Area Information
A very active and well maintained website, Welcome to Maggie Valley, developed by the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce, provides a wealth of information that is updated daily. This website provides local weather reports along with links to live webcams and a critical events calendar. It also provides tips for hikes, scenic drives, and entertainment within minutes of downtown Maggie.

The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority provides an extensive overview of activities in the Maggie Valley area. Developed locally by people in the know, it links to activities that are off the beaten path as well as information about the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and local waterfalls.

Guided Hikes
A visit to Maggie Valley/Waynesville would not be complete without a visit to see the elk of Cataloochee Valley. Cataloochee Valley Tours will take you there. April through October the valley is host to a variety of natural beauty. Along with the elk you can see unique wildflowers and birds in April and May and the show of the synchronous fireflies in May and June.

Motorcycle Tours
For motorcyclists or for anyone who wants to find great loop tours in the valley check out America Rides Maps. Wayne Busch, “The Map Guy,” has covered thousands of miles to develop maps that take riders on the most scenic and challenging rides in the area. The website provides custom designed maps, tutorials, and links to Wayne’s blog.

Fly Fishing
For beginners to experience fishermen, the people at Waynesville Fly Shop are your connection to successfully fishing the Haywood County area.

This nationally maintained website Trails.com should be a go to for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities. With detailed information on trail heads and maps for hikers, bicyclists, campers, scenic drivers, Trails.com is an essential resource for planning a visit to Haywood County.

During our outing we encountered three elk who had wandered over from the Cataloochee side of the park. Grazing along the side of the ride, the elk provided a great photo opportunity. Along with the elk, a flock of wild turkeys were foraging along the roadside.

After taking advantage of the roadside photo op, we continued on to Flat Creek Trail to take in the view of the Smokies from Heintooga Overlook. The overlook is situated just a few yards from the parking area. The trail head has a lovely picnic area with numerous tables plus a well-maintained convenience station. The overlook has two comfortable benches to enjoy the view. Sunsets and sunrises would be spectacular. The birding opportunities are some of the best in the area with a chance to see Broad-winged Hawk; Ruffed Grouse; Black-billed Cuckoo; Northern Saw-whet Owl; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; Least Flycatcher.

A bald, Max Patch, is covered by beautiful native grasses. A mystery to scientists, these balds are a conundrum. The moderate climates should support heavy tree growth but none exists. However, this lack of trees at the summit results in tremendous views and a great place to enjoy a picnic.

Hiking Max Patch takes you into the Pisgah National Forest by way of Interstate 40 west when coming from Maggie Valley, NC. Take exit 7 to access Cold Springs Creek Road and turn to your right. A hundred yards down Cold Springs Creek Road ends and becomes F.R. (Fire Road) 148, a gravel road. Travel 6.1 miles to S.R. 1182. At this writing the sign marking the left turn onto S.R. 1182, Max Patch Road, is down so keep track of your mileage. S.R. 1182 ends at the parking lot, a 2 mile ride.

But, if you just want to kick back, relax and enjoy Fall’s splendor from a rocking chair porch, Mystic Mountain Cabin is the perfect place to do that.

The views surround the house and you can enjoy the beauty from every room.

If and when you feel rested up enough, there are several wonderful hikes within walking distance of the cabin. Hike up to a small waterfall that cascades along a wooden staircase to the water’s source.

Or take a hike up Creekside to the top of Killian Knob to overlook Maggie Valley.

Cataloochee Valley Tours offers a better way. Not only do they provide transportation but also provide a tour conducted by a University of Florida certified naturalist. Cataloochee has much beauty to behold. That beauty can only be enhanced through the perspective of an expert on the valley, its inhabitants, and its history.

Every season has something special to offer. Check out the schedule of activities that vary with the time of year.

What a great venue for Songwriter’s in the Round! We happened upon this fantastic dinner show quite by accident. One Saturday evening a month (except January), talented artists come from around the music world to entertain guests of the inn, locals and visitors to the area. Last May Benita Hill, Becky Hobbs and Chas Sanford treated dinner guests to a wealth of original sounds in the intimate setting of the Balsam’s lovely old dining room. We dined family style. Spending the night with guests of the Inn along with local residents, we had a stimulating evening of food, conversation, and spectacular music.

Each of the songwriters introduced their songs with extensive background and history. Songwriters in the Round allowed the listeners to feel up close and personal with the artists as they shared generously about the creative process-the successes and failures. I plan to make this an annual event when I stay at Mystic Mountain Cabin.

