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About this trip
Join your neighbors on a motorcoach trip that travels to western North Carolina for a 4 1/2 hour scenic heritage railroad excursion featuring extraordinary sights that you can't access by car. You will have a front-row view of Fontana Lake, the historic Fontana Trestle, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Nantahala Forest and Gorge, historical structures and fall foliage. The trip includes a one hour layover at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, a world class whitewater destination, where you can stretch your legs and usually enjoy watching students tackle this beautiful river. Beyond this historic steam engine trip, there will be time to explore Bryson City including the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum boasting 7,000 Lionel engine, cars and accessories in impressive operating layouts. Other afternoon options afford you the opportunity to stroll around this very walkable town and enjoy mountain artisan studios and galleries, specialty shops and explore the Swain County Heritage Museum. There will also be an optional ride on our bus in the afternoon to nearby Darnell Farms. This is a large second generation family Farmers Market set on the banks of the Tuskegee River and home of the famous "Dream Whip" (sort of a soft serve ice cream in many creative flavors).
On departure day, we stop in the town of Columbus before leaving the mountains for a visit to the House of Flags Museum. This is the only House of Flags Museum in American and every one of the over 300 flags has a story to tell as shared by the Museum curator. We also enjoy lunch at the Rural Seed, a local favorite before traveling back to the coast. ** Scroll down to see what is included in this trip and read about the itinerary detail.
Deposits and Cancellation Policy
A $300 deposit is required to book this trip. Final payment is due on September 15th. After that date, a cancellation refund is only issued if the participant or trip organizer is able to resell the purchased trip. A wait list is maintained by the trip organizer for this purpose. Trip insurance is also available through this website.
What’s included
- Coach transportationOn a luxury 56 passenger coach
- Rail ExcursionIn a First Class dining car
- BrunchDuring our rail excursion
- AdmissionTo the Smoky Mountains Train Museum
- AccommodationsTwo nights at the Stonebrook Lodge in the heart of Bryson City
- BreakfastContinental breakfast in the Lodge each morning
- Trip Host
- LunchAt the Rural Seed Restaurant in Columbus
What’s not included
- DinnerOn own in Bryson City with plenty of options within walking distance
- Museum donationThe House of Flags Museum accepts donations
- GratuitiesBus driver and train car attendant gratuities are optional
Available Packages
Per person price for two people sharing room
No balcony - per person price for two people sharing room
Per person price for two people sharing room
No balcony - per person price for two people sharing room
Price for one person in room with balcony
One person in room without a balcony
Itinerary
This is an approximately 7 to 7 1/2 hour trip including a lunch stop and rest area breaks.
Day One:
8am - Departure from Harris Teeter parking lot in Leland
Approx. 4pm - Check-in at Stonebrook Lodge in Bryson City
Evening on own for dinner
Day Two:
7:30am - All aboard! Boarding time for the Train Excursion
8am - Train departure
10am - 11am - One hour layover at the Nantahala Gorge Outdoor Center
12:30pm - Return to Bryson City Train depot
Afternoon and evening on your own to enjoy and explore. The optional visit to Darnell Farms will also be offered during the afternoon.
Day Three:
8:45am - Depart Bryson City for Columbus NC
10:30am - Tour of the House of Flags Museum
Noon - Group lunch at the Rural Seed followed by eastward journey to Leland
Approx. arrival time in Leland between 6:30/7pm