Great Smoky Mountain Railroad and Other Transportation Adventures

When you visit western North Carolina, be sure to take time to enjoy the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad as well as the rest of the sights and exhibits of Cherokee and the surrounding area. When you climb aboard the passenger car on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, you will find yourself embarking on a spectacular journey through some of the most scenic mountains in the country. This four and a half hour excursion carries you forty-four miles to the Nantahala Gorge and returns you back to your car exhilarated and wishing it could just go on for another four and a half hours.

Relax and Enjoy the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad!

As you travel through the little Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers across Fontana Lake and into the magic of the Nantahala River Gorge, the breathtaking views will calm the spirit and awaken the senses. There is a one-hour layover at the Nantahala River depot for sightseeing, lunch, and simply relaxing. Enjoying the ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad will prove to be a perfect complement to a day of exploring the cultural attractions of Cherokee. While sitting on the train and whirring through the majestic mountains and lush valleys, you may find yourself absorbing more of the information that you have learned about in the museums, tours, and performances in Cherokee. There’s nothing like a relaxing, scenic ride after a busy day of sightseeing, to help you reflect deeper on the things that you have seen and done on your vacation. Many visitors find this ride to be a great way to contemplate and fully appreciate the beauty and rich history of these beautiful mountains.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles!

Complete your visit to the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad with a tour through the Wheels Through Time Museum. This museum will sweep you back in time with its awesome presentations of vintage transportation. Located in the picturesque town of Maggie Valley, the 38,000 sq. ft. museum offers the world's largest collection of rare American motorcycles and cars from each of the ten decades of America's automobile history. Kids of all ages, as well as seasoned automobile enthusiasts, may be thrilled to stay marveling over the fascinating details of these old vehicles for hours. After riding on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, it is an interesting change to see such a variety of transportation modes and witness how they each have evolved through time. Tucked away against the looming backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, the collection of cars and motorcycles contains over 250 rare antique vehicles from 1903 to the present – ninety percent of which are still operated regularly.

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