Sylva Highlights
Breweries/Drinks
My favorite craft beer place in Sylva. We’ve got 4 breweries in downtown Sylva alone and Inno (as the locals call it) is the real deal.
Innovation doesn’t serve food, but you can order at the food truck for some ok eats. Better bet is to go next door to Pie Times and order an amazing pizza. They’ll deliver it to your table at Inno.
Great place to watch the creek!
99 locals raden deze aan
Innovation Brewing Company
414 W Main StMy favorite craft beer place in Sylva. We’ve got 4 breweries in downtown Sylva alone and Inno (as the locals call it) is the real deal.
Innovation doesn’t serve food, but you can order at the food truck for some ok eats. Better bet is to go next door to Pie Times and order an amazing pizza. They’ll deliver it to your table at Inno.
Great place to watch the creek!
One of Sylva’s best breweries. (I might be biased, my boyfriend is the taproom manager. Say hi to James if you stop by.) Beer is great, but the flatbreads, burgers, tater tots, and fries are even better. Hands down the best brewery in Sylva for FOOD. My favorites are the BBQ Burger and the Da Da’s Chicken (ask for it in a wrap!)
38 locals raden deze aan
Balsam Falls Brewing Co.
506 W Main StOne of Sylva’s best breweries. (I might be biased, my boyfriend is the taproom manager. Say hi to James if you stop by.) Beer is great, but the flatbreads, burgers, tater tots, and fries are even better. Hands down the best brewery in Sylva for FOOD. My favorites are the BBQ Burger and the Da Da’s Chicken (ask for it in a wrap!)
Sick of beer but want a drink? The Cut is the best place to imbibe in Sylva by far. It is where the locals go.
There is a membership you’ll need to set up (it’s $1). It’s worth it. Come in, take a deep breath, watch Sylva at night in action.
13 locals raden deze aan
The Cut Cocktail Lounge
486 W Main StSick of beer but want a drink? The Cut is the best place to imbibe in Sylva by far. It is where the locals go.
There is a membership you’ll need to set up (it’s $1). It’s worth it. Come in, take a deep breath, watch Sylva at night in action.
Gifts/souvenirs
Black Balsam is lovingly named after one of the most amazing places in Pisgah National Forest (Black Balsam Bald, about 1.5 hour drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway from Sylva). It is an outdoors store that is ok for some gear, but better for excellent take-homes. Souvenirs. Gifts. You name it. This is where I go every December to get gifts for my folks who really love the mountains but don’t live in them.
The owner is an Appalachian Trail thruhiker and neighbor.
6 locals raden deze aan
Black Balsam Outdoors
562 W Main StBlack Balsam is lovingly named after one of the most amazing places in Pisgah National Forest (Black Balsam Bald, about 1.5 hour drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway from Sylva). It is an outdoors store that is ok for some gear, but better for excellent take-homes. Souvenirs. Gifts. You name it. This is where I go every December to get gifts for my folks who really love the mountains but don’t live in them.
The owner is an Appalachian Trail thruhiker and neighbor.
Hiking
Right across 74 from the Airbnb, Pinnacle Park is where hikers put in the work for amazing views. You can take the main trail all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Waterrock Knob. Whitney does that (via East Fork) to train for Denali, but you don’t have to. The views are much closer, just choose your turn-off.
Pinnacle itself is a left turn off the main trail and offers 180 views of Sylva and the Appalachian Mountains. (Pinnacle via West Fork Trail: ~3 miles one way, 1800 ft gain.)
Go farther (and steeper, don’t underestimate this!) to Blackrock and get 360 views. (Blackrock via West Fork Trail: ~3.5 miles one way, 2,700 ft gain.)
Wanna up the difficulty? Do it via the East Fork Trail.
21 locals raden deze aan
Pinnacle Park
Right across 74 from the Airbnb, Pinnacle Park is where hikers put in the work for amazing views. You can take the main trail all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Waterrock Knob. Whitney does that (via East Fork) to train for Denali, but you don’t have to. The views are much closer, just choose your turn-off.
Pinnacle itself is a left turn off the main trail and offers 180 views of Sylva and the Appalachian Mountains. (Pinnacle via West Fork Trail: ~3 miles one way, 1800 ft gain.)
Go farther (and steeper, don’t underestimate this!) to Blackrock and get 360 views. (Blackrock via West Fork Trail: ~3.5 miles one way, 2,700 ft gain.)
Wanna up the difficulty? Do it via the East Fork Trail.
Ok most people know this for the water adventures. You go here for whitewater rafting, kayaking, camping, world class water sports. But Whitney likes firm ground under her feet, and doesn’t have any experience with that stuff. (NoC is well known and respected, go do their water sports.)
But what the most folks don’t realize is that NoC is the gateway to the BEST section of the Appalachian Trail. Go southbound (SOBO) from the center of the NoC and enjoy a challenging, stunning, mostly ridgeline hike. It’s about 7 miles to Wayah Bald Tower, if you want to go that far. But you don’t have to. The views are amazing, especially during the winter when there are fewer leaves on the trees. Feel like you’re walking along the tops of the Appalachians.
But be wary, there’s some gain on this trail. It’s no cakewalk.
446 locals raden deze aan
Nantahala Outdoor Center
13077 U.S. Highway 19Ok most people know this for the water adventures. You go here for whitewater rafting, kayaking, camping, world class water sports. But Whitney likes firm ground under her feet, and doesn’t have any experience with that stuff. (NoC is well known and respected, go do their water sports.)
But what the most folks don’t realize is that NoC is the gateway to the BEST section of the Appalachian Trail. Go southbound (SOBO) from the center of the NoC and enjoy a challenging, stunning, mostly ridgeline hike. It’s about 7 miles to Wayah Bald Tower, if you want to go that far. But you don’t have to. The views are amazing, especially during the winter when there are fewer leaves on the trees. Feel like you’re walking along the tops of the Appalachians.
But be wary, there’s some gain on this trail. It’s no cakewalk.
Food scene
I can’t recommend this place more. Michelin quality food in the mountains. This is where you go for amazing Thai food. It’s busy (and they don’t take reservations) so arrive early. It’s worth it. Sit by the windows and watch the creek. There’s a pair of chickens at the house across the water that are always fun to follow.
Ask the waiter what their favorites are. If you have an opportunity to get the sweet potato custard, do it! Curry in a hurry is usually great too. You can’t go wrong here.
12 locals raden deze aan
Dalaya
1084 W Main StI can’t recommend this place more. Michelin quality food in the mountains. This is where you go for amazing Thai food. It’s busy (and they don’t take reservations) so arrive early. It’s worth it. Sit by the windows and watch the creek. There’s a pair of chickens at the house across the water that are always fun to follow.
Ask the waiter what their favorites are. If you have an opportunity to get the sweet potato custard, do it! Curry in a hurry is usually great too. You can’t go wrong here.
Cute and comfy spot for legit coffee and food. Whitney’s favorite is the smoked salmon toast— but ask for it on an everything bagel!
21 locals raden deze aan
White Moon Coffee Shop
545 Mill StCute and comfy spot for legit coffee and food. Whitney’s favorite is the smoked salmon toast— but ask for it on an everything bagel!