Address: 45 Mitchell St, Bryson City, NC 28713, USA
Phone: +18008724681
Sunday: 8AM–5PM
Monday: 8AM–5PM
Tuesday: 8AM–5PM
Wednesday: 8AM–5PM
Thursday: 8AM–5PM
Friday: 8AM–5PM
Saturday: 8AM–5PM
Samantha Lefler
Did the Carolina shine train ride to the outdoor center. Our guides Andy and Steven were awesome and made the experience even more enjoyable. Ride was relaxing. We were given 8 moonshine samples. Lunch was served as was delicious. We had the bbq, coleslaw, and potato salad. The cheesecake was to die for. Only had an hour at the outdoor center before having to return to the train which was fine because there wasn’t much to do there besides watch the tubers coming through or shop at the overpriced gift shop. Would definitely recommend!
Mark Shapiro
Easily the highlight of any trip to the Bryson City area. Our waiter/guide (Kyle) was extremely knowledgeable and intelligent. He knew so much about the history of the area and was able to fill us in, all while making sure we were well fed and had plenty of booze!
Bri Silvious
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip! Kyle was our guide, and he was super informative and educated about the area. We had the first car with controlled climate, and has the meal service. Food was average but the train ride was awesome. No kids were on the car, so it was a nice trip for adults with some good humor to be had.
Krista Asp
We booked the Polar Express train ride for Christmas Eve. The parking is free and was easy to navigate. I was able to pick up the tickets with ease and hd plenty of time to look around before boarding the train. The boxcar that we were on was warm and had enough space to walk around and find our seat. We were disappointed that despite choosing seats together that initially assigned being at different at tables. Fortunately we were able to switch seats and sit together. The train ride was smooth and there were songs and cocoa with chocolate. I was most disappointed in the scenery which included excessive trash, tires, a car with two people strung out on drugs and things that took away from the experience of being on the "Polar Express". At the "North Pole" we were directed to look at different places related to Santa and Christmas. In reality, it was a persons house for each location with a sign in front stating what we should imagine it to be. For the price and the distance to get there, I would not book this experience again.
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It depends on the train car you pick.
How much does it cost a person
Go to the website, and/or call. They are very helpful.
Yes!
Yes. Every train has a food car. They have drinks, coffee, chips, cookies, snacks, hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, nachos with or without cheese or chili, candy bars, rice crispy treats etc. Yes every train has food. Each train ride comes with a refillable tumbler for each passenger that can be filled with a drink of your choice for the duration of the ride in the car you're in.
Best to reserve before hand, they do sell out.
About 40 miles its a great drive and you get to see the picture perfect mountains on the way and maybe some elks
I would say any of the first class cars are good we rode on the McNeil car for the polar Express and it was nice we had 2 great servers i would say that is what could make the difference if your server is good.
For the most part, yes. Bryson City is the only place you can board for excursions. However, on occasion, there have been times where special event trains (i.e. photo specials) do depart from Dillsboro.
It's all on their website.
Train ride is only 3 to 4 hours. Prices varies 50 to 74.
https://www.gsmr.com/train-schedule#.X73FTGlOlSA
Be careful, social distancing enforcement limits seating. Kids ride free, expect excessive yelling and screaming, clueless parents, annoid grandparents teasing each other. Boring train ride for small kids. Got a really bad headache. Insist on the air-conditioned railcar, the open air cars are not sheltered from the elements
Yes! My husband and I got one. It was a very special time for me and my family I have two twin boys that are 3 years old who love trains and other cars etc.
Depends on the excursion. Trips along the Nantahala Gorge leave at 10:30 AM, while trips on the Tuckasegee River depart at 1:00 PM respectively.
Nonah Elliston is incorrect. The ADA prohibits an organization or its representatives from asking for documentation for service animals.
It depends on time of year and what section you select. There are different prices for different places on the train.
Roughly, you are looking at about $67 a ticket for adults. And about $47 for children over 2. My bad. Adult tickets start at $65. And children start at $40. Plus $6 parking fee. And if you want a lunch. It's about $12 a person.
Yes but at half capacity.
Depends on the car you choose: there are open and concession cars with allowable policy. We were first class and meal/desert was included. With liquor available. Must be 21 an up! It depends on how much you want to spend.check the websites and choose what best suits your taste. You will enjoy!
