What to do in Waynesville, NC

Activities, attractions and tours

Just in my backyard. From Waynesville North Carolina
Just in my backyard. From Waynesville North Carolina
Summer day stroll around Lake Junaluska in Haywood County NC #mountains
Francis Grist Mill. One of the small treasures in Western NC. Owned by a very special family, dear to my heart..They hold a couple of events each year to help them keep their mill functional. Look it up on the National Register of Historic Places.
A view of the Cataloochee Valley. This is an area in the northern-most section of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is one of the best areas of the park to see elk but the drive down the mountains into the valley is a white-knuckled drive the entire way. But it is well worth it, not only for the beautiful scenery, but also because you're almost guaranteed to see elk. #blue #smokymountains #mountains #tennessee #greatsmokymountain #nationalparks #EndlessSummer #Green

Waynesville Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Waynesville has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Waynesville is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Waynesville to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Waynesville Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Waynesville.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Waynesville attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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What to do in Waynesville

Discover the most popular places to visit in Waynesville

Peaceful little day retreat - close to home. Great walking path and plenty of ducks to watch!

Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center

Learn about the events happening at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center during your trip to Waynesville. Stroll along the riverfront or discover the mountain views in this family-friendly area.

Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center
Charlotte showing forests and a river or creek

Cataloochee Valley

Spot elk and visit historic buildings while camping, driving and hiking in the tranquil countryside of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Cataloochee Valley
Sign on Richland Balsam overlook on Blue Ridge mountains parkway in North Carolina with mist fog spruce coniferous trees and highest elevation at 6053 feet

Blue Ridge Parkway Balsam Entrance

Explore the great outdoors at Blue Ridge Parkway Balsam Entrance, a lovely green space in Waynesville. Discover the mountain views in this family-friendly area, or enjoy its golf courses.

Blue Ridge Parkway Balsam Entrance

Lake Junaluska Golf Course

Enjoy a round of golf in Waynesville at Lake Junaluska Golf Course. Stroll along the riverfront or discover the mountain views in this family-friendly area.

Lake Junaluska Golf Course

Queen's Farm Stables

Meet the animals who live at Queen's Farm Stables during your travels in Waynesville. Stroll along the riverfront in this family-friendly area, or seek out the golf courses.

Queen's Farm Stables

Waynesville Recreation Center

Take the family on an outing to Waynesville Recreation Center during your trip to Waynesville. Amble around the area's riverfront or seek out the golf courses.

Waynesville Recreation Center

Smoky Mountain Jumphouse

Catch an event at Smoky Mountain Jumphouse, and enjoy other activities in Waynesville such as golfing. Wander the riverfront or discover the mountain views in this family-friendly area.

Smoky Mountain Jumphouse

Balsam Spa

Enjoy a trip to Balsam Spa and popular activities like golfing in Waynesville. Wander the riverfront or discover the mountain views in this family-friendly area.

Balsam Spa

LoneBackpacker Gallery of World Photography

You can spend time exploring the galleries in LoneBackpacker Gallery of World Photography during your trip to Waynesville. Amble around this family-friendly area's riverfront, or seek out the golf courses.

LoneBackpacker Gallery of World Photography

Explore areas of Waynesville

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Settlers Ridge

Though Settlers Ridge might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Cataloochee Ski Area and Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

Settlers Ridge
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Fairway Hills

Fairway Hills might not have many top sights, but Lake Junaluska Golf Course and Waynesville Recreation Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Fairway Hills
Downtown Waynesville North Carolina NC Drone Skyline Aerial

Downtown Waynesville

While Downtown Waynesville might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Waynesville Recreation Center and Lake Junaluska Golf Course.

Downtown Waynesville
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Ivy Hills

When in Ivy Hills, you can plan a visit to Lake Junaluska Golf Course and Waynesville Recreation Center, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Ivy Hills
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Mountain Springs

When in Mountain Springs, you can plan a visit to Cataloochee Ski Area and Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Mountain Springs
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Hemphill Heights

While there might not be top attractions in Hemphill Heights, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Cataloochee Ski Area and Wheels Through Time Museum.

Hemphill Heights

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Waynesville

Gatlinburg showing a small town or village and forest scenes

Gatlinburg

NC mountains

Maggie Valley

The river that runs through the mountains in North Carolina

Sylva

Lake Junaluska Panorama

Lake Junaluska

Autumn in the Hills of North Carolina

Clyde

Frequently asked questions

Is Waynesville worth visiting?
Renowned for its golfing and history, discovering awesome things to do in Waynesville is a cinch. Make sure to add Cataloochee Ski Area to your itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Waynesville?
Once you've checked off key attractions like Queen's Farm Stables and Fantasy Golf & Game Room, spend the rest of your day enjoying Waynesville's shopping and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Waynesville?
Cataloochee Ski Area is one of the top tourist attractions in Waynesville and deserves a place on every sightseeing itinerary of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Waynesville?
Three days will give you plenty of time to check out the leading city sights, such as Fantasy Golf & Game Room, Blue Ridge Parkway Balsam Entrance and Lake Junaluska Golf Course. The average stay in Waynesville is two days. If you have the time to extend your trip, Asheville isn't far away.
Is Waynesville a walkable city?
It all comes down to what you want to see and do in Waynesville. Several attractions, such as Lake Junaluska Golf Course and Balsam Spa, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a wander around some of Waynesville's best neighbourhoods, Apple Creek Acres is 3 kilometres away from downtown, while Downtown Waynesville is 0.16 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Waynesville with kids?
Planning what to do in Waynesville with kids is easier than ever. Whether you're vacationing with little ones or teenagers, there are plenty of family-friendly tours and activities to keep them busy here.

What to do in Waynesville for adults?
Wheels Through Time Museum and Maggie Valley Gem Mine are just a few of the things to do in Waynesville. With lots of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Waynesville?
One of the top ways to discover free things to do in Waynesville is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on exciting neighbourhoods, parks and other major attractions you can experience without reaching into your pocket. Blue Ridge Parkway Balsam Entrance is one place that doesn't charge an entrance fee.