Tag: Bryson City NC

Step Inside a Painting at this Mountain Getaway in Almond, NC
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Posted on November 7th, 2025
by Sarah Burnett
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This short-term rental in Almond, NC is the perfect mountain getaway in Western North Carolina. Experience ultimate relaxation in this private 3-bedroom cottage surrounded by woods with incredible views of the surrounding mountains. Enjoy proximity to miles of beautiful roadside overlooks, hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and the small town of Bryson City, NC.

Step into a painting at this mountain getaway in Almond, NC!

Our stay was provided by the homeowner so that we could bring you this review. All words and opinions are our own.

When I started looking for an autumn escape, I could see it in my mind: A cozy cabin with plenty of space, private surroundings in the midst of nature, and knockout views of the fall foliage. Did such a place exist? I scoured the Internet and found this amazing short-term rental in nearby Almond, North Carolina! Only 2.5 hours from Upstate South Carolina, it was an easy weekend trip with the kids, and we loved every second of it!

Quick Look at The Almond Escape
🏡 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom mountaintop home
⛰️ Stunning views of surrounding mountains
🌲 Total privacy in a heavily wooded area
💎 Luxury features like king-sized beds in every room, jetted tub in master bathroom, and 6-person hot tub outside
🍂 Attractions include colorful fall foliage, lots of local hiking, swimming in the summer, and nearby small towns
💲 Cost is variable, discounts may be available for those booking a last-minute trip
🚗 2.5 hours from Upstate South Carolina
📍 Almond, North Carolina
Exact address provided after booking.
🌟 Click here to book!

A Peaceful Mountain Retreat

This beautiful 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home sits atop a few wooded acres in a private, gated community. As soon as you step outside, you’ll breathe in the mountain air and take in the panoramic view of nature. It’s the kind of place that allows you to instantly relax and forget your worries for a while.

We arrived at night, but I recommend planning your drive during the daytime if you can. You don’t want to miss the beautiful mountain views all the way into Almond—we had to wait to see them until our drive back home! The private driveway up to the cottage is also narrow with a couple hairpin turns, so arriving in daylight will make that part easier to navigate, as well. If you’re visiting during the colder months, a vehicle with 4-wheel drive would be your safest bet to make it up the steep mountain roads in all kinds of weather.

Once you reach the top, the scene is surreal. You can park outside in the driveway or in the 2-car garage (with electric vehicle charger!) and look around to see nothing but woods on every side. Step inside the cottage, and you’ll find the walls on the opposite side are lined with floor-to-ceiling windows offering the most incredible view!

Each of these floor-to-ceiling windows includes a sliding glass door, so you can step outside to enjoy the large wooden deck spanning the entire length of the home. This deck overlooks the entire valley beneath, including a gorgeous reflective pond and mountains and every side. There are several great ways to take in the view, whether you’re having lunch at the picnic table, drinking coffee in Adirondack chairs, or enjoying the evening in the deluxe 6-person hot tub! Plus, there are latching gates at either end, making it a safer space for families visiting with little ones.

In the distance straight ahead, you can spot Kuwohi Mountain, also called Clingmans Dome, and the sun rises each morning over the mountain immediately to the right. We watched the sunrise every morning, and found that it seems to crest the mountaintop roughly an hour after the “official” sunrise time for Almond, NC! And at night? Turn out all the lights to watch the stars come to life, far removed from the city lights.

There’s also a small fire pit just off the deck, and long metal skewers for s’mores can be found in the kitchen cabinets inside. But be careful with any little ones right here! It’s a small space right next to a very steep drop-off.

Get Cozy in the Roomy Living Spaces

We could have happily spent the whole weekend inside this cozy cabin. I brought a few crafts and games for the kids to make our time there special, and they loved just playing in the living room while I enjoyed my time cooking and baking for every meal!

This kitchen comes fully equipped with a gas range, all your basic cookware, and a variety of countertop appliances. The sink gets very hot (over 130 degrees), which is great for cooking, but make sure any kids in the kitchen are careful not to burn themselves. The 10-person table in the adjoining room allowed our whole family to eat meals together, and we especially loved breakfasts when the sunrise would come right through the window!