Sadly they have no plans to at this moment
It's just a local tourist train
I didn't see any ramps. They might have a handicap entrance you should call
About an hour and 15 min depending on traffic coming through the park.
Kind of a dumb question
There is a Microtel and a Sleep Inn both within a mile or so of the train station. There are a handful of privately owned motels still in operation in and around Bryson City. Scenic View is one that comes to mind within walking distance. Air Bnb is abundant, and there are no shortage of cabin rentals sleeping 2 to 10 people in the area.
Yes!! They say masks are required but only employees were wearing.... except for about 4 people. No one said a word, gave a condescending look, or acted offended.
This area is very visible ...signs are clearly marked. There will be a table set up.under a large white tent with employees. All you will need to do is give them your name. Tickets will be gi en to you and they will point you in the right direction as to the car you will be boarding. We were just there a week ago and had a wonderful time!
I'm not sure, that's a better question for the RR.
The tour guide on our summer ride told us that the entire community participates in festivities during the Polar Express. She said it was not uncommon at all to see grown adults shopping in their pjs in the grocery store.
You cannot smoke or vape on the train. And they ask that people that do smoke or vape at the layover respect other people's space when doing so
The open air gondola had a very nice cool breeze blowing through it I think it was even better than the ceiling fans
When they changed trains ( steam to electric) on us, they emailed us the day before and told us the options. Reschedule or refund. We were on our way so we just took the train they had. A mud slide or anything could cause a closer, but they seemed to be good about contacting us. Double check your email folders.
My suggestion would be to call the GSMR and get advice. I can tell you that the car I rode on wouldn't be able to accommodate you. That said, maybe they can find a way.
You can find all of their information on their website: https://www.gsmr.com
We paid $99.00 per passenger it included lunch and a stop at the Nantahala Gorge rafting center.
The Stonebrook Inn is nice, fairly priced for a 3 star place with breakfast.
They not only have access but will take you right to your train car on a golf cart. She will still need to be able to climb the train car stairs though
I didn't see any plug plug outlets on our particular rail car. However they may have that option on other rail cars. Sorry I couldn't give anything to go on.
Yes, it is open and running at half capacity for safe distancing. Go to their website for more details. We rode the train this past January 18th and had a great time.
I would recommend calling. The online calendar probability isn't update yet.
.50 cal beretta I'm sure you will have to leave in your car along with the inlaws.lol it's all posted on their website, their pretty understanding. Have a great trip.
I was just there last week and saw handicap people waiting to get on the train. Not sure how it works but its definitely possible.
No, there are only two options and they both have an hour layover.
No, they do not. There is a "roaming " photographer that will be a part of your journey. I will say that GSMR is money well spent, the 3rd party vendor for photos is not. Not bashing the 3rd party, just use your phones and you can capture some great moments. Most car conductors will alert you to photo ops. GSMR is one of our MUSTS when coming home to the Smokies.
Prices may change. It would probably be best to check out tjeor website (www.gsmr.com)
It's 4 hrs round trip it comes back where you left in Bryson it takes you across the fontana lake it beautiful looking down on the lake from the train car if you go get the open car they have food on the train and bathrooms
Not too sure, I would call
You'd want to check with them, but I expect so.
Not that I'm aware of. Just access to bathrooms for my trip. No moving about cars.
No ideas. I wonder if it likely still being off season they aren't checking their messages?
Can a 70+ year old man in a wheelchair ride the Nantahala Gorge 4 1/2 hour train trip?
Our train had both...diesel engine at one end of the train and steam at the other. No noticeable difference. It was a smooth, relaxing ride. So the diesel pulled us to Dillsboro, NC and the steam pulled us back to Bryson. It was a long train and they dont turn the train around. They just let a different engine pull the train in each direction.
With your train ticket you also get free admission into the model train museum
The most expensive is Steam First class 91$ per Adult + Child (2-12) 67$ = 340$ + tax. The cheapest is Off Peak 42$ per Adult + Child (2-12) 28$ = 154$ + tax.
4 or 4 1/2 hours depending on which ride you take. There is a 1 hour layover in the middle of the ride
Yes sadly so! Cans & Bottles.
