Rob and Sara's Sylva Faves
Drinks & Nightlife
Sylva has a "social district" downtown where aluminum to-go cups can be purchased for walking around with a beverage through downtown.
Great, local brews. Friendly locals and tourists alike.
99 locals recommend
Innovation Brewing Company
414 W Main StGreat, local brews. Friendly locals and tourists alike.
Another location of Innovation Brewing. This one is larger and more spacious, but doesn't have our favorite burger via food truck outside nor is it a part of the social district. But if you prefer more space and still excellent beer, go here!
27 locals recommend
Innovation Station
40 Depot StAnother location of Innovation Brewing. This one is larger and more spacious, but doesn't have our favorite burger via food truck outside nor is it a part of the social district. But if you prefer more space and still excellent beer, go here!
The Cut Cocktail Lounge
486 W Main StExquisite cocktails, fun and quirky decor
After hours, this local coffee shop turns into a casual drinking establishment with yummy cocktails and a cool crowd
21 locals recommend
White Moon Coffee Shop
545 Mill StAfter hours, this local coffee shop turns into a casual drinking establishment with yummy cocktails and a cool crowd
Food Scene
Best burgers in town and they set up right outside Innovation, the best beer in town. Match made in heaven.
11 locals recommend
Cosmic Carry-out
414 W Main StBest burgers in town and they set up right outside Innovation, the best beer in town. Match made in heaven.
Phenomenal food. They are excellent at mixing flavors that always taste amazing. This is a good location for a "fancy" dinner. The space is small, so we recommend making a reservation.
ILDA
Phenomenal food. They are excellent at mixing flavors that always taste amazing. This is a good location for a "fancy" dinner. The space is small, so we recommend making a reservation.
Haywood Smokehouse
If you're looking for BBQ - this is the place!
White Moon Coffee Shop
545 Mill StFave local coffee shop, also offers small plates
This restaurant - now called Meatballs - offers pizza and sandwiches made by the best chefs in town (who also run Ilda)
16 locals recommend
Pie Times Pizza Company
414 W Main StThis restaurant - now called Meatballs - offers pizza and sandwiches made by the best chefs in town (who also run Ilda)
Phenomenal Thai food. The chef was nominated for a James Beard award! The space is teeny-tiny though, so be prepared to be close to other tables. They do not take reservations.
12 locals recommend
Dalaya
1084 W Main StPhenomenal Thai food. The chef was nominated for a James Beard award! The space is teeny-tiny though, so be prepared to be close to other tables. They do not take reservations.
Parks & Nature
Great place to paddle or boat! You can access the lake from a public boat landing off of Highway 281.
Bear Lake Reserve
503 Lake Forest DrGreat place to paddle or boat! You can access the lake from a public boat landing off of Highway 281.
Beautiful old farm buildings and the confluence of the Oconaluftee and Tuckaseegee is pretty magical. Flat trail available along the river and accessible to dogs on leash.
67 locals recommend
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
1194 Newfound Gap RdBeautiful old farm buildings and the confluence of the Oconaluftee and Tuckaseegee is pretty magical. Flat trail available along the river and accessible to dogs on leash.
Beautiful trail with varying distances. Can also tube the creek in the summer. If you hike past the put in for the tubes and head to the right from there, a short distance up the trail is another falls with a great hang out spot below it.
92 locals recommend
Deep Creek Trail Trailhead
West Deep Creek RoadBeautiful trail with varying distances. Can also tube the creek in the summer. If you hike past the put in for the tubes and head to the right from there, a short distance up the trail is another falls with a great hang out spot below it.
Strenuous, but lovely views. Or hang around the lower area with little legs for a forest-filled afternoon.
21 locals recommend
Pinnacle Park
Strenuous, but lovely views. Or hang around the lower area with little legs for a forest-filled afternoon.
Stunning views at the top, amazing falls in the valley
28 locals recommend
Panthertown Valley Trailhead - Public Access
Breedlove RoadStunning views at the top, amazing falls in the valley
easy to access views with picnic tables and a visitors center, plus a quick hike to the peak or a long hike on the Mountains to Sea Trail running right past the visitors center.
26 locals recommend
Waterrock Knob Visitor Center
Road to Waterrock Knobeasy to access views with picnic tables and a visitors center, plus a quick hike to the peak or a long hike on the Mountains to Sea Trail running right past the visitors center.
Bear Pen Gap Overlook
One of Rob's favorite hikes
Devil's Courthouse Overlook
Blue Ridge ParkwayStunning view, quick hike, beautiful drive
Best place for fly fishing on foot. Park at the intersection and wander upstream from there.
Old Settlement Road & Dillard Road
Best place for fly fishing on foot. Park at the intersection and wander upstream from there.
Sightseeing
Jackson County Public Library
310 Keener StMost photographed building in NC...or so they say.
Hosts the Appalachian Women's Museum, and lovely grounds/trails along the creek as well as a playground
Monteith Farmstead and Community Park
1381 1381 Hometown PlHosts the Appalachian Women's Museum, and lovely grounds/trails along the creek as well as a playground
The campus is beautiful with loads of fun activities including theater, art, and sporting events. Easily walkable and interesting to see the students and buildings. Hosts good food options available to the community and visitors.
Western Carolina University
The campus is beautiful with loads of fun activities including theater, art, and sporting events. Easily walkable and interesting to see the students and buildings. Hosts good food options available to the community and visitors.
a one mile greenway along the river with a kids mountain bike skills park. Really lovely place for a quick walk
15 locals recommend
Jackson County Greenway
342 Old Cullowhee Rda one mile greenway along the river with a kids mountain bike skills park. Really lovely place for a quick walk
Lovely river park to tube, play sand volleyball or have an easy picnic.
8 locals recommend
East LaPorte River Access Park
State Route 107Lovely river park to tube, play sand volleyball or have an easy picnic.
Love us a good local bookshop, and this is one of the best! Look for the cats, stay for the everything.
12 locals recommend
City Lights Bookstore
3 E Jackson StLove us a good local bookshop, and this is one of the best! Look for the cats, stay for the everything.
Essentials
Ingles Markets
19 Webster RdIt's only a mile and a half away!
Jackson County Farmers Market
110 Railroad AveEvery Saturday morning - local food and crafts