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Great Smoky Mountains Railway


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #2 of 2 attractions in Dillsboro
Traveler Description: A 52-mile rail journey through valleys, inside winding tunnels and across spectacular gorges of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Familiar with Great Smoky Mountains Railway? Write your own description and share what you know with other travelers.
Attraction type: Scenic railroad, Other
Address: 119 Front Street
P.O. Box 397 Dillsboro, NC 28725
Tel: 800-872-4681

Traveler Reviews

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
Just OK
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3 of 5 stars
elemsee 13 contributions
New Jersey
Jun 3, 2009

I think this is the type of tourist attraction that is a lot more fun if you have kids and/or a deep love of trains. I took the Nantahala Gorge Excursion, leaving from Bryson City. From my perspective, the trip was little more than an expensive, glorified car trip to a second-rate, over priced town, with a return trip down... more

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3 of 5 stars
seabear_fl 2 contributions
Tequesta, FL
Jul 30, 2008

They had a couple routes that you could take, Tuckasegee River route from Dillsboro, NC and the Nantahala Gorge route from Bryson City, NC. (Go to their website, gsmr.com, to see current routes, schedules and prices). We went on the Tuckasegee River route since we were near Dillsboro. It was a nice, scenic ride that followed the river and back.... more

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5 of 5 stars
pdy11366 2 contributions
pdy11366
Jul 27, 2008

We took our 2 yo son yesterday on the Nantahalla Gorge trip. We all loved it. It wasn't cheap, but the look on hisface during the ride, and at the train museum was priceless. If you too have a train lover, don't miss this great attraction. more

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5 of 5 stars
krdotson 95 contributions
TN
Apr 13, 2008

Tuckasegee River-April Please don't let the title scare you away from this excursion. This excursion does not portray itself to be a movie set or a staged facade . (although there is a movie set included for free) we will get to that further in the review. Our ride began in the center of Dillsboro, NC. Arrive early to explore... more

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1 of 5 stars
merlinvision 1 contribution
Florida
Sep 18, 2007
0/4 found this review helpful

This is a rewarding experiance sadly I got spoiled on my first tourist train experiance the White pass in Skagway Alaska number one so far. The one thing the Great Smokey Mountain railway offers is pampering. Go to the extra expence ride in the coach car they serve finger food free sodas champange on return trip you pay extra for... more

Okay Trip
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4 of 5 stars
suzimitchell 7 contributions
New Braunfels, Texas
Jun 20, 2007
4/6 found this review helpful

Last year we had ridden the Durango/Silverton train and enjoyed it so much that we decided to ride the train through the Smoky Mountains this year. We took the train starting out in Bryson City. The train is enjoyable but doesn’t quite compare to the Durango/Silverton train. The views on the Colorado train were unbelievable. When I rode the Smoky... more

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5 of 5 stars
A TripAdvisor Member
Jul 4, 2006
25/25 found this review helpful

This was our third trip to North Carolina, and we finally went on a train excursion. We chose the Tukaseegee River ride, from Dillsboro to Bryson City. It was my first time ever on a train. We really enjoyed the ride, the scenery, and the history. The staff both on board and at the Dillsboro station were very friendly. We... more

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5 of 5 stars
bigorange1103 26 contributions
Marshall, North Carolina
May 1, 2005
11/14 found this review helpful

I did the Nantahala excursion that departed from Bryson City. It was our first time and really enjoyed it. We had our 2 small children with us and it was great for them as well. I would really recommend it to anyone looking to relax and see the countryside!! more

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5 of 5 stars
A TripAdvisor Member
Apr 12, 2005
22/22 found this review helpful

We went on the Tukaseegee River ride, from Dillsboro to Bryson City. The staff on the train is very friendly and very informative. They go all out to be helpful and are especially outgong to children. They allowed the kids to get up in the engine and flatten coins on the tracks. Scenic country, a glimpse of back woods Americana.... more

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Great Smoky Mountains Railway Address

119 Front Street, P.O. Box 397, Dillsboro, NC 28725
Tel: 800-872-4681