Family Vacation in Waynesville, Cherokee & Maggie Valley, NC: Waterfalls, Breweries, and Blue Ridge Mountain Views
Where: Clyde, NC
Stayed: The King Lodge
Favorite Restaurant: Boojum Brewery Taproom
Favorite Hike: Mingo Falls and Soco Falls(Tie)
Best Family Activity: Lake Junaluska
My family recently spent a week in Clyde, North Carolina, just outside of Waynesville and Maggie Valley and surrounded by the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. It's a beautiful area with incredible views around every corner.
We stayed with my parents, my four sisters, and all of their families. Finding a vacation rental large enough for more than 20 people can be a challenge, but we got lucky with The King Lodge. Even with 25 people, the house felt spacious and comfortable, and the mountain views were spectacular. Considering its size and location, it was also surprisingly affordable.
Restaurants and Breweries
My favorite restaurant of the trip was Boojum Brewery Taproom in downtown Waynesville. I ordered the Poke Bowl, which may have been the best I've ever had. My wife chose the Fish Tacos, and they were excellent as well. We both enjoyed their Hop Fiend IPA, and I also tried the Reward Pale Ale. Both beers were solid choices. The brewery's location on Main Street makes it easy to explore the many shops within walking distance before or after your meal.
Another brewery worth visiting is Frog Level Brewing Company. The layout was a little confusing at first since you order beer in one area and food in another, but it wasn't a big issue. I had the Salamander Slam IPA along with the Mango Habanero Wings, and both were outstanding. My wife ordered the Fried Green Tomato BLT, which was a bit disappointing, but several other menu items looked excellent. One of the highlights was the small creek that runs alongside the outdoor seating area. While there aren't as many shops nearby as there are downtown, we did discover a fantastic antique store within walking distance.
One thing that stood out throughout the trip was how friendly and welcoming everyone was. Every restaurant and shop we visited provided excellent service, which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Waterfalls and Hiking
The closest waterfall to our rental was Soco Falls, located about 30 minutes away. The drive itself was beautiful, taking us through Maggie Valley with its incredible mountain scenery.
Once we arrived, it was only a 5-10 minute walk down a set of steep but well-maintained stairs to a scenic overlook. If you're feeling adventurous, you can carefully make your way down to the base of the falls for an even better view.
About 30 minutes beyond Soco Falls is Mingo Falls near Cherokee. We visited the two waterfalls on separate days, but next time I would combine them into a single trip since Soco Falls is on the way to Mingo Falls.
Mingo Falls is another relatively short hike, though it is steep and includes plenty of stairs. Fortunately, the staircase has railings, and it's only about a quarter-mile to reach the viewing area. The payoff is well worth the effort. Both waterfalls were beautiful, and I highly recommend visiting them if you're in the area.
Exploring Lake Junaluska
On our last day, we visited Lake Junaluska, another beautiful spot with plenty to offer families. Our 3- and 5-year-olds loved the playground, and we enjoyed walking the trail that circles the lake.
The weather was hot, and we unfortunately encountered a little dog mess on the trail, but overall the walk was very enjoyable. We completed the 2.3-mile loop, though there is also a longer 3.8-mile route available.
The lake also offers kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals for anyone wanting to spend time on the water. There is a swimming pool as well, although it was unexpectedly closed for chemical balancing during our visit.
The only downsides were the lack of fishing access and the absence of a beach area around the lake itself. We did visit the dam below the lake, which was worth seeing and featured a small beach area. We even spotted someone fishing there, although I'm not sure whether fishing is officially permitted.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we really enjoyed our time in the Clyde, Waynesville, and Maggie Valley area. The scenery was beautiful, the outdoor activities were plentiful, and the hospitality of the locals made the trip especially memorable.
If you find yourself looking for even more to do, Asheville is only about 35 minutes away, and Brevard can be reached in about an hour. Whether you're interested in hiking, waterfalls, breweries, shopping, or simply relaxing with mountain views, this area of western North Carolina has plenty to offer.
Would we visit again? Absolutely.
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