The oversized living room is fabulous, with high ceilings and heavy wooden décor, providing that true “cabin” feel in the space. There is a large gas fireplace with a beautiful stone mantle, and this can be controlled with an easy switch right by the fireplace or using a series of switches on the wall near the deck. There is no grate or other protective covering, so just keep a close eye on any little ones in this space.

There are two large comfy couches with blankets and an ottoman, plus two comfortable recliners that can swivel to look at the fireplace or the large Smart TV mounted to the wall. All the TVs in the house are conveniently logged into multiple streaming services, and there is a DVD player in the middle bedroom.

Each of the 3 bedrooms offers a comfortable king-sized bed and small closet, plus their own Smart TV to be able to binge your favorite shows at night or unwind with a family movie at bedtime. The master bedroom’s closet is walk-in, and the bed looks out through floor-to-ceiling windows with a sliding door directly onto the deck. Any of the bedrooms can easily fit a pack-n-play or other portable bed option for little ones, too!

2nd Bedroom

3rd Bedroom

There are 3 full bathrooms in the cottage, too. The master bathroom is luxurious with double vanities, a large walk-in shower, separate jetted tub, and private toilet area with bidet. There is a hall bathroom between the bedrooms and the living room, where you’ll find a shower/tub combination. Last, there is a guest bathroom off the kitchen and laundry (yes, there’s a laundry area, too!) with a standalone shower.

Bryson City and More to Explore

While it is very tempting to stay put and just enjoy the view, there are some options to explore nearby, as well. During the summers, make plans to visit to Lake Fontana, right across the highway from the cottage. This recreational lake offers swimming, fishing, and boating along the border of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. There are about half a dozen access points to the national park around here, and you can also drive or walk across Fontana Dam, the tallest dam in the eastern United States.

Roadside overlook near Almond, NC!

We spent the day checking out nearby Bryson City, a small tourist town about 20 minutes from the cottage. We visited the free Appalachian Rivers Aquarium and Fly-Fishing Museum, located side by side for convenient enjoyment. Both of these are small, one-room buildings featuring several educational exhibits for visitors, and the highlight is definitely the crawl-in exhibit of the rare Hellbender Salamander!

Aquarium

Fly-Fishing Museum

We also caught an artisan market happening right outside and made a quick visit to check out Darnell Farms, where we found lots of local produce, some cute photo spots, and a free play area next to the river and mountains.

Darnell Farms

As for eateries, we tried out Jimmy Mac’s Restaurant in Bryson City for an early lunch, and the food was delicious but the wait was over an hour, even with very few people in the restaurant. We later learned this a popular spot for tourists—but locals tend to favor the food trucks at Bryson City Outdoors, Everett Street Diner, and The High Test Deli, so we plan to check those out on our next visit!

If you do decide to visit Bryson City, expect significantly higher prices than at home. This is a tourism town, and everything from groceries to restaurants to attractions will be priced accordingly!

Cardinal Coffee makes a great addition to any excursion from the cottage, and it’s only a few short minutes away. They offer a drive-through and café, and this spot was very busy with locals every time we visited. Plus, our coffee was downright delicious!

Suggestions for a Great Getaway

We absolutely adored our stay and hope to visit again to experience even more of the beautiful seasons in the mountains! We brought several things from home to give us the best possible weekend, so here are a few suggestions for your family.

If you’re visiting around any holidays, bring a few easy decorations to give it that special touch during your stay.

We brought movies, games, and crafts to give us plenty to do while we stayed in the cottage and just took in the view. If you’re a homebody who loves to get cozy, then I highly recommend that you do the same.

Seriously, even if you’re a homebody, please pack something to go hiking! You don’t want to visit without checking out at least one or two of the trails around here. Bring good boots to go tromping through the woods, and pack layers because the temperature can change a good bit in the mountains. You might also want to bring bug spray.

The kitchen and laundry are stocked with detergent, paper products, and trash bags for just a couple days, so plan to pack a little extra if you’re doing an extended stay! Pack a cooler with plenty of snacks and ingredients for whatever meals you’d like to make, as the nearest grocery stores are about 20-30 minutes away.

