Riding the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
If you’re planning a trip to America’s most visited national park, the Great Smoky Mountains, you might enjoy a leisurely ride onboard a historic steam train through the beautiful countryside of North Carolina. The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad does not disappoint!
Read: GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK – 18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Board in Bryson City, North Carolina
You’ll begin your journey in Bryson City at the train depot. You can buy your tickets online ahead of time and pick them up in person before the train departs!
There is a number of cafes, coffee shops and stores around the depot so you can grab a bite to eat or shop after you pick up your tickets.
You’ll have the option to preorder a bag lunch on the train. Or you can buy from a concessions cart that comes around.
There is a variety of seating options from first class seating adults only seating to open air gondolas that are perfect for families!
I’ve ridden in both the open air gondolas and enclosed cars. If you’re not in first class, the enclosed cars have fans but aren’t fully temperature controlled and can get a bit warm. But yu’ll have a table for food and drinks.
In the open air gondolas, you have a much more expansive view but only a bench to sit on. Overall, I found the open air gondola to be my preference for the uninterrupted views and air flow! It can get hot and sweaty on the historic train without a strong breeze.
Open Air Gondolas
| Adult (13+) | Child (2-12) | Infant (0-23 Months) |
|---|---|---|
| $65 ($67 October) | $40 ($40 October) | Complimentary |
Open Air Gondolas feature open seating in a car with unobstructed views, half-height walls, and a roof above to protect passengers from the elements. In an effort to provide the best viewing experience, passengers will be asked to swap seated sides for the return route.
Coach Class
| Adult (13+) | Child (2-12) | Infant (0-23 Months) |
|---|---|---|
| $65 ($67 October) | $40 ($40 October) | Complimentary |
Coach Class features open seating in an enclosed car, windows that can be opened for fresh air and taking photos, and are heated and have ceiling fans. In an effort to provide the best viewing experience, passengers will be asked to swap seated sides for the return route.
First class
There are also first class options available with temperature controlled cars and dining. I have not ridden first class but found the standard classes to be excellent!
Great Views Of Smoky Mountains National Park
As you chug along the track, you’ll enjoy beautiful open views of North Carolina. Keep your eyes peeled for the floating house boats, those were my favorite!
One Hour Lunch Stop at the Nantahala Outdoor Center
Once the train reaches the outdoor center, you’ll have one hour to grab food, shop or cool off down by the river.
Keep an eye on the time because the train departs exactly as scheduled. And it may take you longer to walk back to the train than you think!
With Covid, restaurants were only seating a certain amount of people so we ended up just grabbing food from a general store and cooling off down by the river! A lot of people kicked off their shoes or swam in the nice cool water.
Take the train there and white water raft back!
If you’re feeling adventurous, I recommend taking the train one direction and white water rafting back! It’s the perfect way to cool off in the summer heat. The train repeats its same route so you won’t be missing any new views on the way back.
The rafting package includes at two-hour rafting trip through Nantahala’s sparkling Class II whitewater rapids.
Book your rafting package here.
Family friendly
While a few of the cars are 21+, this a great activity for kids! I was traveling with a best friend and her young daughter who absolutely loved the train ride!
We were able to bring the stroller onboard and the staff was very accommodating to us.
Check the schedule before planning!
During the summer it only runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday. During the fall, there are more days available.
Just make sure you check the dates the train is running before planning it into your itinerary because it might not be running if you’re there on a week day!
Book your excursion here.
More on Great Smoky Mountains? Read: GLAMPING AT GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK WITH UNDER CANVAS
About the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad ride will there be a place for my wheelchair?