Guidebook for the Bryson Area

Nicole
Guidebook for the Bryson Area

Food Scene

Bryson is a small mountain town, so the food options are limited. Food Trucks are generally the best food in town. Try the Raven’s Fork Food Truck @ BCO on Sundays and Tuesdays.
Also called 'The Filling Station'. The freshest deli sandwiches are made here! Try the Cuban Hightest, you won't be disappointed! Salads, wraps, pressed and regular sandwiches are yummy.... You can sit down in the small restaurant with wait service or take everything to go and have a picnic at Island Park in town or Deep Creek (entrance to GSMNP). Only open for lunch! Be careful, it can get VERY busy! Best bet on weekends is to call in or order in person TO GO and take it with you on an adventure! Call for hours, get there early! (828)488-1919.
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High Test Deli
145 Everett St
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Also called 'The Filling Station'. The freshest deli sandwiches are made here! Try the Cuban Hightest, you won't be disappointed! Salads, wraps, pressed and regular sandwiches are yummy.... You can sit down in the small restaurant with wait service or take everything to go and have a picnic at Island Park in town or Deep Creek (entrance to GSMNP). Only open for lunch! Be careful, it can get VERY busy! Best bet on weekends is to call in or order in person TO GO and take it with you on an adventure! Call for hours, get there early! (828)488-1919.
Cardinal Coffee is always on your way to everything outdoor adventure-wise from our location. Stop here to get your morning perks on the way to rafting, hiking, zipping, fishing and boating in the Nantahala River Gorge. There are bakery items like muffins and toasted bagels, but no hot prep breakfast and no Wifi. It is right off of highway 19/74 on the corner of Needmore Road on your way to the Nantahala River. The owner Lauren is the nicest lady I know and a highly skilled outdoor adventure goddess! HOURS: Tues-Fri: 7am-3pm, Sat-Sun: 8am-4pm, Mon: Closed
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Cardinal Coffee
22 Needmore Rd
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Cardinal Coffee is always on your way to everything outdoor adventure-wise from our location. Stop here to get your morning perks on the way to rafting, hiking, zipping, fishing and boating in the Nantahala River Gorge. There are bakery items like muffins and toasted bagels, but no hot prep breakfast and no Wifi. It is right off of highway 19/74 on the corner of Needmore Road on your way to the Nantahala River. The owner Lauren is the nicest lady I know and a highly skilled outdoor adventure goddess! HOURS: Tues-Fri: 7am-3pm, Sat-Sun: 8am-4pm, Mon: Closed
Good coffee, yummy wraps & bagels. Breakfast & Lunch. Get a lox bagel and sit in front of a window watching passersby. This is the only spot I go to in Bryson for hot breakfast.
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Mountain Perks
9 Depot St
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Good coffee, yummy wraps & bagels. Breakfast & Lunch. Get a lox bagel and sit in front of a window watching passersby. This is the only spot I go to in Bryson for hot breakfast.
Locally known as The Cork & Bean. Food is a step above the rest and you get what you pay for. Worth a visit. American Fare with variations. Quaint atmosphere, good wine & beer selection. Downtown Bryson.
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The Bistro at the Everett Hotel
16 Everett St
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Locally known as The Cork & Bean. Food is a step above the rest and you get what you pay for. Worth a visit. American Fare with variations. Quaint atmosphere, good wine & beer selection. Downtown Bryson.
Come to the brewery for great beers, games, and live music. Walk down the road to the brewery's own restaurant called 'The Warehouse' for what is probably the best dinner in Bryson. Fresh, local, interesting food. Service can be slow or inconsistent at times, so it's a good choice if you're not in a hurry and are up for a relaxed evening.