There is no trash pickup in the mountains, so you’ll have to haul your trash to a public dump during or after your stay. Plan to leave room in your vehicle for one or two full trash bags, depending on how much you expect to go through.

Whether you visit in the fall for the colors or the summer for lake days, this Almond retreat offers a beautiful escape for your families anytime of the year!

View from the Valley

Book Your Stay Today!

What mountain escapes have you visited in the Carolinas? Let us know in the comments!
About the Author

Sarah Burnett is a local of Upstate, South Carolina with 3 kids, a husband she adores, and a God who never fails. After working in family services for about a decade, she founded Seek First Family Cooperative and now serves children and families on the homefront. She loves to learn about homemaking, homesteading, and homeschooling, and she writes and volunteers as opportunities arise. You can find and contact her through LinkedIn.

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Sarah Burnett

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November 7, 2025
Gaze at the Stars While Staying at This Yurt Village in Bryson City

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Have you ever stayed at Sky Ridge Yurts in Bryson City, NC? If you’re looking for a fabulous outdoorsy adventure away, that’s not too far from the Upstate, you’ll want to check them out. KAG’s Kristina brought her family and they had a blast. Here’s what you can expect at Sky Ridge Yurts.

I never quite understood people who said they felt like home when staying somewhere other than their home. A hotel? Nope. An AirBnB? Maybe. But I finally got it when I opened the door to my yurt in Bryson City after a long day of driving, that feeling of just being in a place where it’s inherently like home, like a place you belonged and where you can relax and just breathe easy. That’s Sky Ridge Yurts, just a couple of hours’ drive from Greenville.

What’s a Yurt?

A yurt is a round tent-like structure with a high ceiling that forms an open dome at the top. Its walls are made of strong, waterproof fabric held up with lattice wood and it’s a typical home for people who live in Central Asia. I first heard of yurts when one of my very best friends stayed in one during her travels abroad and then I saw them on the Travel Channel.

I thought they were super cool but never in a million years would have guessed I could stay in one near Greenville – and that is would be beyond my wildest expectations. The “wow factor” was considerably off the charts as soon as I caught a glimpse of them driving up the gravel road to the yurt village.

The Sky Ridge Yurts Are an Epic Experience

Sky Ridge Yurts have modern amenities like beautiful bathrooms, central heating and air, wi-fi, and satellite television and are oh-so-stylish. These yurts take glamping to a whole other level. The beds are outfitted with luxurious sheets, the bathrooms have super soft towels, and the comfort level is one where I never wanted to leave. These yurts have a deck with a gas grill and share a firepit with other yurts. I met a couple from Ohio when I was there and we chatted about our travels – it was fun to meet other people who were sharing the same experience.

Since I stayed in the yurt during the hot and humid summer months, a midnight thunderstorm wasn’t uncommon. The rain sounded incredible as it hit the roof of the yurt. It was something out of a movie or song, the raindrops creating a symphony in the middle of the night.

The dome of the yurt allows you to see the night sky and do the whole outdoor experience without the inconvenience of a bathhouse away from your campsite or a lack of air conditioning in the summer heat.

Grilling Out + S’mores Are Easy

When I travel with my kids, I try to plan out meals to bring and make instead of eating out, which can become very pricey. There is either a full or efficiency kitchen in each yurt with a small refrigerator, sink, microwave, and coffee pot (with local coffee!), which really helps out on the food budget. We ate breakfast at the yurt, packed lunches for our day excursions and then used the grill at night, picking up essentials at the Ingles nearby. There is a picnic table on every deck so you have plenty of space to gather for meals. It doesn’t get any better than grilling out on the deck of your yurt while overlooking the mountains of the Nantahala Gorge right next to the Great Smoky Mountains.

And every night we roasted marshmallows at the campfire for s’mores to end the day, something my kids really looked forward to. I’ve found that eating outside, making s’mores, and having adventures all day make for some great dinner conversations with the kids. I was relaxed, the kids were tired, and we all slept so well in the yurt, well-rested for the next day’s fun.

