Attractions

Cherokee Historical Association

Location: Bryson City

CHA presents the Oconaluftee Indian Village & the outdoor drama Unto These Hills. Visit the recreated 1750s-era Cherokee Village. Regular tours by Cherokee guides present history, crafts, early homes and demonstrations of beadwork, pottery, blowguns, and much more in a beautiful forest setting. Mid-May through October. Unto These Hills tells the history of the Cherokee people from about 1540 through their forced removal from this area in the late 1830s. June-August; check the website for exact dates. General admission seating.

https://www.facebook.com/Cherokee-Historical-Association-163570830339132/

Cooper Creek Trout Farm & Catch-out Pond

Location: Bryson City

This full service trout farm offers all the amenities in a beautiful mountain setting that includes hiking trails, waterfalls, and picnic tables. No license required, no limit, and all fishing equipment is provided. Guided fishing tours are also available. Stay an hour or the entire day!

https://www.facebook.com/coopercreektroutfarm

Deep Creek Tubing and Mining Company

Location: Bryson City

Deep Creek Tube Center Mining Company is the only gem mine in Bryson City. Located at Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground; open April through October. Different size bags of gem dirt for sale at the campground store. Covered flume allows you to mine rain or shine. Who knows what you might find!

https://www.facebook.com/DeepCreekTubeCenter

Fontana Guide Services

Location: Bryson City

Be our guest on beautiful Fontana Lake. Relax and enjoy breathtaking views, sunsets, waterfalls, rivers and wildlife from our spacious pontoon boat. Choose a half or full day trip of any kind, or customize your own. Sightseeing, fishing, sunset, swimming, & fall leaf trips available. Great for birthday parties, corporate groups, honeymooners, & families, with something for every budget. Dogs welcome! HD photos & videos of your trip available on request. Let us guide your one-of-a-kind Fontana Lake experience.

https://www.facebook.com/FontanaGuides/

Fontana Marina

Location: Bryson City

Fontana Marina offers a full line of services for the enjoyment of Fontana Lake including watercraft rentals, free boat launch, a ship store, fishing tackle and license, lake tours and more. Pontoon boat shuttle service is available for backcountry enthusiasts wishing to explore the southern rim of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Fun Factory in the Smokies

Location: Bryson City

A 56,000-square-foot family entertainment center with 100+ arcade games, mini golf, the area?s largest go cart track, bowling, laser tag, pizza buffet, fine dining and more!

https://www.facebook.com/TheFactoryFranklin/?rf=274722332555343

Great Smoky Mountain Bait & Tackle

Location: Bryson City

Fully stocked with all of your fishing needs. Great Smoky Mountain Bait & Tackle has everything you would need for a fishing excursion except the boat. We have a large stock of rods and reels and are a fully stocked bait shop. North Carolina annual and day pass fishing license sold here. Lake Fontana maps available.

https://www.facebook.com/Great-Smokey-Moutain-Bait-and-Tackle-490990261052264/

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Location: Bryson City

Scenic rail excursions through a remote corner of North Carolina into river gorges, across valleys and through tunnels carved out of mountains. Excursions include Nantahala Gorge, Dinosaur Train, Polar Express, Mystery Theatre Dinner Train and other themed events. Your excursion includes admission to Smoky Mountains Train Museum, with its collection of 7,000 Lionel engines, cars and accessories, impressive operating layout and children's activity center.

https://www.facebook.com/GreatSmokyMountainsRailroad/

Nantahala Outdoor Center Biking

Location: Bryson City

Grab some accessories, rent a mountain bike, get a quick repair or ask a question at NOC?s Bike Shop in the Nantahala Gorge. NOC provides the closest bike shop to Western North Carolina?s Tsali trail system. Our guides know about the best local rides, from family-friendly excursions to heart-pounding, technical trails. And NOC?s expert mechanics can help you with all repair needs while you relax by the river. We also offer an array of excellent Specialized bikes for rent, from entry-level to high-end. And we offer access to our on-site Flint Ridge Trail here at the Nantahala River.

https://noc.com/trips/mountain-biking

Nantahala River Gem Mine

Location: Bryson City

Gemstone material comes from both the local area, and from mines all over the world. Some gems you may find include rubies, emeralds, sapphires, garnets, topaz, amethyst, rose quartz and many more!

https://www.facebook.com/nantahalagemmine/

NOC - Nantahala Outdoor Center

Location: Bryson City

Rated "One of the Best Outfitter's on Earth" by National Geographic Adventure, NOC has been the leader in the rafting industry since 1972. NOC offers family friendly adventures rafting and paddling the Nantahala River, as well as riverside dining, lodging, shopping, mountain bike rentals, lake kayaking, wilderness medicine training and our world famous Paddling School. There's something for everyone so come see for yourself why NOC is a legend in the outdoors!

https://www.facebook.com/NOC/

Prince Boat Dock - Fontana Lake

Location: Bryson City

Located in Almond NC on beautiful Fontana Lake. We offer pontoon & johnboat rentals, anchored & covered slip moorings for boat storage, dock store with fuel, propane exchange, boat supplies, ice, bait, tackle & tube rentals.

https://www.facebook.com/Prince-Boat-Dock-162506490458325/

Santa's Land Fun Park and Zoo

Location: Bryson City

Located 3 miles east of Cherokee on US 19. See Santa and his elves, browse through gift shops and exhibits, and visit the domestic and exotic animals in the zoo. Santa's Land also features rides, picnic facilities, and eating establishments. Open daily 9 am to 5 pm from March 31st through October 31st. $19.99, children under 2 free.

https://www.facebook.com/SantasLandInc/

Simonds Bait & Tackle Shop

Location: Bryson City

Located on the Tuckasegee River. Live bait: shinners, trout fingerlings (seasonally), nightcrawlers, wax worms, meal worms, and crickets. Complete line of tackle for lake, river, and fly fishing. Locally hand tied flies. Single hook lures for the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.Fishing license. On site taxidermy (fish only). Open year round.

https://www.greatsmokies.com/simonds/

Swain County Heritage Museum

Location: Bryson City

Located in the 1908 historic courthouse in downtown Bryson City, the museum tells the story of Swain County and its people. Through photos, exhibits and video you will learn about the life of early settlers; and how the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Fontana Dam rewrote the landscape and changed lives. You will enjoy seeing the restored log cabin porch, the 1887 church organ and one-room schoolhouse desks, and children's activity area among other items. The museum is open daily, 9 am - 6 pm. Winter hours may be shortened. Free admission. Parking lot behind the courthouse.

https://www.facebook.com/swaincountyheritagemuseum/timeline

Tumbling Waters Campground & Trout Pond

Location: Bryson City

Located on Panther Creek, 1-1/2 miles off NC 28, between Bryson City and Fontana Dam. Trout farm. Free pole, bait and cleaning! Trout $3.00 per pound. Open March 16th to November 30th. Also a campground.

http://www.tumblingwaters.com/