Enjoy a charming village with a cabin rental in Whittier
Whittier is a charming village that lies on the Tuckasegee River about 7 miles east of Bryson City. Travelers who like to kayak can find a riverfront cabin with storage areas for their boats. You may play an exhilarating game of golf at Smoky Mountain Country Club, where the hilly grounds make the course challenging. At the nearby Mountain Farm Museum, you'll feel like you've traveled back in time when you see the vintage log farmhouse, applehouse, and blacksmith shop. You can stay at a Bryson City log cabin near Whittier with wooden rocking chairs and an outside fire pit that enhance the country atmosphere.
Step back in time
There's plenty to do within driving distance of your Whittier vacation rental. Just 20 minutes down the road, you can visit the Mountain Farm Museum made up of 19th-century log cabins, some of which are made from American chestnut. During the afternoon, you can live out your prairie dreams and explore the Smokies by jumping on board one of the Old West wagon trains, always a favorite with kids. In the warm summer evenings, you can watch "Unto These Hills", a play that chronicles the history of the Cherokees in the open Mountainside Theatre.
All aboard Whittier's kayaks and rafts
You don't need prior experience to try your hand at whitewater rafting. You can even bring the kids who will love the thrill of crashing down through the class I and II rapids. For something a little more peaceful, hire a kayak to cruise along the river at your own pace. If you love waterfalls, you've come to the right place. The towering 36-meter Mingo Falls is hidden deep in the Cherokee Indian Reservation and is well worth the effort to reach. Alternatively, from the local golf course you can tee off in full few of the mighty Smokies.
For color, try spring or fall
It'll perhaps be unsurprising to hear that the summer break months are the busiest in Whittier when families descend on the town to use as a base for exploring the Smokies. While the weather can be beautiful around this time, don't discount the other months. The spring can often be free of rain and the trails are full of blooming wildflowers. After the summer crowds, it's much easier to score a Whittier vacation rental and the forest leaves burst into color. The festive season can be even more magical, when the entire park gets carpeted in snow.
A range of habitats
You will be familiar with backyard animals like the foxes and squirrels, but there are plenty of others to spot, including owls and hawks.
Traveling to and around Whittier
Fly into McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), the closest airport, located 43.6 mi (70.2 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you might consider flying into Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), which is 46.3 mi (74.5 km) away.