Things to Do in North Carolina Mountains, NC

Swain County Visitor Center and Heritage Museum

Bryson City, North Carolina

The story of Swain County and its people is told through photos, exhibits, and video at this museum.

Swain County Visitor Center and Heritage Museum

About from Google

The story of Swain County and its people is told through photos, exhibits, and video at this museum.

Address & contact information

2 Everett Street
(828) 488-7857

Website

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Bryson City, North Carolina

Vintage steam trains with dining cars travel from a historic depot through scenic countryside.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

About from Google

Vintage steam trains with dining cars travel from a historic depot through scenic countryside.

Address & contact information

45 Mitchell Street
(800) 872-4681

Website

Wesser Bald Fire Tower

Franklin, North Carolina

Easy or steep climb featuring a fire tower at the summit with panoramic mountain views.

Wesser Bald Fire Tower

About from Google

Easy or steep climb featuring a fire tower at the summit with panoramic mountain views.

Address & contact information

Franklin, NC 28734

Mountain Heritage Center

Cullowhee, North Carolina

Mountain Heritage Center

Address & contact information

176 Central Drive
(828) 227-7129

Website

Nantahala National Forest

Bryson City, North Carolina

Camping, whitewater rafting & 600 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding & more.

Nantahala National Forest

About from Google

Camping, whitewater rafting & 600 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding & more.

Address & contact information

Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 257-4200

Website

Oconaluftee Island Park

Cherokee, North Carolina

Picturesque park with a bamboo forest, a river for swimming, picnic areas & a sand volleyball court.

Oconaluftee Island Park

About from Google

Picturesque park with a bamboo forest, a river for swimming, picnic areas & a sand volleyball court.

Address & contact information

U.S. 441
(800) 438-1601

Website

Lake Glenville Scenic Waterfall Cruises

Cullowhee, North Carolina

Informative cruises on Lake Glenville with a knowledgeable captain who shares local history and ecology.

Lake Glenville Scenic Waterfall Cruises

About from Google

Informative cruises on Lake Glenville with a knowledgeable captain who shares local history and ecology.

Address & contact information

2799 Pine Creek Road
(828) 526-6300

Website

Santa's Land Fun Park & Zoo

Cherokee, North Carolina

Seasonal fun park with rides, a gift shop & a zoo, plus paddle boating on a lake.

Santa's Land Fun Park & Zoo

About from Google

Seasonal fun park with rides, a gift shop & a zoo, plus paddle boating on a lake.

Address & contact information

571 Wolfetown Road
(828) 497-9191

Website

Quarry Falls

Highlands, North Carolina

Roadside waterfall, a popular spot for cliff jumping, swimming & clambering over rocks.

Quarry Falls

About from Google

Roadside waterfall, a popular spot for cliff jumping, swimming & clambering over rocks.

Address & contact information

Cullasaja River, Highlands, NC 28741

Judaculla Rock

Cullowhee, North Carolina

History-filled stone featuring petroglyphs said to be thousands of years old and the oldest in North America.

Judaculla Rock

About from Google

History-filled stone featuring petroglyphs said to be thousands of years old and the oldest in North America.

Address & contact information

552 Judaculla Rock Road
(828) 293-3053

Website

Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Cherokee, North Carolina

Center with history exhibits on mountain life & a farm musuem with log structures, plus a gift shop.

Oconaluftee Visitor Center

About from Google

Center with history exhibits on mountain life & a farm musuem with log structures, plus a gift shop.

Address & contact information

1194 Newfound Gap Road
(828) 497-1904

Website

Waterrock Knob

Sylva, North Carolina

Visitors say this tourist destination offers stunning, ever-changing views, especially at sunset, and features picnic tables. They also highlight the availability of clean restroo…

Waterrock Knob

About from Google

Visitors say this tourist destination offers stunning, ever-changing views, especially at sunset, and features picnic tables. They also highlight the availability of clean restrooms and a Park Service Shop with Rangers on site. Others mention the short, steep hike to the summit is challenging but rewarding.

