Undulating mountains surround the town of Waynesville, once billed as Gateway to the Smokies. These high ridges bring snow in the winter and cooler temperatures in the summer, and Haywood County boasts the highest average elevation of any county east of the Rockies.

Early doctors prescribed visits to the area for patients suffering from respiratory ailments — not an unpleasant prescription by any means — and hotels like the Balsam Mountain Inn, built in 1908, once welcomed those suffering from tuberculosis.

Along with these health-conscience tourists, the wealthy flocked from Charleston and Atlanta by train in the summer to escape the heat, with two trains a day unloading vacationers at the old train depot in what is now the Frog Level area. A horse and buggy would take visitors and their luggage three blocks to Main Street, which was lined with hotels and boarding houses.

The recently restored train district in Frog Level, has gained recognition as a National Historic District and is now home to a collection of small galleries, a thrift store and coffee roastery.

Downtown is a pedestrian’s dream with much to choose from including working art studios, family restaurants, local bookstores, a coffee roastery, cigar store, gift shops, a bakery and more. The first Friday of each month features a gallery stroll and artists are often on hand.

In 2008 Haywood County celebrates its Bicentennial. Events are being held throughout the county, though several are based in Waynesville, which is the county seat.

Major Festivals and Events

October

• 3 — Art After Dark. Downtown gallery strolls featuring new works, demonstrations and more in Waynesville. 6 to 9 p.m.

• 4-5 — Open Studios Exhibit, Tour and Sale throughout Haywood County and downtown Waynesville. Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 5, noon to 5 p.m. Haywood County artists open their working studios to the public, see the creative process first hand. Sponsored by Haywood County Arts Council. 828.452.0593.

• 10 — Junaluska Singers in concert at Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska. $14.50 adults, $6 children. 7:30 p.m.

• 11 — Annual Church Street Art and Craft Show. Waynesville’s Main Street is transformed into an art and craft marketplace for this one-day event; widely know as one of the finest in the region. Live mountain music and clogging, entertainment and food. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 828.456.3517.

• 18 — Annual Apple Harvest Festival. Main Street in Waynesville. Live mountain music and dance, craft and demonstration booths, apples, cider, fresh fried pies and other apple delicacies. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 828.456.3517.

November

• 7 — Art After Dark. Downtown gallery strolls featuring new works, demonstrations and more in Waynesville. 6 to 9 p.m.

• 10 — Veteran’s Day Tribute to Haywood County veterans, featuring Asheville Symphony Orchestra in Stuart Auditorium, Lake Junaluska. 7 p.m. 828.452.6000.

• 23 — Holiday Open Houseon Main Street in Waynesville. Enjoy the sights, scents and sounds as the holiday season begins in festively decorated shops and galleries with special sales, Santa. Noon-5 p.m. 828.456.3517.

December

• 6 & 13 — “A Night before Christmas” celebration on Main Street in Waynesville. Caroling, live music, a live Nativity, pictures with Santa, old-fashioned wagon rides, storytelling, poetry and more. Main Street is lined with hundreds of luminaries. Shops & restaurants open until 9 p.m. 828.456.3517.

• 8 — Evening Christmas Parade in downtown Waynesville. Main Street, 6 p.m.

• 12 — Junaluska Singers in concert at Stuart Auditorium at Lake Junaluska. $14.50 adults, $6 children. 7:30 p.m.

Attractions

• Balsam Mountain Inn – The inn at Balsam Gap was constructed between 1905 and 1908. It’s Colonial Revival architecture welcomed train travelers to the area. Over the years and under the management of several owners the inn has seen its ups and downs. It was restored in the 1990s and still operates as an inn, with dinners open to the public. It also features a monthly Songwriters in the Round (see story), which brings famous songwriters from Nashville to perform as part of a gourmet buffet dinner and concert special. Located west of Waynesville near the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway. 800.224.9498.

• Barber’s Orchard – This apple orchard was begun in 1903. It no longer operates commercially, however, the fruit stand sells seasonal products come fall including the famous apple cakes, turnover and fritters. There’s also cider and canned jams and jellies. Just up the hill is the Barber’s Orchard Antique Mall. Located west of Waynesville. 828.456.3598.

• Cold Mountain — The mountain that Charles Frazier used to name his acclaimed novel, and the title of the subsequent movie is in Haywood County. Hiking the mountain requires a map and an entire day, but you can view it by following U.S. 276 out of Waynesville until you hit the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Cold Mountain overlook is right at the U.S. 276-parkway intersection.

• Haywood County Courthouse — This historic courthouse was built in the neoclassical style during the Depression using the same stone that was used for the Washington Monument in D.C. It is under renovation; however, the lawn with its large trees make a great resting place.

