Guidebook for Sylva
Food Scene
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the area. It is located in Franklin, about a 20 minute drive from the cabin.
99 locals recommend
Caffè Rel
459 E Main StThis is one of my favorite restaurants in the area. It is located in Franklin, about a 20 minute drive from the cabin.
Kostas Family Restaurant
489 Haywood RdCosmic Carry-out
414 W Main StBoots Steakhouse
64 Front Stperfect for steaks
Haywood Smokehouse
79 Elysinia AveBest BBQ
The Coffee Shop
Eat where the locals go
Sweet Onion
39 Miller StEverything here is fabulous! Located in Waynesville
Maggie's Galley Seafood Restaurant
1374 Sulphur Springs RdSeafood paradise. Located in Waynesville
This is a new place, and their food is amazingly good. It is on the pricey side, but definitely a good choice if you want a great meal. Service can be mixed in terms of timing, but still a place I recommend.
31 locals recommend
Foragers Canteen
42 Depot StThis is a new place, and their food is amazingly good. It is on the pricey side, but definitely a good choice if you want a great meal. Service can be mixed in terms of timing, but still a place I recommend.
Authentic Thai food - amazing! It's a very small seating area; call ahead for seating or for take-out and pick-up.
12 locals recommend
Dalaya
1084 W Main StAuthentic Thai food - amazing! It's a very small seating area; call ahead for seating or for take-out and pick-up.
My absolute "go to" for pizza. I call in for take out. Very fresh and authentic.
8 locals recommend
Ferrara Pizza and Pasta
172 Sylva PlazaMy absolute "go to" for pizza. I call in for take out. Very fresh and authentic.
Italian inspired restaurant highlighting Appalachian ingredients and homemade pasta
20 locals recommend
ILDA LLC
462 West Main StreetItalian inspired restaurant highlighting Appalachian ingredients and homemade pasta
The Rivers and Rails Tavern
2 Dills StreetGreat hamburgers. Try the parmesan truffle fries!
Essentials
Ingles Markets
19 Webster RdThis convenience store is about one mile away, so great for getting something quick like snacks, soda, beer, etc.
TOP CAT MARKET
4737 U.S. 441This convenience store is about one mile away, so great for getting something quick like snacks, soda, beer, etc.
Walmart Supercenter
135 Town Center LoopGreat for essentials or groceries
Food Lion
73 Asheville HwyFor groceries
This is located at 6104 US-441, Sylva, NC. It is just 3 miles away, so great for picking up some essentials.
17 locals recommend
Dollar General
160 Hughes Branch RdThis is located at 6104 US-441, Sylva, NC. It is just 3 miles away, so great for picking up some essentials.
Drinks & Nightlife
Innovation has a great brewery with a chill vibe in downtown Sylva, but they just opened up Innovation Station in Dillsboro at 40 Depot Street which is amazing! Their beer is the best around this area.
99 locals recommend
Innovation Brewing Company
414 W Main St Innovation has a great brewery with a chill vibe in downtown Sylva, but they just opened up Innovation Station in Dillsboro at 40 Depot Street which is amazing! Their beer is the best around this area.
Also ask about their new warehouse restaurant - just excellent!
97 locals recommend
Nantahala Brewing Company
5 Deep Creek RdAlso ask about their new warehouse restaurant - just excellent!
Check out their entertainment schedule for top-name concerts and entertainment.
330 locals recommend
Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
777 Casino DrCheck out their entertainment schedule for top-name concerts and entertainment.
Mountain Layers Brewing Company
90 Everett StGreat craft beer, rooftop sundeck
Yes, this is an outdoor outfitter store, but they also have a craft beer department with lots of great local craft beers on tap. You can sit outside or inside, and its on a busy corner in downtown Bryson City. A really great and chill atmosphere. Lots of locals go here after work; one of my favorite places to go with friends. Sometimes they have live music outside.
57 locals recommend
Bryson City Outdoors
169 Main StYes, this is an outdoor outfitter store, but they also have a craft beer department with lots of great local craft beers on tap. You can sit outside or inside, and its on a busy corner in downtown Bryson City. A really great and chill atmosphere. Lots of locals go here after work; one of my favorite places to go with friends. Sometimes they have live music outside.
Sit outside on the creek or inside. Really chill vibe, with a hometown feel.
30 locals recommend
Nantahala Brewing - Sylva Outpost
5 Grindstaff Cove RdSit outside on the creek or inside. Really chill vibe, with a hometown feel.
This is my favorite brewery, and its just 7-8 minutes from my cottage. Indoor and outdoor spaces, industrial and chill vibe. Easy parking, and several places nearby will deliver food.
