A Family Trip on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in Bryson City, NC

tips for a family trip on the great smoky mountain railroad

If you’re looking for a fun long weekend trip then consider heading up to Bryson City, NC for a legitimate train ride! Our family did this recently and had so much fun. Read on to get an idea of what to expect and also hear our tips for a family trip on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.

planning your trip

Bryson City, NC is a small town in the Great Smoky Mountains with lots of charm. It’s a six hour drive from Myrtle Beach so bookmark this for a long weekend or short vacation destination. It’s home to the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad and offers an excellent home base for other outdoor attractions such as white water rafting and hiking.

The Bryson City train runs year round but features different types of rides depending on the time of year. The schedule is most full in the summer and fall. Late November and December is also busy because of the popular Polar Express ride. The GSMR website clearly lists out the different rides so you’ll know what options you have for the time of year you’re planning.

WHICH RIDE AND TRAIN CAR TO PICK | We rode the Nantahala Gorge Excursion in early April and sat in an open air car. This was an excellent choice for our group of 6 adults and 4 kids (ages 3-9). The open air car is the cheapest but also the most fun, at least with kids. These cars are not heated so if there is risk of a cool morning then bring a blanket. It didn’t seem too windy as we were riding but later that evening we all realized our faces were wind burnt.

where to stay. where to eat. what else to do.

STAY | AirBnB’s are pretty prevalent in the Bryson City area and can accommodate large groups. There are a few hotel options in Bryson City and more a little farther in Cherokee, which is a 20 minute drive. Staying as close to Bryson City as you can is ideal because you’ll want to explore this little town.

EAT | We found that Bryson City did not disappoint when it came to food options. NATE AND NICK’S is a good option for pizza. THE HIGH TEST DELI & SWEET SHOP has good salads and creative sandwiches. LA POBLANA was excellent for some can’t go wrong Mexican food. THE BISTRO AT THE EVERETT HOTEL is your pick for finer dining. Most of these restaurants are small. If have a big crowd then expect to wait or split your group apart for seating.

TO DO | Bryson City has some cute shops to check out. There are antique shops, outdoor gear outfitters, a used book store, a newer gift shop with lots of work by local artists, and plenty of dessert/sweet dispensing places. We especially loved ONE TWENTY MAIN and the volunteer staffed NON-PROFIT USED BOOKSTORE. Other nearby things to check out include the locally famous ROAD TO NOWHERE, a SHORT HIKE, or a drive over to the NANTAHALA OUTDOOR CENTER. The Bryson City Chamber of Commerce site linked at the end gives the full run down.

what to expect & tips for the train ride

arrival at the station & train departure

Tickets can be purchased the day of the ride or in advance. If you’ve purchased in advance then simply pickup your tickets to receive your boarding area number. The GSMR requests guest arrive one hour before departure. This allows for time to walk through the museum and gift shops. Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to departure time.

on the train

In the open air car, seating is not assigned and there is no “best seat”. Both sides of the train have plenty of good views! The trip is point to point so the crew encourages everyone to switch sides for the return trip. This ensures everyone gets a different view on each leg of the journey.

You’re free to move around the train as you please. Just keep head and arms inside the train car at all times and ESPECIALLY going over trestle bridges. Our car was not “policed” as people freely stood by the windows or leaned out for photos.

Not every car has a bathroom but it is easy to cross between train cars to access one. There are also concessions in certain cars but bringing snacks is certainly a good idea.

AT THE STOP

Our stop was at the Nantahala Outdoor Center which is a very cool spot. There is a lot to see and the one hour layover isn’t enough to fully explore. The focus of the center is kayaking and rafting adventures. The center also featured a treetop adventure course, a general store, and a restaurant. The conductor will give a firm time to be back on the train and stresses that stragglers will be left so mind your watch carefully!

WHAT YOU'LL SEE

Our Nantahala Gorge Excursion included lots of views of the Tuckasegee River and Fontana Lake. Occasionally a crew member would announce a fact or tidbit about the area as we passed through, explain why the train was suddenly slowing or tell us to prepare our cameras for an excellent photo opportunity. There was also an older man who very much looked the part of a local historian. He would pass through the various cars telling stories of the area and making commentary which delighted everyone.

Five or more hours on a train may sound like an impending disaster for small kids but our kid crew did beautifully. I highly recommend the open air car for any ride with kids. It feels more authentic and exciting and allows for better photos. There is also no pressure for small kids to stay in a certain seat.

OTHER NOTABLES

I would consider not bringing a stroller aboard. You won’t need it on the train and the stop at Nantahala isn’t setup well to accommodate them. Bring some blankets if the weather is cool and you’re in an open air car! And plan for food. The website mentions no coolers but we brought on sandwiches and snacks with no problem.