Carlos’ guidebook - Things to do in (and near) Bryson City!
Restaurants/Coffee shops
There are many quaint restaurants and bars in Bryson City. Below, you will find a few of our faves (in no particular order).
Great family restaurant. Awesome breakfast options. Owner is a great guy! Take your family there!
67 locals recommend
Everett Street Diner
126 Everett StGreat family restaurant. Awesome breakfast options. Owner is a great guy! Take your family there!
Who doesn't like chips and salsa! This place has awesome food at great prices. Get your tex-mex fix here!
31 locals recommend
Guayabitos Restaurant
236 US-19Who doesn't like chips and salsa! This place has awesome food at great prices. Get your tex-mex fix here!
Mountain Perks
9 Depot StGreat coffee and wraps. A must when in Bryson City!
Amazing sandwiches and homemade hand-cut fries ~ enough to share with many! Barry, the owner, is great. Try their Cuban Sandwich (It will give Miami's version a run for its money!)
63 locals recommend
High Test Deli
145 Everett StAmazing sandwiches and homemade hand-cut fries ~ enough to share with many! Barry, the owner, is great. Try their Cuban Sandwich (It will give Miami's version a run for its money!)
Great Family bistro with Gourmet Pizza, Specialty Sandwiches, Appetizers, Largest Selection of Handcrafted Beer in the Area and Full Bar! We love Nate and Nick's!
43 locals recommend
Nate And Nick's Pizza
225 Everett StGreat Family bistro with Gourmet Pizza, Specialty Sandwiches, Appetizers, Largest Selection of Handcrafted Beer in the Area and Full Bar! We love Nate and Nick's!
Laid back restaurant with a long local history, serving steak, American fare, beer & wine in a casual, old-fashioned space.
44 locals recommend
Jimmy Mac's Restaurant
121 Main StLaid back restaurant with a long local history, serving steak, American fare, beer & wine in a casual, old-fashioned space.
Down-home place offering straightforward American meals & barbecue, plus a patio by the river. Great brisket sandwiches and ice tea!
21 locals recommend
Bar-B-Que Wagon
610 Main StDown-home place offering straightforward American meals & barbecue, plus a patio by the river. Great brisket sandwiches and ice tea!
Casually stylish, traditional Italian restaurant & pizzeria with an open kitchen & full bar. Great service, great atmosphere, reasonable prices, huge portions! (Reservations suggested)
74 locals recommend
Pasqualino's Italian Restaurant
25 Everett StCasually stylish, traditional Italian restaurant & pizzeria with an open kitchen & full bar. Great service, great atmosphere, reasonable prices, huge portions! (Reservations suggested)
Hands down, one of our favorite places to visit and get our "sweets fix". From the time you walk in, the folks are friendly and the chocolates, amazing! Watch while they make the Chocolate Caramel popcorn and taste the samples. If you are going to go off Keto, this is the place!
24 locals recommend
The Chocolate Shoppe
134 Everett StHands down, one of our favorite places to visit and get our "sweets fix". From the time you walk in, the folks are friendly and the chocolates, amazing! Watch while they make the Chocolate Caramel popcorn and taste the samples. If you are going to go off Keto, this is the place!
(AKA Cork and Bean) Situated within the Everett Hotel, this place has a charming rustic atmosphere, attentive service and contemporary American cuisine! Try their twist on traditional southern influences....and their great wine selection as well! (Make sure to make a reservation!)
95 locals recommend
The Bistro at the Everett Hotel
16 Everett St(AKA Cork and Bean) Situated within the Everett Hotel, this place has a charming rustic atmosphere, attentive service and contemporary American cuisine! Try their twist on traditional southern influences....and their great wine selection as well! (Make sure to make a reservation!)
Mike drop! Family-friendly place featuring daily lunch and dinner specials that will knock your socks off. Some of the best Brisket we have ever had! (Try the burnt ends baked beans...and finish it off with the peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream!). It is about 25 mins away from downtown BC...but a must visit if you are a BBQ snob! Just go!
191 locals recommend
Haywood Smokehouse
79 Elysinia AveMike drop! Family-friendly place featuring daily lunch and dinner specials that will knock your socks off. Some of the best Brisket we have ever had! (Try the burnt ends baked beans...and finish it off with the peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream!). It is about 25 mins away from downtown BC...but a must visit if you are a BBQ snob! Just go!
