Did You Know?
Parkway construction began in September of 1935 at Cumberland Knob near the North Carolina and Virginia state line (at Milepost 217.5). Photo from NPS Archives
Downtown Sylva, NC. Sylva is the county seat of Jackson County
Location
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Jackson County Travel and Tourism Authority
Jackson County, North Carolina
800.962.1911
http://www.mountainlovers.com
Near milepost 428
Located in the North Carolina Mountains and right in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains, Jackson County is the ideal location for your next mountain getaway. Whatever it is you are looking for in your trip, we have it, from great accommodations, including cabin rentals, to wonderful activities, including rafting, hiking, fishing, golf, skiing, and camping.
Surrounded by the pristine forests of the Great Smoky and the Blue Ridge mountains, Sylva is a true working mountain town. Its history rose with the construction of the Western North Carolina Railroad in the 1880s. The railroad’s route through Sylva made it a prime location for the county seat. Today, the Historic Jackson County Courthouse, located on a hill overlooking Sylva’s Main Street, is reputed to be the most photographed in the country. Sylva is a great place to spend the day. You can do some shopping, grab a latte at one of the coffee shops, have a nice lunch at one of the locally owned restaurants, and visit the historic buildings. Galleries and unique retail shops are open late on Fridays for shoppers’ convenience. Free maps are available at the Chamber of Commerce, located in the Historic Hooper House, on Main Street. (12 miles from Milepost 443.1.)
A visit to Dillsboro is like stepping back in time. Its five square blocks of century-old stores, restaurants, galleries, and inns are a nostalgic reminder of small-town America, the way our grandparents knew it. Dillsboro has an interesting array of mom-and-pop businesses specializing in delightful merchandise. The way to experience Dillsboro is on foot, strolling from shop to shop. Along the way, you may wander into an artisan’s studio to watch the creation of one-of-a-kind, hand-made works of fibers, clay, glass, metal, or precious gems. (14 miles from Milepost 443.1)
Set in a beautiful valley between the Great Smoky and the Blue Ridge mountains, Cullowhee, which means “white lily” in Cherokee, is an unincorporated township and home to Western Carolina University (WCU) and to the largest “free” outdoor heritage festival in Western North Carolina – Mountain Heritage Day held the last Saturday in September. The Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University is an exciting cultural arts and art education destination for Western North Carolina and the surrounding region. The center is a state-of-the-art fresh and inspiring venue for world-class performers and artists. This growing town is located near the middle of Jackson County, three miles from Sylva, 15 miles from Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 443.1, and 40 miles (SW) from Asheville. More so than most places, Cullowhee is a great place to commute on foot (or bicycle saddle).
Cashiers is a year-round destination in the heart of the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests for people who want to really get away and a terrific place where families come to vacation and live. Their cool summers and fabulous seasons give everyone something to look forward to throughout the year. High Hampton Inn provides great accommodations and a mountain golf course, with Whitewater Falls only a short distance away. At an elevation of 4,000± feet, the view over the lower valley floor is so dramatic that it will take your breath away! In addition, there are views of the Sapphire National Golf Club, Country Club of Sapphire Valley, Red Bird Golf Links, and the Sapphire Valley ski slopes. (About 25 miles from Brevard, NC, on US 64 and Milepost 423.2)
Once you’ve found the right place to stay, whether it is a quaint Great Smoky Mountain cabin or a friendly bed and breakfast, you will be ready to start your adventure in the North Carolina Mountains. If you enjoy fishing, the Tuckasegee River and many lakes and streams offer superb options, or you can take in the mountain scenery and wildlife on one of the area’s many hiking trails. Maybe you want to test your golf game and you can do just that on one of Jackson County’s many classic mountain golf courses. There’s so much just waiting for you to enjoy in North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains. To learn more about Jackson County—the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway—go to http://www.mountainlovers.com.
