Sylva and the Surrounding Areas
Food scene
This is our absolute favorite local coffee shop. A great place to grab a morning beverage and some light food - the sandwiches are amazing and their muffin game is strong!
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White Moon Coffee Shop
545 Mill StThis is our absolute favorite local coffee shop. A great place to grab a morning beverage and some light food - the sandwiches are amazing and their muffin game is strong!
Seriously the best burger. We come here at least once a week for a beer and a blast-off burger. Our friends and family miss it when they’re not visiting.
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Cosmic Carry-out
414 W Main StSeriously the best burger. We come here at least once a week for a beer and a blast-off burger. Our friends and family miss it when they’re not visiting.
A super special Thai restaurant with an incredible chef from Northern Thailand. If you are a fan of creative food, this place is absolutely not to be missed. It is located in a tiny building along the river across from Mark Watson park. A sweet place to dine in and they also have a cute patio.
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Dalaya
1084 W Main StA super special Thai restaurant with an incredible chef from Northern Thailand. If you are a fan of creative food, this place is absolutely not to be missed. It is located in a tiny building along the river across from Mark Watson park. A sweet place to dine in and they also have a cute patio.
Lucy in the Rye
612 W Main StA breakfast gem in downtown Sylva.
Another Sylva staple - City Lights cafe has a fabulous breakfast and lunch menu, along with wine and beers on tap.
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City Lights Cafe
3 E Jackson StAnother Sylva staple - City Lights cafe has a fabulous breakfast and lunch menu, along with wine and beers on tap.
Baxley’s has fantastic chocolates and they also make gelato!
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Baxley's Chocolates
546 W Main StBaxley’s has fantastic chocolates and they also make gelato!
A serious treasure. Self-described as rustic Italian-Appalachian food - Ilda features handmade pasta! Need I say more? I’m going to anyway. Creative dishes, crafty cocktails, great wines, and really the BEST food. Do yourselves a favor and make a reservation for a special dinner here.
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ILDA LLC
462 West Main StreetA serious treasure. Self-described as rustic Italian-Appalachian food - Ilda features handmade pasta! Need I say more? I’m going to anyway. Creative dishes, crafty cocktails, great wines, and really the BEST food. Do yourselves a favor and make a reservation for a special dinner here.
A great BBQ place in the cute town of Dillsboro, Sylva’s adorable neighbor.
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Haywood Smokehouse
79 Elysinia AveA great BBQ place in the cute town of Dillsboro, Sylva’s adorable neighbor.
Yummy food - sandwiches, pizza, bar food, and some healthy bowls, too! They also have brunch on Sundays. Partnered with Lazy Hiker Brewery so you can also grab a beer when you get food. A kid friendly place with a large interior and a really nice back patio away from the busier road.
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Mad Batter Food & Film
617 W Main StYummy food - sandwiches, pizza, bar food, and some healthy bowls, too! They also have brunch on Sundays. Partnered with Lazy Hiker Brewery so you can also grab a beer when you get food. A kid friendly place with a large interior and a really nice back patio away from the busier road.
A new (as of November 2023) restaurant / bar in downtown Sylva. They are open later than most other restaurants in town and they also offer a Sunday brunch!
Breadheads Tiki Shak
A new (as of November 2023) restaurant / bar in downtown Sylva. They are open later than most other restaurants in town and they also offer a Sunday brunch!
Fantastic Italian breads, croissants, and a fine selection of tinned fish, Italian pastas, cheeses, and more. They usually have limited hours, check first!
Little Cove Bread
Fantastic Italian breads, croissants, and a fine selection of tinned fish, Italian pastas, cheeses, and more. They usually have limited hours, check first!
A brand new (May 2024) coffee shop and roastery on Main Street.
Blue Ridge Bootleg Coffee Roastery and Cafe
A brand new (May 2024) coffee shop and roastery on Main Street.
Breweries + Bars
Innovation is a fantastic craft brewery in a relaxed setting along the river in downtown Sylva. Grab a burger from Cosmic Carryout or a wood fired pizza from Pie Times and enjoy it with your beer on the patio.
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Innovation Brewing Company
414 W Main StInnovation is a fantastic craft brewery in a relaxed setting along the river in downtown Sylva. Grab a burger from Cosmic Carryout or a wood fired pizza from Pie Times and enjoy it with your beer on the patio.
A great brewery situated in a building shared with the Mad Batter restaurant - a great place to grab food for the whole family. And we love their patio!
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Lazy Hiker Brewing - Sylva Taproom
617 W Main StA great brewery situated in a building shared with the Mad Batter restaurant - a great place to grab food for the whole family. And we love their patio!
