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Waynesville: Mountain Fun in North Carolina!

Waynesville, North Carolina is the place to be if being surrounded by the best the Great Outdoors has to offer is your idea of a vacation haven. Waynesville, located in Haywood County, is bordered by Pisgah National Forest, Nantahala National Forest, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Walking down the main street of this picturesque artistic community, you will see boutiques and galleries selling everything from classical paintings to modern sculptures. The coffee shops are lined with works by local artists. Of course, the surrounding area is filled with natural wonders to provide outdoor lovers a wonderland of opportunities. You can spend your days hiking, horseback riding, white water rafting, fly fishing, swimming, boating, snow skiing, and just about anything else you can imagine!

History buffs will want to visit Cherokee, located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation on the outskirts of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This community is inhabited by Native Americans who are descended from the Eastern Cherokee peoples that did not journey west on the Trail of Tears. Visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian for a look back at the life and heritage of these courageous people. The Ocanaluftee Indian Village is a replica of an 18th-century Indian village, and is the site for Unto These Hills, the largest outdoor drama in the United States. The play depicts life in the area from the first European contact until the Trail of Tears.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a one-stop-shopping area for outdoor fun. If you even remotely like hiking, the park has over 850 miles of trails offering treks that fit all abilities. Experts and novices alike will want to visit the Appalachian Trail, which winds its way throughout the area. One of the most popular hikes in the area is the 0.5-mile trek to Clingman's Dome. The observation tower at the top of the trail offers successful hikers a stunning view of the surrounding area. On a clear day, 7 states are visible from the Dome, the highest peak in the Great Smokies. A good portion of the hiking trails are open for exploration on horseback. Anglers have more than 2000 miles of streams in which to toss a line. Favorites are Abrams Creek, Big Creek, Fontana Lake, and Little River. Bicyclists can change gears on either the roads that wind through the park or on the trails that crisscross through forested terrain.

Golfers have plenty of opportunities to tee it up during a Waynesville vacation. You can give the scenic Waynesville Country Club a whirl. The club has three distinct 9 hole courses, for a total of 27 holes at one convenient location. Scenic mountain views take the sting out of wayward drives. Three sets of tees provide appropriate distances for all skill levels. Located in neighboring Maggie Valley, one of the most popular local loops is the Maggie Valley Resort course, called by Golf Magazine one of North Carolina's most beautiful courses. Set against a backdrop of mountain views, the bent grass greens and rolling fairways combine for a wonderful golf outing for all skill levels.

If your vacation plans include winter fun, set your compass for the Cataloochee Ski Area, located about 5 miles from Maggie Valley. Cataloochee has been welcoming skiers of all abilities for over 40 years. Families appreciate the intricate system of beginner trails. More advanced skiers flock to the Moody Top run, located at an altitude of 5,400 feet and offering a 740 foot vertical drop. Snowboarders can practice their moves in the Cat Cage Terrain Park. Cataloochee also has a 5 run tubing park for those who want to try the latest in alpine fun. An accomplished ski school will get you up and moving, and kids will love the areas set aside just for them.

Another popular activity in the region is viewing some of the many waterfalls that grace the natural landscape. Bridal Veil Falls, located on route 64, has the distinction of being one of the only waterfalls in North Carolina you can drive under. The falls cascade from a height of about 60 feet. Another interesting waterfall is Dry Falls, also just off route 64. The falls drop over an overhanging cliff, making it possible for visitors to walk behind them and look through the spray as it falls. A trip past some of the sights in the "land of the waterfalls" simply can't be beat for scenic wonder!

Waynesville has everything one could ask for in a North Carolina mountains vacation. Take a day and head to Asheville and see the Biltmore Estate, the largest single-family home in the United States. Try your luck at Harrah's Casino in Cherokee. Visit all the shops in Gatlinburg, an hour and a half away. Visit Lake Junaluska and improve your water skiing skills. Don your bathing suit and plummet down Sliding Rock, a natural water slide located in Pisgah National Forest. Enjoy a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Head to Hendersonville and take in a play at the Flat Rock Playhouse. Waynesville is the place to be if you like letting Mother Nature choose your vacation destination!