Western NC activities

Here's a search on Bryson City. I recommend the vintage train trip.

We spend our summers at Trails End RV Park which is about 5 minutes from Maggie Valley, 6 or 7 minutes to Waynesville, about 15 minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway, about 20 minutes from Cherokee, about 25 minutes from Asheville, and about 1.5 hours from Gatlinburg, TN. The RV park is small with a few full-timers, a few seasonals like ourselves and several transient spots that normally require an advance reservation, though this summer may be different.

We arrived last Thursday and are currently half-way through our mandatory 14 day self-quarantine. The whole area is completely shut down due to a stay-at-home order that will probably be rescinded Friday though what will take its place is anyone's guess. I would think it will be a month or two before anything close to normal conditions will occur.

That being said, the area is a great one to just come and relax and enjoy the mountains. Waynesville is quaint with a lot of little shops, several nice restaurants, a very nice performing arts theater and Lake Junaluska where you can fish but where I try to get some exercise by walking around it a few times a week on a nice paved path. Maggie Valley is more of a typical tourist trap but has suffered immensely in last few years but does have many hotel/motels, restaurants and small shops. Cherokee is another touristy place but it also includes a Harrah's Casino for those that like that kind of entertainment.

We enjoy or summers here as the RV park is very nice with great hosts and the weather is much nicer in the summer than our normal S&B in Florida. The RV park requires you be completely self-contained as there are no rest rooms. The only amenities are nice gravel sites, some with concrete patios, that are 50 amp full-hookup with great WiFi and cable.

The suggestion of Maggie Valley is a good one I think. For what you are asking for Maggie Valley has a few nice campgrounds to choose from and is centrally located for day trips to Asheville and Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge.

Asheville has the Biltmore Estate that is really nice to spend a whole day at. Expensive ticket but it delivers a wonderful experience. Waynesville is quaint and worth walking around one afternoon. Cherokee is touristy yes but fun to see and walk around. It has the Museum of the Cherokee Indian that is a must see. Very interresting...and there is Harrahs casino too if inclined to play the slots or black jack or poker, nice place too.

The drive through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park over Newfound Gap is a great day trip too. At the top of the mountain is a rest area overlook for some great views. Just around the corner is the road to Clingmans Dome, the 2nd highest point east of the Mississippi. It has an observation tower/platform that's about a 1/2 mile trail hike/walk to. Now THAT is where the real spectacular views are...on a good clear day. It can be in the clouds at times. G'burg and Pigeon Forge are tourist heaven. Lots of things to do, Anakeesta is one of the newest additions and is worth going up to. So is the Sky Bridge.

All that said, Maggie valley has the Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum. Even if you don't ride its an interesting stop. Lots of antique stores and nice golf course if you golf. It is a beautiful place too.

Also in Maggie Valley is Wheels Through Time... a great motorcycle museum. As mentioned above, the train ride out of Bryson City is a nice way to spend a few hours. There are many really nice waterfalls in the general area. Some are pretty close to the road side and others involve a hike . Just ask and the locals will steer you to their favorites. Plenty of fishing opportunities in the streams in the area.

Just outside of Maggie Valley is a very interesting experience. Cataloochee Valley is essentially the remains of a ghost town from when the national park was established. There are a few buildings still there, but what makes it special is the large population of elk that frequent the area. Best times to see them are dawn and near dusk, but we've also been there in the middle of the afternoon and seen several. THe drive to the valley is a great sightseeing trip. Not too many people go there as it is off the beaten
path.

On the way to Maggie Valley, you might enjoy stopping at Hot Springs, NC. We like its relaxed, small town ambiance. The AT runs along Bridge St. in the middle of the town. Love the trails and there's plenty to do for a few days including rafting. Hot Springs Activities

We spent a few nights at Hot Springs Resort and Spa Campground. It's on the banks of the French Broad River. It was an easy walk to the town itself. The bathrooms were mediocre but the sites have full hookups so we really didn't need them.

The Brevard area is very nice as well. Very scenic, waterfalls all over the place.

https://www.wncwaterfalls.info/map.html

Cradle of Forestry, NC Arboretum, Cades Cove, Cherohala Skyway, Mingus Mill, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Biltmore, Cataloochee, Blue Ridge Parkway, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Lots of great camping spots in the National Parks and National Forests if you don't need hookups.