Rising from Tragedy

Melissa Little, owner of Sky Ridge Yurts and a mom herself, overcame exceptional tragedy that led to the creation of her business and memories for families and couples for years to come. When she lost her husband, Adam, in a cycling accident nine years ago, she was a stay-at-home-mom with two little girls and no idea of what to do next.

Originally from Charlotte, NC, her and Adam loved Western NC and often took trips there to enjoy the outdoors. When the property on the ridge came up for sale, she jumped at the chance, using the insurance money to purchase the land and build the yurts.

“It felt a lot like Adam saying ‘do it here; you have my blessing’,” she said. “It’s nice to be on the Ridge for most everyone that visits; for me, it’s extra special knowing he was here with me so much in our life together.”

Her family initially thought she had lost her mind but supported her and eventually became investors in the business. As to why she chose yurts, she said they are just cool. Her mom was already living in one so she had an idea of the unique vibe on the structure and the experience she wanted to create for people. She thinks that people ultimately choose Sky Ridge Yurts because of the view, which I agree is stunning.

“I think guests like that we’re only a few minutes for the Nantahala Outdoor Center, which is a huge draw for this area,” said Melissa. “And I like to think that they choose us because we offer them a true experience rather than just a place to stay in the mountains.”

She’s absolutely right. I wanted to go for the experience and location. I wanted to share something unique with my kids, something that they will remember and bring a smile to their faces.

Ideal Location – Tubing, Smoky Mountains, Leaf Peeping, Polar Express

Sky Ridge Yurts is located just 20 minutes from downtown Bryson City where you can enjoy shopping and restaurants. I feel like the true gem of the location of the yurt village is its proximity to tubing, rafting, zip lining, and kayaking, and the Polar Express of the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Of course, the leaf-peeping season is a big draw as well.

I had some kayak envy checking out all the beautiful kayaks atop dozens of cars around the area. The Nantahala Outdoor Center is right down the road so rafting and water sports are very close. I took my kids tubing at Deep Creek in the Smoky Mountains, where there are no less than half a dozen tube rental places just outside the entrance to the park. You can rent a tube for cheap and spend your day on the river.

The super-popular Polar Express is nearby as well, just 20 minutes away. Staying in a yurt can help save on the budget and certainly make for an even more memorable family trip. Bryson City is also in the heart of prime real estate for viewing the leaves changing colors in October. Check out the leaves during the day and then get cozy at the firepit to top off an enviable trip.

If hiking, waterfall chasing, or mountain biking is your thing, Bryson City is a gateway to the Smoky Mountains, a huge playground for the outdoor enthusiast. There is literally no shortage of things to do in the area.

Yurts Are Great for Families & Couples

The yurts at Sky Ridge can accommodate anywhere from four to six (maybe more, especially kids) people. You can rent just one or the whole village – perfect for a family reunion or girls’ weekend or whatever else you can come up with to stay in a yurt. There are 7 yurts total, sleeping anywhere from 3-6 people. All are outfitted with the same luxurious linens, towels, and an unmatched glamping experience.

I wish I took a photo of the faces of my kids when they saw the yurt. They had nothing to compare it to so their reaction was pure excitement – in all honesty, mine was too. I was blown away. I thought the yurt would be pretty awesome; I just didn’t know it would be this awesome.

Sky Ridge also has two cabins available for rent. One is a glass cabin available called Stecoah House, and the other is the Wayah House, a newer modern cabin. Both cabins sits atop a mountain and can sleep six people comfortably, which is perfect for families. Both cabins have a full kitchen, washer and dryer, wi-fi, and complimentary, locally-ground coffee. Prices range from $200-$360 depending on the season and whether you book a weekday/weekend.

I Want to Stay In a Yurt

Rates for the yurts vary by size, season, and weekday/weekend. Winter and spring are usually the least expensive, starting around $104/night for weekdays and $114/night for weekends.

Sky Ridge Yurts are also pet-friendly. I was a little nervous about this aspect since I have terrible allergies to cats and dogs but I had no issues at all. For guests who want to bring their pets, there is a $100 pet fee for up to 2 pets.

