Scenic Drives and Day Trips

The Heart of the Western North Carolina

Haywood County is truly located in the center of it all. As a crossroads of many cultures, Western North Carolina offers countless excursions to places of natural beauty, historical interest, and creative artistry. Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Canton and Clyde all serve as excellent base camps. Day trips and scenic drives in and around Haywood County are a great way to explore all that the region has to offer.

 

Favorite Day Trips & Scenic Drives

Biltmore EstateBILTMORE
America's Largest Home
Asheville, North Carolina

Recapture your sense of wonder at Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina, and begin your getaway from the everyday. Biltmore EstateNourish your spirit with the beauty of America's largest home (a 250-room French chateau built by George Vanderbilt in1895) and the bounty of our magnificent gardens and vineyards. Relax in our 8,000-acre Blue Ridge backyard, the treat yourself to exceptional shopping. Spend a day or extend your escape at our luxurious four-star inn. Now's the time to discover the insights and delights of Biltmore. Just off Interstate 40 at exit 50 or 50B. Open daily. Call 877-245-8667 or visit Biltmore on the Web.





Eastern Band Of Cherokee Indians



EASTERN BAND OF
CHEROKEE INDIANS
Cherokee, North Carolina

Welcome to Cherokee, North Carolina. Disconnect from today's fast-paced world and enter another, thousands of years old. Experience Cherokee history andEastern Band Of Cherokee Indians culture brought to life in awe-inspiring ceremonial dance, ancient artifacts, stirring legends, nationally renowned theatrical performances, and traditional Cherokee arts and weaponry by today's Cherokee Master Artists. An experience for the whole family that can't be had on any computer game. Don't miss this season's special events and attractions. Now that we've captured your imagination, don't make us come after the rest of you! Log on to www.cherokee-nc.com for detailed event schedules and attraction information or call 800-438-1601.







Chimney Rock ParkCHIMNEY ROCK PARK
Chimney Rock, North Carolina

In one place, the best of the mountains. Not only are the views spectacular, you'll find a myriad of things to do, too. Ride an elevator inside the mountain. Hike a variety of trails. See handcrafted animal sculptures. Give rock climbing a try. Bring the kids and the dog, or spend a little time alone. Open all year. Live it up! Twenty-five miles southeast of Asheville on Highway 64/74A. Call 800-277-9611 or visit Chimney Rock Park online.




Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
GREAT SMOKY
MOUNTAINS RAILROAD
Dillsboro & Bryson City, North Carolina

All Aboard For Rail Adventure! That's an invitation to a delightful journey by train along the colorful countryside of the Western North Carolina Mountains. You'll travel along cool rushing rivers, cross over a man-made lake on a high trestle and through lush green valleys and rolling farmlands. Choose from a variety of half-day scenic rail excursions departing from depots in the historic mountain towns of Dillsboro and Bryson City, North Carolina. Climb aboard the Saturday evening Gourmet Dinner Train for a four-course meal elegantly served in the fine tradition of railroad dining. Open year-round. Options: train & rafting packages; gourmet & mystery theatre dining trains; The Little Engine That Could; A Day Out With Thomas; Pumpkin Patch Express; Polar Express. Call 800-872-4681 or visit the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad online.




Harrah's Cherokee CasinoHARRAH'S CHEROKEE
CASINO & HOTEL
The Ultimate Gambling Getaway!
Cherokee, North Carolina

The hottest casino action is here at Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel. Harrah's Cherokee CasinoWith two 15-story hotel towers, we boast 576 comfortable rooms including 29 luxurious suites! With more than 3,300 of your favorite games, including Video Poker plus live digital blackjack and Baccarito, all played in a table game atmosphere with live dealers and real chips. Enjoy dining in one of our five great restaurants and fabulous entertainment in our intimate 1,500-seat pavilion. Call 800-427-7247 or visit www.harrahs.com for more information.