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Nantahala Brewing Company
5 Deep Creek Rd
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Come to the brewery for great beers, games, and live music. Walk down the road to the brewery's own restaurant called 'The Warehouse' for what is probably the best dinner in Bryson. Fresh, local, interesting food. Service can be slow or inconsistent at times, so it's a good choice if you're not in a hurry and are up for a relaxed evening.
Yummy, locally sourced food. Relax and have a beer in their large outdoor space before requesting a table inside. Veg and vegan options. Kid and dog friendly. Service can be slow, so be prepared for a relaxed evening.
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The Warehouse at Nantahala Brewing
5 Ramseur St
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Yummy, locally sourced food. Relax and have a beer in their large outdoor space before requesting a table inside. Veg and vegan options. Kid and dog friendly. Service can be slow, so be prepared for a relaxed evening.
River's End Restaurant is a part of the Nantahala Outdoor Center campus on the Nantahala River (10 miles from our location, 20 min drive). Decent, typical, American Fare. Seating right next to the river, watch paddlers and rafts float by as you drink a craft beer and have a pizza or try a local trout cake sandwich. Yurm!
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River's End Restaurant
13077 US-19
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River's End Restaurant is a part of the Nantahala Outdoor Center campus on the Nantahala River (10 miles from our location, 20 min drive). Decent, typical, American Fare. Seating right next to the river, watch paddlers and rafts float by as you drink a craft beer and have a pizza or try a local trout cake sandwich. Yurm!
Also on Nantahala Outdoor Center's campus. Sit on an outdoor deck by the river drinking a local brew and eating Tex-Mex style finger food, while letting the kids climb around in the Networld right next to Big Wesser. Take a raft trip or go ziplining before lunch and enjoy the Nantahala River Gorge.
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Big Wesser
13077 W Hwy 19
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Also on Nantahala Outdoor Center's campus. Sit on an outdoor deck by the river drinking a local brew and eating Tex-Mex style finger food, while letting the kids climb around in the Networld right next to Big Wesser. Take a raft trip or go ziplining before lunch and enjoy the Nantahala River Gorge.
If you’re going for a scenic drive, take the Cherohala Skyway into TN to Tellico Plains and stop for lunch at the Tellico Grains Bakery (2 hour, scenic drive). Fantastic fresh-baked breads sell out everyday. A variety of wonderful sandwiches and desserts in a small sit-down area with great atmosphere in an old brick building. Or take lunch to go and explore the town. Stop at the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center down the road for maps and information!
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Tellico Grains Bakery
105 Depot St
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If you’re going for a scenic drive, take the Cherohala Skyway into TN to Tellico Plains and stop for lunch at the Tellico Grains Bakery (2 hour, scenic drive). Fantastic fresh-baked breads sell out everyday. A variety of wonderful sandwiches and desserts in a small sit-down area with great atmosphere in an old brick building. Or take lunch to go and explore the town. Stop at the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center down the road for maps and information!
Purchase locally-made goods, eggs, bakery-items, crafts, jewelry, and locally grown fruits and vegetables here. Highly recommended! Fridays from 9am - 1pm, April through October.
Smoky Mountain Farmers & Artisans Market
Purchase locally-made goods, eggs, bakery-items, crafts, jewelry, and locally grown fruits and vegetables here. Highly recommended! Fridays from 9am - 1pm, April through October.

