Jean’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Considered among the best train rides in the United States. Scenic rail excursions through a remote corner of North Carolina into river gorges, across valleys and through tunnels carved out of mountains. Excursions include Nantahala Gorge, Dinosaur Train, Polar Express, Mystery Theatre Dinner Train and other themed events.
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Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
18 Fry StConsidered among the best train rides in the United States. Scenic rail excursions through a remote corner of North Carolina into river gorges, across valleys and through tunnels carved out of mountains. Excursions include Nantahala Gorge, Dinosaur Train, Polar Express, Mystery Theatre Dinner Train and other themed events.
If you are interested in learning about the history of the area, you should head to the Swain County Heritage Museum. Located in the 1908 historic courthouse in downtown Bryson City, the museum tells the story of Swain County and its people. Through photos, exhibits and video you will learn about the life of early settlers; and how the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Fontana Dam rewrote the landscape and changed lives.
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Swain County Visitor Center and Heritage Museum
2 Everett StIf you are interested in learning about the history of the area, you should head to the Swain County Heritage Museum. Located in the 1908 historic courthouse in downtown Bryson City, the museum tells the story of Swain County and its people. Through photos, exhibits and video you will learn about the life of early settlers; and how the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Fontana Dam rewrote the landscape and changed lives.
The aquarium features native fish and amphibian species found in our Appalachian region. The aquarium is part of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians. The Aquarium is open Friday - Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm, November through April; and Thursday - Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm, May through October
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Appalachian Rivers Aquarium
117 Island StThe aquarium features native fish and amphibian species found in our Appalachian region. The aquarium is part of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians. The Aquarium is open Friday - Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm, November through April; and Thursday - Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm, May through October
Located 3 miles east of Cherokee on US 19. See Santa and his elves, browse through gift shops and exhibits, and visit the domestic and exotic animals in the zoo. Santa's Land also features rides, picnic facilities, and multiple restaurants. Open daily 9 am to 5 pm from March 31st through October 31st.
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Santa's Land Fun Park & Zoo
571 Wolfetown RdLocated 3 miles east of Cherokee on US 19. See Santa and his elves, browse through gift shops and exhibits, and visit the domestic and exotic animals in the zoo. Santa's Land also features rides, picnic facilities, and multiple restaurants. Open daily 9 am to 5 pm from March 31st through October 31st.
The Smoky Mountain Community Theatre has been the home of local, amateur, dramatic productions in Bryson City since 1989. Tickets are sold at the box office and online.
Smoky Mountain Community Theater
134 Main StThe Smoky Mountain Community Theatre has been the home of local, amateur, dramatic productions in Bryson City since 1989. Tickets are sold at the box office and online.
Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground
1040 W Deep Creek RdChoose from a wide variety of bags and buckets; all equipment is furnished for free. All gem mining and gold panning troughs are covered and offer seating. Bring your gems to the assay office for identification and then utilize the lapidary and jeweler for polishing and setting.
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Smoky Mountain Gold-Ruby Mine
971 Tsali BlvdChoose from a wide variety of bags and buckets; all equipment is furnished for free. All gem mining and gold panning troughs are covered and offer seating. Bring your gems to the assay office for identification and then utilize the lapidary and jeweler for polishing and setting.
With so much to see in Bryson City, your visit won’t be complete without a trip to…nowhere. That’s right: this scenic mountain highway was started as an alternative route to replace an old road, buried under the waters of Fontana Lake, as a result of a dam, but was never finished. So now, Lakeside Drive, known to locals as the Road to Nowhere, serves as a lane that goes six miles (9.7 km) into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ends at the mouth of a tunnel, offering stunning views of the mountain and lake.
You can drive to the park and leave your car in the parking area after Nolands Creek, from where you will have a short walk to the tunnel. It’s a destination with an interesting story and many beautiful views to offer.
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Road to Nowhere Tunnel
Lakeview Drive EastWith so much to see in Bryson City, your visit won’t be complete without a trip to…nowhere. That’s right: this scenic mountain highway was started as an alternative route to replace an old road, buried under the waters of Fontana Lake, as a result of a dam, but was never finished. So now, Lakeside Drive, known to locals as the Road to Nowhere, serves as a lane that goes six miles (9.7 km) into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ends at the mouth of a tunnel, offering stunning views of the mountain and lake.
You can drive to the park and leave your car in the parking area after Nolands Creek, from where you will have a short walk to the tunnel. It’s a destination with an interesting story and many beautiful views to offer.
