hankm1 Loc: Mount Prospect IL

My wife and I will be travelling down to western North Carolina
the week of April 22 (the week following Easter) and staying for
three nights in Maggie Valley, NC. Borders south edge of Smoky Mtn
National Park. We haven't been in that area for at least 30 years.
Any suggestions on what not to miss in the area?

Thanks
Hank M

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Have a great trip.
Take your pick!
https://visitncsmokies.com/maggie-valley/things-to-do/

brucebc Loc: Tooele, Utah

That area is almost as photo rich as southern Utah, Blue Ridge Parkway is about 5 miles. Lot of water falls, Cherokee, Bryson City.

JasonC Loc: Houston, Texas

If you like motorcycles the Wheels Through Time Museum is phenomenal and it's right there in Maggie Valley. Also the Tail of the Dragon is only 20 miles or so from Maggie Valley.

Jason

Susan yamakawa

I would recommend Bryson City and Dillsboro(sp) eat in Haywood Smokehouse for best ribs

Brokenland

Let's not forget Linville falls, Grandfather Mtn, Peaks of Otter, blowing rock and more along the Blue ridge parkway.

Largobob

I have s summer home in Maggie Valley. It is a photo-rich area. Three days is not enough time.

Socco falls is about 5 miles up US19 toward Cherokee. If you like wild Elk and old buildings, visit 'Old Cataloochee'. Get there early or late for the elk. Route 276 out of Waynesville, toward Brevard, has incredible beauty (farmland, streams, waterfalls, sliding rock, mountain views, Cold Mountain, birthplace of US Forestry, etc). The Blue Ridge Pkwy into the Great Smokey National Park, has incredible views if the weather is clear. Cherokee has the Native American flair/ambiance (but not my cup of tea). Gatlinburg/Cades Cove and Rt 441 (west of Cherokee) have incredible views. Waynesville (about 10 minutes away) is an attractive/inviting small town. Asheville (about 30 minutes away) has artsy/eclectic views with some great craft breweries....and the Biltmore mansion/grounds. If you like Italian food, try Frankie's Italian Tratoria in Maggie, or Bocelli's Italian Eatery in Waynesville, or try the Haywood Smokehouse (Waynesville) for good BBQ, or Maggie's Galley for very good chowder/gumbo and seafood. You can stand ANYWHERE in Maggie....slowly turn and look 360 degrees...there isn't a bad view anywhere.

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

I wander if the SOCO Gradens is still open. They used to put on a marvelous program.

Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

I’ll second that drive on 276 out of Waynesville up to the Blue Ridge Pkwy. Also, if you have time visit Franklin. It’s a nice historic small town to explore. Then drive US64 up the mountains to Highlands, if you like twisting mountain roads, then on to Cashiers. You can return to Maggie up NC107 for more rural scenic views.

Stan

Chuckwal Loc: Boynton Beach Florida

Live on the southern side of the Blue Ridge Brevard
land of waterfalls u have so many opportunities they
are countless Maggie and waynesville are beautiful
will be there in Early April enjoy
chuck

hankm1 Loc: Mount Prospect IL

Wow! Thanks everyone for the great suggestions!!
We should have carved out three weeks rather than three days.

Meadwilliam

Pisgah National Forest

tbolttwo

Elk in the area best seen in the National State park close by !!!

travisdeland Loc: deland, FL

get up early and make the drive into the Cataloochie area of the park to photograph the elk. There's also some buildings from the old settlement in the park, that are interesting. If you enjoy trails and hiking, there's plenty of that in Cataloochie, too.