Outdoor Adventures

The Southern Appalachians is the mecca of outdoor adventure in the SouthEast. There are so many great hikes, paddling spots, views etc.... we'll give you some highlights:
Lower Sawmill Creek Road is a 1/2 mile from our location and provides access (put-in) for the Little Tennessee River. Fishing, paddling, jogging, and nature-walking are the activities most enjoyed here. The road is gravel and you can drive all the way down to the river, or park your car along the side of the gravel road and walk or jog to the river. There is a swinging bridge upstream of the river access that you can walk across for amazing views. If you're planning on going to the swinging bridge, be prepared to cross a stream or two (ie. water shoes/sandals or bring a change of shoes with you unless you don't mind getting them wet.
Lower Sawmill Creek Road
Lower Sawmill Creek Road
Lower Sawmill Creek Road is a 1/2 mile from our location and provides access (put-in) for the Little Tennessee River. Fishing, paddling, jogging, and nature-walking are the activities most enjoyed here. The road is gravel and you can drive all the way down to the river, or park your car along the side of the gravel road and walk or jog to the river. There is a swinging bridge upstream of the river access that you can walk across for amazing views. If you're planning on going to the swinging bridge, be prepared to cross a stream or two (ie. water shoes/sandals or bring a change of shoes with you unless you don't mind getting them wet.
Wesser Bald Fire Tower is a 3 mile round trip hike with a midway stop at the firetower with 360 degree mountain views. Parking area is at Tellico Gap on Otter Creek Road (a 45 min drive from our location, through beautiful Nantahala River Gorge). This a a somewhat steep hike on the Appalachian Trail and back down a wider access road. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it on top of the firetower. Do this hike on a clear day. If anyone in your group has a fear of heights, this hike is not for them.
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Wesser Bald Fire Tower
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Wesser Bald Fire Tower is a 3 mile round trip hike with a midway stop at the firetower with 360 degree mountain views. Parking area is at Tellico Gap on Otter Creek Road (a 45 min drive from our location, through beautiful Nantahala River Gorge). This a a somewhat steep hike on the Appalachian Trail and back down a wider access road. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it on top of the firetower. Do this hike on a clear day. If anyone in your group has a fear of heights, this hike is not for them.
The Nantahala River runs through the Nantahala Gorge where you can take an 8 mile rafting or ducky trip at one of the 12 rafting companies on the river, have a whitewater paddling lesson from instructors at Nantahala Outdoor Center or get on the mile-long zipline @ NOC. Relax at the outdoor pub, Wesser BBQ or sit inside at River's End Restaurant, a sit-down restaurant. Go paddling or fishing or just watch others by the side of the river. Take a train into the Gorge from Bryson, or just drive the winding roads next to the river. Hike the Appalachian Trail going North or South from the NOC campus.
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Nantahala Gorge
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The Nantahala River runs through the Nantahala Gorge where you can take an 8 mile rafting or ducky trip at one of the 12 rafting companies on the river, have a whitewater paddling lesson from instructors at Nantahala Outdoor Center or get on the mile-long zipline @ NOC. Relax at the outdoor pub, Wesser BBQ or sit inside at River's End Restaurant, a sit-down restaurant. Go paddling or fishing or just watch others by the side of the river. Take a train into the Gorge from Bryson, or just drive the winding roads next to the river. Hike the Appalachian Trail going North or South from the NOC campus.
Tsali Recreation Area is a mountain biking and hiking spot with campground, as well as a lake boat launch and swimming area on one of the fingerlakes of Lake Fontana. It is 9 miles (15-20min drive from our location). Bike trails are well-marked and mapped from easy to difficult and wind around the lake. Rent Bikes from Tsali Cycles in Bryson or put in boats on the lake from the access point.
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Tsali Campground, US Forest Service, Cheoah Ranger District
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Tsali Recreation Area is a mountain biking and hiking spot with campground, as well as a lake boat launch and swimming area on one of the fingerlakes of Lake Fontana. It is 9 miles (15-20min drive from our location). Bike trails are well-marked and mapped from easy to difficult and wind around the lake. Rent Bikes from Tsali Cycles in Bryson or put in boats on the lake from the access point.
Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness is a great spot to get away from people and hike deep into a gorgeous wilderness named after the poet Joyce Kilmer. Hike the Memorial Loop or do a more adventurous hike to Wildcat Falls and Lower Falls. Map & compass skills required for longer hikes.
Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness
Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness is a great spot to get away from people and hike deep into a gorgeous wilderness named after the poet Joyce Kilmer. Hike the Memorial Loop or do a more adventurous hike to Wildcat Falls and Lower Falls. Map & compass skills required for longer hikes.
Arguably, the best lake-swimming spot in the area. Grills, picnic tables, grassy knolls and a sandy beach for a roped-off swim area, free from motorboats. Cheoah Point Beach is a 45 minute drive from our location, near the town of Robbinsville, NC. Stop in Robbinsville for lunch or supplies. Busy for the weekends in summer.
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Cheoah Point Beach
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Arguably, the best lake-swimming spot in the area. Grills, picnic tables, grassy knolls and a sandy beach for a roped-off swim area, free from motorboats. Cheoah Point Beach is a 45 minute drive from our location, near the town of Robbinsville, NC. Stop in Robbinsville for lunch or supplies. Busy for the weekends in summer.
Rafting, kayaking, canoeing, SUPing, biking, hiking, zipping, food, adult beverages, music, people-watching.... ALL. THE. THINGS.
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Nantahala Outdoor Center
13077 U.S. Highway 19
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Rafting, kayaking, canoeing, SUPing, biking, hiking, zipping, food, adult beverages, music, people-watching.... ALL. THE. THINGS.

