On-Property Experiences -- contact us to inquire further about the availability of any of these experiences:

• Cabin Bliss Package - whether celebrating love, friendship, or a personal milestone, we are honored to prepare and adorn your luxury cabin with beautiful fresh flowers, an artisanal dessert, and your choice of our Red or White Western North Carolina famed Biltmore wine or bottle of bubbly Champagne. Let the celebration begin!

• Campfire & Smores: cost per person with minimum

• Gem mining in the creek

• Children Nature or Cultural Arts & Crafts Program

• Fire wood - available to purchase at various locations, but will deliver for a fee

• Outdoor Movie Setup

• Guided Nature Hike on Retreat Trail

• Initial Grocery Pick-up and Set up at your cabin

1. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

• Enjoy scenic train rides through the Smoky Mountains, including the popular Nantahala Gorge and Tuckasegee River excursions.
• Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

2. Deep Creek Hiking and Waterfalls

• Explore the Deep Creek area for hiking, tubing, and visiting three beautiful waterfalls: Juney Whank, Tom Branch, and Indian Creek Falls.
• Deep Creek Area Information

3. Road to Nowhere

• A scenic drive with the entrance located next to the Retreat that leads to a tunnel with hiking trails (Nolands Creek Trail-Easy, Goldmine Loop-Moderate, Tunnel Trail-Easy, and trails that go for miles and all the way up to Kituwah (Climgman's Dome)) and stunning views. It’s known as the “Road to Nowhere,” and offers solitude and natural beauty.
• Road to Nowhere Information

4. Fontana Lake

• A great destination for boating, kayaking, fishing, and swimming. The lake offers access to remote parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
• Fontana Lake Information

5. Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

• A premier destination for whitewater rafting, kayaking, zip-lining, and other outdoor activities along the Nantahala River.
• Nantahala Outdoor Center

6. Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians

• Discover the history and culture of fly fishing in the Appalachian region with exhibits and interactive displays.
• Fly Fishing Museum Information

7. Tsali Recreation Area

• Famous for its mountain biking and hiking trails, Tsali is a must-visit for adventure enthusiasts looking for scenic trails by Fontana Lake.
• Tsali Recreation Area Information

8. Smoky Mountain Trains Museum

• Located adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, this museum showcases model trains and railroad memorabilia.
• Smoky Mountain Trains Museum

9. Nantahala Gorge

• A natural wonder offering whitewater rafting, scenic views, and hiking opportunities along the Nantahala River.
• Nantahala Gorge Information

10. The Everett Street Diner

• A popular local restaurant offering hearty Southern breakfasts and lunches, right in the heart of Bryson City.
• Everett Street Diner

11. Alarka Falls

• A hidden gem for hikers, Alarka Falls is a lesser-known but stunning waterfall hike located just outside Bryson City.
• Alarka Falls Hiking Guide

Restaurants! 

Bryson City:

1. The Everett Street Diner
   • Known for Southern comfort food and hearty breakfasts. Breakfast and Lunch
   • Website
2. The Bistro at the Everett Hotel
   • A fine dining experience offering locally sourced ingredients and Southern-inspired dishes.
   • Website
3. The Fryemont Inn
   • Authentic local flavor with family style dinners in a historic, 1923 mountain inn
   • Website
4. Pasqualino’s Italian Restaurant
   • Known for classic Italian dishes like pasta, lasagna, and calzones in a cozy setting.
   • Website

Dillsboro:

1. Haywood Smokehouse
   • Famous for authentic BBQ, smoked meats, and Southern sides. Amazing!
   • Website
2. The Well House
   • Serves American cuisine with a focus on local ingredients and farm-to-table dining.
   • Website
3. Boots Steakhouse
   • Known for its tender steaks and warm, inviting 1800's saloon style ambiance. Amazing!
   • Facebook

Sylva:

1. Ilda
   • A modern Italian restaurant with a focus on locally sourced Appalachian ingredients.
   • Website
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2. Creekside Oyster House & Grill

   • Locally owned restaurant specializing in oysters, trout, and catfish. 
   • Website
3. Lulu’s on Main
   • Offers eclectic cuisine featuring vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, along with seafood and meat dishes.
   • Facebook

Cherokee:

1. Native Taps and Brews
   • Chef Kevin Conrad and Reuben Sharpless prepare amazing meals from gourmet to comfort.
   • Website
2. Peter's Pancakes & Waffles
   • A local favorite known for its hearty breakfasts and friendly service.
   • Yelp
3. Circle H Chop House
   
   • A fully Farm to Table steakhouse in Western North Carolina
   • Website

Nantahala:

1. River’s End Restaurant
   • Located at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, this restaurant offers riverside dining with burgers, sandwiches, and Southern classics.
   • Website
2. Kalisto Restaurant and Lounge 
   • relaxed dining experience with an emphasis on Southern-inspired dishes made from fresh, local ingredients.
   • Website

3 Day Itinerary Suggestions:

• 3 Days of Active Adventure - Day 1) Train & Whitewater rafting, Day 2) Zip Line-Kayak/paddleboard, Day 3) Fire Tower Hike & E-bike down the Road to Nowhere

• 3 Days of Fly Fishing - Boat Drift, Wade Fish, Stream Fish

• 3 Days of National Park Hikes - Moderate: Road to Nowhere (Noland & Goldmine or Further), Deep Creep Creek, Kuwohi & Newfound Gap