Nantahala Outdoor Center
13077 U.S. Highway 19CHA presents the Oconaluftee Indian Village & the outdoor drama Unto These Hills. Visit the recreated 1750s-era Cherokee Village. Regular tours by Cherokee guides present history, crafts, early homes and demonstrations of beadwork, pottery, blowguns, and much more in a beautiful forest setting. Mid-May through October. Unto These Hills tells the history of the Cherokee people from about 1540 through their forced removal from this area in the late 1830s.
Cherokee Historical Association
564 Tsali BlvdCHA presents the Oconaluftee Indian Village & the outdoor drama Unto These Hills. Visit the recreated 1750s-era Cherokee Village. Regular tours by Cherokee guides present history, crafts, early homes and demonstrations of beadwork, pottery, blowguns, and much more in a beautiful forest setting. Mid-May through October. Unto These Hills tells the history of the Cherokee people from about 1540 through their forced removal from this area in the late 1830s.
We bring the history of the Southern Appalachians to life through the art of storytelling and the making of crafts.
Storytelling Center Of The Southern Appalachians
225 Everett StWe bring the history of the Southern Appalachians to life through the art of storytelling and the making of crafts.
The trailhead for the Deep Creek Trail takes you to beautiful waterfalls within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in an easy hike along an old logging road. This beautiful recreation area is just 5 minutes north of Bryson City, NC. Allow about an hour and a half to enjoy a leisurely visit to Deep Creek’s three waterfalls: Juneywhank Falls, Tom Branch Falls, and Indian Creek Falls. While the trail and waterfalls are accessible year round, in the summer months, tubing and swimming are very popular activities in Deep Creek. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding are also popular here. Deep Creek is a large freestone creek that is also famous for its brown trout population. Picnic and camp along the banks of Deep Creek.
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Deep Creek Trail Trailhead
West Deep Creek RoadThe trailhead for the Deep Creek Trail takes you to beautiful waterfalls within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in an easy hike along an old logging road. This beautiful recreation area is just 5 minutes north of Bryson City, NC. Allow about an hour and a half to enjoy a leisurely visit to Deep Creek’s three waterfalls: Juneywhank Falls, Tom Branch Falls, and Indian Creek Falls. While the trail and waterfalls are accessible year round, in the summer months, tubing and swimming are very popular activities in Deep Creek. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding are also popular here. Deep Creek is a large freestone creek that is also famous for its brown trout population. Picnic and camp along the banks of Deep Creek.
Feeling lucky? Located in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort brings the casino action to Western North Carolina. Our resort is complete with premier rooms, exceptional dining, live entertainment and a vibrant casino floor!
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Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
777 Casino DrFeeling lucky? Located in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort brings the casino action to Western North Carolina. Our resort is complete with premier rooms, exceptional dining, live entertainment and a vibrant casino floor!
The Bryson City Island Park is a small island located in Bryson City, North Carolina. It is surrounded by the Tuckasegee River and rests at the mouth of historic Deep Creek of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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Bryson City Island Park
213 Bryson StThe Bryson City Island Park is a small island located in Bryson City, North Carolina. It is surrounded by the Tuckasegee River and rests at the mouth of historic Deep Creek of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Enjoy scenic guided horseback riding within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Rides available for the beginner or experienced rider featuring wooded forests, wildflowers, river and waterfalls. An authorized concessioner of the National Park Service.
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Smokemont Riding Stables Barn
135 Smokemont Riding Stables RdEnjoy scenic guided horseback riding within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Rides available for the beginner or experienced rider featuring wooded forests, wildflowers, river and waterfalls. An authorized concessioner of the National Park Service.
Beautiful park with plenty of picnic tables, hiking trails and scenic beauty. Take a stroll along the river with your family and friends.
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Deep Creek Campground
Beautiful park with plenty of picnic tables, hiking trails and scenic beauty. Take a stroll along the river with your family and friends.
Food scene
A family-owned and operated farm for more than thirty years, that specializes in sustainably grown appalachian fruits and vegetables. Our farm is located on an oasis surrounded by the Tuckaseegee River, bring your family and let our farm be yours.
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Darnell Farms
2300 Governors Island RdA family-owned and operated farm for more than thirty years, that specializes in sustainably grown appalachian fruits and vegetables. Our farm is located on an oasis surrounded by the Tuckaseegee River, bring your family and let our farm be yours.
Family friendly restaurant with full bar, pet friendly outdoor covered deck, and pool tables and games conveniently located just across from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in the heart of downtown Bryson City.