• Hazelwood — On the west side of Waynesville is Hazelwood Village, which used to be home to up to four mills that provided jobs for thousands of workers. The town merged with Waynesville but has maintained its own identity and evolved into a revitalized retail district, including pottery studios, a coffee roastery and an old-time drug store with a lunch counter that will take you back a few years. Hazelwood also is home to the Folkmoot Friendship Center, which serves as the home for the two-week international dance festival in July.

• Lake Junaluska — This Methodist community is open to the public and features a 2.5-mile paved walking path around the lake. There are ducks, geese and swans to feed, benches, bridges, a dam, a butterfly garden and a rose garden along the path. A couple of good restaurants and the World Methodist Museum also are on the grounds. Paddleboats can be rented on the lake. The lake is just off U.S. 19 north of Waynesville and east of Maggie Valley.

• Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts — Located in the historic Shelton House and features 19th century crafts, including pottery, quilts, basket and woodworking. 828.452.1551. Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: Pigeon Street/U.S. 276 three blocks from Main Street in downtown Waynesville.

Dining & Night Life

• Balsam Mountain Inn — Fine dining and occasional live music. 68 Seven Springs Dr. 828.456.9498.

• Bogart’s Restaurant and Tavern — Family dining with traditional American fare. 303 S. Main St. 828.452.1313.

• Chef’s Table — Intimate gourmet dining. Also a Sunday brunch. 30 Church St. 828.452.6210.

• Garlic Knots — Family dining with an upstairs bar. Pizza, calzones and more. 319 N. Haywood St. 828.456.4900.

• Headlights Bar and Grill — Tasty bar food with a southwest bent. Burgers, wings, sandwiches and salads. Live entertainment and sports on the big screen. 190 N. Main St. 828.400.0382.

• Laurel-Ridge Country Club Restaurant — Indoor dining and outdoor pavilion/bar with live music. 788 Eagles Nest Rd. 828.456.2277.

• Lomo Grill — Cuisine from around the world featuring Argentinian beef and Italian dishes. Downtown at 44 Church St. 828.452.5222.

• Los Amigos — Mexican food including house specials such as the buffalo chicken and gorgonzola quesadilla, vegetarian options, wraps, sandwiches, refreshing salsa and an outdoor dining area. 366 Russ Ave. 828.456.7870.

• Los Tamales — Traditional south of the border favorites including steak, chicken, fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, chimichangas and chile rellenos, all cooked in an authentic Mexican manner. 116 Waynesville Plaza. 828.456.4234.

• Maggie’s Galley Oyster Bar — Seafood and American cuisine. 49 Howell Mill Rd. 828.456.8945.

• Nick and Nate’s — Casual Italian, American standards and hot pizza on Main Street. Closed Tuesdays. 556 Main St. 828.452.0027.

• Old Stone Inn — Elegant dining, four-star menu. Reservations required, dress casual. 109 Dolan Rd. 828.456.3333.

• Panacea Coffee House Café and Roastery — Light menu including sandwiches, smoothies and a variety of coffee drinks and sweet treats. 66 Commerce St. 828.452.6200.

• Pasquale’s Pizzeria — Family dining on one side, a bar with TVs for the news or that night’s game on the other side. Tapas. 1863 S. Main St. 828.454.5002.

• Sweet Onion — Southern meets Asian on this eclectic menu. 39 Miller St. 828.456.5559.

• Tap Room — Located at the Waynesville Country Club Inn. American fare including burgers, pasta, steaks, trout. Full bar. Country Club Drive. 828.456.5988.

• Timothy’s — Upscale furnishings store that doubles as a coffee and dessert bar. Occasional live music. 112 N. Main St. 828.456.3883.

• Vin — Located in The Wineseller, this wine bar serves light gourmet fare, cheese and desserts on select evenings. 20 Church St. 828.452.6000.

Visitor Center

• The Haywood County Chamber of Commerce visitor center is located at 591 N. Main St. in Waynesville. 828.456.3021.

• The Downtown Waynesville Association is located at 84 N. Main St. in Waynesville. 828.456.3517.

Resources

• U.S. Post Office — 515 S. Haywood St. 828.456.9445

• Haywood County Library — Public access to the Internet is available at all locations in one-hour time slots and on a first come, first served basis. Wireless service is Open Mon., Tues. and Thurs. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wed. and Fri. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1:30 to 5 p.m. 678 S. Haywood St. 828.452.5169

• Urgent Care — There are two Urgent Care centers, one located behind Haywood Regional Hospital on Leroy George Drive in Clyde, which is open seven days a week, and a second at 556 Hazelwood Avenue in Waynesville, which is open Monday through Friday. All patients are seen on a walk-in basis. Major credit cards are accepted. For more information, call the Urgent Care Center at 828.452.8354 or Urgent Care West at 828.452.8890.