• 3 Days of Epic Drives: Day 1) Needmore to Franklin to Highlands/Cashiers, 2) Robbinsville to Joyce Kilmer to Tail of Dragon to Fontana Dam, 3) Cherokee - early for Elk - Ming Falls, Blue Ridge Parkway across to Hwy 23 back to Sylva Downtown or Dillsboro

• 3 Days of Craft Breweries - Day 1 Bryson City Brewery, Mountain Layers & Eventually Native Brews & BCO for fun; Day 2 Sylva/Dillsboro-Lazy Hiker, Balsam Falls, Innovation: Day 3 Waynesville-Boojum, Bearwater, Frog Level, Day 4- flying out – Sierra Nevada Brewery next to Asheville Airport

• 3 Days of Wine and Wellness / Bachelorette Party / Women's Weekend Getaway: 1) Morning Yoga at Retreat, Deep Creek Winery & Soaking Bath at Fontana, MaeBlu Boutique & Tea Bar, 2) Tai Chi at Retreat, Trip to Biltmore Estate and Winery, 3) Yoga at Retreat, Deep Creek Waterfalls Loop Hike, Massage/Facial at Retreat and Private Chef dinner with Bryson City Wine & Cheese Tastings and Pairings.

• 3 Days of Foodies: Day 1) Dolce Vita- Breakfast, Raven Fork Food Truck  at Bryson City Outdoors- lunch, Fryemont Inn Southern dinner, 2) Everett Diner Breakfast, Haywood Smokehouse Lunch, Ilyda- Dinner, 3) Peters Pancakes and waffles, Native Brews for Lunch, Boots Steakhouse- Dinner

• 3 Days Guys Trip or Bachelor Party Trip: Day 1) Nurse your first night’s hangover with some hair of the dog beers and a drift fly fishing trip down the Tuck. 2) Show off your skills at the Sequoyah National Golf Club. 3) One of: Smoky Mountain Country Club, Hike Deep Creek – Breweries – Cherokee Casino, or for truly adventurous Fontana Dam and hike Shuckstack Fire Tower for unreal views or rent a pontoon boat on Fontana Lake.

Epic Day Trip Itineraries for Bryson City

Cherokee:

1) Travel first to Soco Falls- short waterfall hike, the observation platform is easy. The more adventurous can work their way to the bottom of the falls.

2) Take the Blue Ridge Parkway route on your GPS to Mingo Falls. There are lots of tunnels, overlooks and trails.

3) Make it to Mingo Falls: it's not terribly long or hard, but it is pretty much one long staircase to get to it... maybe 1/4 mile

Lunch-Cherokee-Native Brews is a great option

4) Afternoon Choose-tubing (summer), Cherokee Cultural Village/Museum, or stroll downtown and the island park

5) Dinner at the Casino with bowling/arcade (Sunday is Family night with pizza and bowling at an affordable price. Monday is one price all you can bowl or arcade)

Joyce Kilmer Forest/Fontana:

1) Morning-Joyce Kilmer Park, this is one of the only forests that was never logged, so it has the largest trees outside of the Redwoods in California

2) Lunch at the historic Tapoco Lodge-sometimes they do whitewater kayak tournaments here.

3) Drive a little further to Deals Gap, which is the beginning of the tail of Dragon (America's most winding road... famous with motorcycles and sports car enthusiasts)

4) Continue from Deals Gap to Fontana Village and see the Fontana Dam (largest dam in the Eastern half of America). In the summer you can plan a pontoon rental here also

Dinner-Fontana Village has a couple good restaurants also

Best Hikes for Families with Young Children, Toddlers, or Elderly but still Active Travelers: 

• Road to Nowhere: 1) Walk through the tunnel at the end and back. 2) Nolands Creek-parking lot just before the bridge. Follow the trail down and to the left towards the lake. It is beautiful year round and easy for kids, but in the winter it is epic when the lake level drops.

• Deep Creek Waterfalls: Juney Whank is a little steep for the toddlers, but Tom Branch Falls and Indian Creek Falls are easily accessible for all ages on a wide road bed trail. We call it the coffee hike and highly recommend getting a coffee from La Dolce Vita and doing a stroll in the early morning.

• Nuwati Trail at 3 Little Bears Retreat: can be muddy in a few spots but has a beautiful creek with rock slide waterfalls, pond, bridges, and a hideaway playground.

• Oconoluftee trail at the Oconoluftee National Park Visitors Center: preserved farm buildings and trail runs alongside the Oconoluftee River. Elk are present most times but especially in the early morning and at dusk in the afternoons.

• Mingus Mill: short hike up to see a historic grist mill

• Newfound Gap: longer hike but easy along part of the Appalachian Trail where North Carolina and Tennessee meet.

• Kuwohi (formerly Clingman’s Dome): this path is steep but paved and most all littles can make it up with short carries and  little breaks. It is also stroller accessible. If going in the Summer, try to be there before 9:30am to not sit in traffic for forever.

• Smokemont: there is both a short loop nature trail and a longer trail along the river that are easily managed by littles and can park in the campground.

• If needing a break from shopping in downtown Bryson City, there is Island Park, which has a great loop trail with the Tuckaseegee River going around it.

• Soco Falls: parking is tough at this location, but seeing the falls is only a couple hundred steps and the more adventurous can climb to the bottom.