Sylva

Sylva is an eclectic community that’s a blend of a local, tourist and college feel surrounded by towering mountains. 

Dillsboro

A charming and delightful village, Dillsboro is home to a community of artists, unique retailers and great restaurants.

Highlands & Cashiers

Highlands and Cashiers are perched on the edge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, where the mountains plunge sharply from a high plateau, creating the right ingredients not only for bountiful waterfalls but a temperate rainforest, one of the few in North America. This makes for lush vegetation, plus special designations such as “salamander and lichen capital of the world.”

Franklin

Franklin is the ideal staging are for exploring the Nantahala Mountains.

Bryson City

Most of lands surrounding Bryson City are publicly held forest and park land, making the town a staging area of sorts for hikers — the Appalachian Trail runs nearby — cyclists, campers, horseback riders and river rats. 

Cherokee

A unique mix of modern and ancient, Cherokee is 21st century entertainment played out on a backdrop of time-honored cultural traditions. 

The fastest way down: Cataloochee Ski Area

tg skiingWhat started as an unsure adventure turned into a passion-filled career for Jim Rowell.

Putting the pedal — and roots — down in the Smokies

tg bicyclingWhat looked like a risk to some was a dream for Diane Cutler and Andy Zivinsky.

Food for the soul

tg soulinfusionThe feeling of a new customer walking through the door never gets old for Haley Milner.

Magic in a bottle

tg beerIf you build it, they will come. If you brew it, they will come and party.

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.