Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Bryson City NC

P
Patty
  • Email address verified
449 reviews
Oct 23 - 25, 2023
Group size: 35 - 42
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Bryson City NC

Patty
  • Email address verified
449 reviews

Oct 23 - 25, 2023
Group size: 35 - 42

About this trip

Join your Compass Pointe 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 stunning foliage. The trip includes a one hour layover at the Nantahala Outdoor Center where you can stretch your legs or relax along 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.  We will also be treated to a Meet & Greet at the Heritage Museum featuring exhibits of the early settlers of this mountain region.  

On departure day, we stop in the town of Cherokee before leaving the mountains for a visit to the  highly awarded Museum of the Cherokee Indian as well as the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual Co-op. The museum has been voted one of the Top Ten Best Native American Experiences by USA Today!   Scroll down to see what is included in this trip and read about the itinerary detail.  

Cancellation Policy

In the event of a cancellation refunds are processed 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 transportation
    On a luxury 56 passenger coach
  • Rail Excursion
    4 1/2 hour scenic rail excursion in Crown-Class
  • Lunch
    Box lunch on board the train
  • Admission
    To the Smoky Mountains Train Museum
  • Admission
    To the Museum of the Cherokee Indian
  • Accommodations
    Two nights at the Stonebrook Lodge in the heart of Bryson City
  • Breakfast
    Continental breakfast in the Lodge each morning
  • Trip host
    Trip is hosted by Patty

What’s not included

  • Dinner
    On own in Bryson City with plenty of options within walking distance
  • Lunch on travel days
  • Train extras
    Wine & Beer available for purchase. Coffee, tea and soft drinks are complimentary.

Available Packages

King with balcony -Double Occupancy

Per person price for two people sharing room

$566
King Room - no balcony double occupancy

No balcony - per person price for two people sharing room

$556
Double Queen - balcony- double occupancy

Per person price for two people sharing room

$566
Double Queen no balcony double occupancy

No balcony - per person price for two people sharing room

$556
Double Queen- Single Occupancy

Price for one person in room

$685


Itinerary

3 Days/2 Nights
Great Smoky Railroad Trip

This is an approximately 7 to 7 1/2 hour trip including a lunch stop and rest area breaks.  

Day One:

8am - Departure from Compass Pointe

Approx. 4pm - Check-in at Stonebrook Lodge in Bryson City

Evening on own for dinner

Day Two:

Breakfast on own at the Lodge

9:30am -  Optional Meet & Greet and self guided tour at the Swain County Visitor Center and Heritage Museum 

Time on own to explore town and the Train Museum

12noon - Boarding for the Excursion

1pm -5:30pm - Nantahala Gorge Steam Engine Excursion - box lunch served on board. 

Evening on own for dinner

Day Three:

8:30am - Depart Bryson City for Cherokee

9am - Self guided tour of the Museum of the Cherokee Indian

11am - Depart Cherokee for the Coast

Approx. arrival time of 7pm at Compass Pointe

Your Organizer


P
Patty
449 reviews
I love to travel so in my partially retired life I decided to adapt my passion for travel along with 25 years of experience in Travel & Tourism to create Trips by Patty. I received a BA in American History from UNC-Chapel Hill. Not knowing what I was going to do with that degree, I started working as a desk clerk at a hotel in Raleigh. I enjoyed the hotel business and the career path began. Hotel operations and sales, Convention Center operations and marketing, destination marketing with a Convention Visitors Bureau and even a stint as a tour guide. What happened to the history degree? Well, many times when I am escorting my trips I share the history of the destinations we visit. It's a great feeling to take your career skills and adapt them to your own small business. I love what I do and hope you'll join me on a trip one day!

Reviews

A fabulous trip to Charlottesville and the Smoky Mountains. The accommodations were rated an A+. We had fantastic tour guides at all of the events, very educational. Donnie, our bus driver did an amazing job as usual. Patty and Kathy were outstanding host. Would highly recommend anyone signing up with Patty to go on Trips By Patty
By Doris R for Experience Charlottesville on Jun 19, 2025
We had a great time on excursion to Charlottesville. We packed a lot into our 3-day trip. Patty Rogers and the Waterford Travel group did a great job organizing the trip! Would definitely do it again.
By Kenneth D for Experience Charlottesville on Jun 13, 2025
We had a wonderful time. The "excursions" were varied and we left with a ton of information re: President Thomas Jefferson and the University of Virginia as well as the home of President James Monroe. The last stop at the Virginia winery was perfect. Patty always "delivers"! She is organized and everything runs smoothly. She also has as excellent assistant and Donnie, our driver, is fantastic. My husband and I highly recommend Trips by Patty for those short get aways that you didn't know you needed until you experienced them!
By Patricia M for Experience Charlottesville on Jun 12, 2025
Well organized, just right for planned activities and free time.
By Anna B for Asheville and Winston Salem - Treasures & Blooms on Jun 02, 2025
Patty does a great job organizing and filling our days with great things to do and keeping everyone apprised of what's coming next and what time, etc. I only wish we had more free time to leisurely browse shops in Asheville. Thank you, Patty
By Dana M for Asheville and Winston Salem - Treasures & Blooms on Jun 01, 2025
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