The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s beloved Polar Express Train Ride returns this season, taking families on a 1¼-hour round-trip journey from the Bryson City Depot to a glittering “North Pole.” As ...

It’s held onto its railroad heritage and feels as though time has stood still, is full of quaint boutiques rather than tacky tourist shacks, and has a laid-back vibe. If you’re planning a family ...