch and a couple beers! We got burgers, and really enjoyed the live music too!
Bistro At The Everett Hotel: This restaurant is more upscale, and it was one of the best “date night” spots we have ever been to! The restaurant is small with only a few tables and has a cozy, intimate atmosphere. The food was incredible!! My husband got the filet and I got the trout, then we shared a hot fudge brownie for dessert. You will definitely want to make a reservation if you plan to eat here!
Overall we had a wonderful trip! It was a perfect weekend getaway, and we will definitely visit Bryson City again next year. If you have any questions or Bryson City recommendations to add, feel free to leave a comment below!
