Dillsboro,
North Carolina and the adjoining village of Sylva
NC sit in a 
deep mountain valley, and serve as a
major entryway to the western North Carolina mountains.
Both small towns are the old-fashioned red brick
and white clapboard Victorian villages that are common
to this area. Both towns are quaint
and unspoiled and consist of just a few city blocks
of authentic old brick buildings, with acrchitecture
from the 40s. You won't find the franchise
restaurants here-just good old-fashioned
independently-owned eateries.
The small western North Carolina towns have put
considerable thought and energy
into some upscale shops for North Carolina mountain
visitors, and for those travelers whose mountain
getaway is not complete without a shopping spree--well,
they won't be disappointed here. Sylva's
Jackson's General Store and Dillsboro's Riverwood
Crafters shouldn't be missed. For those who appreciate
art, visit L. Kotila Watercolors.
If you are lucky, you might even catch Linda working
on a new watercolor.
There are some interesting things to do and see in and
around the 
towns of Sylva NC and Dillsboro, North
Carolina. Some entrepreneurial investors bought an
abandoned freight railroad in Dillsboro NC and created the
Great Smoky Mountain Railroad (more on GSMR), which
offers several excursion rides throughout the surrounding
mountains.
The Mountain Heritage Center at WCU houses a
museum that re-tells the story of early settlers
in the coves and valleys in this area.
Lodging choices run the gamut. Mountain cabin rentals
and luxurious bed and breakfast inns are the
best choices. As an example, Dillsboro's Jarrett
House combines a fine bed and breakfast and dining
experience. Jarrett House is a three-story wood hotel
in operation since 1884. In addition, the Balsam
Mountain Inn nearby in Balsam NC is a beautifully
restored Victorian railroad hotel less only a mile
from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Innkeepers
George and Hanneke Ware have re-created an Alpine
gasthaus at The Chalet Inn, a bed and breakfast on
22 acres in the Smoky Mountains.
There are several things to do for the more active outdoor
enthusiast, such as walking the wild forests in the
surrounding mountains, trout fishing (outfitters
in town), and whitewater rafting.
Slickrock Expeditions
is an outfitter for more ideas and guide assistance.
Getting to Sylva and Dillsboro is easy. Take Interstate
40 to the east side of the Great Smoky Mountains,
and locate US 23/74 at Canton NC, which is only 30
miles east of Sylva NC.
