Day trips

Play and Relax

On those days when you just feel like driving, the Blue Ridge Parkway has more than 450 miles of breathtaking scenery, with many places to stop, take pictures or have a quiet picnic. Cherokee home isn’t far from your new home, and it offers a cultural mecca with museums, shops, restaurants and summertime shows like the world-famous; Unto These Hills. The Oconaluftee Indian Village will entertain and educate you and your family. The Cherokee tribe welcomes you and your family to come live, play and relax. Brevard, just over the mountains, is known as the Land of Waterfalls. Its 250+ waterfalls usually require a short hike to enjoy, but reward your efforts. Whitewater Falls, Dry Falls, Cullasaja Falls, Rainbow Falls, Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock and Bridal Veil Falls all provide spectacular views within reach. Take a day trip to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. Sit in an open gondola and ride through ancient river gorges, valleys and tunnels carved out of the mountains. The Railroad Company now offers a trip back in time with their historic steam engine train. And don’t forget the mountain lakes! Bear Lake and Wolf Creek Lake are very close, but Lake Fontana, Lake Glenville and Lake Junaluska are worth the trip. Spend the day of boating, kayaking, canoeing or swimming.