Virtual Tour of the Western North Carolina Mountains – Part One
For the time being, travel may be on hold, but that doesn’t stop daydreaming and getting inspiration for a trip. Since you can’t come to us right now, we wanted to bring the Western North Carolina Mountain Towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro and Sylva to you, to enjoy in the comfort and safety of your own home. We invite you to satisfy the urge to travel with a virtual tour and 360-degree viewing experience of our most awe-inspiring attractions, vistas and views.
Jackson County remains the premier outdoor destination in North Carolina and between the accolade-worthy waterfalls, trails, vistas and the attractions that are exclusively in our county. Our remote mountain towns offer dozens of excursion options to enjoy a day in the mountains via your smartphone, laptop or TV screen.
To start, enjoy some gorgeous panoramas and a welcome video on your virtual journey of this undiscovered mountain destination; below you’ll find an immersive 360-degree experience. Remember, viewing from a TV, laptop, or desktop and making them full screen will give you the best experience!
Disconnect and Enjoy the Visual Journey – Pick Your 360 View!Â
To view the below 360 images, click the image and drag the photo to move it around.
Pinnacle Park is the perfect year-round escape to enjoy mediation, a brisk hike and the wildlife that call the area home. Immerse yourself in the scenic hardwood forest that surrounds you and breathe in the fresh mountain air. The 1,000-acre park features streams, waterfalls and panoramic views at the top. The 3.4-mile trail to the top follows an old logging road for most of its length, through a grassy ridge and then up a short rocky trail to the Pinnacle. Panoramic views of Sylva and Scotts Creek Valley await.
Judaculla Rock is a soapstone boulder covered in ancient Native American carvings known as petroglyphs. These carvings are assumed to be about 2-3 thousand years old by some. The rock once served as a sacred location for the Cherokee Indians and is deeply associated with the Tsu’kalu or Judaculla legend of the Cherokee. The Cherokee believed that the gods of the spiritual world controlled the spirits, and often they relied on a mediation between the physical world and the spiritual world. Judaculla Rock served as a landmark for the hunting god.
This picture-perfect landmark is said to be the most photographed courthouse in the state. Both stately and iconic, the Jackson County Courthouse was constructed in 1914 and remains as the home to the public library and rotating exhibits that tell the stories of our history and heritage. Take the 107 stair climb to snap a memorable photo of charming downtown, Sylva, complete with a mountain backdrop.
If you are a cat lover, this is the place for you! The American Museum of the House Cat is one of only two museums in the country dedicated to the house cat. Here, you can see Dr. Harold Sims’s 30-year collection of all things relating to the house cat, including a recently added larger than life cat sculpture from the popular arts-festival, Burning Man, a real 300-30 B.C. Egyptian cat mummy, and even a one-of-a-kind cat carousel.
This well-loved waterfall and swimming hole is a great place to take a pause and appreciate Mother Nature’s creations. With its large, sandy pool, it makes for a great stop for a swim, or a great place to spend the day catching up on some R&R. Cascading from Silver Run Creek, this combination of gently flowing water and a near-vertical slide reaches a height of around 40 feet.
Also check out our Virtual Tour, Part two!
Until you’re ready and able to visit us again, follow us on Instagram and like our Facebook page to continue to enjoy the one-of-a-kind beauty our remote mountain town exudes year round. For now, stay home, stay safe, we look forward to welcoming you back soon!