Bryson City, North Carolina has quite a bit to offer. They have the cutest shops and laid back restaurants with unique outdoor spaces to relax and dine. While shopping and grabbing a bite, you’ll hear a faint, “choo choo”, in the distance. It’s a beautiful sound, really. The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad proved to be so much more than we expected. Quite honestly, I fully expected this experience to be right up there with the cheesiest of things we’ve done but it was completely opposite. It was an interesting and relaxing afternoon.
Well in advance (because they book up fast in the fall), I reserved two Premium Seats on the Open Car. I was admittedly confused when making our reservation as there are so many options and not knowing what I was getting into was torn between quite a few. The open car is just that, open-air, no windows. It was raining during our trip but we did not get wet. It was a tad bit chilly but we were prepared with hats, gloves and a blanket. The difference in the regular and the premium open car is the placement of the car behind the steam engine and also the seats. The regular open car has benches where the premium seats were more bucket like with cushions. We were quite comfortable. Don’t get side tracked trying to decide which side of the car to sit on like I did, as halfway through the trip they ask you to move to the seats behind you. Both views were great, unique in their own way. No worries, you will get to see it all.
The sounds of the steam engine combined with the open-air and the train created a very romantic back drop. Some important things to note before you board would be; the trip times are not exact. We signed up for the 2-6p. We didn’t leave until almost 3pm and returned sometime around 7pm. Just important to know if you are trying to fit more than one adventure into your day. We had to call and move dinner reservations which was fine, just something to note. Breakfast/or lunch is provided depending on the time of day that you sign up for. We received lunch but not until approximately 4:30pm. Take your own snacks or plan to eat before if you are sensitive to the times you eat as I understand this can vary as well. Lunch was either a veggie wrap or a BBQ sandwich basket with sides (you have to choose when you sign up). When you check in to board the train you’ll be given a large keepsake cup with a lid and that is good for as many refills (Water, Tea, Soda) as you want prior to boarding the train and during the trip. Because it was rainy and cool they also offered coffee and hot apple cider which truly hit the spot.
Our particular route stopped at the Nantahala White Water Rafting Center. If you haven’t visited, there you will find a restaurant, bar, gift shop and outdoor center. It’s built along the banks of the river where you’ll see groups of kayakers and tubers or rafters zooming by (even on this cool rainy day). The layover lasted about an hour which was enough time for us to shop, rest and clean up (post lunch), charge our phones and enjoy the large fire-pit down by the river. PS. the train car does have a restroom.
We had the best time on this fun excursion and encourage everyone to give it a go. We would definitely do it again.
The Southern Curious Itinerant Blog 
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