Enclosed
The regular train rides are great but don't do the children train rides. They suck for the amount of money you pay and the limited amount of time you get to stay in the children's play area. Some of the stations were closed and lines were long. My grandchildren were very disappointed. Plus the prices for the adults, for which there was nothing to do except spend more money and eat, was way too expensive. They need to rethink their pricing amount for adults. I will not take my grandchildren there again for any specialty rides until they revamp their prices. Just not worth the cost versus value.
The term pee wee at the Smokey Mountain Railroad refers to the length of the car, it's not very noticeable but its shorter.
The train stops in the middle where you will have time to smoke, the ride we went on was 2 hrs out and 2 hrs back.
Always make a reservation.
I would call and ask as they wonderful and do there very best to accommodate you.
It depends on which train ride you choose. The Tuskegee takes you to dillsboro, where you get off and walk the town. You can choose to stay on the train for this time. Dillsboro is a very quaint small town located on a slight hill. There is quite a bit when you first get off the train, or within the main road. At the station in Bryson city, they were using golf carts to trolley people to and from the train, but not in dillsboro. There is 3 to 4 steep steps to get up into the train.
My wife and I chose the car with air conditioning and drinks provided (I can't remember the exact car/package name), but we were glad with our choice. It wasn't the most expensive one, but was better than the open-air car. The nice thing is you can still roam throughout the cars (including the open-air car to get great pictures without the glass of a window). Just my 2 cents :) happy deciding!
If you want the full effect of fall in the mountains, the best times would be between the first and third weeks of october.
1st class dining cars
Ordered online.picked a day and what type of adventure. Paid online and picked up tickets at the Depot. Day came and easily picked up tickets.
Yes you have service, you just can't hear if you make/receive a call on the train.
It depends on which train car you book to what the price is per person.
Crown class is the middle tier ticket. It does not include the meal like the first class ticket. The car has a/c unlike the coach which has windows that open. The crown class has tables between chair groups which is a little more comfortable. Hope this helps
I agree with Randy Smith about the knee room issue. I like both excursions, didnt care for the stop over in Dillsboro.
Call and ask or go to the website
No locker just take what you think you'll need and parking lot is just across the street maybe 800ft
They walk you through the gift shop after the train ride.
U can also call. They can answer ur questions that way too.
I not aware of that activity.
No
A quick call should get you an answer....they have pretty good customer service
Yes you can book train rides. Check out their website, they offer some pretty nice ride options.
Yes you can call to make reservations.
Depends on what car you ride and if you have any discounts, $50-120... AAA or military discounts and open car or non open air.... I choose open air unassigned seating for my family in early October....it was beautiful and out railcar only had about 20 people so we had a whole bench for the 4 of us...bench could hold 12-16 people
No, not unless its a legitimate service animal. Not a therapy dog or an emotional support animal only a certified service dog
It's still operational, but Bryson City is now the point of departure, with the train running to Dillsboro and back.
It will just be a little colder right now plus the sun will be down by the time you return.
I agree, call them. I do not think the website is necessarily up to date.
Yes, but they sell out fast so you might miss out. Get them online the night before
Yes, you can in fact! The Polar Train runs later in the night, but the normal excursion train still runs first thing.
At the depot there is serveral... the ones behind the depot are okay but tiny...as a bigger girl its rough to get in the stall the door is only like 2 inches from toilet...there are restrooms on the train but I did not use them so I cant tell you about them other than they are there
Don't know I'm sure it's on the website
Sounds expensive but fun. Who wouldn't want to toot the horn.
You do have steep stairs so it depends on what your limits are. The crew are very good at helping but again, there are limits
At the time we used it was $51 for couch. Narrator car is $61. That's with out taxes.
https://m.gsmr.com/index.php?q=train-schedule This might help
10:30am is start time
No they dont cancel....when I went it was a rain storm and some mud and fallen trees covered the tracks but they didnt cancle, there was just a delay until they cleared the tracks.
Its an out and back trip with an hour layover. I think our tickets were 60.00 each. We stayed in Bryson City.
Yes , or call if unsure of times and trips. It was so nice.
You can book your tickets when you get there, but it is recommended that you book tickets in advance, as they tend to sell out fast.
