Bryson City, NC (pop. 1400) is the perfect setting for a Smoky Mountains getaway - a quiet country town on the banks of a swift mountain river, surrounded by lush forests, rolling pastures and rugged mountain peaks
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While Bryson City is quiet and relatively uncommercial, Swain County, the North Carolina Smokies and the surrounding areas offer a wealth of activities, all just minutes from the Folkestone Inn. Combine several activities and make a day of it, or two days, or three, or more ...
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The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - Choose from 
several scenic excursions that run from Dillsboro to Bryson City to the Nantahala River and back. There's even a Raft & Rail Combo that includes whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River. For your convenience, we sell train tickets at the Folkestone Inn.
Harrah's Cherokee Casino - just 15 minutes from Bryson City in neighboring Cherokee.
Biltmore House, Gardens and Winery - One of the nation's premier attractions is just a little more than an hour's drive from Bryson City. It's a great day trip.
Ghost Town - Maggie Valley's amusement park complete with staged gunfights, live music and sows, crafts, food and lots more fun.
Fontana Dam - The tallest dam east of the Rockies is just 30 minutes from the Folkestone Inn.
Smoky Mountain Trains - Impressive collection of 7000 Lionel engines, cars and accessories, large operating layout. Next to the depot in Bryson City.
Wheels Through Time Museum - Over 250 rare antique American motorcycles, automobiles, and memorabilia. Located on Highway 19 in Maggie Valley - about a 45 minute drive.
U
nto These Hills outdoor drama (mid-June through Mid-August), the Okonaluftee Indian Village (mid-May through October) and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian (all year) - The Trail of Tears began in Swain County. Learn about Cherokee Indian culture and history at these three entertaining and educational attractions at the nearby Cherokee Indian Reservation. Information can also be found at the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce web site.
Bird Watching - The Smoky Mountains area is a bird-watcher's paradise. One May weekend, a visiting naturalist identified 41 different birds...without ever leaving the Folkestone Inn's grounds.
Fishing - Swain County's creeks and rivers are famous for their trout fishing, particularly the Nantahala River and Deep Creek, less than a mile from the Folkestone Inn. And if you'd rather go for bass and crappie, head for nearby Fontana Lake. Fishing regulations are available from North Carolina Wildlife. For even more information, visit Fly Fishing NC. If you'd like to learn how to fish, there are several instructors as well as guides in the area. Fishing licenses are available at Clampitt's Ace Hardware and Lester's Sporting Goods in Bryson City. You can even purchase it online before you come.
Tsali Mountain Bike Trails - Biking enthusiasts from all over the world come to Swain County to ride the Tsali trails, just 25 minutes from the Inn. A brochure is available on-line from the US Forest Service. You can even rent bikes at the NOC store in Bryson City - for mountains or just biking our scenic byways.
The Nantahala River - One of the most popular whitewater rivers in the Nation. Several outfitters offer guided and unguided trips by raft, canoe and kayak, including Appalachian Rivers, Wildwater Rafting, Rolling Thunder River Company, Endless River Adventures, and Nantahala Outdoor Center.
Jet Boats - Take a spin on scenic Fontana Lake in a "New Zealand Style" adventure jet boat that holds 12 passengers. You'll zoom down the lake and quickly spin for a thrilling ride. Smoky Mountain Jet Boats even has a boat ride/hike combo tour or a boat ride/ scenic train ride combo tour. It's a different way to see the National Park and Fontana Lake.
Horseback Riding - Several stables offer guided rides of one to four hours, including Nantahala Stables, and Smokemont Riding Stables.
Golf - A number of golf courses are within a 45 minute drive from the Inn, including the 18-hole Smoky Mountain Country Club (828-497-762) just 15 minutes away in nearby Whittier. Popular courses include Maggie Valley Golf Club (866-659-4725), Waynesville Country Club (800-627-6250), and Franklin's MIll Creek Country Club (800-533-3916).
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Just a short walk from the Folkestone Inn, you can visit three sparkling waterfalls, go whitewater tubing on Deep Creek or hike some of the Park's 800 miles of mountain trails. Gatlinburg, Clingman's Dome and Cade's Cove are an easy drive from the Folkestone Inn. For more information, also visit the GORP - GSMNP web site.
Blue Ridge Parkway - the southern terminus of this beautiful highway is in neighboring Cherokee and many feel that the first few miles are the most spectacular. A great route for your day trip to Asheville!
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest - About an hour from Bryson City, this is one of the few remaining stands of virgin timber in the eastern US. A brochure is available on-line from the US Forest Service.
Stretching from the Joyce Kilmer forest to Telleco Plains, Tennessee is the spectacular 50-mile Cherohala Skyway, a scenic drive across peaks of 5,300 feet. This new road, entirely through National Forests, rivals the Blue Ridge Parkway for its scenic beauty.
Sports car enthusiasts and motorcyclists love the curvy roads of Deals Gap, aka The Tail of the Dragon - just an hour west of the Inn. With 318 curves in 11 miles it's truly a great ride.
Shopping and Antique Hunting - Potters, craftsmen and antique sellers are scattered throughout the area, from Bryson City to Franklin, Dillsboro and Waynesville, to Stecoah.
Two of our favorite artists in Bryson City are Elizabeth Ellison and Charles Heath. Favorite shops include The Cottage Craftsman, Madison's on Main, The Artists' House, Bryson General Store, Charleston Station, Old Clampitt Hardware, Calby's Antiques and Watershed Trading.
For authentic, Cherokee-made arts and crafts, we recommend the Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual, Medicine Man Crafts, Bear Meat's Indian Den, Talking Leaves (books, CDs) and Native American Crafts.
We have 3 great venues for music in our area. Each Saturday from early June through October, local artists play at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Depot in Bryson City.
And just west of Bryson City from late June to Labor Day, the Stecoah Valley Center hosts concerts in their 300-seat air-conditioned auditorium. You can also catch big name entertainers at Harrah's in Cherokee. There are plenty of other opportunities to hear great music at festivals and music halls all year – check our event calendar or just ask us.
Folkestone Inn
Bed & Breakfast
Steve & Eva Clayton
Owners/Innkeepers
101 Folkestone Road Bryson City, NC
28713-7891
Toll-free 888-812-3385
828-488-2730
Fax 828-488-0722
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We found an oasis in Western North Carolina. This is a beautiful home next door to so many outdoor adventures! Thank you for all the suggestions on trails, restaurants and sights.
Cindy & Mitchell
New York
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other guest comments
Bryson City One of the Nation's Best. The book "101 Best Outdoor Towns" has named Bryson City the nation's third best whitewater paddling town.
"If you can't find something exciting to do in Bryson City, you're not breathing," it says.