House roasted coffee, light fare, and from scratch. Awesome selection of specialty coffees. Great Wi-fi!
29 locals recommend
La Dolce Vita Bakery
191 Everett StHouse roasted coffee, light fare, and from scratch. Awesome selection of specialty coffees. Great Wi-fi!
A super cool brewery and taproom featuring two bars: one on the main level built around the brewhouse and another upstairs where you can drink on the outdoor deck overlooking downtown Bryson City.
61 locals recommend
Mountain Layers Brewing Company
90 Everett StA super cool brewery and taproom featuring two bars: one on the main level built around the brewhouse and another upstairs where you can drink on the outdoor deck overlooking downtown Bryson City.
Let's have some fun!
Coolest train ride ever! The GSMR offers a variety of scenic, round-trip excursions departing from Bryson City. Trips range from 3 ½ hours to a full day of fun and adventure. Highly recommended!
306 locals recommend
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
18 Fry StCoolest train ride ever! The GSMR offers a variety of scenic, round-trip excursions departing from Bryson City. Trips range from 3 ½ hours to a full day of fun and adventure. Highly recommended!
The Deep Creek area is celebrated for its streams and waterfalls. Hikers can choose from several loop hikes leading to the waterfalls. It is a great, fun (short) trip whether you want to hike, go tubing or simply picnic with the fam!
Check them out here: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/deepcreek.htm
92 locals recommend
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead
West Deep Creek RoadThe Deep Creek area is celebrated for its streams and waterfalls. Hikers can choose from several loop hikes leading to the waterfalls. It is a great, fun (short) trip whether you want to hike, go tubing or simply picnic with the fam!
Check them out here: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/deepcreek.htm
Nantahala Outdoor Center is one of the nation’s largest outdoor recreation places to visit. You can learn to kayak at NOC’s world-renowned Paddling School, soar through the trees on NOC's multiple zip lines, and shop at their flagship retail stores. Lots of things to do here....You have three restaurants to choose from and and multi-tiered lodging.
NOC has been recognized by The New York Times as the “Nation's Premiere Paddling School,” “The Best Place to Learn” by Outside, and as “One of the Best Outfitters on Earth” by National Geographic ADVENTURE.
If you want adventure, grab the kids and go!
446 locals recommend
Nantahala Outdoor Center
13077 U.S. Highway 19Nantahala Outdoor Center is one of the nation’s largest outdoor recreation places to visit. You can learn to kayak at NOC’s world-renowned Paddling School, soar through the trees on NOC's multiple zip lines, and shop at their flagship retail stores. Lots of things to do here....You have three restaurants to choose from and and multi-tiered lodging.
NOC has been recognized by The New York Times as the “Nation's Premiere Paddling School,” “The Best Place to Learn” by Outside, and as “One of the Best Outfitters on Earth” by National Geographic ADVENTURE.
If you want adventure, grab the kids and go!
Great place to visit in nearby Cherokee, and get the history of the Smokies. They have a homestead that includes a home, smoke house, corn crib apple orchard and crib, barn and pig pen. There is a beautiful stream so if it is lunch time picnic by the water. If you get lucky, you might see elk walking by. Go check it out!
Visit their site for more info: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
44 locals recommend
Oconaluftee Indian Village
218 Drama RdGreat place to visit in nearby Cherokee, and get the history of the Smokies. They have a homestead that includes a home, smoke house, corn crib apple orchard and crib, barn and pig pen. There is a beautiful stream so if it is lunch time picnic by the water. If you get lucky, you might see elk walking by. Go check it out!
Visit their site for more info: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
Family-owned and operated farm that specializes in sustainably grown appalachian fruits and vegetables. The farm is located on an oasis surrounded by the Tuckaseegee River. Bring your family and try their smoothies!
49 locals recommend
Darnell Farms
2300 Governors Island RdFamily-owned and operated farm that specializes in sustainably grown appalachian fruits and vegetables. The farm is located on an oasis surrounded by the Tuckaseegee River. Bring your family and try their smoothies!
A great way to be outdoors with the family. It is close to the creek and is easy to get tubes to the creek. Your family will love it!
60 locals recommend
Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground
1040 W Deep Creek RdA great way to be outdoors with the family. It is close to the creek and is easy to get tubes to the creek. Your family will love it!
