The Best Areas to Stay Bryson City, NC

Clock Icon 12 minutes read
Update Icon May 17, 2022

If you are planning a visit to Bryson City, North Carolina, you are probably excited to check out the mountains, visit the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, and explore some of the best restaurants in the downtown area.

At the same time, you need to find a beautiful place to stay. Fortunately, there are plenty of options from which to choose during your getaway. While you might be thinking about Bryson City hotels, you will get a much better experience if you decide to rent one of the numerous vacation homes in the area. There are plenty of pet-friendly vacation rentals available, but where should you stay during your trip?

Take a look at a few of the top areas to stay during your visit to Bryson City, North Carolina.

1. Consider Staying on the Tuckasegee River

Tuckasegee River (Photo Credit: PhotoZeal)

If you are looking for the best view in the Bryson City area, you may want to check out some of the family-friendly rentals along the Tuckasegee River. This is a great location to stay because you might be able to hear the waterfalls in the background and you will probably have easy access to whitewater rafting opportunities.

There is nothing quite like the beauty of the Tuckasegee River. Because of how long it is, you can choose from a wide variety of lodging options.

For example, you might be looking for a vacation rental in the downtown Bryson City, NC area. Or, you might be looking for a rental a bit further up or down the Tuckasegee River, where you will have more room to spread out.

Regardless, if you want to wake up and go to bed next to a picturesque view, you may want to check out some of the rentals in this area.

2. Check Out Downtown Bryson City

Downtown Bryson City NC (Photo Credit:
Jimmy Emerson, DVM via Flickr CC2.0
)

Speaking of downtown Bryson City, you might be looking for some rental opportunities in this area as well. Downtown Bryson City is not that big, but there is something for everyone. For example, you can check out the Appalachian Rivers aquarium if you want to learn more about some of the marine life in the area. Or, you may want to swing by the Smoky Mountain train museum to learn more about the relationship between Bryson City and the railroad.

You will also have easy access to some of the top restaurants in the area. For example, you may want to check out the Everett Street Diner, which is known for its delicious food and its affordable prices.

If you come during the right time of the year, you can take advantage of the festivals in the downtown area as well. If you head across the Tuckasegee River, you can also check out the Fly Fishing Museum! Consider staying in the downtown Bryson City area. Of course, you will also have easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for a train ride.

3. The Swain County Recreation Park Area

Swain County Heritage Museum and Visitor’s Center (Photo Credit: H.J. Herrera)

Another area you may want to consider exploring is called the Swain County Recreation Park. This is a very large green space in the Northeast area of Bryson City. There are plenty of rental opportunities available in this area as well. Some of them may even come with a swimming pool and free Wi-Fi on-site.

Because of how large the park is, there is always something fun going on. You will probably see a lot of people running in the morning, and you may see people playing some pickup sports in the afternoon. There are also plenty of people who bring their dogs to the area to hang out and relax.

If you poke around, you will probably see some unique plants and animals. Consider checking out a few of the hiking trails to really get the whole experience. It is a bit outside of the downtown area, but you can still access shops and restaurants if you are willing to walk a few blocks. Furthermore, because you are a bit further away from downtown, it will be a bit quieter.

Consider taking a look at some other rentals available near the Swain County Recreation Park.

4. The Deep Creek Area

Deep Creek Area (Photo Credit: Timothy Wildey via Flickr CC2.0)

As you head a bit further outside of the downtown area to the north, you will come to the Deep Creek area. During your visit, you will definitely want to explore the Deep Creek Loop Trail, but you can also find rental opportunities in this area as well. This is an area that is known for its quiet stream, beautiful waterfalls, and numerous hiking trails.

The Deep Creek Trail runs deep through the forests of the Great Smoky Mountains, but it can get a bit crowded during the day because of how popular it is.

Even though you can probably find rentals in the area, you may want to consider spending the night at one of the local campgrounds. You can take advantage of fishing, biking, and picnicking opportunities. Of course, you will also enjoy some beautiful mountain views as well. If you stay in this area, you can hit the trail before anyone else does, making it much easier for you to explore all of the opportunities available.

Consider staying in this area if you love hiking.

5. The Deep Creek Winery Area

If you are looking for some amazing mountain views, plenty of hiking opportunities, and the perfect romantic getaway, you may want to check out the area around the Deep Creek Winery. Getting to the winery itself is very easy, and once you arrive, you will have plenty of opportunities available.

You may want to book a tour of the winery, and you may want to sign up for a tasting event as well. It is one of the top-rated family-owned wineries, and there are plenty of red and white wines available. Just make sure everyone who shows up is of age!

The winery itself is popular because it uses small batches to ensure every sip has the best aroma and flavor. If you take a tour, you can take a look at the finishing room and fermentation room.

Once you have had your fill of the winery, there is plenty to do in the surrounding area as well. You can go for a hike, enjoy a picnic, and take in some of the best views in the area. There are also plenty of rental opportunities available, so consider staying in this area during your visit to Bryson City.

