Hope Your Holidays Were Bright

Christmas was beautiful here in Western North Carolina. We hope you all had a wonderful time, not matter how you celebrate! Seems like a lot of people were super busy this year. Today in Bryson City, we are running into people who’s Christmas time together has spilled over into the weekend. There is still a lot going on here in this quaint little town and even more planned with a new year on the horizon.

The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad will continue the Polar Express through December 29th  and town will remain all lit up in beautiful Christmas glory.  Cherokee’s Lights & Legends display will run through January 3rd at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds.

So, if you had to work this past week, now is your chance to get out and get caught up!

The Christmas Shoes

The Smoky Mountain Community Theater is located in Bryson City, NC. Each year they do an amazing job of selecting plays and supplying our little town with live, quality entertainment.These plays showcase the local talent, both on stage and in production. Lots of time goes into set design, costumes, and rehearsing. The end result is always fun to watch! The theater is a volunteer driven non-profit organization. The building itself makes it worth the visit, with the original wooden theater seats it is like stepping back into simpler times.

Currently the Smoky Mountain Community Theater is putting on J. Daniel Smith’s arragement of the holiday play, “The Christmas Shoes”. Based on the song of the same name, you don’t want to miss this music-filled production!

This weekend marks the final showings! Don’t miss it!

Today ! December 13th  shows at 3pm and 7:30pm

December 14th showing at 3pm

Tickets are $5/child and $10/adult

On the Fly

As we browsed social media sights this morning we couldn’t help but notice how many pictures there were of smiling, happy, fly fishin’ people. That’s right it isn’t too cold yet! Lots of brave outdoorsmen, and women, are suiting up and heading to the creek.

During December in the Smokies the water tends to fluctuate between 40-55 degrees. Trout are cold-blooded creatures and are still moving and feeding during these temperatures. While temps below 40 can make the catch harder,  it is still possible.

So don’t let the cold keep you from having a little fun. The mountain streams of the Smokies are full of trout and they’re waiting for you.

Not a fisherman? Maybe this winter should be a time to learn a new skill. There are lots of fly fishing guides available for hire in and around the Smokies. Take a trip with one of our company partners like Nantahala On The Fly or Endless River Adventures. Right here in Bryson City, new this year, is the Tuck Fly Shop. They offer guided trips, lessons,  and have everything you need to get off the couch and take to the wilderness!

Take to the outdoors!

 

Rainy Start to Christmas

Today is a rainy and unusually warm day in the Smokies, but those drops haven’t put a damper on the holiday spirit in the small towns surrounding the park. This morning as I walked through crowds of happy holiday people in Bryson City I could tell that they weren’t letting a little rain stop them. Pajama clad families stand under umbrellas waiting to board the Polar Express. Coffee shops are full of people escaping the wet and warming up with a latte or a simple hot chocolate. Christmas lights seem to twinkle through the sprinkle! We’re not letting a little weather stop us from ringing in the holiday season.

Bryson City’s “Biggest Little Christmas Parade in the Smokies” is scheduled to start at 2pm as planned. Shops are open! Christmas music rings out through the doors and down the sidewalk. Don’t let the rain keep you inside! Come join us!

Since you’re already in the area, the Cherokee Christmas parade starts at 5pm this evening.

Black Friday

Well this is it, the kick-off of shopping season. Let the sales and madness begin. Even small, quaint towns like Bryson City have great shop-til-you-drop opportunities.

The streets and store fronts are all decorated for the season. Christmas carols are playing in shops. Sagebrush coffee is offering real eggnog lattes. Christmas spirit is everywhere! There’s even snow on the distant mountain peaks.

Here are the deals for today’s shopping frenzy:

Humanité Boutique is offering 20% off all Silver jeans and patterned leggings. Come shop for your girls or pick up a new outfit for yourself to look good this holiday season.

 

Nantahala Bewing Company is hosting a Brewtastic Friday event. Doors open at 11am. They will have $3 pints of select brews, $12 bottles of Trail Magic Ale, and $5  22oz bottles of Noonday IPA and Dirty Girl Blonde. They will also have fleece vests for $20 and select t-shirts for $10! Something for the craft beer lover in your family.

The Charles Heath Gallery is offering 25% off anything hanging on the wall! Here’s a chance to get a piece of original art at a discounted price. They have also extended their hours to 8pm for today and tomorrow!

Bryson City Bicycles is giving away a free helmet with every new bike purchase.

Pursenality has BOGO 1/2off everything in the store!

The Wild Fern Studio and Gallery will have free refreshments and 10% off selected items.

McClanahan’s has marked all clothing 25% off.

Tickled Pink is offering 20% off clothes, purses, quilts, furniture & mirrors.

Charleston Station will have 25% off select lines of jewelry.

The Cottage Craftsman can help take the edge off your shopping with wine tasting from noon – 7pm. A great way to select your holiday wine.