Popular Day Trips & Scenic Drives
  • BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY: Motorcycles On The Great Smoky Mountains National ParkThe Parkway meanders 469 miles between the Shenandoah (Virginia) and the Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. Forty-six miles of highest and wildest segment of the Parkway winds through Haywood County. Four access points in Haywood County: U.S. 276 at Wagon Road Gap, N.C. 215 at Mount Hardy Gap, U.S. 23/74 at Balsam Gap, and U.S. 19 at Soco Gap.
  • CHEROHALA SKYWAY: Scenic 36-mile drive from Robbinsville, North Carolina, to Tellico Plains, Tennessee. U.S. 19 South to U.S. 129 North to N.C. 143 North.
  • CRADLE OF FORESTRY IN AMERICA: The nation's first school of forestry is open for tours, with guided trails, living-history presentations, 1915 logging train, and historic cabins. U.S. 276 South to Pisgah National Forest.
  • FOLK ARTS CENTER: Home facility of the Southern Highland Guild. Features craft shop, three galleries, daily craft demonstrations, and special events. Milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, just north of Asheville.
  • GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN: Environmental preserve, Mile-High Swinging Bridge, hiking and picnicking, festivals, nature museum, and natural animal habitats (66 rare and endangered species). Recognized by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve. Blue Ridge Parkway North to milepost 305, Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
  • HEINTOOGA: One-way nature road. Blue Ridge Parkway, Mile High Overlook to Balsam Mountain Campground. Sixteen miles into Big Cove area of Cherokee.
  • HERITAGE SCENIC BYWAY: Explore Pisgah National Forest and the spectacular descent of Looking Glass Falls. Start this scenic loop at U.S. 276 South in Waynesville.
  • HIGHWAY 215: Scenic View On The Blue Ridge ParkwayEnter Highway 215 by the community of Woodrow, named for our 28th president. Follow the West Fork of the Pigeon River for 18 miles until you reach the second crossing of the Blue Ridge Parkway at Beech Gap. Six miles from Woodrow, pass Lake Logan, a local reservoir. The community of Sunburst, located along the shores of the lake, gets its name from the swiftness of the sun as it rises over Cold Mountain to announce the morning. About 8.5 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway arrive in the Balsam Grove community near Balsam Lake, which feeds into the French Broad River, named for the French who inhabited the territory during the 18th century. The route ends at the intersection of Highway 215 and Highway 64 near Rosman.
  • HOT SPRINGS SPA: Relaxing at Hot Springs Resort & Spa is an understatement. Mother Nature created one of the most natural of all wonders. Heated deep within the earth, the hot mineral waters are famous for their legendary healing powers. N.C. 209 North. Hot Springs, North Carolina.
  • JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL: Founded in1925, the school hosts concerts, dance events and workshops. U.S. 19 South to U.S. 74 West to U.S. 64 East. Brasstown, North Carolina.
  • JOYCE KILMER MEMORIAL FOREST: 3,800 acres of lush, old-growth forest in memory of the well-regarded poet. U.S. 19 South to N.C. 143 North to U.S. 129 North. Robbinsville, North Carolina.
  • NANTAHALA GORGE: Nine miles of Nantahala River, whitewater, trout fishing, picnicking, camping, hiking. U.S. 23/74 West.
  • NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM: 434-acre public garden located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest of the Pisgah National Forest. Surrounded by the dense folds of the botanically diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains, the Arboretum is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural garden settings in America. Exit Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 393. Asheville, North Carolina.
  • PIGEON FORGE/ GATLINBURG: Gatlinburg Aquarium, Ripley's and Guinness Book of World Records museums, shopping outlets, and Dollywood. U.S. 19 South to U.S. 441 North.
  • SANTA'S LAND FAMILY THEME PARK & ZOO: Visit with Santa and his elves, relive the Christmas Story, ride the Rudicoaster. There is something for everyone. U.S. 19 South. Cherokee, North Carolina.
  • SLIDING ROCK: Take Highway 276 South for a scenic 25-minute drive from Waynesville into the Pisgah National Forest. Pack a swimsuit because you can glide down this natural 60-foot waterfall (or waterslide), which ends in a pool. Decks provided for observers. Bathrooms, showers and lifeguard seasonally.Overlook Sign On The Blue Ridge Parkway
  • STECOAH VALLEY CENTER: Concerts, festivals, arts and crafts workshops, and classes. U.S. 19 South. Robbinsville, North Carolina.
  • TAIL OF THE DRAGON at DEAL'S GAP: America's top motorcycle and sports car road...11 miles with 318 curves. Hold on tight! U.S. 19 South to N.C. 143 North to U.S. 129 North.
  • TOWNS AROUND WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA: Asheville, Brevard, Bryson City, Cashiers, Dillsboro, Franklin, Hendersonville, Highlands, Sylva.

Getting There From Haywood County


Asheville, NC


20 minutes


Blowing Rock, NC


1 hour, 30 minutes


Brevard, NC


45 minutes


Bryson City, NC


35 minutes


Cashiers, NC


1 hour


Cherokee, NC


20 minutes


Dillsboro, NC


20 minutes


Franklin, NC


35 minutes


Gatlinburg, TN


1 hour, 15 minutes


Hendersonville, NC


40 minutes


Highlands, NC


1 hour, 15 minutes


Hot Springs, NC


45 minutes


Lake Lure, NC


1 hour, 15 minutes


Pigeon Forge, TN


1 hour, 15 minutes


Robbinsville, NC


1 hour

 

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