Who says you have to go big to have fun? Small towns all throughout the North Carolina Smoky Mountains offer a peaceful escape from the noisy distractions of the city and the boring traps of everyday monotony. You’d be surprised just how much excitement you can fit into a small space.

Whether you’re using one of these incredible small towns as a basecamp to launch your Smoky Mountains adventure or as a destination in and of itself, you’ll discover the area’s fascinating local Appalachian culture as well as easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Experience everything from train rides and skiing to arts & crafts and sightseeing when you choose one of these 7 small towns for a refreshing Smoky Mountains getaway.

Small Towns in the Smokies That Are Worth Visiting This Winter

  1. Maggie Valley, NC

There’s a reason Maggie Valley has been a favorite mountain resort town for families for decades. Its laid-back vibes, bluegrass music, moonshine, local arts & crafts festivals, motorcycle rallies, and vintage roadside motels, like the Appalachian chic Meadowlark Motel, all blend together into a fun and funky reflection of local Smokies culture.  Also, If you’re looking for a restaurant in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, this might be the place for you. HomeCraft Restaurant brings a new dining experience to Maggie Valley. This is inside the Meadowlark Motel and is open from 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm every day. 7 days a week. The restaurant offers a wide range of menu choices from traditional home-cooked meals to a specifically tailored menu. Both locals and visitors looking for something new should stop by HomeCraft for dinner.

But Maggie Valley in wintertime brings a whole new layer of snowy fun. The local Cataloochee Ski Area is typically the first local ski resort to open with 18 mile-high slopes for skiing and snowboarding, plus a nearby snow tubing park that’s fun for the whole family. You can find plenty of scenic winter hikes and ice laced waterfalls – like Soco Falls. This gorgeous twin waterfall between Maggie Valley and Cherokee has an easily accessible observation deck, or you can hike down to the base of both falls!
When you’re done with your winter adventures, head to a cozy spot to warm up with a local craft beer or some traditional Smoky Mountain whisky. Elevated Mountain Distilling Company offers karaoke and live music while you warm your insides with a hot toddy.

  1. Cherokee, NC

As well as being a major gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and delivers multiple ways to explore and understand the deep roots and cultural heritage of the tribe. Learn the story of the Cherokee people at The Museum of the Cherokee Indian and the Oconaluftee Indian Village. Visit the town’s shops to purchase fine quality crafts like Cherokee Indian pottery, baskets, beadwork, dreamcatchers, and other woodcrafts.

Try your luck at Harrah’s Casino, or relax with a spa treatment at the casino’s on-site Mandara Spa. Outdoor activities in Cherokee are abundant with plenty of hiking trails and convenient river accesses. And viewing the majestic wild herd of elk in Cherokee, NC is at the top of everyone’s to-do list, even during winter. The herds typically move from the high country to the valleys to feed, so you might be able to spot them grazing.

  1. Sylva, NC

Sylva is home to North Carolina’s most photographed courthouse. Built in 1914, the historic Jackson County Courthouse is perched atop a hill at one end of the downtown’s bustling Main Street. You can climb its 107 steps and get your photo taken with views of the snow-capped mountains towering in the distance. Then explore the charming independently owned shops, restaurants, galleries, and breweries.

Nature lovers will be in heaven with the wide variety of options for outdoor winter adventure. There’s winter hiking, waterfalls, fishing, and so much more in the Nantahala National Forest. Sylva owns Pinnacle Park, a stunning natural space with a 7-mile round-trip hike to a 5,000-ft peak with breathtaking views. The iconic Blue Ridge Parkway is a short drive from downtown, and the country’s only fly fishing trail attracts anglers from all over the world. Cooler temps draw fish like brook, brown, and rainbow trout, making this area of the Tuckasegee River North Carolina’s Trout Capital.

After an invigorating day out in the winter weather, head to one of Sylva’s breweries like Innovation Brewing or Balsam Falls Brewing, and grab a local craft beer to warm yourself from the inside out.

  1. Dillsboro, NC

Dillsboro may only have a population of 237 people, but this small town serves up big talent with its arts and crafts community. Within the span of just a few blocks, you can immerse yourself in work from hundreds of local artists. Located on the banks of the Tuckasegee River, this artisan haven has been a popular tourist destination since the late 1800s when travelers came by train. (P.S. You can still arrive via the rails aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad from Bryson City.)

In addition to the village’s galleries, specialty shops, and art festivals, be sure to explore the innovative Jackson County Green Energy Park. Discover how they use renewable energy resources – like landfill methane gas – to create art. Watch artisans create incredible works of art in the glass studio, kiln, and blacksmithing and metalworks shops. You can purchase a unique souvenir or even take a class and channel your own inner artist.

  1. Bryson City, NC

If you’re looking for small town Americana, Bryson City is where it’s at. When you pull into town, head to the historic courthouse on Everett Street to get your bearings. The Visitor Center provides all the info you need downstairs, and upstairs you’ll find the Swain County Heritage Museum where you can learn about Appalachian culture and mountain living.

The downtown area is filled with charming shops run by friendly local proprietors that highlight the wares from the area’s talented artisans. Discover handmade jewelry, woodwork, pottery, and even tasty chocolate.

There are plenty of delicious restaurants to grab a bite to eat before heading into the great outdoors for some outdoor winter activities. Much of the county is inside the borders of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and there’s also nearby Nantahala Gorge and Fontana Lake, where you’ll discover one of the most diverse fishing habitats in the world due to its deep, cold waters. Or see it all from the rails when you take a scenic winter train ride on the iconic Great Smoky Mountains Railroad!

  1. Robbinsville, NC

With a population of only 600 residents, this small town offers a gigantic amount of fun. Located in Graham County, which is home to attractions like Fontana Lake, Cherohala Skyway, and the incredible Nantahala National Forest, there is no shortage of outdoor activities.

The Nantahala covers 68% of the county, making this a perfect spot for city dwellers to escape to the woods and live their wild winter dreams. Refresh your mind, body, and spirit beside pristine rivers and lakes. Wander through old growth forests on a winter hike and shed your worries as you settle into a slower pace of life.

Motorcycle lovers will find scenic winter drives on some of the best touring roads in America near Robbinsville. Cruise down the 50-mile Cherohala Skyway and enjoy spectacular mile-high views. Follow the trail of the moonshiners of old when you take on Moonshiner 28, which curves along Cheoah and Fontana Lakes. Take the Indian Lakes Scenic Byway by Fontana Lake, which continues on to Lake Santeetlah as well. Or if you’re really looking for a challenge, hit The Dragon and take on the thrill of its 318 curves in the span of 11 miles.

  1. Franklin, NC

Known as the “Gem Capital of the World,” Franklin draws tons of rockhounds to its mines every year. The area is rich in gems and minerals and yields valuable native stones like garnets, rubies, and sapphires. While the mines are open from spring through autumn, winter visitors can still see the Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum, located inside a 19th century jailhouse. You can also tour the Macon County Historical Museum and the Scottish Tartans Museum, which showcases the rich Scottish culture of the North Carolina Smoky Mountains.

Franklin is the county seat of Macon County, and nearly half of the county is located within the Nantahala National Forest. The half a million acres of unspoiled natural beauty make for an outdoor lover’s dream, especially in winter. Rolling hills merge into towering snow-capped peaks that stretch over 5,000 feet into the sky. Escape to nature on peaceful hiking trails and marvel at the glittering waterfalls and abundant wildlife along the way. Explore the area’s two scenic gorges – the Cullasaja and Nantahala. And for some of the most majestic mountain views in the area, head to Wayah Bald Lookout Tower.