Media Reviews of Bryson City

Southbound – “Eight Great Mountain Escapes from the Appalachians to the Ozarks” features Bryson City’s low-key chill, and postcard-perfect downtown paired with high-key outdoor thrills; can’t miss attractions and shops, and watering holes. (Summer, 2025)

Newsbreak – “20 Small Towns in America Where River Rafting and Kayaking Adventures Take Center Stage” features Bryson City’s access to thrilling whitewater adventures on the Nantahala River, nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. The river’s cool, clear waters flow through scenic gorges, providing both exciting rapids and gentle sections suitable for all skill levels. (Mar. 2025) Read the article

World Atlas” – “11 Stunning Small Towns in North Carolina” features Bryson City as a utopia for adventure seekers and nature lovers. One of the biggest draws is the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Back in town, Bryson City has an easygoing vibe with breweries and eateries. The Everett Hotel Bistro is a must-visit for modern American dishes.
(Mar. 2025) Read the article

USAToday.com – “Breweries Best in the US” features Western North Carolina with no shortage of brewerines and beers. Writers called Bryson City, which ranked at No. 7 in NC Best Beer Scenes, “the perfect destination for any outdoor-loving beer fan.” With hiking, rafting, tubing and exploring in the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other outdoor areas, plus popular craft beer locations such as Mountain Layers Brewing Company and Bryson City Outdoors, it’s no wonder this WNC small town made the cut. (Mar. 2025) Read the article

MSN – “A Scenic Town known as Smoky Mountain’s Adventure Capital is an Underrated Gateway to the Park” features Bryson City as well on its way to be coming a popular tourist destinations with unique adventures. (Jan. 2025) Read the article

Asheville Citizen Times “5 ‘best main streets’ in North Carolina are in Western North Carolina” features Bryson City’s “warm-hearted walkability” and charm. (Dec. 2024) Read the article

WRAL News – “Holiday roadtrip: These 8 enchanting NC Christmas Towns are like a storybook” features Bryson City’ magical Polar Express trip and decorations. (Dec. 2024) Read the article

Forbes – “National Parks that Bring in the Most Money” features the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as #1. “…Bryson City on the North Carolina side is close to the park, but more known for being laid-back, drawing outdoorsy travelers who come to see the park and go whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River.” and Bryson City as a tranquil all-season town and much-loved holiday retreat. (Sept. 2024) Read the article

World Atlas – “12 of the Most Hospitable Small Towns in North Carolina” features Bryson City as a tranquil all-season town and much-loved holiday retreat. (April 2024) Read the article

Travel and Leisure includes Bryson City experts on visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – America’s most-visited Park. (March 2024) Read the article

ExploreMoreNC.com – “35+ Things To Do In Bryson City” including breweries, holiday season actiities, lodging, outdoor activities, annual events and restaurants. (August, 2023) Read the article

MensJournal.com – “The Best Mountain Towns in America and Beyond” (November, 2022) Read the article

MoneyInc.com – “The 20 Best Places to Visit in July in the US” – Bryson City is a beautiful place to visit in July. The weather is warm but not too hot, and the wildflowers bloom. (October, 2022) Read the article

USAToday.com – “10 Best – SE Mountain Towns Getaways” (September, 2022) Read the article

USAToday.com – “It’s Time to Visit Bryson City” (July, 2022) Read the article

Finance.Yahoo.com & AOL.Com – “10 Affordable and Remote Locations in the US That Could Be Worth a Visit This Summer – Bryson City Ranked #1.” (May, 2021) Read the article

WanderlustWithLisa.com – “15 Things to do in Bryson City, NC” (May, 2021) Read the article

NCTripping.com – “Things to do in Bryson City NC.” (October, 2020) Read the article

Wiki.ezvid.com – “Unforgettable Places to Visit in North Carolina” (October, 2020) Read the article

MensJournal.com – “5 American Road Trips That Will Restore Your Sense of Wonder.” (August, 2020)

RoadTrippers.com – “An Insider’s Guide to Hidden Gems in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.” (June, 2020) Read the article

iExplore.com – “The Smoky Mountains Best-Kept Secret is Bryson City…If you’re looking for more of a quiet mountain town with a big personality, chances are Bryson City, NC needs to be on your radar.” (July, 2020) Read the article

FarAndWide.com – “America’s 35 Best Small Towns in the Mountains.” (July, 2020) Read the article

Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide – Top 20 Blue Ridge Mountain Towns.” (June, 2020)

Trips With Pets – “Top 5 Dog Friendly Mountain Getaways in North Carolina” (January, 2020. “For those looking for a truly dog friendly vacation, Bryson City welcomes pet parents and their pups.” Read the article

Parents Magazine & Parents.com – “Spooktacular Places to Visit for Halloween.” Highlights the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch, Cherokee storytelling the train museum, and hiking in Deep Creek as well as a stay at Watershed Resort. (September, 2019) Read the article

OnlyInYourState.com – To truly appreciate the beauty of North Carolina, lace up your hiking boots and hit one of the state’s many trails. The Deep Creek Loop Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains is one of our favorites. (September, 2019) Read the article

TravelChannel.com – “10 Great Places to Go Leaf Peeping Down South”, includes Bryson City and great fall activities on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and hiking in the National Park. (September, 2019) Read the article

AAA Go Magazine (print and online) – Carolina Road Trip Planner 2 items: Freedom Fest listing and Freedom Train listing with photo. NC & SC members, (June, 2019)

ReadersDigest.com – “The 15 Best Small-Town July Fourth Fireworks” in the USA features Bryson City’s FreedomFest day. (June, 2019) Also picked up by MSN. Read the article

The New York Times featured the Nantahala Outdoor Center  in an article in both online and print. NOC was one of only four locations chosen for an article entitled “Camp Getaways for the Whole Family.” (June, 2019) Read the article

WFMY News / CBS Greensboro  feature: “Yes, There Is A Real ‘Road To Nowhere’ In North Carolina And Its History Is A Real Saga.” (May, 2019) Read the article

Atlanta Magazine & Southbound magazine. A great article about a road trip through Western North Carolina featuring Bryson City, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, and the Everett Hotel. (April, 2019) Read the article

Oprah Magazine – “12 Most Scenic Train Rides in the US.” That’s well-deserved high praise. featured Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. (April, 2019) Read the article

Readers Digest – “The Most Magical Christmas Train Rides In America”! The travels through the Smoky Mountains to the North Pole and back to the Bryson City, NC depot.(December, 2018) Read the article

Travel and Leisure named GSMR one of ten top fall foliage train trips. Board the train in Bryson, North Carolina, which is not too far from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Read the article

Carolina Parent and Charlotte Parent magazines. “Three Must-Visit North Carolina Mountain Towns” includes Bryson City. (July 2018) Read the article

Fodors.com chose Bryson City as one of “America’s 15 Best Small Town Fourth of July Celebrations” (July, 2018). Read the article

USA Today – Feature story of 10 surprising, spooky and inspiring American road trips (taken from The Road Trip Book: 1001 Drives of a Lifetime.) In this collection of 10, USA Today names The Dragon as ‘the best ride in North America.’ (March 2018) Read the article

Blue Ridge Outdoors March 2018 issue features 8 favorite trout towns. Of Bryson City, the writer says, “In all of my wanderings throughout Western North Carolina, I’ve yet to find a community that more genuinely deserves the moniker of ‘Trout Town’ than Bryson City.” Read the article