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Bryson City is a lovely North Carolina town that serves as a gateway to the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The charming town offers a less-touristy alternative to Smoky Mountains resort areas like Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, home to a quaint downtown district that highlights art galleries, chocolatiers, and craft breweries. It has been named as one of America's top 20 small towns to visit by the Smithsonian, acclaimed for its excellent outdoor recreational opportunities within the Gorge and Nantahala National Forest. Couples can whitewater raft on the Tuckasegee River, hike along the famed Appalachian Trail, or enjoy prime opportunities for kayaking, paddle boarding, and fly fishing. Area attractions include the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians, the Smoky Mountains Trains Museum, and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which offers scenic rides throughout the park during the year.
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