Waynesville... a Gem in the Blue Ridge

Nestled in the North Carolina Mountains between The Blue Ridge and Great Smokey Mountain ranges, the town of Waynesville is truly the gateway to amazing mountain adventures.

Located in a valley surrounded by 6000-foot peaks, Waynesville boasts a vibrant downtown while being just a stone’s throw from many world-class outdoor activities. This town, founded in 1810 was named for the Revolutionary War General, Anthony Wayne. The focal point General Wayne’s town is the downtown-shopping district centered on Main Street. This four block long strip is rich in cafes, restaurants, craft shops, galleries and numerous specialty retailers. Mast General Store, a retail mainstay in many North Carolina Mountain towns, anchors the retail shopping district. Mast Store is a large upscale clothing and outfitter store: however, it is equally famous for its old-fashioned candy store. Each store has hundreds of varieties of candy neatly displayed in old candy barrels. I am rarely able to leave Mast Store without toting several pounds of licorice, squirrel nuts, and other delicious selections I haven’t seen since I was a kid.

As a base of outdoor activities, Waynesville is second to none. From fly-fishing on the Pidgeon River and its tributaries to backpacking the Big East Fork, adventure is less then 30 minutes away. Since the Blue Ridge Parkway is only 5 miles from town, Waterrock Knob, Balsam Mountain and Richland Balsam (highest point on the parkway) are easily accessible. Many of the popular destinations in the Smokies are less than an hour away. Balsam Mountain, Mt.LeConte, Clingman’s Dome and many others are all within day trip distance.To the south of town, Cold Mountain, The Big East Fork, Sunburst and many other famous and not so famous destinations tempt the intrepid adventurer.

Accommodations in the Waynesville area are numerous and varied. Campgrounds, B&B’s, motels (both quaint and modern), and rustic cabins dot the landscape in this part of Haywood County. Rates are variable and considered moderate.

No 8-mile hike in the area would be complete without stopping for a ham and egg breakfast at Jukebox Junction. After working up a world-class appetite, the perfect reward is fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and cornbread at Clydes,”Where the Home Folks Eat”. If there is room for dessert, a visit to Barbers Apple Orchard will be in order. Usually the bakery at Barbers will be hard at work turning out hot apple cakes or apple turnovers. On several occasions we have had the apple turnovers as a main course for supper. It seems in the past that I always left Waynesville 10 lbs heavier than when I arrived.

After 25 years of visiting Waynesville, I never tire of going back. The tranquil atmosphere of the town and surrounding countryside coupled with the friendliness of its people makes Waynesville a popular destination for day trippers as well as out of state tourists.