Great Attractions!
Go Blue Ridge Card
Admission to over 25 of the best attractions, outdoor activities, and tours are included with your Go Blue Ridge Card. Do as much as you like each day for one low, affordable price. Tailor your own custom itineraries, allowing each person to do what is most fun for them. With unlimited flexibility, you can change your plans on the fly. Attractions include Biltmore Estate, Tweetsie Railroad, Linville Caverns, rafting, museums & more.
www.goblueridgecard.com
Biltmore Estate
Biltmore Estate features America's largest home, acres of gardens, and an award-winning winery. Located in Asheville NC.
www.biltmore.com
Canton Area Historical Museum
Displays about the settling of Canton and the Pigeon River area. Mon-Fri, 9 am to 6 pm. Saturday and Sunday by appointment only. Allow 1 hour. 828-646-3412. 36 Park St., Canton NC.
Carolina Nights Dinner Show
Your spectacular evening begins with a mouthwatering prime rib or roasted chicken breast dinner with all the trimmings, followed by a magic preshow. The curtains go up at 8:00 and a talented cast performs country, bluegrass, oldies and uplifting gospel music all mixed with side-splitting comedy.
www.maggievalleyusa.com
Cherokee Indian Reservation
Native American culture; shopping, outdoor drama, gambling casino, and lots of fun things to do.
www.aboutcherokee.com
Cradle of Forestry
In 1898, Dr. Carl A. Schenck began the first forestry school in America, the Biltmore Forest School. Winter classes were held at the Biltmore Estate near Asheville and summer sessions in Pisgah Forest. The "Campus" at The Biltmore Forest School consisted of mountaineer cabins and farm homes which once had been part of the old "Pink Beds" community. The one room community school and church became the forestry school's classroom. The Biltmore Forest School graduated its last class in 1913.
www.CradleOfForestry.com
Ghost Town in the Sky
Begin your journey with a ride to Ghost Town in the Sky, on either the chair lift, the incline railway, or the Ghost Town shuttle bus. Once you reach the top, the fun begins. The atmosphere of the old west surrounds you. Stroll the streets and enjoy the nostalgic shops and displays. You can even have your name in the headlines of the Ghost Town Gazette. Will you be a bank robber or a hero? The fantasy is yours.
www.smokymountainland.com/ghosttown.htm
Grandfather Mountain
Mile-high swinging bridge, animal habitat, nature museum, food and hiking. Hwy 221 near Linville. Open year round, weather permitting. Hours vary in winter; 8-7pm in summer; 8-5pm in fall. $10 adults and $5 children (4-12). Linville NC
www.blowingrock.org/grmtn.html
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains, the majestic climax of the Appalachian Highlands, are a wildlands sanctuary preserving the world's finest examples of temperate deciduous forest. The park boasts unspoiled forests similar to those the early settlers found. Wildflowers and migrating birds abound in late April and early May. Autumn's pageantry of colors usually peaks in mid- October. Some 800 miles of trails thread the whole of the Smokies' natural fabric - and its waterfalls, coves, balds, and rushing streams. The Smokies, a wild landscape rich with traces of its human past, calls people back year after year.
www.imagesbuilder.com/gsmnp
Great Smoky Mountains Railway
Marvel at the scenic beauty of the Carolina Mountains aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railway. You'll ride the rails past historic countryside, cascading rivers, and majestic peaks.
Excursions leave from depots at the historic towns of Dillsboro, Bryson City, and Andrews. Both morning and afternoon excursions are round trips lasting from 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hours. Allow 7 hours for the Raft 'N' Rail trips. Twilight Dinner Trains are 2-1/2 hours in the evening. Santa Express trips are 2 hours, and the National Railroad Historical Society "3-in-1" trips are 6-1/2 hours.
The railway operates both diesel and steam locomotives which run from early March through December. Many of the cars have colorful histories and have been comfortably restored. You may select reconditioned coaches, crown coaches, club cars, dining cars, or open cars that are perfect for viewing and photo taking.
Beverages and light food are available. There are convenience stations and gift shops also. For choice of seating, tickets should be ordered in advance and paid with credit card.
www.gsmr.com
Linville Caverns
Tours of underground caverns. Hwy 221 between Linville and Marion. Open daily May-November 9-5pm. Weekends December-February 9 - 4:30 pm. $5 adults, $4 Seniors, $3.00 children (5-12) and under 5 free.
www.linvillecaverns.com
Mast General Store
Worn oak floors, a pressed tin ceiling and century old fixtures greet you in this rambling 1900's emporium. Discover old time mercantile items, quality outdoor gear, custom fit footwear and traditional clothing for all mountain seasons. Also visit Mast Candy Barrel. Waynesville NC.
www.mastgeneralstore.com
Nantahala Outdoor Center
From the wildflowers of spring to autumn's bright colors, families and friends enjoy outstanding whitewater on the Nantahala and French Broad rivers. Bryson City NC
www.noc.com
Old Pressley Sapphire Mine
Search for sapphires and other gems. The world's largest blue sapphires were discovered here. Open 7 days a week. Exit 88 off I-40. Canton NC. 828-648-6820.
Santa's Land Theme Park and Zoo
Family fun with a Christmas theme. Visit with Santa and his elves, visit gift shops and exhibits. Ride the rides or relax on the one-mile train ride. Have a picnic here or enjoy a meal in the deli. Enjoy family fun all day for one low admission price.
In the fall, Santa's Land features the Harvest Festival in October with Mountain craft exhibits, a horse-drawn Sorghum Mill, fresh apple cider, a moonshine still, fresh apple butter and much more.
Open daily from the first Saturday in April thru the end of October; every weekend in November, and the week of Thanksgiving. Located in Cherokee NC. 828-497-9191. Email: santasland@worldnet.att.net
The Orchard At Altapass
Historic Orchard at Altapass (founded in 1907) on Orchard Road, MP 328.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Open late May to early Nov. Fresh baked goods, homemade fudge, ice cream, sundries, crafts made locally, tours, hayrides, history, tall tales, live local music, craft demonstrations and fresh apples in season. Something for the entire family. Rt 3, Box 260, Spruce Pine NC 28777.
www.blowingrock.com/northcarolina/altapass-orchard/
Tube World
Ride the crest of the latest wave in outdoor winter fun and Tubing. Tube World now brings this exciting fun-packed family experience to Maggie Valley, North Carolina. With Cataloochee's famous snowmaking expertise, the 5 run snow tube park is sure to be a must for visitors and locals alike. Sit back and enjoy the tow to the top and then get ready for the slide of your life.
www.tubeinthevalley.com
"Unto These Hills"
This powerful outdoor drama, with a cast of 130, brings to life the tragic history of the Cherokee people. It begins with the arrival of deSoto in 1540 and builds to a stirring climax with the cruel removal of all but a remnant of the Cherokee on the infamous Trail of Tears.
www.aboutcherokee.com |