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CJ's Grille
47 Depot StFamily friendly restaurant with full bar, pet friendly outdoor covered deck, and pool tables and games conveniently located just across from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in the heart of downtown Bryson City.
Authentic Mexican fare, full bar and lively atmosphere. Private rooms available for all your celebrations. Open daily all year for lunch and dinner. 11am-2:30 pm lunch and 5 pm-10 pm for dinner.
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Guayabitos Restaurant
236 US-19Authentic Mexican fare, full bar and lively atmosphere. Private rooms available for all your celebrations. Open daily all year for lunch and dinner. 11am-2:30 pm lunch and 5 pm-10 pm for dinner.
Offering both lunch and dinner in a casual and inviting atmosphere on Main Street, Jimmy Mac's features a full menu including soups, salads, appetizers, burgers, steaks, seafood and more.
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Jimmy Mac's Restaurant
121 Main StOffering both lunch and dinner in a casual and inviting atmosphere on Main Street, Jimmy Mac's features a full menu including soups, salads, appetizers, burgers, steaks, seafood and more.
Enjoy classic Italian favorites served in a rustic yet refined atmosphere. Full lunch and dinner menus with daily evening specials. Full bar and extensive wine list.
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Pasqualino's Italian Restaurant
25 Everett StEnjoy classic Italian favorites served in a rustic yet refined atmosphere. Full lunch and dinner menus with daily evening specials. Full bar and extensive wine list.
Featuring breakfast, lunch and dinner menus with fresh salads, wings, burgers, phillies, and homestyle daily specials. Private room available for groups or meetings. Free Wi-Fi
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The Iron Skillet
165 Everett StFeaturing breakfast, lunch and dinner menus with fresh salads, wings, burgers, phillies, and homestyle daily specials. Private room available for groups or meetings. Free Wi-Fi
Come inside and smell the chocolate! Hand dipped chocolates and made-in-store fudges, caramel apples, brittles, specialty popcorns, pralines, and a selection of uniques candies. Plus 24 flavors of creamy and delicious premium ice cream made especially for the Chocolate Shoppe including flavors for the diabetic and lactose intolerant.
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The Chocolate Shoppe
134 Everett StCome inside and smell the chocolate! Hand dipped chocolates and made-in-store fudges, caramel apples, brittles, specialty popcorns, pralines, and a selection of uniques candies. Plus 24 flavors of creamy and delicious premium ice cream made especially for the Chocolate Shoppe including flavors for the diabetic and lactose intolerant.
Open Tuesday through Saturday 11am-8 pm. April 1 through November 1. Open extra days during July and color season. Hickory smoked pit BBQ made on the premises.
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Bar-B-Que Wagon
610 Main StOpen Tuesday through Saturday 11am-8 pm. April 1 through November 1. Open extra days during July and color season. Hickory smoked pit BBQ made on the premises.
Locally owned and operated pizzeria and grill. We offer only the highest quality ingredients and serve hand crafted beers in a unique setting.
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Nate And Nick's Pizza
225 Everett StLocally owned and operated pizzeria and grill. We offer only the highest quality ingredients and serve hand crafted beers in a unique setting.
La Dolce Vita Bakery is a farm to table dessert bakery. We specialize in custom order cakes and cupcakes made from the best local ingredients. We will have a variety of desserts and specialty desserts available daily. Now serving fresh Italian gelato daily! Pet friendly outside seatin
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La Dolce Vita Bakery
191 Everett StLa Dolce Vita Bakery is a farm to table dessert bakery. We specialize in custom order cakes and cupcakes made from the best local ingredients. We will have a variety of desserts and specialty desserts available daily. Now serving fresh Italian gelato daily! Pet friendly outside seatin
Located in downtown Bryson City, directly across from the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad offering a delicious array of handmade chocolates, award winning fudge, fresh brewed coffee and expresso drinks, along with an assortment of other sweet treats and beverages.
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The Heavenly Fudge Depot and Chocolate Lounge
Everett StreetLocated in downtown Bryson City, directly across from the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad offering a delicious array of handmade chocolates, award winning fudge, fresh brewed coffee and expresso drinks, along with an assortment of other sweet treats and beverages.
Conveniently located across from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot in Bryson City, Boxcar Cafè & Cones offers a varied menu including burgers, wraps, wings, and more.
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Boxcar Cafe and Cones, Inc.
26 Fry StConveniently located across from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot in Bryson City, Boxcar Cafè & Cones offers a varied menu including burgers, wraps, wings, and more.
