Welcome to the Great Smokies Blog
Stories From The Smokies highlights interesting, out-of-the-ordinary aspects of life in the North Carolina mountains. We offer insider tips on things to do, places to go, and ways to make your Bryson City visit all the more memorable. Look for new posts in this space every few weeks. Or subscribe to receive updates by email.
The Fryemont Inn Turns 100
The Quintessential Mountain Lodge In 1923, timber baron Amos Frye built a hotel on a hill above Bryson City — a rambling, rustic, 2-story mountain lodge with massive stone fireplaces in both the lobby and dining hall. It offered 62 guest rooms, built to accommodate...
Name Origins of Places, Rivers and Mountains in the NC Smokies
Spend any time in the Smokies and you're bound to encounter a lot of names unique to the area. Many were derived from the Cherokees who have called this place home for thousands of years. Other names were coined by the Europeans that settled in Western North Carolina...
Books on Every Block
Enjoy books? Stroll through downtown Bryson City and you find books for sale on almost every block. These are not Barnes & Noble big box stores, but local retail stores with sections for readers young and old. Most offer selections reflecting the theme of the...
Spooky Smoky Mountain Happenings
Frightful storytelling by the bonfire. Shadowy figures rustling through a haunted cornfield. A bloodthirsty Count transforming into a bat. These are the terrifying experiences awaiting you at Bryson City / Cherokee’s Haunted October. The Cherokee Bonfire Hear amazing...
Drive-Thru Christmas Light Show Spectacular
Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Spectacular New for 2022, the Smoky Mountain Christmas Light Spectacular in Bryson City! The Great Smoky Mountains Event Park sparkles with giant, LED displays of the 12 Days of Christmas with a comical spin on the traditional song. As...
Guide to Five Scenic Roads to View Fall Foliage in the Smokies
Autumn view from Newfound Gap one of the highest peaks in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina Fall colors appear first at the Smokies' highest elevations (like Clingmans Dome) and work their way down to the foothills and then lower elevations over a 5-6 week...
Keeping Heritage Arts Alive in the Smoky Mountains
Jeff Marley’s enthusiasm for the programs at the Nantahala School for the Arts (NSA) is contagious as he leads a tour through the 1943 Almond Elementary School building just west of Bryson City, NC in the Smoky Mountains. As Heritage Arts Department Chair,...
A Full Year of Bryson City Festivals and Special Events
Sack race at Swain County's annual Heritage FestivalCelebrating the Seasons Throughout the year, Bryson City offers family-friendly festivals and events sure to please. Beginning in late spring, we celebrate the fresh fruits and vegetables grown here with events at...
Want a Lasting Reminder of Your Time In The Smokies? Consider an Original Painting By One of These Bryson City Artists.
Whether you are purchasing a painting for your home or for a gift, it means more when you've met the artist and understand the inspiration – and passion – for their art. These three local artists love the opportunity to discuss their work. (photo: Elizabeth Ellison...
Antiquing in Bryson City. There’s No Telling What You’ll Find.
For many shoppers, antiquing inspires creativity in your home or cabin; for others, it’s a trip down memory lane. Yet according to one shop owner, "it's not just nostalgia when young kids spend hours looking for 'cool stuff' – trains, comic books, and marbles." Bryson...
In Bryson City, Take “The Fugitive” Escape Day Trip
Each year, thousands get away to Bryson City for a memorable Smoky mountains escape. But few getaways are as memorable as Richard Kimball’s 1993 escape from Deputy Marshal Samuel Gerard. That’s when “The Fugitive” Kimball (Harrison Ford) leapt from the top of a tall...
NOC – Making a 50-Year Splash in Bryson City
In September 2013, NOC was the center of the paddling universe when it hosted the ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships. 200 athletes from 30 different countries competed for the title of Freestyle World Champion.Bryson City’s phenomenal growth as an outdoor...
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