Bryson City, North Carolina

1. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is a heritage and freight railroad in Western North Carolina, near Bryson City. The 53 miles of the Murphy Branch, once a branch of the Southern Railway between Dillsboro and Andrews, is owned by The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. The line was completed in 1883 and reached Andrews in 1890. The Railroad began operations in 1988 and passes through a tunnel, a lush valleys and across deep river gorges in the Great Smoky Mountains. Today, several miles of the line near Andrews are out of service. Excursions use the 22-mile long line between Bryson City and Nantahala and the 16-mile long line between Bryson City and Dillsboro.

The Railroad runs almost 1,000 excursions a year. It also operates the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum in Bryson City, located next to the historic Bryson City depot. The museum owns a collection of more than 7,000 Lionel model engines, cars, accessories, a model train layout, a kids’ activity center, and a gift shop.[5]

45 Mitchell St, Bryson City, NC 28713, Phone: 800-872-4681

2. The Road To Nowhere

The Fontana Dam, built in 1941 above the Little Tennessee River in western North Carolina, is the tallest dam in the eastern United States. The main purpose of the dam was to create electricity for ALCOA, the former owner of the land on which dam was built. ALCOA was producing aluminum for ships, aircraft and munitions for the war effort. As a consequence, many small towns, villages and homesteads were flooded by the newly created Fontana Lake. To assuage displaced communities, the plan was to build a road from Bryson City to Deals Gap along the river, to allow people to travel and to provide access to their ancestral lands and cemeteries. Since then, only a small, seven miles long, section, was built, leading to nowhere. The locals call it The Road To Nowhere—a broken promise.

Lakeview Drive East, Bryson City, North Carolina, 28713

3. Cooper Creek Trout Farm & Pond

Cooper Creek Trout Farm & Pond spread on 70 acres of pristine North Carolina Mountain beauty. Pure cold Smoky Mountain water tumbles down Cooper Creek, its numerous branches, streams, springs, waterfalls and two ponds, until it reaches the property. Of many waterfalls on the property, 60-foot high Little Creek Falls is accessible by hiking from the Cooper Creek property about 1.45 miles into The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While the Trout Farm was established in the early 1970’s, the property’s history is much longer and very colorful. The present three- bedroom, two bath farmhouse, built circa 1870 – 1880, had several additions, but the main two story hand hewn log home and chimney remain the same. The trout farm is open daily, year round and visitors can fish even if there is snow on the ground and ice on the pond.

3365 Coopers Creek Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713, Phone: 828-488-2500

4. Mountain Layers Brewing Company

Mountain Layers Brewing Company in Bryson City, North Carolina, is an award winning, seven- barrel, craft microbrewery that focuses on bringing people together to enjoy good beer either inside at the rustic taproom built around the production facility, or outside on the spacious rooftop deck that overlooks downtown Bryson City. Mountain Layers Brewing Company uses pure water that comes from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Whenever possible, they incorporate locally sourced ingredients to brew the finest classic and cutting edge beer styles. They offer 12 taps of rotating flagship brews as well as one-offs and seasonals. All twelve beers are available as Growlers or Crowlers as well.

90 Everett St, Bryson City, NC 28713, Phone: 828-538-0115

5. Appalachian Rivers Aquarium

The Appalachian Rivers Aquarium is a small, specialized aquarium located on the banks of the Tuckasegee River in downtown Bryson City, The aquarium is dedicated to showcasing the amazing native fish, crustaceans, amphibians and reptiles which call the Appalachian rivers their home. Although it appears unassuming from the outside, this little aquarium boasts a huge 4000 gallon tank as well as various other tanks and terrariums and an amazing and unique Hellbender exhibit, where visitors can enter a viewing area under the exhibit to watch the salamanders from below. The main tanks are home to Bass, Trout, Catfish, Perch, and River Chubs, to name but a few.

Appalachian Rivers Aquarium, 117 Island Street, Bryson City, NC 28713, 828 488 7857

6. Goldmine Loop Trail

The Goldmine Loop Trail is an unique hike near the southern edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just west of Bryson City, North Carolina. It is about three miles long and involves about 615 feet of elevation gain. It is a fairly easy hike with a few steep sections, and can be done in about three hours. It is not too crowded. It starts with a shady section with mature sugar maples, pignut hickory, American holy, Fraser magnolias and all kids of oaks. The trail does not have spectacular views but it passes through a historically fascinating corner of the park. It also passes through a 1200-foot long tunnel.

Forneys Creek, NC 28713

7. Tuckasegee River

Tuckasegee River or the 'Tuck' as it is known by locals, runs through the entire Swain County, North Carolina and can be accessed fairly easily on US Hwy 19 from Whittier to below Bryson City. The pure, cold, emerald-green waters of the Tuckasegee River provides home to a wide variety of fish, more than in any other river in Swain County. Many deep pools, rocky sections, riffles and runs are the places to catch rainbow and brown trout all year long. Spring is the time for walleye, steelhead, and white bass. From May until mid-October fishermen catch trophy-sized smallmouth bass, rainbow trout and spotted bass.

8. Elizabeth Ellison Gallery

Elizabeth Ellison Gallery is a studio and art gallery located in the old Clampitt Hardware Building, on the town square in Bryson City, North Carolina. It is owned and operated by painter and papermaker Elizabeth Ellison. Ellison has exhibited throughout the United States for the last 30 years. She also teaches week-long workshops at various locations, including the North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville NC. The artist uses both traditional and oriental techniques, often adding American Indian motifs - wildflowers, animals, human inhabitants, and landscapes of the Smokies and beyond. Ellison gathers and processes native Appalachian plants to use in hand-making papers she incorporates in her paintings. Elizabeth represents artists Ann Smith and Quintin Ellison in her gallery.

155 Main St, Bryson City, NC 28713, Phone: 828-788-1541

9. Fly fishing Museum of The Southern Appalachians

The Fly fishing Museum of The Southern Appalachians is a family-friendly, non-profit, private museum located in Bryson City, North Carolina. It is one of a few fly fishing museums operating in the United States. It is a center for learning about the history of fly fishing and about the arts, the sciences, the crafts and the skills of fly fishing. The museum aims to preserve the history of fly fishing in the region, It exhibits profiles of legendary fly fishermen and influencers and documents the history and evolution of fly fishing from 8,000 BC to this day through its diverse collection of fishing gear and equipment. The museum includes a Kids Corner and aquarium with regional species of fish.

117 Island St, Bryson City, NC 28713, Phone: 828-488-3681