Sylva is a cute, little town located in Jackson County, right between the picturesque Smokies and Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. This town is full of quaint buildings and beautiful natural sceneries that you do not want to miss! Only sitting at about 2,000 feet (609.6 meters) above sea level, Sylva has some of the most stunning mountain views in the state. It is also considered to be a charming, American getaway, perfect for families who just want to find a little peace in their hectic lives. Below is a list of the top things to do in Sylva, North Carolina.
1. Explore the American Museum of the House Cat
The American Museum of the House Cat is a quirky little museum that features house cat memorabilia. It even goes as far as to display a petrified cat from the 16th century. The museum was founded by Dr. Harold Sims as a way to raise money for his cat shelter. Visitors to this odd museum can expect to see anything from unique statues to cat toys.
American Museum of the House Cat
Address: Located at the Old School Antique Mall, 4704 Hwy 441 South Sylva, NC 28779
Website: American Museum of the House Cat
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 2 - 8 USD
2. Enjoy breathtaking views and hike the Pinnacle Park Trail
Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will absolutely love hiking the Pinnacle Park Trail! It is a 7 mile (11 kilometers) loop through the beautiful mountains of Sylva, North Carolina. Although extremely beautiful, this trail is not for beginners or people who are not accustomed to being active. It’s a long trail full of steep inclines and challenging terrain, but the breathtaking views at the end make it worth the challenge for many tourists.
Pinnacle Park Trail
Address: Sylva, NC 28779
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
3. Relax as you fish at Wolf Creek Lake
For people looking for a peaceful activity, fishing is one of the best choices! Enjoy spending time with your family out on the beautiful Wolf Creek Lake! It is full of bass and trout, so you can actually have a catch! But besides fishing, families, and friends can just enjoy a relaxing picnic by the water or hike around the surrounding forest. The lake itself is pretty isolated, so it is perfect for a peaceful getaway. For outdoor enthusiasts or fishing gurus, a day at Wolf Creek Lake would be paradise.
Wolf Creek Lake
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
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4. Embark on a romantic getaway to the serene Lake Glenville
For those of you who need a relaxing getaway, Lake Glenville offers beautiful and serene lakeside views where you can enjoy the peacefulness of nature. Take your significant other on a quiet date at any time of the day, or hang out with family and friends as you enjoy an adventurous day of lake sports. The lake’s shore stretches for about 26 miles (41 kilometers), and plenty of fun activities are also available for groups that prefer active events. Tubing, fishing, swimming, paddleboarding, and kneeboarding are some of the exciting activities available to do on the lake. Visitors of the lake even have the opportunity to visit waterfalls located in several places along the shore. For those who would prefer to visit the lake without getting wet, there are plenty of hiking trails around the area with gorgeous views of the lush forest.
Lake Glenville
Address: Lake Glenville, North Carolina, 28723
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
5. Have a relaxing time amid nature at Bridge Park
Enjoy a relaxing day out in nature with your friends or family at Bridge Park in Sylva, North Carolina. Complete with its own pavilion, you can enjoy free concerts on summer evenings. Families can enjoy beautiful music while being surrounded by stunning scenery. And local shops, inns, and restaurants are only about three blocks away. Feel free to set up some lawn chairs or lay out some blankets and enjoy the entertainment.
Bridge Park
Address: 76 Railroad Avenue, Sylva, NC 28779
Website: Bridge Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
6. Scale the beautiful Blackrock Mountain
Surrounded by forest, you will have a blast if you decide to trek the luscious Blackrock Mountain. The hiking trail starts at Pinnacle Park in Sylva, North Carolina, and continues about 2,700 feet (822 meters) up to the summit of the mountain. The complete hike is almost 3 miles (5 kilometers), so make sure you can handle it before you try to make it to the top. Though the trip does take endurance, most people find that the rewards are great. They find that the long hike was worth the spectacular views at the top.
Blackrock Mountain
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
7. Indulge in delicious American food at Innovation Brewing
Innovation Brewing is an American-style restaurant that offers tasty food, alcohol, and live music. If you are ever looking for a place to sit down and eat great food while listening to jazz and other styles of live music, then this is the place to be. Known for its wide selection of beer, Innovation Brewing is also dedicated to creating their own varieties of beer. For families, they also offer non-alcoholic beverages, such as freshly made ginger ale. Innovation Brewing makes it known that they use the freshest ingredients to better satisfy their customers.
Innovation Brewing
Address: 414 West Main Street, Sylva, NC 28779
Website: Innovation Brewing
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 12pm - 12am; Fri - Sun: 11am - 12am
8. Shop for antiques and home decor at End of Main
Are you a sucker for antiques and home decor? If so, then End of Main will be like paradise to you! This quaint little shopping area has all the decorations and antique pieces you could ever want for your interior design projects. Stop by and visit End of Main by yourself for some good-quality items and wholesome shopping experience.
End of Main
Address: 482 W Main St, Sylva, NC 28779
Website: End of Main
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: Free
9. Visit the remnants of the train wreck from "The Fugitive"
People new to the area might be shocked upon discovering a train wreck in the forest, but they would soon find out that nothing tragic actually happened there! The wreck was left there after filming for the famous movie, “The Fugitive.” Instead of using CGI, the noteworthy scene from “The Fugitive” used a real freight train crashing into a real bus. The train was derailed, and the bus was severely mangled from the impact. The wreck is still available for those intrigued by the movie or just want to see the after-effects of a real-life train wreck.
Train Wreck from "The Fugitive"
Address: 973 Haywood Road, Sylva, North Carolina
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
10. Stop by Old School Antique Mall for some collectibles
Old School Antique Mall is literally a large store inside an old school! Beautiful and unique antiques cover the old building, and even the old trophy cases are full of collectibles. Who does not like going to antique stores? Some of the greatest treasures can be found by visiting shops like this! Take the time to appreciate someone else’s old treasures and maybe find a new treasure for yourself at the Old School Antique Mall. It really gives tourists a way to further connect with the history of Sylva
Old School Antique Mall
Address: 4704 US-441, Sylva, NC 28779
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)
What will you choose to do in Sylva?
Sylva, North Carolina, is full of stunning views and charming, quaint accommodations. This town is perfect for people who want to slow it down and take a break from the business of life. So, where will you go in Sylva, North Carolina?
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