Dillsboro, North Carolina

Dillsboro, North Carolina

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 architecture 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 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...
Cherokee, North Carolina

Cherokee, North Carolina

Cherokee, North Carolina, home of the Cherokee Indians, is one of five gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and sits up against the southeastern boundary of the Park. Unlike it’s counterpart Tennessee city, Gatlinburg, it is much quieter. Where Gatlinburg TN—at the northern border of the Park—is very fast-paced with lots of lights, with a constant flow of improvements and investment, Cherokee NC is still stuck in the 1950s, because the tribal members own all the land within the Cherokee boundary and have not encouraged outside investment. If you visit both towns, you’ll get a good idea of the contrast that exists between the Tennessee and North Carolina sides of the Park. But understand that Cherokee NC has a lot to offer the mountain traveler. The southern approaches to the town (via US 441 through the Park or north from Atlanta) or US Hwy 19 (from Bryson City) will bring you quickly to the downtown area of Cherokee. If you’ve ever visited Cherokee at anytime since the mid 1950s, you’ll quickly recognize the souvenir stands and the stuffed bear shops. You can still locate the “Chiefs” in full colorful regalia as they stand in front of tepees waiting for their pictures to be taken–expect to leave a tip for the privilege. In an area of Cherokee that features the old government buildings from the 1930s and 1940s, you’ll find The Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. The Cherokee craft cooperative, the Oconaluftee Indian Village, and the Cherokee Historical Association’s production of “Unto These Hills”, an outdoor presentation with more than 100...
Highlands, North Carolina

Highlands, North Carolina

Highlands is not only a great place to visit–it’s also a great place to retire. In 1879, developers Samuel Kelsey and Clinton Hutchinson thought Highlands NC would be the ideal location for a vacation Time has proven that Kelsey and Hutchinson were right. And all the things that make it a wonderful place to vacation make Highlands, and nearby Cashiers, the perfect place to retire. Highlands NC and sister village Cashiers are located at the southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains, at a point where North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia meet. The towns offer a pleasing climate, plenty of clean air, some fantastic shopping and the natural beauty of the mountains and numerous waterfalls. The Highlands Country Club features a world-famous Donald Ross resort golf course, which has been played by many of golf’s big names. The course record is held by Bobby Jones, who maintained a summer home at the club. Highlands NC has a permanent population of approximately 2,000, but in summer that number easily jumps to over 25,000.(For Cashiers NC, these numbers are 1,200 and 9,500, respectively. During summer vacation, travelers can appreciate the cooler temperatures. In July, the average low is about 56 degrees; the high about 76. Residents and vistors who stick around for winter can expect an average low of 25 and an average high of 42 in the month January. Cashiers NC, a one-stoplight town, is home to the High Hampton Inn and Country Club. The rustic retreat also features cabins covered with shaggy chestnut bark,water sports on Lake Hampton, mountain climbing, horseback riding, and gold. The moderate weather found...
Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Anytime is a good time to visit Gatlinburg TN—each season has its own special characteristics, but spring could be the best. Envision the new bright green foliage, the splash of bright colors found in spring wildflowers, the water up in whitewater streams, exuberantly happy waterfalls, and wildlife emerging from winter dens. American Black bears emerge from hibernation and whitetail fawns spring forth. Gatlinburg TN locals prepare for arrival of the year’s new Tennessee travelers. Their desire to impress the visitor is reflected by hundreds of fresh flower arrangements along the main parkway and city sidewalks. Summer is also a favorite time because the youth are out of school and it’s time for the traditional summer vacation. Flora and fauna are at their peak. The mountain temperatures are a bit cooler and the pleasures of the Smoky Mountains await the traveler. Moreover, summer and spring are favorite times for a Smoky Mountain wedding. Over thirty wedding chapels wait to serve brides and grooms planning their wedding day. Honeymoon in a Gatlinburg TN cabin. Fall season brings the burst of color that attracts visitors who appreciate Mother Nature’s brilliant colors that remain after cooler temperatures remove the leaves’ chlorophyll. Nothing compares with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park when it offers the crisp, cool air of Fall in Cades Cove. It’s a pleasant surprise to some that winter is also a great time to visit Gatlinburg, Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains. Things are quieter and more peaceful–the strident pace of summer is replaced by a slower pace. Mountain vistas are improved because the foliage is off the trees; the air...