From frosty hikes to whimsical train rides through the Smokies, these seven spectacular experiences welcome the mountains’ winter season.
swain county
Smoky Mountain Immersion
As we slip into the season of changing leaves and cooler temperatures, chart your escape to Swain County’s secluded corner of the Smokies.
Your Guide to Swain County
Escape to the wilds of western North Carolina where a scenic national park, epic mountain drives, and lots of small-town charm are right at your fingertips.
North Carolina’s Hidden Cemeteries
Although North Carolina is home to 175 public cemeteries, thousands of other burial grounds shelter fragments of history. Sometimes celebrated but often forgotten, their beauty and their stories wait to be discovered.
Preserving History
Earl Kirkland shares stories of the Great Flood of 1940 with visitors of the Swain County Heritage Museum.
Cherokee Flavor
Best known for its strong scent, the much-maligned ramp is enjoying an image makeover, thanks to its medicinal and culinary potential.
Batman of Swain County: Keith Bruce
Lifelong adventurer Keith Bruce, a retired dentist, flies into his later years on a zip line and the belief that life should be a ride.
Jimmy Mac’s Restaurant
A menu with 20 different burgers is reason enough to stop by the popular Bryson City restaurant. The family feel is another.
The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians’s Story of Survival
In the Great Smoky Mountains, a story of survival, endurance, and identity unfolds through the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.