The yurts are spotless and comfortable and just have that feeling of being wrapped in a hug by a longtime friend. It feels so good to stay at Sky Ridge. It’s relaxing and rejuvenating. We all need time to unwind and escape from our daily lives, even if just for a night or two. This place is absolutely where to do it. I loved watching my kids explore the area and be amazed by something they had never seen before. Those are the kinds of memories I try to create for my family and Sky Ridge Yurts delivered big time in helping me do that. I can’t wait to come back.

Sky Ridge Yurts
200 Sky Ridge Drive, Bryson City, NC
704.701.5696

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Kristina Hernandez

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July 9, 2024
Tube All Day for Less Than $30 for a Family of Four on Deep Creek

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Planning a tubing day trip? Bryson City, NC is home to Deep Creek tubing, a popular river tubing destination. With several places to rent tubes, plus local campgrounds, Deep Creek tubing is a great choice for a tubing adventure.

KAG’s Kristina Hernandez spent a day tubing with her kids. Here’s how her day went tubing at Deep Creek, plus some tips for planning your own tubing adventure.

Tubing has been on my summer bucket list for awhile. I had to wait until I felt comfortable taking my nearly five-year-old out on the river. This was the summer we made it happen and it all went down at Deep Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains in Bryson City, North Carolina. And we did it for super cheap, only $8/person for all day tubing.

Tubing on Deep Creek

Deep Creek is a stretch of pretty shallow water stretching along the Smoky Mountains on the North Carolina side of the park in Bryson City. There are several campgrounds and places to rent tubes from in a stretch of less than two miles.

We rented tubes from Deep Creek Tubing & Campground where tubes cost just $8/each. They come with a life jacket for a refundable 100% $10 cash deposit (and a 50% refundable $10 credit card deposit). I brought ours from home so we didn’t need them. I saw other places, like Tube World just down the road. There were several others outside the park entrance.

Since you are parking inside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you need a parking sticker. You can get them at kiosks around the park. It costs $5/day, $15/week or $40/year.

I was a little worried I wouldn’t be able to get a tube since I went on July 4th but there were plenty of tubes and I understood why Deep Creek Tubing doesn’t take reservations.

How Old Should Kids Be to Tube?

This is a question that parents need to ask themselves. Since it was just me taking my two kids, ages eight and almost five, I needed to be confident enough to know I could safely handle my kids and their tubes floating down the river since we would be tethered together.

Many tubing places have age restrictions, which we list in our giant list of places to go tubing in NC, SC, and GA. Deep Creek Tubing didn’t have any restrictions. I’ve gone tubing several times, just not with my kids, so I knew what to generally expect and could figure it out from there on what would be safe.

Both of my kids can swim but I wasn’t taking chances and they both wore life jackets. It can be a wild, bouncy ride. Great Smoky Mountains National Park now requires children 13 years of age and younger to wear a life jacket while tubing. You may bring your own, or rent one at Deep Creek with a $10 deposit, which is 100% refundable if you pay with cash and 50% refundable if you pay with credit card.

I saw several parents hang onto their kids’ tubes or use twine or ropes to tether tubes together. I felt more comfortable doing that, especially since my youngest was kind of scared the first run down the river.

Prepare to Walk

This was the first tubing experience I ever had where I had to walk my tube to the drop-in point and do it over and over again until I was too tired. Other places take you and your tube to the drop-in point and you float down the river until you hit the outfitters where your car is parked. Not at Deep Creek because vendors are not legally allowed in the park.

How it works is that you rent the tubes from the rental place, get some help tying them to the roof of your car, drive into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park maybe a mile down the road, park your car either in the big picnic area or up a little ways into another parking lot, get the tubes down from your car and then carry them about a half mile to the first drop-in point, the lower part of the river where the rapids are more calm. You can walk further for a little more adventure but we didn’t do that.

Either way, you’ll pass Tom Branch Falls, a beautiful waterfall right on the river. We saw it multiple times because it’s on the trail you walk to get to the drop-in point. Its beauty never got old!

I had to carry the tube of my youngest kid twice and then both kids another two times – so three tubes total for a mile. It was a workout for sure but still fun and enjoyable. Water shoes are a must since rocks are slippery and the trail is very rocky. I saw people wearing sneakers so whatever works for you, as long as you have shoes on.

