We had the BEST experience in Bryson City, NC!

This stunning city is a gem!

*This post is sponsored, however, all opinions are of my own.

Bryson City, nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, is a haven for families seeking an escape into nature’s embrace. Recently, my family and I embarked on a journey to this quaint mountain town, eager to immerse ourselves in its charm and natural beauty.

From the moment we arrived, Bryson City welcomed us with open arms. Our accommodation, a renovated school bus tucked away on glamping grounds at Gorgeous Stays , provided the perfect retreat after a long day of travel. Surrounded by towering trees and the soothing sounds of the nearby creek, we instantly felt a sense of tranquility wash over us. I will be writing a separate post on our wonderful experience with them!

Day 1

We started off with a light breakfast on the bus, and some coffee/hot chocolate that was provided since it poured raining all morning. No visit to Bryson City would be complete without a ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, and we rushed to the railroad station to get on the Nantahala Excursion ride. This historic train journey takes passengers on a scenic tour through the mountains, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

We boarded the train and settled into our seats, eager to soak in the sights and sounds of this iconic experience. As the train chugged along, we passed through tunnels, over bridges, and alongside rushing rivers, each twist and turn revealing a new vista more breathtaking than the last.

We went on the Nantahala Gorge Excursion which is about a 4.5 hour activity. If you have children 2 and under that get antsy, the long ride may not be so fun (for you or them), however you have to know your kid. Our youngest was 19 months on this ride, and he stayed put for some of the ride, and we (DJ) had to walk him down the aisles for another portion of the trip. Snacks and Ms. Rachel on YouTube kept him busy the other times.

There are stories of history, and musical entertainment as you ride through. The storyteller gave Wynter an apple for asking a question! They also have concessions located on the train for snacks, hot dogs, and drinks. The train does stop for about an hour as well, giving you a chance to have lunch, stretch, and enjoy some of the scenery in the gorge. The kids just wanted to play with their new friends. You can purchase lunch at the stop, or bring your own.

This couple was the sweetest, and quickly became like “grandparents” to the kids. They gave them snacks, allowed DJ and I to enjoy just sitting on the train, and really loved on the kids. We’re always thankful for kind “strangers” that become family on our adventures.

Back in Bryson City, we went into the Railroad Museum, and were amazed at how many trains were collected! Because we arrived back at the station, we missed our time at the Aquarium, but I would definitely add it to your list when you visit!

Next we headed to dinner at Bryson City Brewing. I loved the aesthetics of their bathrooms, lol!

We chatted it up with locals, and the kids played with others until it was about to close! We learned so much about the city just from talking with them. After relaxing here for over 3 hours, it got chilly outside and we headed back to Gorgeous Stays for the night.

Day 2

We wanted to eat breakfast at the famous Everett Street Diner, however, it was already packed for the day and they weren’t taking any more customers sadly! We rightfully should have came earlier. We walked over to Dolce Vita instead, and I was so glad we did. The food was filling and so good! We had several grit bowls, and delicious drinks. The inside was also really cute, and they had seating both indoor and outdoor.

We wandered through downtown for a bit, and stopped into Loose Moose for some souvenirs, Humanite Boutique, and a cute jam shop that you can sample sauces and jellies. I talked photography with the owner, and she gave me great spots for views at Deep Creek.

Arriving at Deep Creek we drove through the mountains to see where we could catch a great view of the water, trying to stop and take photos. We realized we had passed the easy walk to the waterfall and drove back down! If you want to catch incredible views of a waterfall with littles, I highly recommend the Tom Branch Falls which is about a .2 mile walk to this magical view…

No photos or video can do it justice. Walking into it is just incredible! We had a kind soul ask if we wanted pictures, and she took our family pictures. This is a must!

After saying our goodbyes to our lovely hosts at Gorgeous Stays, we couldn’t leave the city without experiencing elk sighting! We’ve never seen any before, and had heard they were huge! We arrived at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee, NC (about a 20 minute drive from Bryson City) right on time because they were everywhere!

We had an up close look, and they were beautiful! The kids were so excited to see them. It’s recommended to go to the visitor center to see them either early morning (7am) or around dusk. We arrived at 7:06pm and caught them in full element.

Before heading back home we had AMAZING Mexican food at Guayabitos Mexican Restaurant. This was the best Mexican food I had ever eaten! The service was quick, it was clean, and they were so friendly! By the way, if you do go get the Tamarind drink. It is HUGE and so refreshing! I had the other half on the road!

We had a great time in Bryson City and can not wait to return. If you love adventure with your family, and unlimited mountain views this is the town for you! Go ahead and plan your trip for the summer!

Thank you again to Bryson City and Gorgeous Stays for hosting our trip!