Fun tourist trap in Western NC

[Sigarms]

Wife had always wanted to do this. Since our 20th anniversary is coming up, decided to go out and give it a try.

I'll admit is was fun and interesting. Last time I was in Bryson City was years ago coming back from Tenn and paddled the Nantahala just to try it.

Will admit, if our kids would have been younger, they have a Polar express ride in December where the kids can come in PJ's and they get to meet Santa on the train (good marketing LOL) and with little kids, would make a great trip IMO.

Only compaint was me being old and the "nice" hotel wasn't cheap, and you think that for a "free" continental breakfast,other than make your own "hot" waffles with fake maple syrup, better off just going to McDonald's (didn't even have cream for their coffee, no lids for your coffee and other than the toaster, nothing was hot). As I told my wife, you can hold a great training seminar, but generally what makes or breaks the class and what guys will talk about and keep coming back for is the free lunch You would think the hotel could at least provide real cream for coffee and lids for your hot drinks LOL

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad | Family Train Ride

Ready for a wonderful family vacation idea? Check out the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad steam train in North Carolina. It's a fun family getaway on a historical steam train through the Great Smoky Mountains.

www.gsmr.com

 

[Mirage276]

Me and the wife did the moonshine trip last year on the gsmr. Had the full compliment of cars so had both the diesel and steam engines going. It's a nice little scenic trip.

 

[Eagle1]

Been on that ride a few times many many years ago.

 

[kevin37b]

You are a good man !

 

[Sigarms]

You are a good man !

One could argue that as my wife paid for it and asked me if I was going with her

 

[ConawayFarms]

Sounds like a great way to celebrate your anniversary! Bryson City is such a charming spot, and the Polar Express ride really does sound like a perfect trip for families with younger kids. I agree with you about hotel breakfasts—sometimes they’re just not worth it, especially when you’re paying a premium for the room.

It’s amazing how small things like decent coffee and cream can make such a difference in the overall experience.

If you’re ever looking for a future getaway with better options, you might want to see packages here.

 

[BackRoad]

Spectacular photo of the steam engine Mr. Sigarms!

We did a similar train trip out of Jim Thorp, PA when my BIL turned 65...happened to be Oct 30th, so some late Autumn leaves were still showing!

 

[Sigarms]

Spectacular photo of the steam engine Mr. Sigarms!

We did a similar train trip out of Jim Thorp, PA when my BIL turned 65...happened to be Oct 30th, so some late Autumn leaves were still showing!View attachment 2060060

I know that trip very well! Still also know Jim Thorpe as Mauch Chunk (what my parents always called the town LOL).

When I first started getting in whitewater kayaking, I learned on the Lehigh river, and I got my first gig as a raft guide there.

All my grandparents came off the boat in the early 1900's and were coal miners in Schuylkill County. Still have cousins living there from a very large family, but most aunts and uncles are well as my parents are no longer here. Mom and dad as well as a lot of uncles are laid to rest at Indiantown gap. My once a year "pilgrimage" up north is to the gap.

 

[BackRoad]

That's a good story! You were raised in a poor, yet very beautiful area.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've been on a few trains over seas and enjoyed most of them. Going from Calcutta to New Delhi was a mistake, but I did get to see a lot of the countryside. My favorite is in Europe and seeing old castles!!!!

I've always wanted to ride the narrow gauge train in Colorado that goes through the canyons.

So far, I've never been to North Carolina. The train ride looks like fun!!

 

[Sigarms]

I've always wanted to ride the narrow gauge train in Colorado that goes through the canyons.

I actually appreciate that comment. Will need to look it up.

We were planning perhaps Alaska trip or a train ride in Canada next year, but my wife just asked me if I wanted to do a red rocks amphitheater concert next year in Colorado, I said sure, and now we're planning a week in Colorado next year.

Best thing is my wife ordered the tickets early, and we're in the first 5 rows.

Already looking to hit Rocky Mountain national park since we're there, and now you've given me something else to look at!

It's kind of nice not having kids in the house!

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Wife, Sister and BIL all went for a train ride up that way. Got to see the fall leaves in full majesty. One really neat thing they did for the passengers was they had a group(s) of people who were stationed at specific intervals along the track impersonating hobo's performing scenes.

One "scene" was as we passed by there were two catching "fish" (a stuffed fish) from a creek.

Another was a pair of hobos playing checkers along side the track.

Another was a group cooking over a campfire.

It made us all smile and think of days gone by that we never knew personally, but read/watched on movies etc.