Authentic hand-tossed pizza, burgers, homemade dinners, appetizers, subs, paninis, salads & desserts. Large selection of craft, imported and domestic beers; full bar and wine. Inside and covered outdoor dining; with relaxed lounge seating areas in Derailed Bar. Free wifi. Across from train depot.
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Anthony's Restaurant
15 Depot StAuthentic hand-tossed pizza, burgers, homemade dinners, appetizers, subs, paninis, salads & desserts. Large selection of craft, imported and domestic beers; full bar and wine. Inside and covered outdoor dining; with relaxed lounge seating areas in Derailed Bar. Free wifi. Across from train depot.
Fresh made to order sandwiches, salads, soups and desserts, and outstanding customer service make High Test Deli & Sweet Shop your first choice for quality dining in Bryson City. Limited outdoor, pet-friendly dining as well as indoor dining room and take out/delivery. Monday-Saturday, 11am-4pm, closed on Sundays.
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High Test Deli
145 Everett StFresh made to order sandwiches, salads, soups and desserts, and outstanding customer service make High Test Deli & Sweet Shop your first choice for quality dining in Bryson City. Limited outdoor, pet-friendly dining as well as indoor dining room and take out/delivery. Monday-Saturday, 11am-4pm, closed on Sundays.
A traditional style breakfast and lunch featuring daily specials as well as a variety of sandwiches, homemade soups, salads, and desserts. Hours of operation: Monday - Saturday, 7:00 am - 2:00 pm; Sunday, 7:30 am - 2:00 pm.
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Everett Street Diner
126 Everett StA traditional style breakfast and lunch featuring daily specials as well as a variety of sandwiches, homemade soups, salads, and desserts. Hours of operation: Monday - Saturday, 7:00 am - 2:00 pm; Sunday, 7:30 am - 2:00 pm.
Old school drive-in located beside the Tuckasegee River in Bryson City. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus offering inside service as well as curb service, under cover. Open all year.
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Naber's Drive In
1245 Main StOld school drive-in located beside the Tuckasegee River in Bryson City. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus offering inside service as well as curb service, under cover. Open all year.
Custom roasted coffee and espresso drinks, smoothies, freezes and master blended teas. Great selection of gourmet wraps, salads, quiche, vegetarian and gluten free dishes and soup. Also handmade bagels and tasty cream cheeses, muffins, baked goods and bagel or croissant sandwiches. Free Wi-Fi. Eat in, on the porch, or carry out.
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Mountain Perks
9 Depot StCustom roasted coffee and espresso drinks, smoothies, freezes and master blended teas. Great selection of gourmet wraps, salads, quiche, vegetarian and gluten free dishes and soup. Also handmade bagels and tasty cream cheeses, muffins, baked goods and bagel or croissant sandwiches. Free Wi-Fi. Eat in, on the porch, or carry out.
Located in the center of downtown Bryson City, the brewery has indoor seating as well as outdoor seating on a covered rooftop terrace with a beautiful view of the Tuckasegee River and the mountains surrounding the town. The brewery currently has a number of beers on tap, a hard cider on tap, and a variety of wines, sodas, tea, and coffee. Several local restaurants offer food delivery to your table.
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Mountain Layers Brewing Company
90 Everett StLocated in the center of downtown Bryson City, the brewery has indoor seating as well as outdoor seating on a covered rooftop terrace with a beautiful view of the Tuckasegee River and the mountains surrounding the town. The brewery currently has a number of beers on tap, a hard cider on tap, and a variety of wines, sodas, tea, and coffee. Several local restaurants offer food delivery to your table.
Iron Wok is a locally owned and recently renovated restaurant in downtown Bryson City featuring authentic dishes from China, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. All orders are fresh made with no MSG and gluten free options are available
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Iron Wok
33 Rector StIron Wok is a locally owned and recently renovated restaurant in downtown Bryson City featuring authentic dishes from China, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. All orders are fresh made with no MSG and gluten free options are available
Proudly serving single origin coffees, espresso, a wide array of organic teas and tea lattes, decadent hot cocoas, organic fruit smoothies, and bagels shipped overnight from New York City.
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Cardinal Coffee
22 Needmore RdProudly serving single origin coffees, espresso, a wide array of organic teas and tea lattes, decadent hot cocoas, organic fruit smoothies, and bagels shipped overnight from New York City.