What to Bring

Don’t bring much with you because it’s very easy to lose valuables in the river. I bought an awesome little waterproof phone carrier where I put my phone and keys and had it around my neck. We applied sunscreen before we started tubing and again midway through the day. We all had hats, which one of my kid’s lost, of course.

Some people had sticks or rods to help push them out of the rocks when they got stuck – my version was to either use my feet to push off or get out of the tube in the rapids, slip on the rocks, listen to my youngest get all upset while I was flailing around, and then somehow hop back into the tube and reassure my child I was fine. Everyone has their methods.

Since you get out of the river usually where your car is parked, you can take a break during the day and eat lunch. Be sure to drink a ton of water since it’s hot and you don’t want to get dehydrated, which can totally happen even though you’re in water all day. There are no vendors anywhere in the park but since I had to bribe my youngest kid to get in the water, I did find out there is a good snack bar with ice cream right outside the entrance to the park. They also have nachos, hamburgers, hot dogs, etc.

Day Trippin’

Bryson City is only about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Greenville so it’s certainly doable as a day trip. If you want to make it a weekend trip, I’d recommend staying at Sky Ridge Yurts, about 20 minutes away from Deep Creek. Yurts are awesome and Sky Ridge Yurts will blow you away. There is also great hiking, including the Deep Creek Trail (which you can take to Indian Creek for a waterfall view). You can go hiking, biking, and picnicking at several gorgeous places near Bryson City, including the Nantahala Outdoor Center.

Tube for Free

You don’t have to rent a tube at Deep Creek to have a fun day on the water. If you already own a river tube, you can park inside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and hike the half-mile to the drop-in point and tube down the river.

If I had a river tube, I’d totally do this! I saw a bunch of people tube with their own tubes or other flotation devices. Look for sales at the end of the season to score a big tube for a great price – or just go to Walmart. There’s nothing like tubing on a hot summer day.

Deep Creek Tubing Rentals

The Deep Creek area has a few places to rent tubes right near the entrance to the Smokies and Deep Creek. These companies generally operate from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, but some could may continue after Labor Day. You’ll find these on West Deep Creek Road in Bryson City.

Have you been tubing in Deep Creek?

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Kristina Hernandez

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July 5, 2024
Getaway to a holiday adventure in Bryson City, NC
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Are you searching for Bryson City holiday things to do? Most known for the Polar Express, there is so much more than just the train ride to do and explore in this friendly mountain town. Bryson City, NC also has a drive-thru light show, outdoor ice skating, delicious food, and much more!

Looking for more holiday day trip ideas? Be sure to check out our festive guide!

Bryson City: A Real-Life Christmas Wonderland

Bryson City is a quaint, peaceful mountain town along the Great Smoky Mountains. Just a quick 3 to 4 hour drive from Columbia, SC, this makes for the perfect weekend getaway. During winter each year, Bryson City transforms into a real-life Christmas wonderland with beautiful decor, twinkling lights, and Christmas magic all around. My family took a quick 1-night trip to the mountains and we spent one of our evenings exploring Bryson City. I left wishing we would have had more time to spend and know we will definitely be returning!

Things to do in Bryson City, NC for the Holidays

Take a Ride on the Polar Express

One of the most popular things to do in Bryson City over the holidays is the Polar Express Train Ride! My family recently got to experience this magical event and both of my kids (ages 4 and 1) absolutely loved it. Be sure to check out the Kidding Around Pplar Express review for more tips and info!

Explore the Smoky Mountain Train Museum

The train museum sits right next to the railroad tracks and is a great place to pass the time while waiting to board a train ride! Inside the museum, there is a huge display of model trains that are so fascinating to watch! My son loved pointing out all of the detailed features he saw. With a train ticket, entrance into the museum is free!

Along with the model train display, the museum also offers a large gift shop area with plenty of trinkets and souvenirs.

