The gateway to the Smokies has a mountain of small-town charm and stunning views.
bryson city
All Aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Toot toot! When the steam whistle sounds and the railcars start click-clacking down the tracks, a different side of the Great Smoky Mountains comes into view.
Preserving History
Earl Kirkland shares stories of the Great Flood of 1940 with visitors of the Swain County Heritage Museum.
10 Great Mountain Towns
It’s jacket weather, cider season, trail time. For a few glorious weeks, our western hamlets revel in their true colors.
Tuckasegee River Brings Opportunity for Bryson City’s New Generation
For a new generation in Bryson City, the mountain river that once washed away whole homesteads is now the source of simple pleasures, natural wonders, and new businesses.
Gather ’Round the Table: Recipes from Our Front Porch
An inn in Bryson City knows the secret to an inviting meal.
Dody’s Chocolate Cake and Chocolate Icing
Nothing rounds out a meal like a piece of delicious chocolate cake. Try this recipe from Recipes from Our Front Porch, the Hemlock Inn's cookbook.
Velda’s Carrot Custard
For a new side dish, try Velda Woody's carrot custard from Recipes from Our Front Porch, the Hemlock Inn's cookbook.
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.
