If youβre planning a scenic mountain trip, a Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Review is probably at the top of your research list β especially if youβre debating whether First Class is actually worth the upgrade. Short answer: yes, but with a few things youβll want to know before you book.
And if youβre building out a full Bryson City itinerary while youβre 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 β 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 youβll get a souvenir travel mug.
Itβs not ideal for photography since the windows donβt open, but the comfort level is unmatched.
This car gives you the open-air experience with outward-facing seats, ceiling fans, and great ventilation. Itβs ideal for photography, and you still get a meal included and a souvenir travel mug.
Thereβs no heat or A/C, and the windows donβt close becauseβ¦ there are no windows. Itβs 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. Youβll also receive a souvenir travel mug with unlimited non-alcoholic drinks.
Windows do not open, and ceiling fans arenβt 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 β 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 itβs 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.
Itβs 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.
Youβll need to dress for the weather β 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 β especially First Class β 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. Youβll 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 β 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 β and thatβs totally fine. Most people will enjoy it, but if youβre 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 β plenty of time to stretch your legs, walk around, grab a snack, or browse the shops. Itβs 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. Itβs surprisingly fun, with a huge model train setup, vintage railroad memorabilia, and displays that show what mountain rail travel looked like decades ago. Itβs not a destination by itself, but since itβs included, itβs absolutely worth popping in.
About halfway through the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad ride, the train stops in Dillsboro for roughly 1.5 hours. Itβs 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. Itβs locally owned by two brothers who do all the smoking themselves, and their barbecue is the real deal β 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 Iβd order every time:
β Fried pork ribs
β Pork sandwich on Texas toast with bacon and cheese
β Lean brisket
β Baked beans (just go ahead and order two)
β Banana pudding
β Bourbon chocolate pecan pie
If you want my full breakdown of everything they serve β sauces, desserts, sides, and whatβs worth ordering β 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 Tutβs Christmas Shop
A holiday staple since 1969 with eight themed rooms of ornaments, dΓ©cor, and festive nostalgia. Follow the peppermint circles so you donβt miss anything.
Carolina Southern Peddler
A nostalgic mix of antiques, vintage pieces, and Southern-style home dΓ©cor. Expect at least one βmy grandma had thisβ moment.
Dillsboro Chocolate Factory
Smells like a warm cocoa cloud. They make everything in-house β from βhappy chocolatesβ (yes, theyβre shaped like little poo emojis) to tropical turtles, peanut butter volcanos, chile-dusted chocolate, and chocolate-dipped sβmores. They also serve coffee and ice cream.
Dogwood Crafters
A co-op filled with handmade Appalachian goods: quilts, pottery, woodworking, candles, and seasonal dΓ©cor.
Foxβs 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 dΓ©cor, 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 β 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 dΓ©cor 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 β pottery, textiles, woodworking, jewelry. Zero mass-produced items here.
If youβre 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 β if your priority is comfort, space, views, and a more relaxed experience, First Class is absolutely worth the upgrade. The food isnβt 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, Iβd add this ride to your itinerary without hesitation.
The tulip fields in the Netherlands look exactly like the photos, except the photos donβt capture how massive the color blocks actually are stretching across the countryside. Or the windmills. Or the sheep randomly standing in the middle of everything like they donβt know theyβre in the most photogenic country on earth.
The honest caveat: tulip season moves fast, the fields rotate every year, and peak bloom is not a guarantee, it depends on the weather, the harvest schedule, and a little bit of luck. But thatβs also part of what makes it feel less like a tourist attraction and more like something you actually found.
Full driving route with towns, parking tips, and what to expect | linked in bio. π·
#netherlands #travelling #tulipfields #exploreeurope
Amsterdam has a way of making you feel like you need to see everything, and then rewarding you most when you slow down anyway. The museums and canal cruises are worth it, but so is just wandering neighborhoods, eating whatever looks good, and sitting along the canals with a grilled cheese and nowhere to be.
First-time visitor guide is on the blog. Link in bio. π·
#travelling #travel #amsterdam #visitamsterdam #traveleurope
10 stops. One very full day. Zero regrets. Amsterdam has one of the best food scenes Iβve experienced anywhere in Europe, but the honest caveat is that some of the viral spots come with lines that will genuinely test your character. I skipped a few. I regret nothing.
Hereβs what actually made the cut on my self-guided Amsterdam food tour:
Fresh stroopwafels at Hans Egstorf: made right in front of you, warm caramel, no line. This one won.
Lourens cookie croissant: flaky outside, gooey chocolate inside. Did not share.
CafΓ© Winkel 43 apple pie: one of the rare viral places that fully lives up to the hype.
Davieβs Amsterdam for the Lelie sandwich: pastrami, pickles, marbled bread. Deceptively simple. Absolutely excellent.
De Kaaskamer to end the day: 400+ cheeses, grilled cheese with what they call ketchup (itβs not ketchup, and itβs better), and bunker cheese aged in underground military bunkers.
The full route covers 10 stops through Jordaan, the 9 Streets, the canal district, and the flower market area with a Google Map included so you can just follow along.
Full guide with every stop, tips for beating the lines, and what Iβd skip vs. do again | link in bio.
#amsterdam #visitamsterdam #netherlands #travel #visitnetherlands #traveleurope
Thereβs a version of Gatlinburg thatβs all fudge shops and tourist crowds, and then thereβs the version that actually makes you want to come back.
Hereβs everything worth doing downtown, in the order Iβd do it: ποΈ
β¨ Start at @gatlinburgskypark before the crowds hit
β¨ Walk the strip mid-morning when itβs still manageable
β¨ @googooclusters stop (see my post from Tuesday: donβt skip it)
β¨ Dinner at one of the local spots off the main drag
β¨ Wander back out at night when the lights are on and it gets actually pretty
This isnβt your overscheduled Smoky Mountain itinerary. Itβs more of a βhereβs what Iβd actually do if I had one solid dayβ kind of list.
Full downtown Gatlinburg guide linked in bio. π
If someone told me Iβd spend five hours at SkyPark, I would not have believed them. And yet. π
Gatlinburg SkyPark sits above the strip and itβs one of those places that looks like a quick stop on paper and turns into most of your afternoon. The SkyBridge alone is worth it β longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, you will look down.
β¨ SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America)
β¨ SkyLift ride up with views of the Smokies
β¨ Walking trails with mountain views in every direction
β¨ Way less crowded than downtown
Fair warning: if heights genuinely freak you out, the bridge might not be your thing. The rest of the park is still 100% worth it. Full guide with tickets, tips, and what to skip linked in bio. π
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