You can support this website, at no additional cost to you, by using our links to purchase; hotel stays, rental cars, travel products and more. Learn more.
Living in North Carolina we are blessed to have the Great Smoky Mountains within easy reach for a weekend getaway. Not only is it the most visited U.S. National Park, but it’s so huge it actually stretches across NC and TN.
This weekend agenda for the North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains only scratches the surface of this great park. You’ll need at least another full weekend to visit attractions on the Tennessee side, like Cades Cove.
Entry to the Smoky Mountains and all activities in this guide are free. However, if you’re able, please support the amazing parks service by dropping a donation in one of the many donation boxes around the park.
Day 1 - North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains
Clingmans Dome
Start your weekend in the Great Smoky Mountains at the North Carolina – Tennessee border. With a 360-degree view from the highest peak in the Smokies, you can see for miles.
Go early as there’s not much parking. It’s a popular stop for both those visiting the Tennessee and North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains.
See our full guide on Clingmans Dome for more tips on how to enjoy your time at the observation area.
Overlooks Of The Great Smoky Mountains
As you make your way to and from Clingmans Dome along US 441, take your time. Get out of the car and enjoy the spectacular views at the many overlooks along the drive.
Mingus Mill
One of my personal favorite stops in the Great Smoky Mountains is Mingus Mill. Built in 1886, this old grist mill stands in its original location, surrounded by a gorgeous thick forest.
Fed water by a lengthy millrace, the mill is still in working order today. The park puts on demonstrations daily from mid-March through mid-November.
Oconaluftee Visitor Center & Mountain Farm Museum
Just a half-mile further is the Oconaluftee Visitor Center; a great place to pick up maps and information on the park.
Behind the visitor center, take a walk through the Mountain Farm Museum. Relocated here from all over the Smokies, these historical log buildings include a house, barn, applehouse, springhouse, and smokehouse.
Keep an eye out for the local residents, many of them hang out near the visitor center. The elk that graze near the main road of the park are literally a traffic stopper as every car slows down to grab a photo.
Grab Lunch In The Town of Cherokee, NC
By now you’ve either stopped to enjoy a home packed meal in one of the park’s serene picnic areas, or you’re starving for a late lunch.
The town of Cherokee makes a nice place to grab a bite to eat. We enjoy:
- Sassy’s Sunflower Bakery & Cafe – This is typically our go to for sandwiches or salads. The food here has never failed us.
- BJs Diner – If it’s a good day for outdoor eating next to the river, BJs is a great place to grab a burger.
Mingo Falls
Technically not in the Great Smoky Mountains, but you’re already so close you might as well make the short hike to Mingo Falls.
See our post on Mingo Falls for more information on this stunning waterfall.
If you still have more time in your day, we recommend jumping on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This spectacular piece of road starts here in Cherokee and runs for 469 miles all the way to up and into Virginia.
Day 2 - North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains
Hiking, Tubing & Waterfalls At Deep Creek
With three waterfalls, and a lazy river perfect for tubing, Deep Creek is a fun way to get outdoors.
The hikes to all three waterfalls are short and relatively easy. Tubing takes a bit of effort, as you need to carry your tubes to the launch spots but well worth it.
See our full guide on Hiking & Tubing at Deep Creek.
Grab Lunch In Bryson City
Just down the road from Deep Creek, Bryson City is an adorable town to grab lunch. We enjoy:
- High Test Deli – Our personal favorite in the area. Their sandwiches are really good. However, if the area’s busy, they’ll be slammed.
- Nantahala Brewing – Honestly, it’s sometimes hit or miss with service, but when they are on their game, the food is very good.
Road To Nowhere Tunnel
After lunch, make your way up into the mountains via Lakeview Drive. The full drive from the center of Bryson City is about 8.5 miles, but it’s worth it for the views of Lake Fontana below. Bonus, this area is stunning in fall.
The “Road to Nowhere” will eventually dead end at a small parking lot. Stretch the legs and take a short walk to the tunnel. Bring a flashlight if you plan to walk through as it’s very dark.
Beyond the tunnel, the trail goes on for a while and meets up with longer trails through the Smokies, but folks typically turn around near the tunnel.
To fully appreciate this road, I recommend reading the full story on the Bryson City website. It explains the significance of the US government’s broken promise to the residents of Swain County.
Fontana Dam
If you still have time in your day, take a 45-minute drive down from Bryson City to Fontana Dam. At 480 feet high, it’s the tallest dam in the Eastern U.S. You can’t take a tour of the internal workings of the dam, but with beautiful views across Lake Fontana it’s still a sight to see.
See our full guide on Fontana Dam.
Where To Stay For The Great Smoky Mountains
With the majority of the good accommodation, Bryson City is one of the best areas to stay in on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains. There’s also tons of camping areas in and around the Smokies.
- Calhoun House Inn & Suites includes a kitchen in every apartment and is walking distance from the Great Smoky Mountains Railway station in Bryson City.
- Looking for a bit of historical character, check out McKinley Edwards Inn.
- Sleep Inn, Bryson City is a good, clean budget option.
Books On The Great Smoky Mountains
Spending a few days in the Great Smoky Mountains, or plan on doing a return trip? Here are a few books we use to help us plan:
- Travel Guide: Moon Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Hike, Camp, Scenic Drives
- Hiking Trail Guide: Falcon Hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- History of the park told through historical images: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Here’s a full list of our other posts referenced in this article.
We recommend and use these companies to arrange our travel plans; they make travel planning easy and affordable. If you have questions on our experiences, feel free to ask us!
Book Flights
We use Skyscanner to compare flights all over the world. Their “anywhere” feature shows the cheapest destinations from wherever you want to fly.
Book Accommodation
Booking.com has been our go to hotel booking site since 2007. They are easy to use, with a great selection of accommodation, and usually have the best deals.
Book Rental Cars
Rentalcars.com make comparing offers across various companies easy. We find them the quickest and easiest way to identify the best deal, no matter the country.
Buy Travel Gear
Amazon consistently has the best range and availability of travel gear online.