If you’re planning a scenic mountain trip, a Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Review is probably at the top of your research list — especially if you’re debating whether First Class is actually worth the upgrade. Short answer: yes, but with a few things you’ll want to know before you book.
And if you’re building out a full Bryson City itinerary while you’re at it, check out my guide for Weekend in Bryson City & Dillsboro, NC: Best Things to Do & Where to Eat for more ideas.
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad has several routes, each with its own scenery and vibe. The most popular options are:
A calmer, scenic ride with river views, quiet stretches, and a relaxed pace. This is the route we chose.
More rugged with dramatic mountain and river views. If you want something a little more adventurous, this is the one.
Think fall-leaf peeping rides, a Halloween train, and the iconic Polar Express during the holidays.
Before you choose your class, think about how much comfort you want and what kind of views matter most to you. Not every class is available on every excursion, so double-check your route before booking — some cars only run on specific trips.
First Class is the most comfortable (and bougie) option. You get padded seats, heat, air conditioning, assigned seating, large picture windows, and a full meal included. Dessert and unlimited soft drinks come with it, and you’ll get a souvenir travel mug.
It’s not ideal for photography since the windows don’t open, but the comfort level is unmatched.
This car gives you the open-air experience with outward-facing seats, ceiling fans, and great ventilation. It’s ideal for photography, and you still get a meal included and a souvenir travel mug.
There’s no heat or A/C, and the windows don’t close because… there are no windows. It’s breezy, scenic, and the most immersive way to ride without sacrificing assigned seating.
Crown Class is a step below First Class but still very comfortable. You get padded seats, heat, air conditioning, assigned seating, and large picture windows. You’ll also receive a souvenir travel mug with unlimited non-alcoholic drinks.
Windows do not open, and ceiling fans aren’t available, so this is a fully climate-controlled experience.
Coach Plus gives you padded seats, heat, assigned seating, ceiling fans, and windows that open and close — a big perk for people who want fresh air without committing to an open-air car.
No large picture windows, no A/C, and no souvenir mug, but it’s a comfortable middle-ground if you want airflow and better seats.
Coach Class offers assigned seating, heat, ceiling fans, and windows that open and close. Seats are not padded, and there are no large picture windows or A/C.
It’s the most budget-friendly way to ride while still staying comfortable.
This is the breeziest, most photographer-friendly option. Outward-facing seats, ceiling fans, and completely open sides make the views incredible.
You’ll need to dress for the weather — no heat, no A/C, and no padded seats. But the views? Worth it.
I chose First Class for two reasons: comfort… and no kids. Enough said.
If you want specific seats or a certain class — especially First Class — book at least a month in advance. The two-person tables in First Class sell out quickly (trust me, I tried), so we ended up with a four-person table on the street side.
That ended up being the best choice. On the Tuckasegee River Excursion, the views stay on the street side for almost the entire ride. You’ll see a few features on the opposite side, including the movie set remnants from The Fugitive with Harrison Ford, but the river, mountains, and most of the main scenery stay on the street side.
We rode First Class, and the amenities are the real selling point — roomy seats, big windows, climate control, and a relaxed vibe from start to finish.
The meal is simple and satisfying, but not the highlight of the experience — and that’s totally fine. Most people will enjoy it, but if you’re used to higher-end dining, just go in with realistic expectations. They serve it almost as soon as the 10 a.m. train departs, so be ready for an early meal or plan to skip breakfast.
A musician came through the car playing a few songs, and he was actually really good. He works for tips, and it was a fun touch without feeling forced or cheesy.
The train stops in Dillsboro for about 1.5 hours — plenty of time to stretch your legs, walk around, grab a snack, or browse the shops. It’s a cute, walkable mountain town and a nice reset before the train heads back. If you want the full shopping breakdown, see my full review of Shopping in Dillsboro, NC: Best Boutiques, Crafts & Local Stores for everything I loved.
Your ticket includes free admission to the Smoky Mountains Train Museum right by the depot. It’s surprisingly fun, with a huge model train setup, vintage railroad memorabilia, and displays that show what mountain rail travel looked like decades ago. It’s not a destination by itself, but since it’s included, it’s absolutely worth popping in.
About halfway through the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad ride, the train stops in Dillsboro for roughly 1.5 hours. It’s the perfect amount of time to stretch your legs, grab a snack, or wander through this small mountain town. The stop feels like a nice reset before you head back toward Bryson City.
If you're hungry, the best nearby option is Haywood Smokehouse, which has a Dillsboro location just a short walk or drive away. It’s locally owned by two brothers who do all the smoking themselves, and their barbecue is the real deal — no touristy fluff, just tender meat and genuinely good sides.