Smoky Mountain Train Museum

Go Outdoor Ice Skating

Outdoor ice skating is such a fun, classic winter activity! Unfortunately, on the evening we were there, the ice rink was not open, but now that I know it’s there we will be sure to plan accordingly for future visits. Along with ice skating, there is also a food truck and full-time bar. For $20 per person you will get 1 hour of skating time, skate rentals (smallest size is youth size 9), and 1 hot chocolate! Hours are as follows:

Thursdays and Fridays from 4 pm to 8 pm beginning November 17th, 2023

Saturdays and Sundays from 1 pm to 8 pm beginning November 19th, 2023

The Yard Ice Skating

Visit the Local Shops

With so many locally-owned shops and businesses to choose from, picking a favorite would be hard! We popped into a few and really enjoyed all of the Christmas shops. We purchased an ornament from Uncle Bunky’s Christmas Cottage where they also had tons of holiday decor, small toys, sweet treats, etc. Loose Moose is another great gift store with lots of unique items to choose from.

Madison’s on Main and Humanite Boutique are both great options for trendy women’s clothing! There are also several antique stores around that are always fun to browse through – you never know what you might find!

Enjoy a Tasty Sweet Treat

If you’re anything like me, the sweet tooth is at an all-time high throughout the holidays. The good news is, Bryson City has so many opportunities for delicious treats! After our ride on the Polar Express we stopped into the Heavenly Fudge Depot and let me just say, it lived up to its name! The peanut butter fudge from here was divine. They also had several festive sweet treats for kids – chocolate “believe” tickets and trains, cookies, bite-sized sweets, and more!

The Chocolate Shoppe, Soda Pop’s Ice Cream, and Pop-N-Jacks Gourmet Popcorn are also great options to cure the sweet tooth! The popcorn from Pop-N-Jacks can even be brought onto the Polar Express with you and smells so good. I’m a little upset we didn’t stop in and give them a try, too!

Take Festive Pictures

Still need a family pic for this year’s Christmas card? There are tons of great holiday photo-ops everywhere you look in Bryson City! From the large, lit-up Christmas tree in the middle of the plaza to stationary train carts, a tractor, and more, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for family photos.

Get Your Live Christmas Tree

While there are no Christmas tree farms in Bryson City, there are several to choose from nearby. During our trip, we chose to get our tree at Smoky Mountain Tree Farm. They had a large variety of trees to choose from and even some that you could cut down yourself. The big red barn and beautiful Smoky Mountain scenery made for great pictures as well!

There are two other tree farms within a few minutes of Smoky Mountain Tree Farm: Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm and Mehaffey Tree Farm. Boyd Mountain Farm has several log cabins available for families to stay in as well as stocked fishing ponds, 4 miles of hiking trails, biking, and more!

Have you ever been to Bryson City during the holidays? What is your favorite thing to do?
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Kayla Simmons

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November 17, 2023
Tickets Are on Sale NOW! Ride On The Polar Express in Bryson, City

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Wondering about the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad’s Polar Express? Bryson City offers one of the most magical experiences of a kid’s life on this themed train ride based on the book The Polar Express. Whether you love an early beginning to the holiday season or wish you could put it off, this North Carolina attraction is one very good reason to start your own planning early this year. KAG Contributor Liene has all the information you need to know about this very popular holiday attraction.

The Polar Express: Bryson City, NC

Bryson City is a gateway city to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but is it also home to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot, with scenic rail excursions through the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. Beginning November 9th, 2023, a very special train will be departing from the historic Bryson City depot: The Polar Express. This is one of two very popular train rides on the Polar Express near Greenville, SC, so get your tickets soon!

Based on the popular children’s book written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, this magical train ride recreates the journey to the North Pole complete with hot cocoa and a warm cookie. At the end of the train ride, Santa Claus himself will be waiting at Santa’s Village to board the train and present each child with their very own silver sleigh bell.

Things to Know About the Ride on the Polar Express

You’ll want to arrive in Bryson City at least an hour before your departure time. This will give you time to park, which is not an easy task in this little town that brings upwards of 90,000 passengers through for the Polar Express. Parking charges are already added when purchasing tickets ($6) and parking attendants are on hand to direct traffic.