Address & contact information

4512 Blue Ridge Parkway

Yellow Face Overlook

Sylva, North Carolina

Scenic point along the Blue Ridge Parkway for mountain views, and photography.

Yellow Face Overlook

About from Google

Scenic point along the Blue Ridge Parkway for mountain views, and photography.

Address & contact information

Blue Ridge Parkway

Soco Falls

Maggie Valley, North Carolina

Two waterfalls merge in a picturesque setting with a primitive overlook, reachable by a short trail.

Soco Falls

About from Google

Two waterfalls merge in a picturesque setting with a primitive overlook, reachable by a short trail.

Address & contact information

U.S. 19

Big Witch Overlook

Cherokee, North Carolina

Visitors say this scenic overlook offers stunning mountain views, making it a beautiful spot to stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway. They also highlight the well-paved and maintained r…

Big Witch Overlook

About from Google

Visitors say this scenic overlook offers stunning mountain views, making it a beautiful spot to stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway. They also highlight the well-paved and maintained road, which is fantastic for various vehicles. Others also mention it's a great place to take pictures of the Smoky Mountains.

Address & contact information

Cherokee, NC 28719

Website

Wesner Bald Overlook

Sylva, North Carolina

Wesner Bald Overlook

Address & contact information

Blue Ridge Parkway

Highlands Aerial Park

Scaly Mountain, North Carolina

Outdoor adventure park featuring treetop zip lines, a giant swing, and nature trails.

Highlands Aerial Park

About from Google

Outdoor adventure park featuring treetop zip lines, a giant swing, and nature trails.

Address & contact information

9625 Dillard Road
(828) 482-1422

Website

Winchester Creek Farm

Waynesville, North Carolina

Winchester Creek Farm

Address & contact information

386 Walker Road
(828) 246-9486

Website

Cashiers Sliding Rock

Highlands, North Carolina

Family-friendly, naturally formed water slide, with rock faces and beaches, as well as swimming holes, pools and waterfalls.

Cashiers Sliding Rock

About from Google

Family-friendly, naturally formed water slide, with rock faces and beaches, as well as swimming holes, pools and waterfalls.

Address & contact information

Chattooga River, Highlands, NC 28741

Pinnacle Ridge Tunnel

Waynesville, North Carolina

Pinnacle Ridge Tunnel

Address & contact information

Blue Ridge Parkway

Heintooga Overlook

Cherokee, North Carolina

Scenic spot featuring a picnic area and a short stroll to a peaceful viewpoint with a bench.

Heintooga Overlook

About from Google

Scenic spot featuring a picnic area and a short stroll to a peaceful viewpoint with a bench.

Address & contact information

Cherokee, NC 28719

Cowee Mountain Overlook

Canton, North Carolina

Pull-off off the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway offering views of the Cowee Mountain range.

Cowee Mountain Overlook

About from Google

Pull-off off the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway offering views of the Cowee Mountain range.

Address & contact information

Blue Ridge Parkway
(828) 298-0398

Website

Andrews Valley Rail Tours

Andrews, North Carolina

Round-trip electric-assist ride through the forest and past farms, leading to a hand-dug tunnel.

Andrews Valley Rail Tours

About from Google

Round-trip electric-assist ride through the forest and past farms, leading to a hand-dug tunnel.

Address & contact information

95 1st Street
(828) 557-4021

Website

Steve Woody House

Waynesville, North Carolina

Steve Woody House

Address & contact information

Rough Fork Trail

Shelton House - History, Heritage, and Craft - Home of The Museum of NC Craft and History

Waynesville, North Carolina

Heritage museum in the 1875 Shelton House featuring North Carolina crafts & agricultural displays.

Shelton House - History, Heritage, and Craft - Home of The Museum of NC Craft and History

About from Google

Heritage museum in the 1875 Shelton House featuring North Carolina crafts & agricultural displays.

Address & contact information

49 Shelton Street
(828) 452-1551

Website

T Pennington Art Gallery

Waynesville, North Carolina

Originals & prints of artist T. Pannington's pictures of the area, including the Biltmore Estate.

