A FREE Daily Visitor Guide for the North Carolina Mountains and 50+ NC Mountain Cities: The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

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Tuesday, June 23, 2015

All Aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for BBQ and Brews

June 27, 2015 Fontana Trestle Train BBQ and Brews The Barbeque and Brews Dinner Trains feature locally hand-crafted beer from Heinzelmannchen Brewery and Nantahala Brewing Company. plus slow-cooked authentic North Carolina Barbeque.

The train departs Bryson City NC Depot at 7 PM and travels through the scenic mountain countryside to the Fontana Trestle for a spectacular sunset. The base ticket prices from $69 (adults over 21 only) and includes a souvenir tasting glass with three beer samples and a meal of pulled pork, homemade coleslaw and apple pie. Additional beer will be available for purchase.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Offers Memorable Mountain Adventures for 2015

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is a favorite NC mountains attraction with both daily excursions and special events. The train rides depart from Bryson City's historic depot and wind through the countryside of the beautiful Smoky Mountains.

2015 General Excursions:
Choose from one of two adventures - the Nantahala Gorge Excursion or the Tuckasegee River Excursion - and see the beauty of Western North Carolina from an open-air gondola car or upscale first class seating.

The Nantahala Excursion departs Bryson City traveling along the Nantahala and Tennessee Rivers for four-and-a-half hours over the 44 miles to the Nantahala Gorge and back again. Enjoy Bluegrass music and Appalachian stories along the way. The historic Trellis Bridge crosses Fontana Lake as the train travels into the beautiful Nantahala Gorge and arrives at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) for a one-hour layover.

The Tuckasegee River Excursion winds through the countryside for 33 miles and 4 hours with a one and a half hour stop in the quaint historic town of Dillsboro where you may shop the unique downtown stores and galleries. The route includes a pass by the set used for the train scenes on the popular movie "The Fugitive".

Special Event and Specialty Trains:
The 2015 season offers a full calendar year of railroading events. Book ahead for these popular trains and guarantee your seat for fun-filled memories including:

PEANUTS™ The Valentine Express and Sweetheart Train - February 14, 11 AM
Photo Contest - deadline for submission February 6, 2015
PEANUTS™ Easter Beagle Express - April 3 and 4
Freedom Train - July 4
Dinosaur Train™ - July 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31; August1, 2
PEANUTS™ Pumpkin Patch Express - Oct 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31
Masquerade Train - October 31, 8 PM
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride -November 13 - January 3, various dates

Monday, December 17, 2012

Last Two Weeks to Ride the Polar Express

Now through December 29 join join friends and family, visitors and locals for one of the most popular Christmas mountain events: The Polar Express on The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

All Aboard The Polar Express for a memorable journey to the magic of the Holiday season. The 1.25 hour round-trip excursion departs the Bryson City NC depot for a journey through a peaceful wilderness to a special visit at the North Pole. The motion picture soundtrack music plays as guests on board enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while reading along with the magical story.

Children's faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the "North Pole" to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board The Polar Express, greeting each child and presenting everyone a special gift as in the story – a special silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung on the return back to the Bryson City Depot.

Find a link for the Polar Express and more NC Holiday Events on the NC Mountains Events Calendar

The Blue Ridge Parkway at 469 miles long is the nation's longest scenic rural parkway. Now 70 years old it is administered by the National Park Service and host to approximately 20 million visits annually. It connects the Shenandoah Valley National Park with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. Along the route are opportunities for lodging, dining, camping, hiking and simply enjoying breathtaking views from easily accessible overlooks and picnic areas. For additional information visit :The Blueridge Parkway Association

The River Arts District is open year around with the opportunity to meet artists in their studios. Schedules are available online. This unique area along the French Broad River is home to more than 165 artists with working studios located in 18 turn-of-the-century industrial buildings. The artists of the River Arts District welcome you into their studios to talk with them, see their latest artwork, watch demonstrations, and experience for yourself the magic hidden inside the time-worn factories and warehouses along the French Broad River.

Chimney Rock Park is named for a 500 million-year-old giant granite monolith overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge. Visitors are awed by the breathtaking view that spreads 1200 vertical feet beneath them and 75 miles across the Carolinas. The now state owned park encompasses 1,000 acres offers the best of the mountains in one place with spectacular 75-mile views, hiking trails for all ages, a 404-foot waterfall, a variety of special events and much more. Chimney Rock NC

The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has provided funding for almost 1500 state and nationally designated byway projects in 48 states. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on one or more archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.

Tsali Recreation Area is an outdoors lover's paradise. Probably the most popular features of Tsali Recreation Area are the 39 miles of trails suited for mountain bikers and horse-back riders, as well as hikers. The 4-loop system offers a variety of landscapes. You can climb 1-foot wide rugged paths or travel flat, well-beaten roads. The four trails--Right, Left, Mouse Branch, and Thompson Loops--meander through mixed pine and hardwoods on a peninsula stretching into Fontana Lake. Near Bryson City NC and Robbinsville NC.