Oct. in the Smokies
 

We'll be staying at the Folkestone Inn in Bryson City, NC in Oct. for a week. Are there any must-do's? We have reservations on a train to Nantahala Canyon for an afternoon, but no other plans. Are there any places for dinner that would be really special? We'll be celebrating our 31st anniversary that week. Thanks.

Lots of nice waterfalls in the vacinity of Brevard. I would take some time to see those. A drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway may seem obvious, but this is a must. I just drove along the Parkway in that very area last week. There is also a large model railroad exhibit in Bryson City. Asheville is not very far away if you want to see Biltmore.

Your suggestions are great - thanks!

I spent October in the Smokies --
Me and a million other hokies.
I went there without a plan;
Danged if I'll go back again.

The Folkestone is a lovely B&B, a little way out of Bryson City. You will love it. I think Asheville and Brevard are a bit of piece, but if you are there for a week, maybe so.
The Smokey Mountain Park is RIGHT there. We have eaten at the Randolph Inn, Hamilton Inn, and the Fryemont Inn in Bryson City. The latter is a truly old style mountain inn with family style dining.
Nantahala Outdoor center is nearby-- fun to go watch the kayakers. There is a restaurant there also.
Culhowee and Dillsboro are not far. We had a good dinner in Culhowee but can't remember the name. Dillsboro is a cute little town with interesting shopping. If you fly fish, go to the Cherokee Reservation and fish for the day.

Gretchen: No fishing, thanks, but everything else sounds like fun. We appreciate the restaurant suggestions, too.

Wayne: cute bit of verse. We drove across the Smokies a few yrs. ago, but stayed in Asheville. The leaves were beautiful in Oct.