Kathleen’s guidebook
Food Scene
Fun area food and brew scenes
Cozy place with outdoor seating along the creek. Open Tues-Sun.
65 locals recommend
Panacea CoffeeHouse, Cafe and Roastery
66 Commerce StCozy place with outdoor seating along the creek. Open Tues-Sun.
Local favorite for breakfast and lunch; generous portions, including large, yummy biscuits; near Lake Junaluska. Closed on Tues.
54 locals recommend
The Buttered Biscuit
1226 Dellwood RdLocal favorite for breakfast and lunch; generous portions, including large, yummy biscuits; near Lake Junaluska. Closed on Tues.
Fresh ground coffee and pastries; 1.4 mi; limited indoor and outdoor seating.
26 locals recommend
Smoky Mountain Coffee Roasters
444 Hazelwood AveFresh ground coffee and pastries; 1.4 mi; limited indoor and outdoor seating.
Thursday and Friday wines flights, add small plates for a great evening; downtown.
13 locals recommend
Bosu's Wine Shop
138 Miller StThursday and Friday wines flights, add small plates for a great evening; downtown.
Watami Sushi & Noodles
33 S Main StDelicious Asian Fusion; downtown; one of our favorites.
Close by, awesome seafood, especially the trout; one of our favorites; closed Wed.
30 locals recommend
Maggie's Galley Seafood Restaurant
1374 Sulphur Springs RdClose by, awesome seafood, especially the trout; one of our favorites; closed Wed.
Like BBQ? Don't miss this local favorite! Nearby, open Wed-Sat.
191 locals recommend
Haywood Smokehouse
79 Elysinia AveLike BBQ? Don't miss this local favorite! Nearby, open Wed-Sat.
Boojum Brewing Company Taproom
50 N Main StFun downtown food and brew scene.
A local favorite for good, ol' fashioned southern fare; near WalMart.
23 locals recommend
Clyde's Restaurant
2107 S Main StA local favorite for good, ol' fashioned southern fare; near WalMart.
A locals and tourist favorite serving steaks and pub food; the southern edge of downtown.
64 locals recommend
Bogart's Restaurant and Tavern
303 S Main StA locals and tourist favorite serving steaks and pub food; the southern edge of downtown.
Regional cuisine with a contemporary flair, reservations recommended; downtown.
158 locals recommend
Sweet Onion
39 Miller StRegional cuisine with a contemporary flair, reservations recommended; downtown.
Newest coffee shop in town and #4 on Food & Wine's list of the best cafes, coffee shops + espresso bars in the U.S. is locally owned and family run; owner is a three time latte art champion; limited indoor seating.
41 locals recommend
Orchard Coffee
39 Depot StNewest coffee shop in town and #4 on Food & Wine's list of the best cafes, coffee shops + espresso bars in the U.S. is locally owned and family run; owner is a three time latte art champion; limited indoor seating.
The Cuban Guy
42 Montgomery StEveryone is raving about this authentic Cuban eatery; open Mon-Sat 11a-4p.
Food truck with the best clam chowda and lobsta roll! Indoor dining starts June 16, 2023.
Wicked Fresh Seafood & Meat Market
142 Miller StFood truck with the best clam chowda and lobsta roll! Indoor dining starts June 16, 2023.
Locally owned, community committed. Craft, regional and hard to find beers, wine, ciders, and meads. Homebrew and wine making supplies and equipment. Outdoor seating.
10 locals recommend
Blue Ridge Beer Hub
21 East StLocally owned, community committed. Craft, regional and hard to find beers, wine, ciders, and meads. Homebrew and wine making supplies and equipment. Outdoor seating.
Dunkin'
1170 Dellwood RdClose to Lake Junaluska, always a crowd pleaser.
Times Square Bagels
Yummy NY Bagels with a large meeting space downstairs.
Awesome outdoor beer garden is right on the creek. Casual, family, and pet-friendly vibe.
116 locals recommend
Frog Level Brewing Co
56 Commerce StAwesome outdoor beer garden is right on the creek. Casual, family, and pet-friendly vibe.
Sightseeing
A few ideas for area sights
Great place for a walk, take photos and enjoy nature nearby. Flat walking path has a 2.3 mi loop or 3.8 mi loop on flat ground, labyrinth, Corneille Bryan Native Garden; as well as in-season miniature golf, tennis court, shuffleboard, boat rental, pontoon boat tours and more.
138 locals recommend
Lake Junaluska
759 N Lakeshore DrGreat place for a walk, take photos and enjoy nature nearby. Flat walking path has a 2.3 mi loop or 3.8 mi loop on flat ground, labyrinth, Corneille Bryan Native Garden; as well as in-season miniature golf, tennis court, shuffleboard, boat rental, pontoon boat tours and more.
Maps, brochures and info to experience the sights and activities of the area.
Haywood County Visitor Center
91 Soco RdMaps, brochures and info to experience the sights and activities of the area.
When the Blue Ridge Parkway (mile marker 451.2) is open, don't miss this awesome view of sunrise AND sunset. The BR Parkway is usually closed in winter, check for closures at: https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm
26 locals recommend
Waterrock Knob Visitor Center
Road to Waterrock KnobWhen the Blue Ridge Parkway (mile marker 451.2) is open, don't miss this awesome view of sunrise AND sunset. The BR Parkway is usually closed in winter, check for closures at: https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm
The closest entrance to the Smoky Mountain National Park with maps, information, Mountain Farm Museum and a small store; open every day but Christmas.
67 locals recommend
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
1194 Newfound Gap RdThe closest entrance to the Smoky Mountain National Park with maps, information, Mountain Farm Museum and a small store; open every day but Christmas.
Great winter family skiing and tubing fun; snowmaking, rentals and lessons.
231 locals recommend
Cataloochee Ski Area
1080 Ski Lodge RdGreat winter family skiing and tubing fun; snowmaking, rentals and lessons.
Food, Shops and Art
All there is in downtown Waynesville
Don't miss taking some time in downtown Waynesville for the varied food and beverage establishments, quaint shops and art galleries.
32 locals recommend
Downtown Waynesville Association
9 S Main StDon't miss taking some time in downtown Waynesville for the varied food and beverage establishments, quaint shops and art galleries.
An iconic downtown Waynesville shopping experience that offers clothing, outdoor gear, and old-time gifts with candy barrels.
60 locals recommend
Mast General Store, Waynesville NC
63 N Main StAn iconic downtown Waynesville shopping experience that offers clothing, outdoor gear, and old-time gifts with candy barrels.
Live community theater featuring local and regional actors, dancers, and singers.
30 locals recommend
HART Theatre
250 Pigeon StLive community theater featuring local and regional actors, dancers, and singers.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Cell service unavailable in some mountain areas
Download needed information such as travel directions before leaving the house or bring a hard copy of info because many areas in these mountains like the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Smoky Mountain National Park do not have cell service.
Getting around
Some GPS instructions in the mountains may be inaccurate
When leaving the neighborhood at Little Mountain Road, only turn right (downhill). Going left on Eagles Nest Road leads to an inaccessible gated area, not to Maggie Valley. This may be true for other areas as well.
What to pack
Bring layered clothing and accessories
Year-round, evenings and higher elevation areas like on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Smoky Mountain National Park, are always cooler, sometimes 10-15 degrees cooler. Bring layers, and hats & mittens in cooler weather.