Another Sylva brewery! Balsam falls also makes delicious hard cider and has food, as well.
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Balsam Falls Brewing Co.
506 W Main StAnother Sylva brewery! Balsam falls also makes delicious hard cider and has food, as well.
Fancy a cocktail in a laid back environment? This is your place. We love their snacks, too.
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The Cut Cocktail Lounge
486 W Main StFancy a cocktail in a laid back environment? This is your place. We love their snacks, too.
Another Innovation? Yes, we are that lucky. This one has a great patio along the river and rotating food trucks (call ahead to make sure one is there!) Have a beer, grab some food, and explore adorable Dillsboro!
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Innovation Station
40 Depot StAnother Innovation? Yes, we are that lucky. This one has a great patio along the river and rotating food trucks (call ahead to make sure one is there!) Have a beer, grab some food, and explore adorable Dillsboro!
Fabulous spot for wine and small bites. They make a killer charcuterie board with loads of local ingredients!
Santé -The Wine Bar
Fabulous spot for wine and small bites. They make a killer charcuterie board with loads of local ingredients!
Sylva Shopping
This independent bookstore is seriously not to be missed. It has a great selection and also a large used section in the back. Oh! And say hi to Cedric, the bookshop cat.
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City Lights Bookstore
3 E Jackson StThis independent bookstore is seriously not to be missed. It has a great selection and also a large used section in the back. Oh! And say hi to Cedric, the bookshop cat.
The cutest little shop with all kinds of beautiful handcrafted goods / home decor / art. This is one of my favorite places to buy gifts or treat myself.
Noon
509 Mill StThe cutest little shop with all kinds of beautiful handcrafted goods / home decor / art. This is one of my favorite places to buy gifts or treat myself.
Plant lovers, rejoice. This is your place! Potted plants, cut flowers, herbal products, and more. I love this place.
Snake song
610 W Main StPlant lovers, rejoice. This is your place! Potted plants, cut flowers, herbal products, and more. I love this place.
End of Main
482 W Main StMy all time favoite antique shop!
Great outdoor store that also rents some recreational stuff like stand up paddle boards, tubes for floating the river, ducky kayaks, and life jackets.
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Black Balsam Outdoors
562 W Main StGreat outdoor store that also rents some recreational stuff like stand up paddle boards, tubes for floating the river, ducky kayaks, and life jackets.
Jackson County Farmers Market
110 Railroad AveA vibrant Saturday market with so many goodies!
A new store downtown Sylva featuring all kinds of beautiful supplies for cooking / fermenting / brewing / cheesemaking / and more. Certainly worth stopping in!
Wildkitchen Supply
567 West Main StreetA new store downtown Sylva featuring all kinds of beautiful supplies for cooking / fermenting / brewing / cheesemaking / and more. Certainly worth stopping in!
Jackson Arts market is on Saturdays 1pm-5pm with live music on April-December. A great place to find unique and creative goods, and possibly see some live art-making demonstrations!
Jackson Arts Market
Jackson Arts market is on Saturdays 1pm-5pm with live music on April-December. A great place to find unique and creative goods, and possibly see some live art-making demonstrations!
Outdoor Activities
This is our all-time favorite trail to take visitors on. It is moderate and has two waterfalls and a couple of areas to swim in the river. It’s gorgeous! I should note that it is difficult to find the trailhead so make sure you read some of the Google reviews to guide you. Google “high falls north trailhead Jackson county nc” or try this link - https://www.hikingtheappalachians.com/trail-reports/high-falls-trail-north
*Be aware that there is little to no cell service on the trail.
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High Falls North Trailhead
358-1486 State Rd 1158This is our all-time favorite trail to take visitors on. It is moderate and has two waterfalls and a couple of areas to swim in the river. It’s gorgeous! I should note that it is difficult to find the trailhead so make sure you read some of the Google reviews to guide you. Google “high falls north trailhead Jackson county nc” or try this link - https://www.hikingtheappalachians.com/trail-reports/high-falls-trail-north
*Be aware that there is little to no cell service on the trail.
This trail is difficult but the view makes it absolutely worth it. A close drive from Sylva!
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Pinnacle Park
This trail is difficult but the view makes it absolutely worth it. A close drive from Sylva!
Floating the Tuckasegee river is one of our favorite warm-weather activities. If you don’t bring your own tubes, Dillsboro River Company has tubing and rafting opportunities. If you have brought your own tubes or plan on renting them from Black Balsam Outdoors, ask us for advice on where to put in and take out!