6. The Nantahala Gorge Area

Nantahala River in Autumn (Photo Credit: Appalachian Nature)

If adventure is what you are looking for, then you should take a look at rental opportunities in the Nantahala River area. There are plenty of rentals available, and many of them will place you in close proximity to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. If you want to get out on the water, look for rentals near the Nantahala National Forest.

This is the perfect opportunity for people who are looking for a heart-pounding adrenaline rush. There are plenty of tour guides who will take you on a journey along the Chattanooga River, showing you some of the most exciting areas of the Cherokee area as well. Regardless of whether you want to go kayaking or whitewater rafting, you can take advantage of the experience if you stay in this area.

In addition, you can take advantage of opportunities to explore the Treetops. You can cross Sky Bridges, enjoy some ziplining opportunities, and head back to the Nantahala Village for a bite to eat. This is one of the most popular places to stay because there is always something fun going on. If adventure is what you are looking for, this is probably one of the best places to go.

7. The Road To Nowhere

The Road to Nowhere, Bryson City, North Carolina (Photo Credit: Kim McGrew)

If you are looking for a truly unique experience, you may want to check out some of the rental opportunities available near the Road to Nowhere. This is one of the most popular sites in the Bryson City area, but there are also lots of fun places to stay if you want to poke around and explore the wilderness.

The road itself actually dates back to the early 20th century. The road was originally built because development was planned on the other side of it. Instead, it turned into an unusual tunnel that pointed you directly toward the mountains. As a result, if you want to explore the golden rest of the mountains, this is probably one of the best places to stay.

If you really want to explore this area for yourself, you may want to bring a flashlight. That way, you can take advantage of all of the gorgeous trails that rest on the other side of the long, spooky tunnel.

Consider poking around the Road to Nowhere, and if you want to get your fill of the Wilderness, look for some rental opportunities in the area.

8. Fontana Lake Area

Fontana Lake (Photo Credit: Chris barker via Flickr CC2.0)

If you are looking for a place to stay that gives you a lakeview, then you may want to check out Fontana Lake. This is a large but quiet lake that offers swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities. There are also plenty of opportunities to go hiking.

You may also want to explore Fontana Dam which is nearby. This is a great opportunity for you to learn more about the role that the water plays in supporting the surrounding villages, towns, and communities. Even though the water can be a bit cold during the fall and winter, it warms up quickly during the summer.

When you have had your fill of the water, you can relax on the side, enjoy a picnic, and bask in the sun. Even though this is a beautiful place, it isn’t nearly as crowded as you might think. Therefore, this could be a great opportunity if you are looking for a quiet space to stay.

If you go for a hike in the areas that surround the lake, you may run into a few waterfalls as well. They tend to be most active during the spring as the winter snow begins to melt.

9. The Cherokee Region

Lake Cherokee of boat houses and trees (Photo Credit: Norm Lane)

Not far from downtown Bryson City, you may want to consider staying in the Cherokee area. It has a lot to offer, and you will not be that far from hiking, kayaking, and swimming opportunities. This is a great opportunity for you to learn more about the history of the Cherokee population in the area. You can visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian to learn more about the Native Americans who resided here long before the arrival of European settlers. There is still a rich connection to Native American history in the local area.

This is also a great place for you to go if you want to check out some nightlife. This is home to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, where you can play as many games as you would like. There are also plenty of beautiful campgrounds for you to explore, including nearby Wolf Campground.

If you head up the highway a bit, you will also run into the Mountain Farm Museum, where you can learn more about the people who farm the area. Take advantage of everything that the Cherokee area has to offer.

10. The Grumpy Bear Campground and Gem Mine Region

Finally, you may want to check out some of the rental opportunities available near the Grumpy Bear Campground and Mine. Even though you can certainly pitch a tent for a few nights, you should definitely check out some of the vacation rentals with free parking in the surrounding area.

This is a great opportunity for you to learn more about the history of gem mining in the local region. Furthermore, there are fun festivals that take place not far from here throughout the year.

In addition to gem mining opportunities, there are lots of hiking trails that go up and down the Tuckasegee River. You will be treated to some amazing views, so be sure to bring your camera. This is a great opportunity for you to go back in time, explore the history of the area, and live like a farmer or a miner.

Then, you can return to your beautiful vacation rental, enjoy a delicious meal, and spend quality time with your family members and friends.

Find the Best Place To Stay in Bryson City, NC 28713

Ultimately, these are just a few of the many places you may want to stay during your visit to Bryson City. There are lots of popular hotels and pet-friendly hotels in the area, but you should consider renting one of the local vacation homes if you want to get the complete experience. Lots of them come with an outdoor pool, early check-in, a full kitchen, and place you within walking distance of everything the area has to offer.

You can even find a vacation rental with a hot tub not far from Asheville or Gatlinburg. Bryson City has some of the best views in the area, so consider taking a look at some of the rental opportunities near Great Smoky Mountains National Park for your next getaway.

There is something for everyone, and you can take advantage of everything that this beautiful region has to offer.

Featured Image Credit: digidreamgrafix