The brisket is shockingly good (especially for lean brisket), and the sauces let you customize things however you like. My personal favorite combo: Sweet Red mixed with Georgia Fire.
What I’d order every time:
– Fried pork ribs
– Pork sandwich on Texas toast with bacon and cheese
– Lean brisket
– Baked beans (just go ahead and order two)
– Banana pudding
– Bourbon chocolate pecan pie
If you want my full breakdown of everything they serve — sauces, desserts, sides, and what’s worth ordering — see my full review of Haywood Smokehouse.
Dillsboro has a great mix of small shops that are easy to explore during your stop. Here are the best ones:
Nancy Tut’s Christmas Shop
A holiday staple since 1969 with eight themed rooms of ornaments, décor, and festive nostalgia. Follow the peppermint circles so you don’t miss anything.
Carolina Southern Peddler
A nostalgic mix of antiques, vintage pieces, and Southern-style home décor. Expect at least one “my grandma had this” moment.
Dillsboro Chocolate Factory
Smells like a warm cocoa cloud. They make everything in-house — from “happy chocolates” (yes, they’re shaped like little poo emojis) to tropical turtles, peanut butter volcanos, chile-dusted chocolate, and chocolate-dipped s’mores. They also serve coffee and ice cream.
Dogwood Crafters
A co-op filled with handmade Appalachian goods: quilts, pottery, woodworking, candles, and seasonal décor.
Fox’s Burrow
Run by former National Park Service rangers and stocked with eco-friendly outdoor-themed gifts, books, and American-made items.
Lazy Bear General Store
Classic mountain-town vibes with rustic décor, snacks, funny signs, and cozy souvenirs.
Magnolias Jewelry
A lovely mix of boutique jewelry and artisan pieces. Ideal if you prefer wearable souvenirs.
The Artsy Olive
Flavored olive oils, balsamics, and gourmet samplings. They bottle everything on the spot — great for foodie gifts.
The Corn Crib
Old-school candies, jams, salsas, pickles, and nostalgic pantry items. A fun place for Appalachian snacks.
The Front Porch
Farmhouse and rustic home décor with lanterns, florals, and seasonal pieces. The kind of shop where you accidentally redecorate your whole house in your head.
Tunnel Mountain Crafts
Authentic handmade goods from local creators — pottery, textiles, woodworking, jewelry. Zero mass-produced items here.
If you’re planning a bigger Western North Carolina trip, check out my guide to Where to Stay in Western North Carolina: Top Yurts, Hotels & Lakefront Lodging for nearby options.
Yes — if your priority is comfort, space, views, and a more relaxed experience, First Class is absolutely worth the upgrade. The food isn’t memorable, but the overall ride, amenities, ease, and scenery make it a standout activity in Western North Carolina. If you're already planning a trip to the area, I’d add this ride to your itinerary without hesitation.
Booked my fall cabin before September even started, and I’m not sorry about it. 🍂
These are the stays that make you actually want the cold to hurry up fireplaces, mountain views, the kind of porch you don’t leave. Not every one of these is going to fit every trip, but if a cozy fall getaway is on your radar, this is the roundup to start with.
One of my favorite travel seasons is almost here, and I have zero chill about it. 🍁✈️
There’s just something about fall trips cooler air, apple orchards, that first flannel of the season, food that actually makes sense with the weather again. I’m already mentally packing for it before September even starts.
If fall is your favorite time to travel too, tell me where you’re headed... I’m taking notes for the list.
Pack your bags... ✈️🧳My hiking and road trip gear shop just got a refresh, and this is everything that actually earns a spot in my bag. The dry bag pulls double duty for beach days and trail days, the Osprey backpack is the one I grab for anything motorcycle or day-hike related, and the GoPro comes with me literally everywhere at this point.
Nothing on this list is filler it’s all stuff I’ve used, packed, and repacked more times than I can count. Full shop linked in my bio if you want to build out your own kit before your next trip.
Filing this one under “go now before it gets cold.” Bonneville Hot Springs is one of those trips where fall access is honestly the sweet spot the campground road is open, the hike in is short, and you skip the snow-and-gate situation we dealt with when we went in March.
September and early fall mean clearer trails, easier parking, and pools that are just as good without the extra mile of hiking to earn them. Fewer than 10 people out there when we visited, a rustic changing booth, zero amenities, and pools that range from “relax” to “actually scalding” until you move some rocks around and mix in river water. Small waterfalls feeding in, mountains in every direction, not polished, and that’s exactly the point.
Full breakdown on parking, what to pack, and timing it right is linked in my bio.
Summer’s not even over and I already have the itch. Fall hiking season is calling and I am answering.
Save this if you feel the itch too.🍁
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