Raymond Goldfield is a life-long New Jersey resident and an avid traveler and foodie who can be usually found on the Jersey Shore during the offseason or checking out the latest seasonal flavors at The Bent Spoon in Princeton. He has been working for Only In Your State for since early 2022, where he writes for New Jersey and Iowa and edits the Mid-Atlantic region. He can also be found writing about pop culture for GeekDad. When at home, he enjoys reading comic books and is part of The Rabbitt Stew podcast team. While New Jersey is his home base, he travels regularly and has visited Virginia, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, and Canada as well as all of NJ's border states. Ultimate travel goal? Visit all the best buffets in the United States.
Bryson City, North Carolina might be one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. Located on the borders of the Great Smoky Mountains, this popular vacation spot is surrounded by countless ways to have an amazing trip. It’s a natural haven filled with mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and wildlife that never offer the same experience twice. The city itself is filled with amazing shopping and dining destinations. The more rural areas surrounding Bryson City have charming farms that come to life this season like no other time. In fact, we’d say that fall in Bryson City is the perfect time to visit.
After all, what could be better than exploring the Great Smoky Mountains and the surrounding areas when the trees are a stunning canopy of red, orange, and yellow? And that’s just the beginning – fall in Bryson City means adventures you can’t find any other time of the year, including farm festivals, seasonal markets, and one of the most beautiful fall foliage train rides in the United States. So come along with us to discover the 9 best fall adventures in Bryson City and North Carolina’s corner of the Great Smoky Mountains!
The Fontana Dam is the tallest of its kind east of the Rocky Mountains and can be walked or driven across for some of the best views of the region's fall colors. Fontana Dam is a free destination with no admission fees and has a visitor's center open every day between April and October. The visitor's center contains fascinating facts about this sprawling destination, which was completed in 1944.
2. Elk Watching at Oconaluftee
Oconaluftee Visitor Center, 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA
Elk were reintroduced to the Smoky Mountains in 2001, and a herd is growing in the Oconaluftee region of the park. Fall is their "rut" or breeding season, so this is a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of them from a safe distance. Elk watching at Ononaluftee can be done from a parking area, and park authorities recommend keeping a distance of at least 150 feet from the Elk.
For those looking for an easy way to get into hiking the region, this beautiful hike offers amazing views of the fall foliage as well as a stop by gorgeous waterfalls. The Deep Creek waterfalls, located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, can all be seen in a 2.5-mile loop hike only a few minutes north of Bryson City. The waterfalls included are Juneywhank Falls, Tom Branch Falls, and Indian Creek Falls.
The highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains and maybe the most iconic spot in the region, Clingmans Dome always offers an incredible view - but never more than now. You can see for miles around as the landscape is transformed by fall colors. Clingmans Dome has a whopping elevation of 6,634 feet, with an observation tower for the best views. It's also accessible from several hiking trails, and the road to the peak is open until November 30th.
5. Fall Foliage on the Sunset Tuckasegee River Train
This is one of the most scenic fall foliage train rides around, taking place over three hours on a 32-mile round trip. Not only will you pass by pastoral fall landscapes, but you'll also get an up-close look at the movie set where the hit Harrison Ford movie The Fugitive was filmed! The Sunset Tuckasegee River Train is a diesel-powered train, but for those who want a more traditional experience, the steam-powered Nantahala Gorge Train Excursion is a popular choice.
The best farmers market in the Great Smoky Mountains, this weekend event is held rain or shine at the Tuckasegee waterfront and is open on Friday and Saturday until the end of October. The Smoky Mountain Farmers & Artisans Market has free admission and is right next door to another pair of popular free attractions - the Appalachian Rivers Aquarium and the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians.
7. Pumpkin Picking and Fall Fun at Darnell Farms
Darnell Farms, 2300 Governors Island Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713, USA
The best fall festival in the Bryson City area is found at this charming farm, where you'll find a pumpkin patch, hayride, corn maze, and amazing seasonal food options. Darnell Farms holds its pumpkin patch event every Wednesday through Sunday in October, and the farm holds regular festivals during the month. These include a Bluegrass festival on October 7th, a haunted corn maze on October 21st - 23rd, and a plow day and harvest festival on October 21st-22nd.
8. Sunset Brews at Top Breweries
Bryson City Brewing, 234 Deep Creek Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713, USA
As the sun goes down, there's no better way to kick back after a day of exploring than with a small-batch brew and a delicious meal at this popular Bryson City brewpub. It's also pet-friendly! Bryson City Brewing is also a sports bar - featuring sixteen screens for watching the big game while digging into a meal of burgers, wings, barbecue, and brews. Another popular brewpub option is Mountain Layers Brewing Company - an award-winning craft brewery and taproom. This brewery has a rooftop seating area and also serves wine. There's a food truck there called the Rice Wagon, and it serves delicious Hawaiian fare.
Fall is a great time to go fly fishing, thanks to delayed harvest trout-stocking on the Tuckasegee River. That means the rivers will be teeming with fish for catch-and-release fishing. The Tuckasegee River is also an amazing spot for water recreating like kayaking and paddleboarding.
Truly, there's no wrong way to experience fall in the Smokies. Are you ready to plan an unforgettable autumn adventure?
Bryson City can’t wait to welcome visitors during its most beautiful season, so make sure to check out the Explore Bryson City website and Bryson City, North Carolina Facebook page for all the upcoming events and experiences.
