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.
In Bryson City, Three People Pushed a 177-ton Locomotive
At the end of many steam excursions on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, riders have the opportunity to participate in a unique railroad turntable experience. Volunteers are called upon to assist the crew in manually turning the 353,540 pound engine and tender while...
Few People Know This Slave Cemetery Exists Near a Treasured Landmark in the Smokies
A lot of people who visit Mingus Mill in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have no idea that there is a slave cemetery adjacent to the parking lot. Off the trails of Mingus Mill and up a hill, lies a small cemetery beneath the trees. It is not known exactly...
Take This Mini Road Trip to Capture Some of the Best Photography in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Whether you’re a professional photographer or an amateur, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most diverse and photogenic landscapes in the United States. Verdant forests, long range mountain views, beautiful streams and serene valleys make this...
Five Awesome Adventures You Can Only Have In Bryson City
Deep Creek, Great Smoky Mountains National Park A favorite family destination for generations, the Deep Creek Recreation Area is just 5 minutes from downtown Bryson City. An easy 2.5-mile round trip hike takes you to three majestic waterfalls. Or just take the...
The Sublime Pleasure of Winter Trout Fishing
“Winter fly fishing in the Smokies is about the most peaceful activity that you can do, especially if it snows,” says Eugene Shuler, lead guide and owner of Fly Fishing the Smokies fly shop in Bryson City.
What’s It Like to Ride The Polar Express?
By the time this holiday season ends, more than 90,000 Bryson City visitors will have ridden The Polar Express, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad ‘s seasonal attraction that brings the classic children’s story to life.
Soco Falls – Two Falls, Too Beautiful
Soco Falls is a spectacular double waterfall on the Cherokee Indian Reservation just off US-19 between Cherokee and Maggie Valley. The falls are about 10 miles east of Cherokee and 5.5 mile west of Maggie Valley Maggie Valley. If you’re driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, exit at Soco Gap (Milepost 455.7) and go about 1.5 miles west on US-19 toward Cherokee.
A Fontana Spectacle – Opening the Sluice Gates
Most of the time, Fontana Dam just quietly goes about its job of generating hydroelectricity for the Tennessee Valley Authority. Built in the 1940s, the 480 foot concrete structure is the tallest dam in the eastern United States, empounding the 10,230-acre Fontana...
Seven Things You May Not Know About Mingus Mill
Just north of Cherokee NC in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park sits a historic grist mill, Mingus Mill. Nestled on the banks of Mingus Creek, this beautiful mill still stands at its original location since 1886. Mingus Mill served the surrounding communities for...
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