Attractions

Bojangles Famous Chicken & Biscuits

Location: Bryson City

Southern-inspired fast-food chain known for Cajun fried chicken, biscuits & signature sides. Serving breakfast all day. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Boxcar Cafe & Cones

Location: Bryson City

Conveniently located across from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot in Bryson City, Boxcar Caf? & Cones offers a varied menu including burgers, wraps, wings, hummus and more. In the mood for something sweet? We offer 16 flavors of hand dipped ice cream available in cones, cups or shakes.

Cherokee Historical Association

Location: Bryson City

CHA presents the Oconaluftee Indian Village & the outdoor drama Unto These Hills. Visit the recreated 1750s-era Cherokee Village. Regular tours by Cherokee guides present history, crafts, early homes and demonstrations of beadwork, pottery, blowguns, and much more in a beautiful forest setting. Mid-May through October. Unto These Hills tells the history of the Cherokee people from about 1540 through their forced removal from this area in the late 1830s. June-August; check the website for exact dates. General admission seating.

https://www.facebook.com/Cherokee-Historical-Association-163570830339132/

Cooper Creek Trout Farm & Catch-out Pond

Location: Bryson City

This full service trout farm offers all the amenities in a beautiful mountain setting that includes hiking trails, waterfalls, and picnic tables. No license required, no limit, and all fishing equipment is provided. Guided fishing tours are also available. Stay an hour or the entire day!

https://www.facebook.com/coopercreektroutfarm

Fontana Guide Services

Location: Bryson City

Be our guest on beautiful Fontana Lake. Relax and enjoy breathtaking views, sunsets, waterfalls, rivers and wildlife from our spacious pontoon boat. Choose a half or full day trip of any kind, or customize your own. Sightseeing, fishing, sunset, swimming, & fall leaf trips available. Great for birthday parties, corporate groups, honeymooners, & families, with something for every budget. Dogs welcome! HD photos & videos of your trip available on request. Let us guide your one-of-a-kind Fontana Lake experience.

https://www.facebook.com/FontanaGuides/

Fontana Marina

Location: Bryson City

Fontana Marina offers a full line of services for the enjoyment of Fontana Lake including watercraft rentals, free boat launch, a ship store, fishing tackle and license, lake tours and more. Pontoon boat shuttle service is available for backcountry enthusiasts wishing to explore the southern rim of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Fun Factory in the Smokies

Location: Bryson City

A 56,000-square-foot family entertainment center with 100+ arcade games, mini golf, the area?s largest go cart track, bowling, laser tag, pizza buffet, fine dining and more!

https://www.facebook.com/TheFactoryFranklin/?rf=274722332555343

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Location: Bryson City

Scenic rail excursions through a remote corner of North Carolina into river gorges, across valleys and through tunnels carved out of mountains. Excursions include Nantahala Gorge, Dinosaur Train, Polar Express, Mystery Theatre Dinner Train and other themed events. Your excursion includes admission to Smoky Mountains Train Museum, with its collection of 7,000 Lionel engines, cars and accessories, impressive operating layout and children's activity center.

https://www.facebook.com/GreatSmokyMountainsRailroad/

Nantahala River Gem Mine

Location: Bryson City

Gemstone material comes from both the local area, and from mines all over the world. Some gems you may find include rubies, emeralds, sapphires, garnets, topaz, amethyst, rose quartz and many more!

https://www.facebook.com/nantahalagemmine/

NOC - Nantahala Outdoor Center

Location: Bryson City

Rated "One of the Best Outfitter's on Earth" by National Geographic Adventure, NOC has been the leader in the rafting industry since 1972. NOC offers family friendly adventures rafting and paddling the Nantahala River, as well as riverside dining, lodging, shopping, mountain bike rentals, lake kayaking, wilderness medicine training and our world famous Paddling School. There's something for everyone so come see for yourself why NOC is a legend in the outdoors!

https://www.facebook.com/NOC/

Prince Boat Dock - Fontana Lake

Location: Bryson City

Located in Almond NC on beautiful Fontana Lake. We offer pontoon & johnboat rentals, anchored & covered slip moorings for boat storage, dock store with fuel, propane exchange, boat supplies, ice, bait, tackle & tube rentals.

https://www.facebook.com/Prince-Boat-Dock-162506490458325/

Santa's Land Fun Park and Zoo

Location: Bryson City

Located 3 miles east of Cherokee on US 19. See Santa and his elves, browse through gift shops and exhibits, and visit the domestic and exotic animals in the zoo. Santa's Land also features rides, picnic facilities, and eating establishments. Open daily 9 am to 5 pm from March 31st through October 31st. $19.99, children under 2 free.

https://www.facebook.com/SantasLandInc/

Smoky Mountain Trains Museum

Location: Bryson City

The museum boasts a collection of 7,000 Lionel engines, cars and accessories, impressive operating layout and children's activity center. Admission is free with your train ticket; otherwise adults $9; 12 and under $5; under 2 free. Open daily (seasonal hours will change). Not open Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day or New Year's Eve.

http://www.gsmr.com/smoky-mountain-trains-museum#.WFRQbX1l8pg

Storytelling Center of the Southern Appalachians

Location: Bryson City

An organization that is dedicated to the preservation of the history of the Southern Appalachians through the art of storytelling and the making of crafts. We bring the history of the Southern Appalachians to life.

http://www.psalmsofthesouth.com/about.html

Swain County Heritage Museum

Location: Bryson City

Located in the 1908 historic courthouse in downtown Bryson City, the museum tells the story of Swain County and its people. Through photos, exhibits and video you will learn about the life of early settlers; and how the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Fontana Dam rewrote the landscape and changed lives. You will enjoy seeing the restored log cabin porch, the 1887 church organ and one-room schoolhouse desks, and children's activity area among other items. The museum is open daily, 9 am - 6 pm. Winter hours may be shortened. Free admission. Parking lot behind the courthouse.

https://www.facebook.com/swaincountyheritagemuseum/timeline