In Western North Carolina, Fall puts on a beautiful show. In Haywood County there are fabulous overlooks on the Blue Ridge and wonderful hikes through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pisgah National Forest.

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.

Waynesville

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.

Planning a trip to Maggie Valley or the surrounding area, you will want to have an accurate impression of the local weather in order to pack appropriately. A fun and reliable site, Ray’s Weather Center, does more than provide an accurate weather forecast of each county in Western North Carolina. It also provides wonderful photos and local conversation. You will find drop down menus devoted to outdoor activities like birding and wildflower photography.

Links to webcams and a road conditions site along with an online almanac helps take the mystery out of packing for your visit to Maggie Valley and the surrounding area.

Tips
1. Make the most of your long weekend by planning ahead.
2. Confirm travel times with a mapping program.
3. Confirm restaurant times.
4. Click the links below and familiarize yourself with activities in the area.

Leaf season, a wonderful time for a long weekend in The Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding area. Visitors to Maggie Valley, located in the Smokies, can spend a lifetime walking the hiking trails, visiting the antique shops and arts and crafts stores, and taking the spectacular driving tours. But, if you only have a long weekend these outings will give you a real taste of the valley and leave you wanting to return again.

Waterrock Knob for Your First Night*
Located at mile marker 421.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Waterrock Knob captures the true beauty of the mountains with 50 mile views of the highest peaks in Smokies. Access this spectacular panorama by driving west through Maggie on US 19 5 miles to the southern entrance to the Parkway. For the ambitious, you can add in a moderate 1.2 mile hike to the top of the 6000+ foot peak. A classic and romantic way to begin your first evening in the valley. On your way back into the valley, Garlic Knots at 3946 Socco Road has great Italian food along with beer and wine. *Waterrock Knob open 7 days a week between late April and October 31.

Cataloochee Valley on Your First Day
For first time visitors a must do includes visiting the Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to see the elk and explore the Boogerman Trail. Access to the valley takes you over a regularly used dirt road, a scenic ride that takes you back in time. Once over the mountain the paved valley road brings you face to face with white tailed-deer, wild turkeys, black bear, and elk. Arrive early to see the elk grazing, then catch the trailhead for Boogerman trail, an easy 4 mile hike that takes you through an old growth forest.

Pisgah Inn for Your Final Day*
Start you final day in the valley with a drive to the Pisgah Inn, located where the first inn was erected in 1919. Before sitting down to enjoy lunch at the Pisgah Restaurant with its panoramic views, hike the Graveyard Fields Trail . This easy 3.2 mile hike takes you to one of the many waterfalls in the area. On your way back to Maggie take a leisurely stroll through Waynesville. *Pisgah Inn is open March 30 through October 31.

Travel Guides
Stay with us at Mystic Mountain and you will find area maps and guide books. Another excellent and reasonably priced resource, America Rides Maps provides custom maps for tours in and around Maggie.

TIPS
1. Holiday times tend to be the most active booking periods.
2. When you are looking, so are many others.
3. To get your preferred dates plan to book several months in advance.

Have you ever been disappointed when trying to book Mystic Mountain Cabin. for your specific travel dates? Here are some tips to make sure you always get the reservation you want and need.

When you are traveling and how long you are staying help determine when to make your reservations. Often I find that everyone starts thinking vacation at the same time. In September, I receive multiple inquiries for Christmas week within days even hours of each other. So, you need to know that if Christmas is on your mind, it is also on the mind of many other vacationers who use the internet.

People think about booking for a vacation during a three day weekend. Over spring break, people start thinking about summer vacation; over Labor Day weekend, it’s time to start thinking Thanksgiving and Christmas. Over the Christmas holidays, people booking for a month in the summer make the final decision at that time.

Reserving for a month:
Most guests start checking dates as much as a year out in order to return to Mystic Mountain. At a minimum you should be thinking six months out to book Mystic Mountain for a month to get your preferred dates.

Reserving for a holiday week:
Guests usually contact me within three to four months of the holiday to secure a specific date.

Reserving for the summer season or leaf season:
Seasonal months in the Smokies are June, July and August or October. If you would like to be certain you will find a week available for June, July, August or October, you should be planning to book at least three months in advance.

What is your favorite time of year to visit Maggie? Plan ahead to make the most of that rare vacation time. Once you have stayed with us at Mystic Mountain you will not want to stay anywhere else. We would love to have you visit with us again and again. So, remember to contact us a minimum of three to six months in advance to get your preferred dates. We’ll be looking forward to your visit as much as you will! Don’t risk loosing the dates you prefer. Check availability today. Go to Mystic Mountain Cabin.