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

Showing posts with label The Polar Express on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

The Polar Express Returns to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for Another Season of Christmas Family Fun

November 13 - 14, 2015 (event continues through January 3, 2016) The Polar Express at The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad The 1 ¼ hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City NC depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole.

Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell.

Enjoy singing Christmas carols during the trip back. Kids of all ages will believe in the magic of the Holiday season.

Learn more about Bryson CIty Cabin rentals, mountain inns and local attractions on our Bryson City NC Visitor Guide.

meet Santa at The Polar Express

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

All Aboard for The Polar Express at The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

November 8 - December 29 The Polar Express at The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Journey to the North Pole via the Polar Express to pick up Santa all the while enjoying caroling, cookies, and cocoa - and for those who truly believe; a silver bell just like in the book. Kids of all ages will believe in the magic of the Holiday season.

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad welcomed nearly 50,000 passengers last year for this popular annual event. The 1.5 hour round-trip train ride journeys through quiet mountain meadows to the North Pole and Santa Claus. Santa greets each child and presents them their special silver sleigh bell.

Get your tickets early to be assured you don't miss the magic. The Express will run rain or snow, as long as access highways are clear.

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is located in downtown Bryson City NC.

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.