How to Spend a Weekend in Maggie Valley, NC
Located just 45 minutes west of Asheville, Maggie Valley is the perfect destination for travelers who want to experience the Smokies but prefer a more relaxed and secluded getaway. The NC side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park tends to be far less crowded than the TN side. However, there is no shortage of things to do in the area and it’s just as beautiful (maybe even more so in my opinion, but I’m a little biased having been born and raised in NC)!
Some of my favorite activities in/around Maggie Valley include hiking, elk spotting, supporting local vendors ranging from artists to breweries, and driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Other popular activities include trout fishing, skiing/snowboarding, and visiting the Festival Grounds when there’s an event taking place.
My mom and I thoroughly enjoyed our weekend in Maggie Valley, and I’m so excited to share some of the highlights from our trip! Whether you’re looking for a family friendly getaway, romantic getaway, or a fun weekend getaway with your bestie, I can confidently say that Maggie Valley, NC will not disappoint.
Disclaimer: This trip was sponsored by Maggie Valley, NC. Expenses and accommodations were covered, and I was compensated for content creation by Visit Maggie Valley. As always, all opinions are completely my own.
Where to Stay in Maggie Valley, NC
Smoky Falls Lodge
Located on Soco Road, Smoky Falls Lodge is the perfect spot right in the heart of Maggie Valley. My mom and I stayed here and loved being within minutes of all the restaurants and shops. We also loved that the building has been restored to resemble a rustic log cabin – so perfect for a mountain getaway! The room had a mini fridge, coffee maker, and microwave, which is always super convenient. They have a nice outdoor pavilion out front and rocking chairs throughout the property. The hotel is dog-friendly too, which is great in case you want to bring your fur babies along on your adventure!
Maggie Valley Schoolhouse on Hemphill
If you decide to hike Purchase Knob, you’ll pass this adorable Airbnb on Hemphill Road. The Schoolhouse on Hemphill was built in the 1800s and truly was a schoolhouse way back when. Since then, it has been refurbished and turned into this super cute Airbnb that sleeps two guests. The best part is the creekside screened-in porch. Major heart eyes!!
Twinbrook Resort
Twinbrook Resort is secluded yet close to all that Maggie Valley has to offer. The resort has cabins of various sizes as well as campsites with full hookups, making it the perfect destination for families. The resort’s creekside cabins have outdoor firepits and covered porches. What better way to spend an evening than to enjoy a s’more (or two) while you relax and listen to the creek that runs alongside your cabin?! Also, you can bring your fur babies along for $15 no matter the duration of your stay!
Mile High Campground
This spot is for my tent campers!! You could also get a small camper up here. Mile High Campground is nestled on a ridge at 5,400′ elevation. If you want to be a little more off the grid but still close to everything Maggie Valley has to offer, this is the spot for you! The views up here are spectacular. They even have an observation deck from which you can view mountains as far as the eye can see. Reservations are required, so make sure to check their website to reserve a spot.
Also Read: How to Spend a Weekend in Asheville, NC
Where to Eat & Drink in Maggie Valley, NC
Breakfast & Lunch
Organic Beans Coffee Co
This is the spot to get your coffee fix in Maggie Valley NC! Check out their menu. My mom and I stopped by on our way to see if we could spot any elk in the Cataloochee Valley. My mom tried their signature: Famous White Sprinkle (a mixture of salted caramel and white chocolate), and I went with a dirty chai. Both drinks were so good!! They don’t serve breakfast, but they do have pastries and such. We ordered a banana nut muffin to go along with our drinks (10/10 would recommend).
Pop’s Place
There’s no better way to start the day than with a good, hearty Southern breakfast. Pop’s Place is no nonsense and that’s precisely what makes it so great. They serve a variety of breakfast plates as well as omelets and pancakes/waffles. My mom and I both had breakfast plates and split a waffle. SO GOOD. It was the fuel we needed for a day full of hiking and exploring! I recommend getting to Pop’s Place early, especially on the weekends. The dining area is small and while they do have some outdoor seating, it’s sure to fill up fast.
Brickhouse Burgers & Pizza
If you’re in the mood for a burger, this is your place! The service here is great and the food is awesome too. I highly recommend trying the wings for an appetizer!! They serve both lunch and dinner. Their patio is dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your fur child! Check out their menu.
[mailerlite_form form_id=2]Dinner
Bearwaters Brewing
This charming restaurant is located right on Soco Road. I love this restaurant because the adorable back patio overlooks Jonathans Creek, which creates an incredibly relaxing ambiance. They serve a little bit of everything ranging from pizza and burgers to sandwiches and salads. My mom and I didn’t order a pizza, but wish we had after seeing one served to someone else! It looked amazing, and I’ll definitely order one next time I’m there. My mom tried the cowboy burger with onion rings, and I had the hometown hot honey with fries. Both meals were extremely filling and delicious. They also have tons of incredible beers on tap. If you have a free afternoon, I highly recommend grabbing a few brews and an appetizer or two and enjoying the patio. Check out their menu.
