Its dramatic mountaintop views are best experienced at its famed luxury mountain lodge, The Swag. The all-inclusive lodge grants direct access to the Great Smoky Mountains and resident experts specializing in everything from fall photography to seasonal cooking. At 5,000 feet elevation, the sweeping autumn views from The Swag’s idyllic porch are a leaf-peeper’s dream.
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Where Is Waynesville, NC?
Whether you're looking for a romantic mountain lodge or access to The Great Smokey Mountains, The Swag offer both seclusion and adventure.Drive another 2,300 mountainous feet to find the ultimate Asheville alternative, The Swag—a luxury mountain lodge that prioritizes nostalgic ambiance and feels as casual as a beloved family home. The 18-room Relais & Châteaux property stands majestic at 5,000 feet along the Cataloochee Divide, just a few feet from trailheads and endless hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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How to Get to Waynesville From Asheville
The scenic Blue Ridge Parkway is a foliage lover's dream with its winding roads and frequent overlooks.The mountain road leading up to the lodge is steep and winding, but it is generally smooth and easy to navigate. Very much a part of The Swag’s legacy, the 2.5-mile, 1,000-foot elevation gain road was built in 1970—a Herculean task at the time, given the logistics. The drive takes about 10-15 minutes. It's a good idea to open the car windows to smell the crisp autumn leaves and dried pine needles and hear the babbling brook that runs near the road leading to the mountain lodge.
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Top Things to Do in Waynesville, NC
Waynesville, North Carolina boasts guided elk safaris, bluegrass music, and the luxury mountain lodge, The Swag.Atop the mountains, the experiences at The Swag are rooted in the luxury lodge’s mountain heritage. Along with direct access to the hiking trails of the Smoky Mountains, the property includes 14 miles of private hiking trails, birdwatching and wildlife viewing (think elk, deer, birds and the occasional black bear) and panoramic mountain views of North Carolina’s fall foliage.
In addition to mountain-top stargazing, cozy cabins and multi-course farm-to-table meals, The Swag offers five of the best fall experiences in the Smoky Mountains through the lodge’s experts-in-residence program.
1. Fall Foliage and Foraging Walks in the Great Smoky Mountains
The woods and trails surrounding The Swag offer birdwatching, stargazing, and foraging walks.Curious guests can walk the woods with biologists like Lee Trebotich to explore the diversity of fall plants of the Smoky Mountains and discuss how traditional tribes, pioneers, and modern-day herbalists use each plant. Expect Mountain Maple trees with a dazzling foliage display of autumn color, and fragrant blossoms of yellow witch hazel and purple Virginia sweetspire plants.
2. Fireside Appalachian Music and Storytelling
The bartenders at The Swag are always ready with seasonal favorites like hot toddies and mulled cider.One of The Swag’s strengths is seamlessly combining an appreciation for the outdoors with hands-on experiences. Go for a light morning hike guided by naturalist-artists Gay Bryant and Rita Rothmeier. Learn about the fall wildflowers and Smoky Mountain lore. Later, use that as inspiration during watercolor and relief printmaking workshops.
4. Fall-Harvest-Inspired Cooking Classes
Experience seasonal cooking experiences—mountain-top lodge style—with Sous Chef Josh Vilain and Pastry Chef Brooke Cannon5. Foliage Photography With an Adventure Photographer
Steve Yocom, one of the lodge’s experts in residence, hosts Hiking and Outdoor Photography. His work has been featured in a variety of publications, including the cover of Backpacker Magazine. Yocom takes Swag guests on guided foliage photography hikes, offering guidance on how to photograph the autumn color in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Where to Eat and Drink in Waynesville, NC
Enjoy the incredible food scene in Waynesville—from award-winning cheeseburgers to a North Carolina lodge with fine dining.Those looking for a fine dining experience in Waynesville can explore Singletree Heritage Kitchen, where cornmeal-crusted North Carolina shrimp, local Appalachian cheese boards and almond-topped trout regularly wow guests.
The Swag’s Award-Winning Restaurant
The Swag's dramatic foliage views set the stage for a memorable fall mountain getaway in North Carolina, but it’s also the perfect cozy mountain lodge for couples. Guests come back year after year for the unique all-inclusive experiences and food. The lodge features rooms and cabins with decor that honors the natural beauty of North Carolina’s mountains—many with in-room fireplaces and saunas. All meals and expert-led experiences are included, with just a few amenities, like spa treatments, requiring an upcharge. The property’s elevation offers grand, sweeping views of fall scenery—a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the Smoky Mountains ablaze with autumn foliage.
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Why I’d Choose The Swag and Waynesville Over Asheville for a Fall Weekend
One of the most outdoorsy luxury mountain lodges in North Carolina, The Swag offers rustic elegance after a day of fall foliage fun.Related: 19 Fall Foliage Trips To Plan For Leaf-Peeping Season
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