Start your morning with a savory sausage and egg biscuit or try the loaded down Fontana Hash-browns. Lunch and dinner won't disappoint. Choices range from the appetizing burgers, the always-fresh sandwiches and salads, or the Appalachian Trail hikers' favorite: Sherpa Rice. Stay awhile and choose from a large selection of beer and wine.
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River's End Restaurant
13077 US-19 Start your morning with a savory sausage and egg biscuit or try the loaded down Fontana Hash-browns. Lunch and dinner won't disappoint. Choices range from the appetizing burgers, the always-fresh sandwiches and salads, or the Appalachian Trail hikers' favorite: Sherpa Rice. Stay awhile and choose from a large selection of beer and wine.
This brewery provides tours & tastings, plus a rustic taproom with draft beers & regular live music.
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Nantahala Brewing Company
5 Deep Creek RdThis brewery provides tours & tastings, plus a rustic taproom with draft beers & regular live music.
Fishing, Hiking & Rafting
Specializes in fly fishing guided trips & education of all things fly fishing. We have taught fly casting, tactics, techniques, & strategies for over 34 years all over the globe. Based in the Smoky Mountain town of Bryson City, NC. Improve your skills with the best instructional fly fishing around. We love sharing our passion of fly fishing with others of all skill levels. We are the original outfitter of western NC.
Mac Brown Fly Fish
779 W Deep Creek RdSpecializes in fly fishing guided trips & education of all things fly fishing. We have taught fly casting, tactics, techniques, & strategies for over 34 years all over the globe. Based in the Smoky Mountain town of Bryson City, NC. Improve your skills with the best instructional fly fishing around. We love sharing our passion of fly fishing with others of all skill levels. We are the original outfitter of western NC.
Fly Fishing the Smokies is a family owned Full Service Fly Shop and Outfitter offering guided trips in the Great Smoky Mountains region. Wade Trips, Float Trips, Back Country Camping Trips. Fly Fishing the Smokies offers guided fly fishing trips for all ages and skill levels without the price gouge. We provide all the gear and equipment plus a patient professional guide to show the ropes for fly fishing the Smoky Mountains and beyond."
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Bryson City Fly Shop - Fly Fishing the Smokies
157 Everett StFly Fishing the Smokies is a family owned Full Service Fly Shop and Outfitter offering guided trips in the Great Smoky Mountains region. Wade Trips, Float Trips, Back Country Camping Trips. Fly Fishing the Smokies offers guided fly fishing trips for all ages and skill levels without the price gouge. We provide all the gear and equipment plus a patient professional guide to show the ropes for fly fishing the Smoky Mountains and beyond."
Great Smokey Mountain Bait and Tackle
4470 US-19Fishing store in Swain County, North Carolina
Outdoor Outfitter specializing in whitewater rafting, kayak instruction, guided fly fishing, fly fishing and kayak store.
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Endless River Adventures
14157 W Hwy 19Outdoor Outfitter specializing in whitewater rafting, kayak instruction, guided fly fishing, fly fishing and kayak store.
This is the perfect place to spend an afternoon or even the whole day. Cooper Creek Trout Farm raises 750,000 rainbow trout, annually and offers a public pond so that visitors can catch their own fish. They provide fishing equipment and picnic facilities, as well as guided tours.
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Cooper Creek Trout Farm
3365 Coopers Creek RdThis is the perfect place to spend an afternoon or even the whole day. Cooper Creek Trout Farm raises 750,000 rainbow trout, annually and offers a public pond so that visitors can catch their own fish. They provide fishing equipment and picnic facilities, as well as guided tours.
Nonprofit museum exploring the history of southern fly fishing through displays of equipment & gear.
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Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians
117 Main StNonprofit museum exploring the history of southern fly fishing through displays of equipment & gear.
Simond's Bait Shop
1085 Main StBait shop in Bryson City, North Carolina
Tuckaseegee Fly Shop
3 Depot StFishing store in Bryson City, North Carolina
Come down to Alarka Marina in Bryson City for a weekend full of great times on the water! From water skiing to inner tubing and everything in between, your family will have the time of their lives!
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Alarka Marina
7230 Grassy Branch RdCome down to Alarka Marina in Bryson City for a weekend full of great times on the water! From water skiing to inner tubing and everything in between, your family will have the time of their lives!
Carolina Bound Adventures offers multiple family friendly adventures like guided hiking, beginner mountain biking, guided backpacking and camping
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Carolina Bound Adventures
35 Slope StCarolina Bound Adventures offers multiple family friendly adventures like guided hiking, beginner mountain biking, guided backpacking and camping