The new Jackson County Visitor Guide for 2017-18 is on stands across the county and state, and features new hikes, waterfalls to explore, arts & culture and things to do that both tourists and residents will enjoy. The guide is produced by the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority, is available at no charge and can be picked up at visitor centers and select local businesses.

The Visitor Guide showcases Jackson County’s rural, scenic and welcoming mountain communities of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, Sylva, Cullowhee, Glenville and Sapphire.

The expanded 72-page, color guide with foldout maps is “full of information on restaurants and dining, accommodations, and things to do in the mountains,” JCTDA Executive Director Nick Breedlove said. “This year’s guide is 20-percent larger than last year and contains much more content,” he added.

“Visitors to the area love to reference the foldout hiking and waterfall map to navigate our scenic trails,” said Breedlove. “In addition, we have a foldout for the WNC Fly Fishing Trail and information on Jackson County’s designation as NC Trout Capital.” Jackson County is home to the nation’s first-and-only fly fishing trail. With over 4,600 miles of pristine trout waters, Jackson County is a fisherman’s paradise.

The “Things to Do” section of the guide contains six pages of helpful tips highlighting arts and crafts, outdoor recreation, shopping and adventures to experience while visiting our county. When asked, “What’s there to do in Jackson County?’, this list will be something one can hand to family or friends from out-of-town, and they’ll find more than a weekend’s worth of activities,” said Breedlove.

The following additions and information are new in this year’s guide:
Total Solar Eclipse- Being in the path of totality, Jackson County is a prime viewing location for the once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon on August 21, 2017. The guide provides visitors with information on the events planned around this spectacular event.

“On the Silver Screen” – This section details the recent filming of Three Billboards and Dirty Dancing, both of which will air this year. Details on where visitors can go to see scenes directly from the films and details on what makes Jackson County’s picturesque towns such a hot spot for film crews are all included.

Ale Trail- With a fourth craft brewery opening this summer on Main Street, Jackson County’s Ale Trail has expanded to four breweries in a walkable one mile stretch. Information about the Ale Trail and each brewery appears in this year’s new guide.

Also, a feature not to miss includes a list and description of Jackson County’s greatest natural assets, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Panthertown Valley, often called the “Yosemite of the East,” encompassing some 6,295 acres of wilderness.

The JCTDA is continuing its focus on environmental stewardship by promoting the “Leave No Trace Seven Principles.” The LNT principles support sustainable tourism and preserving natural resources for years to come.

“People are discovering what’s so special about Jackson County, and they’re planning trips up from the city to get away for the weekend,” Breedlove said, citing increasing tourism expenditures.

“We’re just over two and a half hours from Atlanta, Charlotte, Knoxville and many other areas,” he said, making it perfect for a trip to the mountains. “We offer a wide array of hotels, resorts, vacation rentals and cabins for travelers; pair that with Jackson County’s craft breweries, farm-to-table culinary scene alongside all our outdoor activities, and it makes for a perfect weekend getaway.”

In 2015, tourists spent $175 million in Jackson County, an increase of almost three percent over 2014. “We expect even more visitors this year,” Breedlove said.

To learn more, request a printed guide or download a digital guide, visit www.DiscoverJacksonNC.com or call 1-800-962-1911.