There were a couple when we went. They had assistance gettung in and out of the train, were able to walk some so im not sure on to what extent it would work
Yes Sir! There is a Senior Discount I believe. Just go to the GSMR's Webpage, click on “Hot Deals” Page under the “Ride with Us” tab, and there will be a list of discounts for seniors, veterans, etc... In terms of the child age limit, the child prices are for kids 2-12. Kids under 2 are free.
Yes, but coolers are not allowed. Actually both my sister and I carried a backpack with our lunches in them. There is a concessions car as well.
They sure do, he'll have a great time
It's a great train ride leaving from Bryson City about an hour to an hour and a half you arriving to Dillsboro North Carolina where you'll have an hour-and-a-half layover and then you board the train heading back to Bryson City beautiful views of the mountains great little city and Dillsboro nice trip worth the money
The train goes back where it starts
Each car has a price. The open air gondola was $51 adults, kids 2-12 $29, under 2 is free. Those are the last three cars. Closer to the front is more. Check their website.
They recommend an hour early so everyone can board the train. Our train had about 20 - 25 cars so lots of people boarding.
The one we took was a 4.5hrs with a 1 hr layover at the outdoor center
It rained while we were on our last trip. Didn't delay it.
They all are handicap accessible and they still do stop at Dillsboro.
It leaves from Bryson city, not dillsboro
It is round trip 4-5 hours. People had backpacks and snacks with them. There is also a nice concession car with AC where you can purchase snacks. There is a parking lot with attendants at the depot, and you pay $5 for parking, and then enter for your ticket.
Saw no info at the station. was there a month ago.
Yes, what Mr. Wasser says! Great trip - I hope you enjoy your time in Bryson City!
It goes to the end of a run, stops, detaches the locomotive, moves it to what would have been the back end, hooks up and heads back the same track. On the way back, they stop for a short time at the Nantahala Outdoor Center.
No unfortunately not. The food car is well stocked. Most tickets come with a refillable tumbler that can be refilled in each car. Yes, there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance or sight of the train depot. I've personally eaten at every place in Bryson City. The food, atmosphere and service is second to none. With so many choices and price points there's a little for everyone. Parking is easy, local shops along the walk, lots to see and do. If you need accommodation while there, I would highly recommend River Bend Lodging. Very nice, clean, family owned and operated, the only place in Bryson City that's actually on the river. You can fish from your room. Either way, you can't go wrong, hope this helps, have a safe trip.
You have the Nantahala Gorge trip which drops you off for a brief 45 min stay at the shops where rafting and toobing are done, or the Dillsboro shopping and eating trip with the 1 hr 45 min layover. This trip passes the train wreck and bus crash sites from the famous movie The Fugitive. Great scenery with local information from a guide on each train car. Worth the trip.
No, sorry. Trains leave from and return to Bryson City. Their website has ticket sales, prices, trips, schedule, class of car etc. The train depot, which is located at 45 Mitchell St. Bryson City NC 28713 is where you pick up the tickets. It's beside the train so it's easy to find. Every train ride comes with a ticket to the train museum. Hope this helps.
It is wheel chair accessible.
You will have to call and ask.
Distance Between Bryson City, NC and Banner Elk, NC 137 Miles or 221 Km Takes about 2 hours 39 mins
Adult prices start at 51 and children start at 29. All depends on when you go and what train car you ride in.
Best thing to do is check out their website and call to plan your trip. Reason I advise this is because with the number in your party and the cost of tickets, it might be the same price or close to renting the caboose. The caboose is a flat rate and the only car you can bring your own food and drinks if you wanted. More private setting. Open car tickets are the least expensive. Depending on which trip you take and what they have available will probably dictate timing issues for you. Good luck and have fun, hope this helps.
Matt, I'm not sure because we road in the dining car. I'm sure that you would have plenty of cover. Plan ahead and enjoy a great train ride. Try and ride the steam train.
Yes any time is good
No open air cars. All coach type cars. Depending on which class you choose there are chairs in coach. 1st class has more room and comfier.
They looked just like the golden ticket from the movie.
I don't know about taking a small dog with you on the train at Smoky Mountain railroads but you can get on the computer and find their website it's Smoky Mountain Railroad. Com they should have phone numbers on there that you can call and get information
Is the train accessible with wheelchair
There were three classes of ticket during the solar express we were basically coach. Bench seats in an open air car. The other two classes were more comfortable (leather seats) with the top class having AC. I do not recall what the other classes were called
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