Once you’ve walked to the depot you might want to explore the GSMR train museum, and you’ll find a dozen little souvenir and snack shops lining the street to explore while waiting for your train’s boarding time. Hint; the Smoky Mountain trains museum is free with tickets, but you can purchase pictures with Santa if you arrive early.

When it is time to climb on board, passengers join the queue at their assigned boarding station, which correlates to the train car in which you will be riding. The beautifully restored vintage coaches date from the 1920s to the 1940s, and the interior has been festively decorated in the holiday spirit. Friendly employees are on hand to help the boarding process and get everyone situated, and before you know it, the whistle blows, and the Polar Express is off, headed for the North Pole!

While music plays in the background (from the motion picture The Polar Express), the conductor comes through to stamp the ‘golden train tickets.’ These tickets, based on the book, make a cherished souvenir for the children. Hint: make sure to bring your copy of “The Polar Express” on the trip so that you can read along while enjoying the hot chocolate brought to you by the singing and dancing chef.

Like most parents, we had changed the kids into their pajamas so that they would be cozy and comfortable on the journey. And, the singing of Christmas carols and antics of the Polar Express characters kept them mesmerized the entire trip.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Trip

With three different ticket options (First, Crown, and Coach), families have a variety of choices concerning seating, snacks, and memorabilia – only reserve your tickets soon, as the tickets for the weekends approaching Christmas tend to sell out by the end of October. We opted for Coach and were completely satisfied with the seating, the service, and the benefits that came with our package.

We purchased tickets on the 5 pm train, meaning it would still be light out for the first 1/2 hour of the journey (and we could watch the gorgeous mountain scenery roll by). The sun had set and darkness descended just before our arrival at the North Pole, and so the Christmas lights adorning ‘Santa’s Village’ twinkled in the darkness, helping convince reluctant believers… On our return trip, lights from homes along the route sparkled in the distance, adding a magical dimension to the ride.

When selecting seats, you might want to choose to be on the left side of the train (that would be the opposite side where you board the Polar Express), as the river and the majority of North Pole lights will be on that side. Also, Santa boards on the front of the train, so be prepared for him to come through rather soon after stopping if you’re in Coach; have your copy of “The Polar Express” ready for him to sign, and the kids ready to tell him what they would like for Christmas. He even makes some time to ask some disbelieving adults about what they would like under the tree – so make that list and check it twice!

More information on the Polar Express: Bryson City, NC

The first Polar Express departure is on November 9, 2023, and the train operates through December 31, 2023, with the exception of certain weekdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas day. They do have a Christmas Eve ride if you want a truly memorable night. Most days, there are three departures a day and tickets sell out quickly.

For detailed information on the different seating available, visit the Polar Express website.

Bryson City is about 2 ½ hours by car from both Greenville and Spartanburg, optimally a weekend destination, but doable in a day (since the kids will sleep on the way home!).

There are several classes to choose from with Coach Class being the cheapest of the tickets starting at $29 for kids ages 2-12 and $44 for adults up to First Class, which is $47 for kids and $68 for adults. Crown and Premium Crown Class are in between those prices. Depending on what ticket class you choose, you’ll receive a cookie, hot chocolate, and a souvenir of some type for a full Polar Express experience.

You can book tickets by calling 800.872.4681 or you can book them online.

Where to Stay Near the Polar Express in Bryson City, NC

This Stay22 Affiliate links map will help you find the perfect place to stay during your visit!

Sky Ridge Yurts

If you want to enhance your Polar Express experience with a super cool place to stay in town, try Sky Ridge Yurts, only about 20 minutes away from the city center and the railroad. The yurts are spacious, clean, and very comfortable. We tried them out over the summer and fell in love with the unique structures. Enjoy some warm cocoa and the mountain views during your trip!

For other Great Smoky Mountains Railroad family-friendly adventures, check out the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad website.

“At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I’ve grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe.”

From The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg

Would a ride on The Polar Express be a trip your kids would cherish?

See our list of Western NC Day Trips and our list of Holiday Day Trips for even more suggestions for fun around the holidays.

This post was originally published on Femme au foyer and is republished with permission.

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November 1, 2023