T Pennington Art Gallery

About from Google

Originals & prints of artist T. Pannington's pictures of the area, including the Biltmore Estate.

Address & contact information

15 North Main Street
(828) 452-9284

Website

Old Time Music Metal Art

Waynesville, North Carolina

Old Time Music Metal Art

Address & contact information

Waynesville, NC 28786

Gateway to the Smokies Plaza

Waynesville, North Carolina

Gateway to the Smokies Plaza

Address & contact information

177 North Main Street

Wildcat Falls

Canton, North Carolina

Wildcat Falls

Address & contact information

Lake Logan Road

Francis Grist Mill

Waynesville, North Carolina

Francis Grist Mill

Address & contact information

14 Hugh Massie Road
(828) 456-6307

Website

Sunburst Falls

Canton, North Carolina

Attraction offering scenic views of a waterfall that's accessible by a trail.

Sunburst Falls

About from Google

Attraction offering scenic views of a waterfall that's accessible by a trail.

Address & contact information

Canton, NC 28716

Website

Haywood County Visitor Center

Lake Junaluska, North Carolina

Clean place for gathering brochures and maps of the area, as well as info about local sites and attractions.

Haywood County Visitor Center

About from Google

Clean place for gathering brochures and maps of the area, as well as info about local sites and attractions.

Address & contact information

91 North Lakeshore Drive
(828) 944-0761

Website

Waynesville Greenway Park

Waynesville, North Carolina

Kid-friendly park featuring a lake for kayaking, as well as benches by the river.

Waynesville Greenway Park

About from Google

Kid-friendly park featuring a lake for kayaking, as well as benches by the river.

Address & contact information

Waynesville, NC 28786

Cataloochee Valley - Elk Watching

Waynesville, North Carolina

Scenic valley known for its free-roaming elk population, as well as its old homesteads and historic churches.

Cataloochee Valley - Elk Watching

About from Google

Scenic valley known for its free-roaming elk population, as well as its old homesteads and historic churches.

Address & contact information

Waynesville, NC 28785

Website

Inspiration Point

Lake Junaluska, North Carolina

Visitors say this scenic spot offers incredible panoramic views of Lake Junaluska and the surrounding mountains. They also highlight the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, making i…

Inspiration Point

About from Google

Visitors say this scenic spot offers incredible panoramic views of Lake Junaluska and the surrounding mountains. They also highlight the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, making it a great place to relax and reflect. Others mention the convenience of a small parking lot and recommend visiting at dusk when the cross is lit up.

Address & contact information

Lake Junaluska, NC 28745

Jarvis Palmer House

Waynesville, North Carolina

Historic home and community in a valley setting known for elk sightings.

Jarvis Palmer House

About from Google

Historic home and community in a valley setting known for elk sightings.

Address & contact information

Cataloochee Creek Road

Website

Bigfoot Statue

Waynesville, North Carolina

Bigfoot sculpture at the end of a driveway for a woodworker that people pose with.

Bigfoot Statue

About from Google

Bigfoot sculpture at the end of a driveway for a woodworker that people pose with.

Address & contact information

4286-4500 Cove Creek Road

Cataloochee Valley

Waynesville, North Carolina

Visitor center offering free admission and surrounded by wildlife, including bears and elk.

Cataloochee Valley

About from Google

Visitor center offering free admission and surrounded by wildlife, including bears and elk.

Address & contact information

Cataloochee Creek Road

Cataloochee Valley Overlook

Waynesville, North Carolina

Steep drive with scenic views of the Smoky Mountains and a chance to observe elk.

Cataloochee Valley Overlook

About from Google

Steep drive with scenic views of the Smoky Mountains and a chance to observe elk.

Address & contact information

274-304 Cataloochee Entrance Road

Gorges State Park

Sapphire, North Carolina

Rainforest rising to 2,000 ft. with waterfalls, trout streams, rugged trails & large visitor center.

Gorges State Park

About from Google

Rainforest rising to 2,000 ft. with waterfalls, trout streams, rugged trails & large visitor center.

Address & contact information

976 Grassy Ridge Road
(828) 966-9099

Website