Even if it is still snowing in Murphy, NC you can still start planning your get-away to the Mountains of western NC, north GA and east TN. You might be snowed in as January is just around the corner, but there are so many things for the whole family to enjoy so start dreaming and planning now...
Looking for Fun Things to do in the Murphy, NC Mountains? Whether your idea of a good time is whitewater rafting, a round of golf, a hike in the woods, or taking a quilting class, our great town of Murphy, NC and the surrounding western NC, north GA and east TN mountain areas have just what you're looking for.
Start planning your next visit soon!
ATV - OHV fun in the Mountains
Beasley Knob and Davenport Mountain are two of the ATV and OHV trails here in the mountains. Lots of outdoor adventure activities so check out these trails.
Biltmore Estates
Located in Asheville, North Carolina, just 95 miles from Murphy is the world famous Biltmore House and Gardens which was built by George Vanderbilt in 1895.
Blue Ridge Parkway
469 miles of scenic roadway that connects the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee.
Cades Cove
Interestingly, this area called Cades Cove that we so dearly love for its beauty and symbolism of the strength and resilience of its pioneer settlers, peaked within 30 years of its first settling. The state of Tennessee acquired this land from the Cherokee Indians in 1820, and by 1850 many of the population (685 at its peak) were ready to move on to more fertile land and new frontiers. By 1860 only 269 people remained in the cove area. Today millions of visitors annually flock to Cades Cove to see the preserved pioneer homesteads, the blue-misted mountains which serve as a backdrop to the cove, and the abundant wildlife which now populate the area.
Cherohala Skyway
Crossing through the Nantahala National Forests and Cherokee, from which it gets its name, this National Scenic Byway connects Robbinsville in North Carolina to Tellico Plains in Southeast Tennessee.
Cherokee Indian Museum
Located in Cherokee, North Carolina, this museum contains a huge collection of original artifacts used by the Cherokee Indians many years ago.
Clingman's Dome
At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's highest point. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the second highest point east of the Mississippi. Only North Carolina's Mt. Mitchell (6,684 feet) rises higher.
Deals Gap/Dragon's Tail
Crossing Deals Gap at the Tennessee/North Carolina state line, the Dragon is considered by many as one of the world's best motorcycling and sports car roads. Anyone looking for an exciting highway will enjoy this stretch of US 129. The Dragon's Tail has 318 curves in 11 miles on US 129.
See The Fall Colors
National Fall Color Hotline (managed by the Forest Service) at 800-354-4595 for those heading to North Carolina and Tennessee.
Southern Appalachian Leaf Tours Smokies Trip Planner
Fields of The Woods
From Prayer Mountain to the gigantic Ten Commandments, to the All Nations Cross, God's Word unfolds through the use of marble and stone. Also features a gift store and a life size representation of Golgotha and Jesus' tomb. This Bible theme park is located on NC 294 between Murphy, North Carolina and Turtletown, Tennesssee.
Fontana Lake and Dam
Fontana Dam is located in Graham County, North Carolina. It forms Fontana Lake, some 29 miles of beauty on the southern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Fontana Village Resort
If you plan to be in Graham County, take another ride and visit Fontana Village. It is the largest resort in the area and is geared to family vacations. The resort, which has seen many modifications over the years, was a camp for laborers in the 1940's, when the Tennessee Valley Authority began construction of the Fontana Dam. It now boasts a nine-hole golf course, three swimming pools, miniature golf, boating and fishing, along with many other activities.
Foxfire
"Foxfire" is a museum in the small northeast Georgia town of Mountain City. The students driving the Foxfire program chose to use royalty monies from the book series to purchase property and build a home for their work-a place where they could store and preserve their growing collection of artifacts, and a place to interact with the community that so strongly supported them.
Fun Factory!
Fun for kids of all ages, the Fun Factory is the place for games,mini-golf, bowling, go-karts,laser tag, big screen TVs, party rooms, great restaurants and more. Something for everyone to enjoy!
Georgia Mountain Fair
Located about 40 miles from Murphy is Hiawassee, GA, where the grounds really come alive in July and August during the two-week event which features amusement rides, arts and crafts and country music at its best. The beautiful fairgrounds are located above Lake Chatuge. Also visit the Rhododendron Festival in May and the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival in October.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, established in 1934, covers 520,408 acres of land with heights ranging from 840 feet at Abrams Creek to 6,643 feet at Clingman's Dome. Enter through Cherokee, NC or Gatlinburg, TN to view spectacular mountain views either from the road or one of the park's many hiking trails or quiet walkways. Be sure to stop at Newfound Gap and look at the view!
Great Golfing in the Mountains
Time to spend a little quality time out on the course of on of the many surrounding Colf Courses in the NC, GA and TN Mountains.
Great Smoky Mountain Railway
With the romance and mystique of an era gone by, guests on board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will enjoy year-round scenic train journeys across fertile valleys, through tunnels and across river gorges in a spectacular region of eastern America called the Great Smoky Mountains. This section of western North Carolina offers a wide array of ever-changing vegetation and fantastic landscapes.
John C. Campbell Folk School
John C. Campbell Folk School provides experiences in non-competitive learning and community life that are joyful and enlivening. Located in scenic Brasstown, North Carolina, the Folk School offers year-round weeklong and weekend classes for adults in craft, art, music, dance, cooking, gardening, nature studies, photography and writing.
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
Deep in the mountains of Graham County lies a 3800-acre tract of the most beautiful forest in America, unmarred and undefiled by the hand of man. On July 30, 1936, the area was dedicated to poet and World War I veteran Joyce Kilmer as a living memorial. One of the only remaining virgin forests in the nation.
Nantahala National Forest
This beautiful forest lies in the mountains and valleys of western North Carolina between Waynesville and Murphy. Elevations in the Nantahala National Forest range from a low of 1,200 feet along the Tusquitee River below the Appalachian Dam in Cherokee County to a high of 5,800 feet at Lone Bald in Jackson County.
Mountain Biking & Racing
SORBA
Gone Riding
Mountain Biking Trails
Santa's Land
A family Fun Park and Zoo, Santa's Land is an enchanted Christmas theme park. Enjoy riding the Rudi-Coaster, train, and paddle boats. Pet domestic animals, view exotic animals, visit with Santa, his elves and reindeer, or browse our Christmas shops. Bring a picnic lunch or dine at one of our establishments.
Trail of Tears
Tsali Recreation Area
Probably the most popular features of Tsali Recreation Area are the 39 miles of trails suited for mountain bikers and horse-back riders, as well as hikers. The 4-loop system offers a variety of landscapes. You can climb 1-foot wide rugged paths or travel flat, well-beaten roads. The four trails--Right, Left, Mouse Branch, and Thompson Loops--meander through mixed pine and hardwoods on a peninsula stretching into Fontana Lake.
Wild Water Rafting
Zip Line Canopy Tours
More than a zip line ride, this canopy tour takes you through multiple ecosystems, past hemlocks, into hardwoods, and through a deciduous forest packed with native flowering plants such as mountain laurel, dogwood, rhododendron,giant Frazier magnolia, rare umbrella magnolia, silver bells and many more. Your canopy ranger will point out these natural features and will also share with you some of the cultural history of the gorge.
There is so much to do in these gorgeous mountains, valleys, creeks and lakes! Visit Lee & Carol Barbour at www.LeeAndCarol.com for more information
Comments(2)