The conservators of the garden do an excellent job of identifying and tagging the extensive variety of plants. Consequently, the garden provides an easy way to view and identify the native plants of the area. Walking the garden is a great way to begin your study of the beautiful wildflowers of the region. Seeing them in the garden should make identification in the wild a little easier for the novice.

Seasons in a Wildflower Refuge provides an index of all the plants in the preserve and highlights the seasons in the garden. Written by Lake Junaluska residents, Janet Lilley and Linda McFarland, members of the garden committee, the guide will enhance your walk through the garden.

A tour of the Corneille Bryan Garden is an activity that you can squeeze in on a down day. Take along your camera even an amateur photographer like me can find success photographing the jewels of the garden up close and personal.

As always we would love to have you stay with us at Mystic Mountain during your visit to Maggie Valley and the surrounding area.

Christmas at the Biltmore
The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC gets decked out for the holidays in early November. With spectacular Christmas trees on display throughout the 250 room chateau, the artistic displays are guaranteed to inspire your creativity and to enliven your spirit. Shop for unique holiday gifts at the Biltmore gift shops. Your day pass also provides access to Antler Village for dining, shopping, and historical exhibits.

Grove Park Inn: “Gingerbread is in the Air”
The Grove Park Inn of Asheville, built during the heyday of the Biltmore Estate, provided accommodations for many of America’s luminaries including William Jennings Bryan and F. Scott Fitzgerald. You won’t want to miss the expansive Great Hall, 120 feet across with 24 foot ceilings and two grand 14 foot fireplaces. At the Inn, the annual national gingerbread house competition highlights the holidays.

“A Night before Christmas” in downtown Waynesville, NC
A fun night in this charming mountain town with hayrides, caroling, live music, Santa, and more. You’ll feel like you have taken a step back in time when you visit Waynesville especially for this celebration. Main Street is closed to cars and the street scene exudes holiday cheer.

All Aboard the Polar Express
The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad brings to life the new modern Christmas classic book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. What better way to experience the holidays with your children than traveling to the North Pole to meet Santa. The train departs from Bryson City, NC for a scenic ride through the spectacular Smoky Mountains.

Dance Your Way into the New Year
Join the surge in ballroom dancing and bone up on your moves during a dance camp then end 2010 with a celebration of dance and music. Not interested in the dance camp, you can still reserve a seat and spend your New Year’s Eve at the Crowne Plaza Resort of Asheville enjoying the big band music of the 30s and performances by international dance champions.

Stay with us at Mystic Mountain Cabin in Maggie Valley to be conveniently located for each of these holiday events.

Here Comes Santa Claus
This year the Christmas parade marches down Main Street on Monday night, December 6 at 6pm. The “Storybook Christmas” theme should inspire originality by non-profits competing for a first place prize of $150 and commercial enterprises competing for a commemorative plaque. An evening procession of lights after dark should mesmorize the parade watchers.

A Night Before Christmas in Downtown Waynesville
Line the streets with hundreds of luminaries. Close down Main Street to make room for the carolers, musicians, and none other than good ole St. Nick. Take a hayride on an old fashioned wagon. This Waynesville tradition is guaranteed to delight visitors of all ages. Join the shopkeepers and Waynesville residents for visiting, shopping and dining on December 11, 2010 until 9 pm.

Stay with us at Mystic Mountain Cabin to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of mountain life during the holiday season.

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It’s a wonderful life in Waynesville. And walking down Main Street during the holiday season you might expect to see George Bailey and his wife Mary sipping a cup of coffee at Pheasant Hill Cafe and Gallery.

More Than 100 Artists Inspired by Nature
Looking for unique gifts for the unexpected surprise on Christmas morning you’ll find it in downtown Waynesville. One of my favorite shops Twigs and Leaves feels as much like an art gallery as a fine gift shop. With 160 artists represented, you will find an original gift that you love in your price range.

Artists in Residence Work Wonders with Clay
While you are out and about, a stop at Burr Studio is a must. Dane, one of the owners and sculptors, can usually be spotted in the shop. Dane never seems to tire of meeting, greeting and sharing one of his many stories. If clay sculpture and pottery are your first love, you will want to visit Burr Studio.

Did You Say Colored Pencils
After visiting T Pennington Art Gallery, you’ll never look at colored pencils in the same way again. Teresa Pennington, self taught artist, documents the spectacular beauty of western North Carolina. This artist considers her talent God given and she certainly is a blessing to the town of Waynesville.