27 locals recommend
Innovation Station
40 Depot StThis is my favorite brewery, and its just 7-8 minutes from my cottage. Indoor and outdoor spaces, industrial and chill vibe. Easy parking, and several places nearby will deliver food.
Balsam Falls Brewing Co.
506 W Main StLazy Hiker Brewery (based in Franklin NC) has recently opened a taproom within Mad Batter in downtown Sylva.
36 locals recommend
Mad Batter Food & Film
617 W Main StLazy Hiker Brewery (based in Franklin NC) has recently opened a taproom within Mad Batter in downtown Sylva.
This is a favorite spot to sit and relax with a wine and horderves in a rustic setting with an upscale vibe.
15 locals recommend
The Wine Bar and Cellar
470 W Main StThis is a favorite spot to sit and relax with a wine and horderves in a rustic setting with an upscale vibe.
Parks & Nature
This is the place to go for hiking, waterfalls, and tubing. It is part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
92 locals recommend
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead
West Deep Creek RoadThis is the place to go for hiking, waterfalls, and tubing. It is part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Whiteside Mtn Trail
91-170 Deville DrGreat loop hike with lots of mountain views
Swimming area at Lake Fontana, also good launch spot for lake kayaking. Only open in summer months.
Fingerlake Day Use Area
North Carolina 28Swimming area at Lake Fontana, also good launch spot for lake kayaking. Only open in summer months.
Best hike in the area. 360 views from the top. Hike is easy to moderate, and only about a mile before you see the best views of the Smokies and Blue Ridge.
170 locals recommend
Black Balsam Knob
Art Loeb TrailBest hike in the area. 360 views from the top. Hike is easy to moderate, and only about a mile before you see the best views of the Smokies and Blue Ridge.
Great area for hikes including Goldmine Loop and Noland Creek. It is part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
18 locals recommend
Road to Nowhere Tunnel
Lakeview Drive EastGreat area for hikes including Goldmine Loop and Noland Creek. It is part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great hiking area and waterfalls. Expect parking to be full during busy seasons and get there early.
176 locals recommend
Graveyard Fields Loop Trail
Blue Ridge ParkwayGreat hiking area and waterfalls. Expect parking to be full during busy seasons and get there early.
Devil's Courthouse Overlook
Blue Ridge ParkwayAnother great hike that ends in a spectacular view.
The best spot in the area for sunset. It's about a 45-50 minute drive, but is the BEST spot for viewing sunset over layers of mountains. Pack a picnic or stop in Dillsboro or Sylva for takeout. Get there at least one hour before sunset - this is a popular place for photographers. Mile marker 430.7' get on the Parkway at Balsam. The Parkway is sometimes closed in the winter months; check here: https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm
Cowee Mountain Overlook
Blue Ridge ParkwayThe best spot in the area for sunset. It's about a 45-50 minute drive, but is the BEST spot for viewing sunset over layers of mountains. Pack a picnic or stop in Dillsboro or Sylva for takeout. Get there at least one hour before sunset - this is a popular place for photographers. Mile marker 430.7' get on the Parkway at Balsam. The Parkway is sometimes closed in the winter months; check here: https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm
Shopping
Humanité Boutique
633 W Main StAntiques - great selection and pricing; I bought many of my antiques for my cabins here.
9 locals recommend
Nestfeathers Antiques
153 E Palmer St Antiques - great selection and pricing; I bought many of my antiques for my cabins here.
Madison's on Main
110 Main StGreat people with home goods, clothing, and great finds.
232 Cunningham Rd
232 Cunningham RoadSweet Stems Flower Bar - THE place to buy flowers, and plants
McClanahan's
115 Everett StRustic and vintage decor - I bought many items for my cabins here.
Farmhouse decor and a coffee bar - all in one; what could be better?
8 locals recommend
The Farmhouse Mercantile & Coffee Bar
582 W Main StFarmhouse decor and a coffee bar - all in one; what could be better?
Arts & Culture
Stecoah Valley Center
121 School House RdMuseum of the Cherokee Indian
589 Tsali BlvdSwain County Visitor Center and Heritage Museum
2 Everett StFree admission; it's small, but lots of interesting tanks of fish and species from our local streams.
7 locals recommend
Appalachian Rivers Aquarium
117 Island StFree admission; it's small, but lots of interesting tanks of fish and species from our local streams.
Entertainment & Activities
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
18 Fry StScenic train rides
Live music at Bridge Park in Sylva; Fridays during the summer months. Check the schedule: https://www.mountainlovers.com/concerts-on-the-creek
Concerts on the Creek
773 West Main StreetLive music at Bridge Park in Sylva; Fridays during the summer months. Check the schedule: https://www.mountainlovers.com/concerts-on-the-creek