Great Smokey Mountain Railway

Bryson City North Carolina is one of the many great Family Vacation Spots in North Carolina, and a place where you can enjoy a wonderful outdoor vacation. Resting right at the tip of Western North Carolina just near the Great Smoky National Park, Harrah’s Casino Cherokee NC, Fontana Lake and great Western North Carolina Trout Streams, the Nantahala River and its phenomenal Nantahala River Rafting, and the great NC Ski Resorts, Bryson City NC is one of the Vacation Spots in North Carolina in which you will never run out of fun things to do. Here we have detailed some information on the highly visited Great Smoky Mountain Railway, one of the very popular Western North Carolina Attractions. Interested in visiting these and other great places on your NC Mountain Vacation? Stay in our Bryson City Cabins and you will be minutes from all of these fun things to do.

The Great Smoky Mountain Railway operated in the deep wilderness of the NC Blue Ridge Mountains in the 1880s and created little railroad “boom” towns carrying iron, workers and plenty of new visitors and settlers to the areas surrounding Asheville NC - including Murphy NC, Bryson City, and Dillsboro. Creating a thriving local economy, the railroad operated for many years and today is one of the most popular mountain heritage attractions in the region. Taking visitors on a scenic ride through the Nantahala, Pisgah, and Cherokee Forests, the Bryson City Train is a wonderful way to explore parts of the wilderness that are not ordinarily seen. The train stops at several different depots and the Bryson City Train Depot is just one charming region that it passes through. Adding to the unique character of the town, the Bryson City Train is one of many historical places and things to see in the city.

Offering a variety of different trips and fun themed excursions, the Bryson City Train and Great Smoky Mountain Railway has something for everyone. Some Bryson City Train trips last 2.5 hours and others carry on for up to 7 hours. Popular rides are The Nantahala Gorge Excursion which takes riders through the Great Smoky National Park, over Fontana Lake, and on passed the Nantahala Gorge; and the Raft and Rail Excursion which combines a Bryson City Train ride with Nantahala River Rafting trip. Other popular trips on the Great Smoky Mountains Railway are taken on the dinner trains. The Dinner Bryson City Train Excursions pair first class, upscale gourmet dining with a sightseeing trip through some of the most stunning regions of the rugged mountains of Western North Carolina. The special Friday Night Mystery Trains are always a hit and bring a bit of a twist to the standard Bryson City Train ride through the wilderness. Lastly, children of all ages love the popular Polar Express Train Rides in which the Bryson City Train becomes like the train from the popular major motion picture. The exciting Polar Express Christmas Train Rides always bring many visitors to the region. In addition to these trips, the railway operates holiday trains as well with the Valentine’s Day Sweetheart’s Train and the Oktoberfest Beer Train being highly popular train excursions.

Our Cabin Rentals in Bryson City NC are located just a short drive from the Bryson City Train Depot where you can enjoy a fun filled excursion on the Great Smoky Mountain Railway. Looking for a Bryson City Cabin Rental? We have several Bryson City Cabins for you to choose from and are happy to offer NC Mountain Vacation Packages throughout the year. Visit Bryson City North Carolina and enjoy Romantic Vacations in North Carolina in the mountains. Our Cabin Rentals in Bryson City NC are secluded, and tucked far away in one of the most serene locations in the mountains.