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Need a beautiful, quaint place to spend an epic weekend in western NC? Check out this amazing Bryson City, NC guide for everything you need to plan an amazing weekend!
Back in 2020, to celebrate my birthday we headed to the Great Smoky Mountains and stayed in Bryson City, NC with one of my best friends and her husband. We hadn’t seen each other since my wedding back in September 2019 so this was a much needed trip. We landed in Bryson City because it is halfway between Columbia, SC (where we lived at the time) and Nashville, TN where our friends live. I truthfully didn’t know much about the city at the time but I am SO GLAD we ended up here.
Our weekend consisted of my favorite things: hiking, wine, and spending time with friends. What more could you ask for?!
We planned to meet in Gatlinburg, TN because it’s about halfway between our home of Columbia, SC and our friends’ in Nashville, TN. However, we are not really Gatlinburg people. Don’t read this the wrong way: I hear it is fun for families with lots of things to do! But when we go to the mountains, we want just that–the mountains, the empty space, the hiking trails, and maybe a couple good breweries. We briefly drove down the main road in Gatlinburg and felt like we saw everything we needed to see, haha. I am happy with our choice to stay in Bryson City, NC.
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Our home away from home this weekend ended up being in Almond, NC. Almond is a stone’s throw from Bryson City and Cherokee. But its only about 45 minutes from Gatlinburg in case that’s what you’re looking for.
If you find yourself desiring a getaway to small town WNC while exploring the Great Smoky Mountains, this is the guide for you! The hiking trails are endless and the restaurant choices are limited. Grab a cabin with a hot tub and bring a few bottles of wine. Don’t forget the hiking boots!
WHERE TO STAY
Just like in my Charlottesville guide, I think VRBO or Airbnb is the way to go here. We ended up with a VRBO in Almond on the side of the mountain. A hot tub was non-negotiable for me and we wanted to bring our pups. That narrowed our choices significantly. However, there’s an endless amount of cabins for any size group. I recommend this route because there are few restaurant options in the area. With a rental, you can cook for yourself in the kitchen (and save money)!
Lakeview at Fontana: Ummmmm can we talk about a hidden gem?! This beautiful lodge is located in the mountains near the Fontana dam and features gorgeous rooms and wait for it…. Treetop soaking cabanas! You can book an appointment to soak among the tops of the trees in a covered cabana. However, it’s closed during the winter so make sure you book well in advance!
Watershed Resort: Mainly a place to rent a nice cabin on Watershed’s property, but they also boast a hiking trail, camping, and a waterfall on site.
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Blackberry Farm: if you are looking for the height of luxury, THIS IS IT! Nestled in the mountains in Walhalla, TN, this 5 star resort has everything you could dream of. It boasts a spa, horseback riding, archery, hiking, wine tours… just the works. This would be a great place to take a mini honeymoon or anniversary trip!
what to do in bryson city NC
HIKING, duh. There are sooo many amazing hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains, you could probably just pick one and be happy. But this is a guide so here are my recommendations:
– Pinnacle Peak: we did this hike and it was perfect. Not too crowded, a little over 7 miles. The beginning was pretty steep but the view over the valley was so worth it. Don’t forget to bring lunch!
– Chimney Fire Tower: rated as moderate and about 6 miles, this trail takes you up to an old fire tower
– Oconaluftee River: This little nature trail is great for those who aren’t keen to hike big hills or just want a leisurely walk. This area is also great to see elk!
– Mingo Falls: an incredibly short .5 mile hike up to a beautiful waterfall. This will only take you about 20 minutes so I highly recommend making the trip!
Gatlinburg: of course, you can venture into the bigger “cities” of Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge to do some more touristy items. If we spent more time here we’d probably have to hit the sky tram, try a mountain coaster, or hit up some of the touristy shops for drinks or a little local moonshine 😉
Cherokee: This town is rich in Native American history and also has a casino, so it’s definitely worth checking out.
Where to eat
Nantahala Brewing Company: this little brewery has bar food and plenty of beer so it was a win for us! The patio area is huge so bring your pups. The chicken tenders are excellent after a 7 mile hike, by the way.
Innovation Brewing: We actually discovered this microbrewery when Michael was working at Western Carolina University. I’m never disappointed with their selection!
Sneaky Squirrel: Another hidden gem in Sylva, NC that we stumbled upon while Michael was working out this way. The brewer used his grandma’s Christmas cookies to make a cookies and cream porter. It’s still hands down one of our favorite beers
The Bistro at the Everett Hotel: A little bit more upscale, this restaurant has excellent reviews and serves up a limited menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrees.
I have heard that Bryson City puts on an amazing 4th of July trip and Nantahala lake is nearby… I am already planning a trip back to the Great Smoky Mountains for the summer!
What is your favorite weekend getaway? Mountains or beach?
Til next time,
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