Area Attractions

Endless possibilities await you in the Great Smoky Mountains, but seclusion in a log cabin shouldn't come at the expense of close proximity to some great attractions. All of Watershed Cabins' vacation rentals are in the Bryson City, NC area, and most are only minutes from some of the most popular Smoky Mountains attractions. Whether you want to whitewater raft the Nantahala River, mountain bike the trails at Tsali, or relax on a Great Smoky Mountains Railroad trip, you are just a few minutes away from your cabin. We have no affiliation with these vendors, but offer their contact information to facilitate your search for fun and exciting activities to fill your time while you stay with us.
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cabins match your criteria
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Biltmore Estates
reservation info
800.411.3812
category
hiking trails, historical sites, other points of interest, shopping
description
Plan your getaway to George Vanderbilt’s 8,000-acre estate. Mr. Vanderbilt created Biltmore as an escape from everyday life. Now, his descendants invite you to enjoy his legacy of hospitality. Your admission includes self-guided tours of the breathtaking Biltmore House & Gardens and the new Antler Hill Village—featuring the Winery, The Biltmore Legacy, Village Green, and Farm.

Play in our 8,000-acre backyard with an array of outdoor activities, indulge in one-of-a-kind shopping, and savor our restaurants' exceptional fare. Visit Biltmore in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, NC and let our gracious hospitality inspire you.
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Deal's Gap (aka "the Dragon")
reservation info
800-889-5550
category
other points of interest
description
U.S. Highway 129, connecting Western North Carolina with East Tennessee, is world-famous among motorcyclists and sports car drivers, for its eleven-mile section with 318 continuous curves. Riding the The Dragon at Deals Gap you closely follow an old Indian trail from Graham County NC to Fort Loudon TN. Take a spin through “Gravity Cavity”, “Pig Pens Bend”, and “Rebels Revenge” with beautiful views of the river along the way to Chilhowee Lake.

All of our cabins are convenient to this attraction, but many mountain cabins do not have motorcycle friendly access. We have specifically addressed this and indicate on each cabin detail page whether or not it is a motorcycle-friendly cabin.
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Gatlinburg, Tennessee
reservation info
800.588.1817
category
entertainment, other points of interest, restaurants, shopping
description
Gatlinburg is approximately a 1.25 hour drive from Bryson City, NC.
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Great Smokey Mountain Railway
website
reservation info
800.872.4681
category
entertainment, hiking trails, other points of interest, shopping
description
With 53 miles of track, 2 tunnels and 25 bridges, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers a variety of excursions that explore the amazing landscape of Western North Carolina. With the romance and mystique of an era gone by, guests on-board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will enjoy scenic train journeys across fertile valleys and through river gorges in a spectacular region near The Great Smoky Mountains. This section of Western North Carolina offers a wide array of ever changing vegetation and fantastic landscapes. Dating back to the 1800's and located on the southside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Murphy Branch allowed access to one of the most remote and beautiful places in the world.
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Mexico Condo
website
reservation info
404-626-3456
category
other points of interest
description
It's not in North Carolina, but many Watershed guests from over the years have asked about Tim's beach Condo in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.  It is under an hour from Cancun, which is an easy flight from the US.  Take a $10 bus from the airport and you don't need a car, as Playa is an amazing pedestrian city with beautiful beaches, excellent food, upscale shopping, and exciting nightlife.  Other highlights include fishing, diving, snorkeling, Tulum (Mayan ruins), zip lines, and much more.

The condo has 3 bedrooms and sleeps up to 8. The best feature is that it is on the ground floor and directly on the beach. You step out the sliding doors and enjoy breakfast on your private patio right on the sand. Call Tim directly if you are interested in visiting or learning more.
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Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
reservation info
800.251.9100
category
entertainment, other points of interest, restaurants, shopping, spas and salons
description
Pigeon Forge is approximately a 1.5 hour drive from Bryson City, NC.
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Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center
reservation info
828-479-3364
category
entertainment, other points of interest, shopping
description
The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center is a vital contributor to the preservation of the Appalachian mountain heritage of Western North Carolina. Throughout the year we celebrate mountain traditions through our music programs, old-time festivals, workshops and other events that appeal to all age groups.

The Center is about 17 miles north on hwy 28 from Bryson City (15 minutes from most of our cabins).