Brews & Other Spirits

There are adult beverages to be had! Let's find them!
BCO has it's own taproom, so you can sample a wide variety of local brews whilst sitting outside, watching passersby, or perusing outdoor gear inside the store for your next adventure. Food trucks serve the biz on weekends and in summer. Definitely has a laidback small Colorado mountain town vibe. Entertaining for kids and adults.
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Bryson City Outdoors
169 Main St
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BCO has it's own taproom, so you can sample a wide variety of local brews whilst sitting outside, watching passersby, or perusing outdoor gear inside the store for your next adventure. Food trucks serve the biz on weekends and in summer. Definitely has a laidback small Colorado mountain town vibe. Entertaining for kids and adults.
Sit inside or outside on the ground level or the deck. Music and food trucks on weekends. Bring your shades, hat and maybe umbrella, for the deck is sunny!
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Mountain Layers Brewing Company
90 Everett St
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Sit inside or outside on the ground level or the deck. Music and food trucks on weekends. Bring your shades, hat and maybe umbrella, for the deck is sunny!
Music & food trucks on weekends, or catch a game of trivia. Large indoor space with tables as well as a small outdoor porch. Kid & dog friendly.
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Nantahala Brewing Company
5 Deep Creek Rd
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Music & food trucks on weekends, or catch a game of trivia. Large indoor space with tables as well as a small outdoor porch. Kid & dog friendly.

Scenic Drives

If you just feel like driving, with interesting stops along the way, every road from our location is scenic! These are some of the most iconic drives you can take in the area with amazing views!
Cruise from Santeetlah Gap, near Robbinsville, NC to Tellico Plains on this gorgeous drive, where you can stop at the old Tellico Grains Bakery for YUMMY lunch, fresh-baked bread and deserts to take home, and great atmosphere in an old brick building!
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Cherohala Skyway
Cherohala Skyway
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Cruise from Santeetlah Gap, near Robbinsville, NC to Tellico Plains on this gorgeous drive, where you can stop at the old Tellico Grains Bakery for YUMMY lunch, fresh-baked bread and deserts to take home, and great atmosphere in an old brick building!
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469 mile scenic drive among the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can take shorter routes and exit the parkway to get home faster if you need. Stop freqently for vistas and easy-to-hard hiking trails. Thankfully, the parkway is free from commercialism, so fuel up, bring a picnic and everything you might need for the day and jump on the parkway just outside of Cherokee, NC. If you're headed to Asheville, you can take the BRP the whole way, but it's a much longer, winding scenic route than Highway 40, so plan accordingly. The beginning of the parkway proper is a 20 mile or 30 minute drive from our location, through scenic Cherokee, along the Oconoluftee River. Take 19/74 E, exit 69 for Hyatt Creek to US 19N. From 19N, take Acquoni Road (1368) to 441 N. From 441, turn right onto the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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Blue ridge Parkway Visitor Center
195 Hemphill Knob Rd
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The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469 mile scenic drive among the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can take shorter routes and exit the parkway to get home faster if you need. Stop freqently for vistas and easy-to-hard hiking trails. Thankfully, the parkway is free from commercialism, so fuel up, bring a picnic and everything you might need for the day and jump on the parkway just outside of Cherokee, NC. If you're headed to Asheville, you can take the BRP the whole way, but it's a much longer, winding scenic route than Highway 40, so plan accordingly. The beginning of the parkway proper is a 20 mile or 30 minute drive from our location, through scenic Cherokee, along the Oconoluftee River. Take 19/74 E, exit 69 for Hyatt Creek to US 19N. From 19N, take Acquoni Road (1368) to 441 N. From 441, turn right onto the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Take a 2 hour drive (4 hr round trip), to Tellico Plains, TN along the Cherohala Skyway and stop at the visitor center for maps and information about the area.
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Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center
225 Cherohala Skyway
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Take a 2 hour drive (4 hr round trip), to Tellico Plains, TN along the Cherohala Skyway and stop at the visitor center for maps and information about the area.

Shopping

Gifts, Clothes, outdoor gear, retail, trinkets, knick knacks, antiques, collectibles, vintage.
Unique gifts, games and practical items, with a bakery and coffee shop inside the store, with seating inside and outside!
Bryson.Bakery & MRKT on the Square
Unique gifts, games and practical items, with a bakery and coffee shop inside the store, with seating inside and outside!
Don’t buy new and add to the trash stream cycle…. check the thrift store first! Everything a person could need… including that thing you forgot to bring on vacation :).
Paws Thrift Shop
95B Bryson Walk
Don’t buy new and add to the trash stream cycle…. check the thrift store first! Everything a person could need… including that thing you forgot to bring on vacation :).
Local & Handmade is always the first choice! Gifts, toys, handmade jewelry, canned items, bakery items, breads, veggies and variety. Great for families. Can’t miss! May through October, Fridays and Saturdays, 9am - 2pm.
Smoky Mountain Farmers & Artisans Market
Local & Handmade is always the first choice! Gifts, toys, handmade jewelry, canned items, bakery items, breads, veggies and variety. Great for families. Can’t miss! May through October, Fridays and Saturdays, 9am - 2pm.