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Dillsboro River Company
18 Macktown RdFloating the Tuckasegee river is one of our favorite warm-weather activities. If you don’t bring your own tubes, Dillsboro River Company has tubing and rafting opportunities. If you have brought your own tubes or plan on renting them from Black Balsam Outdoors, ask us for advice on where to put in and take out!
The WCU trails are only about a 5 - 7 min drive from the cabin - great for a hike or mountain biking!
WCU Trail System Parking/Trailhead
4121 Little Savannah RoadThe WCU trails are only about a 5 - 7 min drive from the cabin - great for a hike or mountain biking!
Nice paved trail along the river with benches, exercise stations, and a small mountain biking. 2 miles total, out and back.
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Jackson County Greenway
342 Old Cullowhee RdNice paved trail along the river with benches, exercise stations, and a small mountain biking. 2 miles total, out and back.
A bit over an hour from the cabin is this awesome waterfall hike in Panthertown Valley. Really fun for kids to explore, with adult supervision, of course. We recommend bringing a picnic / snacks and enjoying that at the falls. There is a pretty big trail system in Panthertown and the cell service is spotty, so make sure to map out your trail ahead of time! We love the all trails app for hiking in the area.
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Schoolhouse Falls
A bit over an hour from the cabin is this awesome waterfall hike in Panthertown Valley. Really fun for kids to explore, with adult supervision, of course. We recommend bringing a picnic / snacks and enjoying that at the falls. There is a pretty big trail system in Panthertown and the cell service is spotty, so make sure to map out your trail ahead of time! We love the all trails app for hiking in the area.
Hang out and swim in Lake Grenville from this public beach park.
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The Pines Recreation Area
1965 Pine Creek RdHang out and swim in Lake Grenville from this public beach park.
Every Friday May 24th through August 30th. Free live music in the park downtown from 7-9 pm.
Concerts on the Creek
773 West Main StreetEvery Friday May 24th through August 30th. Free live music in the park downtown from 7-9 pm.
Kiddo Stuff
Poteet Park
29Central StA fabulous playground for the kids, right near downtown Sylva.
An alpaca farm with tours! Super fun for you and the little ones. About 25 minutes from the cabin.
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Winchester Creek Farm
386 Walker RdAn alpaca farm with tours! Super fun for you and the little ones. About 25 minutes from the cabin.
Open June - August, a great place to cool off in hot weather. Also has a shallow kiddie pool for the littler ones!
Roscoe Poteet Swimming Pool
Municipal RoadOpen June - August, a great place to cool off in hot weather. Also has a shallow kiddie pool for the littler ones!
Franklin, NC
I make frequent trips to Franklin just to go to Bent Willow. This bakery is amazing in every way and I highly recommend making the approximately 25 minute drive to grab some sourdough bread, incredible pastries and coffee / tea.
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Bent Willow Baking Co
473 E Palmer StI make frequent trips to Franklin just to go to Bent Willow. This bakery is amazing in every way and I highly recommend making the approximately 25 minute drive to grab some sourdough bread, incredible pastries and coffee / tea.
A greasy spoon diner, great for breakfast if you are in Franklin!
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Franklin Cafe
1251 East Main StreetA greasy spoon diner, great for breakfast if you are in Franklin!
Talk a walk on a nice greenway along the river in Franklin.
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Little Tennessee River Greenway
573 E Main StTalk a walk on a nice greenway along the river in Franklin.
Nestfeathers Antiques
153 E Palmer StA really great antique shop in Franklin!
Waynesville, NC
Great beer and food with a spacious indoor area and awesome patio along the creek.
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Frog Level Brewing Co
56 Commerce StGreat beer and food with a spacious indoor area and awesome patio along the creek.
Sweet Onion
39 Miller StSouthern food in a classy setting - this place is SO yummy.
A fun store to visit - outdoor clothing / shoes / accessories as well as a lower level filled with barrels of vintage inspired candy and a bunch of random souvenirs.
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Mast General Store, Waynesville NC
63 N Main StA fun store to visit - outdoor clothing / shoes / accessories as well as a lower level filled with barrels of vintage inspired candy and a bunch of random souvenirs.
A great brewery and restaurant in Waynesville.
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Boojum Brewing Company Taproom
50 N Main StA great brewery and restaurant in Waynesville.
If you're a beer enthusiast, don't skip this bottle shop with taps.
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Blue Ridge Beer Hub
21 East StIf you're a beer enthusiast, don't skip this bottle shop with taps.
A great Scottish pub in downtown Waynesville. They have great food, a huge drink list, and they often have live music.
The Scotsman Public House
A great Scottish pub in downtown Waynesville. They have great food, a huge drink list, and they often have live music.