Murphy & WNC Guidebook
Food scene
Fantastic coffee and gift shop. Fresh donuts, coffee and muffins (drive through or in-shop). Unique, antique and local handmade gifts. Friendly owners and staff.
37 locals recommend
Rare Bird Emporium
680 Andrews RdFantastic coffee and gift shop. Fresh donuts, coffee and muffins (drive through or in-shop). Unique, antique and local handmade gifts. Friendly owners and staff.
Locally sourced food and handcrafted cocktails. Perched on top of a hill overlooking The John C. Campbell Folk School. Eat on the patio under the solar awning, and stop by on the 1st or 3rd Friday for a Local Artisans Market.
34 locals recommend
The Crown Restaurant
135 Emily LnLocally sourced food and handcrafted cocktails. Perched on top of a hill overlooking The John C. Campbell Folk School. Eat on the patio under the solar awning, and stop by on the 1st or 3rd Friday for a Local Artisans Market.
Mimo's Ice Cream & Twisted Treats
46 Valley River AveLocal family-owned handmade ice cream shop.
Chevelle's 66
66 Hiwassee StreetFamily-owned watering hole with good food and local music.
Farmhouse Diner
7460 North Carolina 141Adorable and delicious locally owned spot.
Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza
2 River StDamn good wood-fired pizza
Cucina Rustica
76 Forge Mill RdFancier Italian food
Lovely family owned business serving authentic and creative Latin food.
12 locals recommend
Lala's Kitchen in the Mountains
53B Merchants WalkLovely family owned business serving authentic and creative Latin food.
Sightseeing
Weekend or week-long classes in woodworking, basket making, homesteading, blacksmithing or numerous other arts and crafts. Tour the campus via numerous walking paths, stop by the gift shop to purchase handmade crafts, or even drop by the mess hall for a fresh meal prepared from foods grown on campus.
125 locals recommend
John C. Campbell Folk School
One Folk School RdWeekend or week-long classes in woodworking, basket making, homesteading, blacksmithing or numerous other arts and crafts. Tour the campus via numerous walking paths, stop by the gift shop to purchase handmade crafts, or even drop by the mess hall for a fresh meal prepared from foods grown on campus.
Pretty walk from downtown Murphy along the river. Guided audio tour along the way from signs.
52 locals recommend
Murphy River Walk
Murphy River WalkPretty walk from downtown Murphy along the river. Guided audio tour along the way from signs.
Your typical flea--some rare finds if you're willing to sort through the junk! Fresh produce and fresh boiled peanuts during the summer months.
21 locals recommend
Deckers Flea Market
75 Blairsville HwyYour typical flea--some rare finds if you're willing to sort through the junk! Fresh produce and fresh boiled peanuts during the summer months.
Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
777 Casino DrCasino and bowling alley
A museum dedicated to Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Yeti, whatever you call it! Artifacts, footprint castings, sightings around the world, and more.
131 locals recommend
EXPEDITION:BIGFOOT! The Sasquatch Museum
1934 GA-515A museum dedicated to Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Yeti, whatever you call it! Artifacts, footprint castings, sightings around the world, and more.
Sight of whitewater rafting during '96 Olympics. Walk along the river or brave the water in a kayak. Gorgeous drive.
155 locals recommend
Ocoee Whitewater Center
4400 US-64Sight of whitewater rafting during '96 Olympics. Walk along the river or brave the water in a kayak. Gorgeous drive.
Eerie tunnel that leads to, well, nowhere. After a town was flooded to build a nearby damn, the relocated residents were promised a road that would allow them to visit graves of their loved ones. While a tunnel at the start of the road was completed, the full road never was. It's fun and creepy to walk through, and a gorgeous drive through the Smokey Mountains to get there.
18 locals recommend
Road to Nowhere Tunnel
Lakeview Drive EastEerie tunnel that leads to, well, nowhere. After a town was flooded to build a nearby damn, the relocated residents were promised a road that would allow them to visit graves of their loved ones. While a tunnel at the start of the road was completed, the full road never was. It's fun and creepy to walk through, and a gorgeous drive through the Smokey Mountains to get there.
A short (but steep) hike to this fire tower located on the Appalachian Trail offers incredible 360 degree views of the Smokey Mountains. This is the closest access point to the AT from our property.
21 locals recommend
Wesser Bald Fire Tower
A short (but steep) hike to this fire tower located on the Appalachian Trail offers incredible 360 degree views of the Smokey Mountains. This is the closest access point to the AT from our property.
There are better (and safer!) rides around, quite frankly, but this is often a bucket list item. If you do choose to ride it (or even drive it), we recommend going midweek when there's less traffic and congestion.
23 locals recommend
Tail of the Dragon - scenic lookout
There are better (and safer!) rides around, quite frankly, but this is often a bucket list item. If you do choose to ride it (or even drive it), we recommend going midweek when there's less traffic and congestion.
Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum
62 Vintage LnOutdoor adventure center and resupply hub for hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Find rafting, zip lining, mountain biking, hiking, a paddling course, or stop for a riverside meal.
446 locals recommend
Nantahala Outdoor Center
13077 U.S. Highway 19Outdoor adventure center and resupply hub for hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Find rafting, zip lining, mountain biking, hiking, a paddling course, or stop for a riverside meal.