Travel Lens
Mountain drives, whitewater and waterfalls surround this Great Smoky Mountain foothills town in Western North Carolina.
Drive 469 miles of scenic road with sweeping vistas and up-close views of the rugged Appalachian Highlands.
This Blue Ridge sub-range includes Cold Mountain, the peak behind Charles Frazier’s novel, and some of Western North Carolina’s best views.
Climb 107 steps to this Classical Revival landmark with a three-stage dome, set on a hill at the end of Main Street.
Tour the 250-room chateau George Vanderbilt built in the 1890s, the largest privately owned house in the US, near Asheville.
Raft, kayak or watch the paddlers at this 500-acre outdoor hub, where the Nantahala River meets the Appalachian Trail.
Slip down a natural rock chute carved by the Little River in Pisgah National Forest, and arrive early on hot summer days.
One of the most biodiverse national parks in the country, with ridge after ridge of forest along the North Carolina-Tennessee border.
Nicknamed the Yosemite of the East, this Nantahala National Forest backcountry area has 300-foot granite domes, waterfalls and valley views.
Swipe up for all 20 things to do in Sylva in our full guide.