Frankie’s Italian Trattoria
You can never go wrong with Italian food and Frankie’s is no exception. You better come here with an appetite, though! Frankie’s is more of a fine dining experience, but it’s worth splurging because both the service and food are exceptional. I recommend trying the chicken parmesan or the fettucine alfredo. Their caesar salad is incredible too! This would be the perfect date night spot! FYI: Frankie’s opens at 2PM and is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Check out the menu.
Drinks
B&C Winery
Finding a good winery in any given location is a must when traveling (in my opinion, at least). B&C Winery has a large assortment of amazing wine. My mom and I both opted for a wine flight and were able to try a variety. My favorite was a Washington Riesling named The Harvest and my mom, who prefers sweeter wine, really liked The Fiesta (a blood orange sangria). The staff is super knowledgeable and friendly so don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re overwhelmed with options!!
Elevated Mountain Distilling Company
Maybe you need something a bit stronger than wine after a long day of hiking or being in the car with your significant other (I’m not judging, promise). Regardless of your motives, Elevated Mountain Distilling Company is a must when in Maggie Valley NC. You can even do a tour and learn about how they make their whiskey and spirits. Make sure to give their flavored moonshines a try – the Shining Rock Peach Pie is great for mixing into cocktails!
What to Do in Maggie Valley, NC
Take a hike
Where do I even begin here? Western NC has a special place in my heart when it comes to hiking. There are SO many good hiking options in this area. Waterrock Knob and Purchase Knob are two of my favorites because they both offer panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and are located within 30 minutes of Maggie Valley. Waterrock Knob is a much shorter hike (0.9 miles) compared to Purchase Knob (4.2 miles). We did both in a single day, which was a lot of fun.
Chase some waterfalls
Western NC is FULL of waterfalls and this area is no exception! Soco Falls and Mingo Falls are two great options in this area. Soco Falls features a double waterfall and Mingo Falls’ 120ft cascade is nothing short of incredible. Mingo Falls is actually even taller than the tallest waterfall within GSMNP – Ramsey Cascades. Both of these tend to be pretty popular spots, so make sure to arrive early if you want to find a parking spot and beat the crowds.
Also Read: 25 Stunning Waterfalls in North Carolina
Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park in VA to the NC side of the Smokies. I promise that you won’t regret hopping on the parkway and cruising along to a good playlist with the windows down for a few hours. There’s an overlook with breathtaking views around every corner. You’ll find tons of awesome hikes along the parkway as well. I love packing a picnic lunch and going for a drive. No matter how many times I drive the southern portion of the parkway, it never gets old. Here are a few of my favorite overlooks in the area: Woolyback Overlook, Waterrock Knob Overlook, and Thunder Struck Ridge Overlook.
Look for elk in Cataloochee Valley
You won’t find elk on the TN side of the Smokies, but you’re bound to see them if you spend a bit of time in the Cataloochee Valley! I’ve seen at least one every single time I’ve driven through this portion of the park. This past time there were several grazing right beside the road. Early mornings and late evenings are the best time for elk spotting. Make sure to drive with caution and keep your distance so as not to disturb the wildlife. The National Park Service recommends giving large mammals, such as elk, 25 yards (the length of two regular school buses) of space. If you want photos of wildlife, a good zoom lens comes in handy!
Different Drummer Pottery
Terance Painter, the owner of Different Drummer Pottery, is an incredibly talented local artisan. I highly recommend stopping by his studio on Soco Road to check out his beautiful work. He has all sorts of incredible pieces ranging from coffee mugs to crock drums, an innovation created by Terance and his son. I had so much fun meeting Terance and learning about his pieces. He even demonstrated how to use the drums, which was super cool! His shop is open every day until 5PM except for on Sundays.
Chris and Friends Antiques
If you’re hanging around Maggie Valley, make a point to stop at Chris and Friends Antiques on Soco Road. The owner, Chris, is really friendly and has so much interesting history to share about the antiques in his shop. Even if you frequent antique shops, you’re sure to see items in Chris’ store that you’ve never come across before. He doesn’t carry any reproductions in his store, so everything you see in there is an original!
Check for events at the festival grounds
Maggie Valley hosts all sorts of events at their festival grounds ranging from drive-in concerts to arts & crafts festivals. Check out the festival schedule.
Now that travel is ramping up again, everyone wants to get outside! In fact, Great Smoky Mountains National Park actually ranks as the most-visited national park in the United States. The Smokies draw large crowds for good reason, but I much prefer hidden gems with tons of character like Maggie Valley NC over tourist traps (*cough* Gatlinburg). I’d love to know if you’ve been or if you’re planning a trip to Maggie Valley in the future! Feel free to DM me on IG if you have any questions!
