by: Brindley Faile, Digital Marketing Manager for VisitNCSmokies
Think you haven’t heard of Haywood? I bet you actually have. We are home to Maggie Valley and Waynesville and are adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
A haven for adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts, brewery buffs and art fans, Haywood County is the perfect escape for any stir-crazy Greenvillian. As summer heats up, we invite you to venture just a bit north and experience some big-city adventure without the big-city stress. Our towns aren’t at the edge of the mountains—they’re smack in the middle of them, and you can’t help but feel at ease here as you take in the gorgeous scenery and fresh air around you.
Our towns are small but bustling and there is no shortage of things to do. Here are some of our favorites:
Waynesville
Places to Eat + Drink
- Bourbon Barrel Beef & Ale. Serving up local steaks, burgers + microbrews.
- Smoky Mountain Coffee Roasters & Café. The aroma here is intoxicating! They roast their coffee daily, so it’s always fresh, and they make an incredible spicy pimento cheese which is perfect on a bagel.
- Boojum Brewing. Don’t miss the blueberry coffee porter and the chocolate milk stout.
Things to Do
- Shopping stroll. Sunburst Market is a great place to find local products of all kinds and you can even rent a filled picnic basket.
- Mountain Street Dances. Time your visit to coincide with one of these family-friendly events and see some one-of-a-kind clogging in the streets!
- Haywood Arts Regional Theater. This charming theater is constructed to look like a traditional Summer Stock playhouse and offers a variety of entertainment.
Maggie Valley
Places to Eat + Drink
- Frankie’s Trattoria. This delicious farm-to-table Italian restaurant incorporates locally-grown herbs, greens, and vegetables in their dishes. We suggest veal parmigiana and cannoli.
- Joey’s Pancake House. This local favorite has just reopened with new owners but the same delicious recipes. Best breakfast place in town!
- Tour Elevated Mountain Distilling Company. No trip to the mountains is complete without a bit of moonshine.
Things to Do
- Waterrock The views from the top of this trail are truly incredible - watching the sunset here will take your breath away.
- Wheels Through Time Museum. This museum is home to more than 300 rare and historic motorcycles.
- Pick up some unique souvenirs at Mountain Mike’s Wood Works, Crafted in Carolina, and Maggie Mountaineer Crafts.