Second Hand Rose Consignment on Everett Street is offering 20% off entire purchase.

Madison’s on Main has marked select items down 25-50%.

Smith’s Dry Goods will give you 10% off Georgia Boots. Just in time for winter!

Appalachian Mercantile has 10% off selected items. Send an appalachian gift home and make ’em wish they were here!

The Village Florist is giving a 10% discount off your entire purchase, excluding live plants or flowers and 40% off fall decorations. Free scarf or stylus pen with $50 purchase.

The Loose Moose will mark all North Face, Columbia & select Life is Good tees down 25%.

Happy Holiday Shopping!

Making New Traditions

Tired of the same old Thanksgiving get-togethers? Got a young family looking to make lasting impressions during the holiday season? The Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina are more than just a picturesque vacation destination. This year let the Smokies be a place for you and your family to make fresh memories and start new traditions.

Yellow Rose Realty and Cabin Rentals offers beautiful, year-round mountain cabin rentals. The perfect setting for an Appalachian Thanksgiving. These rustic cabins have it all! Enjoy hot cider by the fire or wind down in the hot tub after a long day of cooking. Whether you are a couple looking for a romantic get-away or a large family looking for the best place to enjoy your time together, Yellow Rose Cabins has something to fit your needs.

So bring the kids, bring the turkey! Enjoy Thanksgiving in a new way!  Do the holidays right, the Appalachian way! Here’s one of our favorite holiday recipes to get you motivated!

Maple & Bacon Corn Muffins

Ingredients:

6 oz. bacon
1 cup yellow or blue cornmeal
1 cup flour
1 Tb. baking powder
½ cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
2 eggs
¼ cup melted butter
¼ cup maple syrup

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400. Chop bacon and cook in a heated skillet until slightly crispy. Remove from pan and set bacon and skillet aside, leaving bacon grease in pan.

In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients. Add milk and eggs, followed by melted butter, maple syrup and 1/4 cup bacon grease.

Add the bacon pieces into the mixture and stir.

Grease and flour a 12-cup muffin tin or line with paper cups.  Evenly divide the mixture into the liners. Bake for 15 minutes—or until golden.

Remove from muffin tin and serve warm!

An Appalachian Toymaker

This time of year the North Pole is bustling with busy elves putting finishing touches on this year’s load of toys. Bryson City has its own elf, an Appalachian toymaker. His name is Tim and you can find him in The Storytelling Center located behind the Great Smoky Mtn Railroad depot. Stop in to watch Tim hand carve wooden toys and listen as he shares a holiday story or two. With his beard as white as snow, he seems to be made for this time of year.

Here’s his schedule. Don’t miss him! This is a great addition to your Polar Express trip!

All visits are at 2pm unless otherwise noted.

Sat Nov 15, 2014

Fri – Wed Nov 21-26, 2014

Thu Nov 27, 2014 Thanksgiving Day CLOSED

Fri-Sun Nov 28-30, 2014 

Thur-Sun Dec 4-7

Dec 10-20

For more info call 828-488-5705

 

Swain County’s Gone Fishin’

Whether it’s lakes, rivers, or cold mountain streams you’re after, Swain County has it all. You can find natural populations of brookies, brown, and rainbow trout in the waters of the Smokies. The area also has plenty of frequently stocked bodies of water with trophy-sized trout waiting for your hook. Not interested in fly fishing? Lake Fontana is said to be one of the best smallmouth bass fishing holes in the area.

Not sure where to start? For fishing locations, tips, local fly shops and guides,  and license information visit Swain County’s new website dedicated to fishing in the smokies:

www.greatsmokiesfishing.com

 

All Aboard the Polar Express

It’s that time of year again, the Polar Express is back! Join the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad as they take you and your family on a memorable journey to the North Pole. The storybook really comes to life as the train pulls out of Bryson City and winds through the quiet wilderness while you enjoy Christmas songs, hot cocoa, and good cheer!Upon your arrival in the North Pole you will be greeted by Santa himself. Santa will take the time to board the train and give a special gift to each child. The Polar Express starts this weekend, Nov 7 & 8 and continues on through January 4th, 2015.

Downtown Trick or Treat

Bryson City’s downtown trick or treat is a  unique, small town experience for the entire family. With the streets closed, kids are safe to show off their costumes and collect on the candy! Merchants along Everett Street will join in the fun by dressing up and handing out goodies. There will be costume contests for all ages! Winners receive a gift certificate to Soda Pop’s Ice Cream Shop. This event goes from 4-6pm on Thursday, October 30th.

On the same day from 3-6pm at Riverfront Park, The Grove Church will be hosting their annual Halloween event. Inflatables, games, costume contests, and Nathan’s hotdogs. . . . .all free!

These two events are happening right in downtown Bryson City and are in walking distance of one another. So hit ’em both!