Winter in Bryson City begins with a sound that feels like magic — a whistle echoing through the valley as the Polar Express™ pulls out of the station and into the quiet beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Families come from all over the country to experience this one-of-a-kind holiday tradition, and for many, a stay at Three Little Bears Retreat has become part of the yearly ritual.

But by the time the train begins its November runs, something important happens:
most weekend stays in Bryson City are already booked.

Fortunately, there’s still room for those who plan just a little differently — with November openings still available and weekday stays during December offering some of the most peaceful, magical experiences of the entire season and chance for an incredible mini-vacation!

And for families who want to turn the Polar Express into a true holiday adventure, we have a suggestion:
✨ Make it a mountain-to-North-Pole journey the kids will never forget.

🎄 Start Your Adventure in Asheville: Christmas Mansions & Gingerbread Magic

Begin your journey in Asheville, where the holidays feel like an old-world storybook. Visit the National Gingerbread House Competition displays at the Grove Park Inn, where sugar-carved castles and candy palaces dazzle children and adults alike.

Then explore the legendary Biltmore Estate, wrapped in garland, twinkling lights, towering Christmas trees, and the glow of 19th-century fireplaces. The Biltmore Christmas season is often described as “walking into a Victorian holiday novel,” and it’s the perfect opening chapter for your trip.

🌄 Travel Across the Mountains to the “Edge of the North Pole”

From Asheville, follow the Blue Ridge Parkway toward Bryson City — one of the most scenic winter drives anywhere in the Southeast. As you descend from the high ridges into the quiet, hidden valleys near Bryson City, something magical happens:

The world gets quieter.
The air gets colder.
The forest grows still.

You’re crossing into the land of the North Pole’s nearest outpost — the place where families come to wait for the Polar Express.

Your cabin at Three Little Bears Retreat is just minutes from downtown Bryson City and the train depot — far enough into the woods to feel like you've arrived in Santa’s wilderness, but close enough for convenience.

✨ Evening in Bryson City: Holiday Lights & Mountain Charm

Once you’ve arrived, stroll the charming streets of downtown Bryson City, lit with Christmas lights and seasonal décor. Hot chocolate shops steam up their windows. Families walk along the Riverfront Park gazebo pathway, and the town feels wrapped in small-town mountain warmth.

🦌 Morning Magic: Visit the Elk — “Santa’s Reindeer”

Wake to the slow winter light cutting across the ridges and start the day by visiting the elk herds in nearby Cherokee or Cataloochee Valley. Kids never forget it — giant antlered bulls wandering quietly through the frosty fields.

Tell them you’ve brought them to see Santa’s reindeer getting ready for Christmas Eve.
It’s pure wonder.

🚂 Nightfall: Ride the Polar Express

Finish your day with the main event: riding the Polar Express™ into the winter night. As the train fills with Christmas music, golden tickets, cookies, hot cocoa, and the story of the season, you’ll feel something rare — a return to childhood magic.

And when the train pulls back into Bryson City, the adventure doesn’t end.

🔥 Return to the Retreat: A Fire, a Hot Tub & the North Pole Sky

Back at Three Little Bears Retreat, light a fire, gather the family, and step into the hot tub beneath the cold, starry sky. This is the perfect ending to a perfect day — tucked into the forest “near the North Pole,” surrounded by quiet mountains, twinkling lights, and the warmth of being together.

It’s a memory that becomes a tradition, and a tradition that becomes a story your family tells for decades.

✨ Plan Your Polar Express Journey Now

Weekend stays go quickly — but November and weekday December openings remain for those ready to create a holiday adventure that begins long before the train whistle.

Book your stay at Three Little Bears Retreat, and let the mountains give your family a Christmas story all their own.

Previous Blog Posts: 

Activity and Adventure:

Early Fall in the Smokies: A Season of Subtle Magic

Thrill Seekers' Paradise: White Water Rafting in Bryson City North Carolina 

Exploring the Hidden Gems: Hiking Trails Off the "Road to Nowhere" in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Exploring the Scenic Wonder of Bryson City: The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Exploring the Beauty of Tsali Mountain Bike Trails in Bryson City, North Carolina

Foodies, Restaurants, and Local Food Traditions: 

Savoring Tradition: Exploring the Rich Legacy of North Carolina BBQ

History & Culture:

Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Cherokee Mythology: Stories, Spirits, and Sacred Wisdom

Horace Kephart: A Trailblazer in the Founding of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Formation of Fontana Lake: A Historical and Environmental Journey

Discovering the Heart of Appalachia: Exploring Local Farms in Bryson City

Romantic Experiences and Special Occasions:

Fine Dining Outing in Asheville, NC

A Luxurious Couples’ Weekend Escape: Reconnect and Rekindle at 3 Little Bears Retreat

Disconnect to Reconnect: Relax and Unplug in the Heart of the Smokies

Trip Itineraries: 

All in a Day - Trees Like Redwoods at Joyce Kilmer, Deals Gap at the Tail of the Dragon, Potoon Boat on Fontana Lake and the Fontana Dam

All in a Day - Waterfalls, Elk, Tubing and Cherokee Culture

Summer Family Adventures: One Unforgettable Week in Bryson City visiting the Smoky Mountains

Unforgettable 3 Day Itinerary for Bryson City, NC and the Smoky Mountains

3 Days of High-Energy Adventure from 3 Little Bears Retreat