2008 Calendar
Information on upcoming events with the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Please contact our Reservations Office for more information regarding these events at 1-800-872-4681.
Tar Heel Ticket
01/12/2008 - 03/31/2008
Special discount to NC residents on tickets reserved in advance. Present photo ID at depot. $5.00 off adult/$2.00 off child. Trains depart Bryson City Depot.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Peanuts Easter Beagle
03/22/2008 - 03/22/2008
During the layover, children can seek out bunnies carrying brightly colored eggs. Photo opportunities with Snoopy, the Easter Beagle. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum!
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Home School Day
04/18/2008 - 04/18/2008
Nantahala Gorge Excursion. Special school rates available to home-schooled children. departs at 10:30am.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
The Little Engine That Could
05/16/2008 - 05/23/2008
Two 3-Day Weekends! I Think I Can Rail Tour features The Little Engine That Could train rides, characters from the book, games, musical entertainment, petting zoo, video, toy store and more. Bryson City Depot. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum!
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Day Out With Thomas
07/25/2008 - 08/3/2008
For nine fun-filled days, Thomas fans will meet Sir Topham Hatt and ride the train. The event, anchored in the town of Dillsboro, Includes Live entertainment, petting zoo, story telling, video viewing, interactive play center and more.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681 or www.thomasandfriends.com
Railfest 2008
09/19/2008 - 09/21/2008
Three days of railroad fun! Visiting equipment, Motor car display and muscial performances. Special events this year marking the 20th Anniversary of GSMR!
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
6th Annual Mountain Craft Fair
09/20/2008 - 09/21/2008
A festival celebrating arts and crafts of the Western North Carolina Mountains. Held in Bryson City in conjunction with Railfest and Bryson City's 27th Firemen's Day!
Download an application to be a craft vendor at the Mountain Craft Fair - http://www.spiritofappalachia.org/35.html.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Photo Special
09/21/2008 - 09/21/2008
Eight-Hour, 71 mile roundtrip excursion from Bryson City to Andrews. Two photo run-bys and layover in Andrews. Picnic lunch provided. Departs at 9:00am. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum!
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
October Leaf Season
10/1/2008 - 10/31/2008
Fall leaf-viewing trains. Western North Carolina Mountains are ablaze with brilliant fall foliage. Departs from the Bryson City Depot at 9:00am and 2:00pm October 4 - 31. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum!
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Peanuts - The Great Pumpkin Patch Express
10/10/2008 - 10/26/2008
Meet Charlie Brown, Lucy & Snoopy and select your own pumpkin. Enjoy hayrides, live musical entertainment, story telling, hay bale maze, bouncy house, apple cider, peanuts gift shop, face painting, petting zoo and trick or treating! And kids, don't forget to wear your costumes!
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
18th Annual Chili Cook-Off
10/18/2008 - 10/18/2008
Held at the Bryson City Depot. Benefits the Swain County Chamber of Commerce.
Bryson City Chamber of Commerce - 1-800-867-9246
Western Carolina Pottery Festival
11/1/2008 - 11/1/2008
(First weekend each November) The work of more than 25 highly skilled southern potters will be featured at the Western Carolina Pottery Festival rain or shine in the historic town of Dillsboro, NC.
Dillsboro Merchants Association - www.visitdillsboro.org
The Polar Express
11/7/2008 - 12/23/2008
The Polar Express comes to life when the train departs Bryson city for a journey to our North pole. Read along with the magical story and meet Santa. Enjoy holiday caroling, hot cocoa, a special treat and a memento for the children. Daily departure times vary. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum!
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Veteran's Day Train
11/8/2008 - 11/8/2008
Join GSMR as we honor veterans of all eras.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
The Polar Express - Home School Day
12/3/2008 - 12/3/2008
Special Student rates available to home-schooled children
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 1-800-872-4681
Dillsboro Luminary Festival
12/5/2008 - 12/13/2008
(First and Second Friday & Saturday each December) Journey back to the days of yesteryear as Dillsboro presents its annual Festival of Lights and Luminaries. Experience magical evenings as the entire town is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter and song. Live music, refreshments, and shops open late.
Dillsboro Merchants Association - www.visitdillsboro.org