AKA the "Road to Nowhere"! A scenic mountain highway that takes you six miles into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ends at the mouth of a tunnel. On the map, it is called Lakeview Drive, but to the citizens of Swain County it is The Road to Nowhere — A Broken Promise.
26 locals recommend
Lakeview Drive East
Lakeview Drive EastAKA the "Road to Nowhere"! A scenic mountain highway that takes you six miles into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ends at the mouth of a tunnel. On the map, it is called Lakeview Drive, but to the citizens of Swain County it is The Road to Nowhere — A Broken Promise.
Great hiking trails inside Deep Creek. Great falls with nice picture set-up! The endpoint is worth the hike with a nice bridge with benches to sit on and a great rock right in front of the falls to take pictures on. Highly recommended to anyone who loves hiking and/or waterfalls.
Juney Whank Falls Trail
Juney Whank Falls TrailGreat hiking trails inside Deep Creek. Great falls with nice picture set-up! The endpoint is worth the hike with a nice bridge with benches to sit on and a great rock right in front of the falls to take pictures on. Highly recommended to anyone who loves hiking and/or waterfalls.
With 150,000 ft of gaming, nearby Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort features live table games like Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and more.
330 locals recommend
Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
777 Casino DrWith 150,000 ft of gaming, nearby Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort features live table games like Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and more.
A fun family friendly horseback riding experience. If you have never ridden before , or have limited experience, they will show you the basic tips and instructions on riding before hitting the trail. Their trails are located in the Nantahala National Forest, overlooking Fontana Lake. Cost is $30 per person per hour. To make reservations please call (828) 488-9649.
14 locals recommend
Nantahala Village Riding Stable
9400 US-19A fun family friendly horseback riding experience. If you have never ridden before , or have limited experience, they will show you the basic tips and instructions on riding before hitting the trail. Their trails are located in the Nantahala National Forest, overlooking Fontana Lake. Cost is $30 per person per hour. To make reservations please call (828) 488-9649.
Shopping!
Upscale general store filled with beautiful and unique gifts for everyone in the family. Shop an extensive inventory including home decor, glassware, women's and men's apparel, boots, shoes, handbags, and much more - including Brighton and Waxing Poetic! Looking for accommodations? Try the luxury lofts upstairs!
11 locals recommend
McClanahan's
115 Everett StUpscale general store filled with beautiful and unique gifts for everyone in the family. Shop an extensive inventory including home decor, glassware, women's and men's apparel, boots, shoes, handbags, and much more - including Brighton and Waxing Poetic! Looking for accommodations? Try the luxury lofts upstairs!
Our daughters love this place!
Ladies apparel and accessories, upscale home accents, bath and body products, candles, gourmet gifts, jewelry, baby items and specialty chocolates.
20 locals recommend
Madison's on Main
110 Main StOur daughters love this place!
Ladies apparel and accessories, upscale home accents, bath and body products, candles, gourmet gifts, jewelry, baby items and specialty chocolates.
Cool, little pub and outdoor shop. They've definitely got you covered on shirts, backpack, and shoes.. Plan to stick around for the brews if you can. Definitely a gem in Bryson City!
57 locals recommend
Bryson City Outdoors
169 Main StCool, little pub and outdoor shop. They've definitely got you covered on shirts, backpack, and shoes.. Plan to stick around for the brews if you can. Definitely a gem in Bryson City!
Unmistakably Southern boutique, offering looks for grandmothers as well as their teenaged granddaughters.
12 locals recommend
Humanite Boutique
130 Everett StUnmistakably Southern boutique, offering looks for grandmothers as well as their teenaged granddaughters.
One stop shop for the Great Smoky Mountains and Bryson City, Swain County, North Carolina t-shirts, gifts, and souvenirs
15 locals recommend
Loose Moose
One stop shop for the Great Smoky Mountains and Bryson City, Swain County, North Carolina t-shirts, gifts, and souvenirs
Very cute shop with lots of interesting gifts, clothing and accessories for women. Friendly service. Park your husband outside on a bench and browse awhile.
8 locals recommend
Pursenality
225 Everett StVery cute shop with lots of interesting gifts, clothing and accessories for women. Friendly service. Park your husband outside on a bench and browse awhile.