Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers breathtaking tours and holiday fun
Take a scenic train ride through the Nantahala Gorge or ride The Polar Express.
Looking for a special way to see the autumn leaves of western North Carolina or a memorable holiday experience for your family? Consider booking a ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.
Located in Bryson City, this railroad company offers several steam- and diesel-powered train rides through the Great Smoky Mountains. With 53 miles of track through river gorges, valleys, and mountain tunnels, the company offers scenic round-trip rides.
Originally built in the late 1800s, the railroad has been used for scenic tours since 1988. More than 200,000 people ride on one of its passenger excursion trains each year, according to the railroad’s website.
Among the regular offerings are the Nantahala Gorge Excursion, a 44-mile ride to the gorge and back again lasting 4 1/2 hours, and the Tuskasegee River Excursion, a 4-hour 32-mile ride to Dillsboro and back. Boxed lunches are available for preorder during booking, and first-class ticket holders can enjoy onboard dining.
Seasonally, packages are available for Raft & Rail, featuring an 8-mile Nantahala River whitewater trip, Rail & Trail, with a 2-hour Jeep tour of the Nantahala Gorge and its waterfalls, and Kidzip, with a zipline system for kids ages 4-12.
All trains are equipped with restrooms and some are accessible for guests with wheelchairs.
From Nov. 6 through Jan. 3, the railroad will offer The Polar Express train ride, a 75-minute ride based on the Chris Van Allsburg book and the 2004 film. According to the railroad, trains will take riders on a journey to the North Pole to pick up Santa. Chefs will serve hot chocolate and sweet treats while singing and dancing. And on the return trip, Santa will visit each coach.
Coach tickets for the Polar Express start at $50.85 for guests ages 13 and above and $33.52 for kids ages 2-12. Discounts are offered for active duty and retired military and for residents of Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties.
The Smoky Mountain Trains Museum, which features 7,000 Lionel model train engines, cars, and accessories and a children’s activity center, is located next to the depot and offers complimentary admission with any train ticket purchase.
For more information or reservations, visit gsmr.com or call 800-872-4681.
