Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is quite a unique experience for both young and old alike and one of NC's best kept secrets. You can ride the train from either Bryson City or Dillsboro. If you check on this page you will find all kinds of information about them and also contact information. Both little towns Bryson City and Dillsboro have quite unique scenery and lots of great places to eat. Cherokee and all its attractions including " Into These Hills " about the plight of the Cherokee Indians and Harra's Cherokee Casino are only a few minutes from both Dillsboro and Bryson City.

Gatlinburg is only a short distance away. When you leave Cherokee go up 441 into the Great Smoky Mountains Park and you will be on one of the most bueatiful drives in the USA. Be sure you plan the time to stop at Clingmans Dome once you get to the top. You will not believe the view once you get there.

Watch the Elk in Cherokee NC

Ask in Cherokee directions to Big Cove Road. You want to go about 4 pm in winter months or 7 pm in summer months. Drive up Big Cove road and you will most likely see cars pulled over. If you do pull over there. They are most likely watching the Elk. Be sure to take a camera.

Trout Fishing

The Cherokee Indian Reservation has excellent trout fishing and they stock the rivers and the three public ponds in front of KOA campground several times a week. It costs $7 a day to fish on the reservation with a 10 fish a day limit. You can call the below number for brochures and information. Ask them about the trout tornaments.

Cherokee Fish and Game Management:

704-497-5201

Santa's Land Amusement Park at Cherokee NC

Children of all ages will also love the Santa's Land Amusement Park at Cherokee NC. Its just up the road from Harra's Cherokee Casino.

Santa's Land Theme Park & Zoo | Park information: 1-828-497-9191

Santa's Land Information Number 828 497 9191

The town of Cherokee has plenty of interesting shops. Don't miss the weekly Flea Market on Saturday Mornings in front of the Elementry School. You will find all kinds of interesting things here. There is a huge Flea Market on south 441 just south of Cherokee.

Santa's Land Theme Park & Zoo | Park inf Santa's Land Theme Park & Zoo | Park information: 1-828-497-9191ormation: 1-828-497-9191

Don't Miss The Bear Zoo In Cherokee NC

Right at the end of Big Cove Road where it begins at the village shopping center in Cherokee is a Bear Zoo with a great collection of real live Bears that you can visit and even buy food and feed the Bears Safely. Children really love the Bear Zoo.

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s partnership continues with Warner Brothers Consumer Products for 2007. The Polar Express™ 2004 holiday film from Warner Bros. reunited the Academy Award-winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis in an inspiring animated film based on the beloved children’s book, by Chris Van Allsburg, about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. “The Polar Express™,” published by Houghton Mifflin Company has become a contemporary holiday classic, with over 6 million copies sold worldwide. GSMR The Polar Express™ Dinner Trains began Christmas Season Dining Service to the North Pole in 2005 with excursions based on the book written by Chris Van Allsburg.

The Polar Express™ Dining Trains will depart from the Dillsboro depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit to the “North Pole” with Santa Claus. Guests on board enjoy a three course dining experience in refurbished dining cars decked for Christmas. The three course adult menu features Hazelnut Pumpkin Bisque, Brown Sugar Spiral Baked Ham, Green Bean Casserole, Baked Sweet Potatoes and signature dessert. Children are served Chicken Fingers, Macaroni and Cheese and Jell-O-Fruit cup. The traditional hot cocoa and cookies will also be enjoyed by all while listening and reading along with the magical story. Experience the joy of watching the children’s faces when the train arrives at the “North Pole,” where Santa Claus and his reindeer will be waiting. Santa boards The Polar Express™ where he greets each child and hands them their own sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung on the return trip to Dillsboro. Families can book early to ensure making this an annual holiday tradition.

The Polar Express™ Dining Train holiday schedule is November 16, 17, 23, 24, 25 and 30 with 4:15 pm and 7:15 pm departure; November 18, 27, 28 and 29 with 7:15 pm departure; December 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 with 4:15 pm and 7:15 pm departures; and December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, and 13 with 7:15 pm departure; a total of 52 excursions. Rates are $60.00 adult, $32.50 child, and $10.00 child under 2. The Dillsboro based departure is a 1-hour 30-minute round trip excursion.

Call today to make your reservations because space is limited to those who truly believe in the spirit of Christmas. For additional information and advance reservations please call 800-872-4681 or 828-586-8811or visit the web site at www.gsmr.com

POLAR EXPRESS™ and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Reprinted with Permission of Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Click Here For The Official Site Of The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

DILLSBORO, NC. May 1, 2007: PEANUTS The Great Pumpkin Patch Express returns to the Smoky Mountains Railroad. In October as the leaves are turning and the pumpkins are ready to be carved, Charlie Brown and Lucy return to the GSMR Pumpkin Patch beginning October 12, 2006. The excursions, which are themed after Charles M. Schulz’s classic story “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” will be departing from the Dillsboro Depot October 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 & 31 at 3:30 PM. Guests will hear a narration of Schulz’s “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” as the train travels to the “sincere” Pumpkin Patch.

Upon arrival, guests will be greeted and have a photo opportunity with Charlie Brown and Lucy. Activities for guests to enjoy at The Great Pumpkin Patch will be: campfire sing-a-long, a coloring station, temporary tattoos, trick or treating, petting zoo, bouncy train and giant slide. The children can also navigate their way through a giant hay bale maze. Other activities include hay rides, apple cider or apple juice, treats, and plenty of PEANUTS™ merchandise in the gift shop Each child will also select their own small pumpkin from The Great Pumpkin Patch to take home

2006 marked the 40th Anniversary of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, which premiered October 27, 1966. Nominated for two Emmy Awards including Outstanding Children's Program and Special Classification of Individual Achievements, Bill Melendez, Director, the special is more popular than ever. In 2006, ABC's special annual telecast brought stellar ratings: "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" was #1 among women 18-34 and kids 2-11.

No ghosts or goblins on this GSMR adventure, just a lot of family fun and Happy Halloween Spirit! For more information and reservations please call 1-800-872-4681

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