At the end of the journey in Bryson city we lucked up and found a chili cookoff in full swing. For something like $10 you got to get a small bowl full from about 8-10 contestants. Then voted on your favorite.

Lots of touristy shops in Bryson to visit if your inclined.

We all slept great that night although it was a little gassy... Rented a log house on the hillside for a few days. Great, memorable trip.

 

[Sigarms]

So far, I've never been to North Carolina. The train ride looks like fun!!

You must have went to Camp Pendleton?

Every Marine I know knows North or South Carolina LOL

 

[EddieWalker]

I actually appreciate that comment. Will need to look it up.

We were planning perhaps Alaska trip or a train ride in Canada next year, but my wife just asked me if I wanted to do a red rocks amphitheater concert next year in Colorado, I said sure, and now we're planning a week in Colorado next year.

Best thing is my wife ordered the tickets early, and we're in the first 5 rows.

Already looking to hit Rocky Mountain national park since we're there, and now you've given me something else to look at!

It's kind of nice not having kids in the house!

I've only been to Colorado a few times. Royal Gorge is my favorite thing that I've been to there. It's just a bridge over a canyon, but it's really high up, and the bridge is very impressive. It costs too much, but it's something that I've done a few times and for some reason, really enjoy.

I also enjoyed the drive up to Pikes Peak. It starts out in thick forest, but then you get above timberline, and it's like you're in another world. Really fun seeing how different is up that high, but be sure to bring a jacket, the temps really drop at those heights!!! They have a train that goes up there too, it's called the Cog or something like that. It's not a real train, but something designed to go up a steep mountain that's on tracks. I haven't done it, but it sounded interesting.

Probably our favorite way to see Colorado was driving to the old Ghost Towns and exploring the old buildings. Some are abandoned, other are restored and open for business to tourists.

For me, Rocky Mountain Park was just OK. We did see some elk way up above timberline, but most of the Park was just really thick forest. Yellowstone is my favorite place to go see nature, and it's night and day different then Rocky Mountain Park. I'll go back to Yellowstone again and again, but once was more then enough for Rocky Mountain Park.

 

[EddieWalker]

You must have went to Camp Pendleton?

Every Marine I know knows North or South Carolina LOL

MCRD Sand Diego for Boot Camp in the Summer of 1983. Then Camp Pendleton until I was accepted for Embassy Duty in 1985.

 

[Sigarms]

I've only been to Colorado a few times. Royal Gorge is my favorite thing that I've been to there. It's just a bridge over a canyon, but it's really high up, and the bridge is very impressive. It costs too much, but it's something that I've done a few times and for some reason, really enjoy.

I also enjoyed the drive up to Pikes Peak. It starts out in thick forest, but then you get above timberline, and it's like you're in another world. Really fun seeing how different is up that high, but be sure to bring a jacket, the temps really drop at those heights!!! They have a train that goes up there too, it's called the Cog or something like that. It's not a real train, but something designed to go up a steep mountain that's on tracks. I haven't done it, but it sounded interesting.

Probably our favorite way to see Colorado was driving to the old Ghost Towns and exploring the old buildings. Some are abandoned, other are restored and open for business to tourists.

For me, Rocky Mountain Park was just OK. We did see some elk way up above timberline, but most of the Park was just really thick forest. Yellowstone is my favorite place to go see nature, and it's night and day different then Rocky Mountain Park. I'll go back to Yellowstone again and again, but once was more then enough for Rocky Mountain Park.

Appreciate the feedback.

Colorado is one of the few Western states I've never been to other than when I'd go out to Utah to hike, and I hit Messe Verde national park on a trip one time.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I actually appreciate that comment. Will need to look it up.

I bet he's talking about the Durango-Silverton train. I'm planning on doing that in the next few years.

 

[MossRoad]

Wife and I took the cog railway up Pike's Peak back in 1992 when she was 5 months pregnant with our first. As mentioned, it starts out in trees and such, but then gets above the tree line. Really interesting.

It was 70 and sunny when we boarded.... about 15 and heavy blowing snow and ice at the top! Crazy.

 

[MossRoad]

We also figured out only states we have left to visit are Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota, New Mexico, Texas and Maine.

Of course, there are a lot of things in the states we have visited that we haven't seen yet that warrant a return visit.

The USA has a LOT to offer!!!

 

[BackRoad]

That Mr. Moss is a lot of territory to cover...Alaska, to Maine and then Texas...now that's a "road trip"!