A Waynesville Winter Dream: Our favorite ways to explore Haywood County in the cold-weather months

Each year, on a Friday evening in late January, an ice storm of sorts arrives in downtown Waynesville. Instead of closing shop early and holing up at home in this town snug among the Great Balsam Range, restaurants and businesses stay open late. Residents and visitors, lured by the promise of ice, come to see 20-plus meticulously carved frozen sculptures, dotting the sidewalks at the Ice Block Party, a part of Visit Haywood’s Ice Fest, a county-wide celebration of winter.

It’s a fitting place to revel in the part of the year when daylight shortens as the Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the sun. In ways, wintertime heightens the beauty of Waynesville’s mountainous locale surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest, Great Smoky National Park, and Nantahala National Forest. Forging its trails, taking in its vistas, and gliding down its frosty slopes feels a touch more wondrous this time of year. Visiting with a wintry backdrop, without summer crowds feels a bit more personal, whether you’re skiing, wandering art galleries, or tasting your way through its restaurants.

Settle into Your Stay

For unique accommodations in Waynesville, you could choose a tiny luxury home at Water 65 for your visit. Each of three tiny homes on the property includes hard wood floors, a loft, and access to a shared hot tub. Located beside Richland Creek in industrial Frog Level section of town, these homes lie within walking distance of the shops and restaurants downtown.

Alternatively, the 1902 Andon Reid Inn welcomes you in with its warm wood paneling and home baked treats. Comfortable seating areas, working fireplaces, and private bathrooms complete seven spacious guest rooms and suites. The guest lounge, stocked with snacks and beverages like coffee, hot teas, and hot chocolate, overlooks the inn’s sloping lawn and Eagle’s Nest Mountain. And breakfasts of mouth-watering dishes like vanilla panna cotta and apple cinnamon pancakes, are all made-from-scratch.

Wandering Spirit

Once you’ve arrived in the Gateway to the Smokies, explore downtown by following the Waynesville Public Art Trail. This self-guided tour leads to outdoor art sprinkled around the town’s shops, galleries, restaurants, and breweries. The Waynesville Public Art Commission oversees the trail and includes realistic and abstract works, sculpture, kinetic designs, decorative brickwork, and murals.

Kick up your exploration at Sam’s Summit Loop Trail, a high-elevation hike within Pisgah National Forest. Although the full length of this moderately challenging route extends 9.5 miles, you can experience stunning vistas and open balds along six shorter trails that combine to make a loop.

One of these segments begins at Black Balsam Road and leads to Sam’s Knob. At about 1.5 miles each way, the trail rewards hikers with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks—Cold Mountain, Richland Balsam, Black Balsam—as well as the Shining Rock Wilderness.

Hit the Slopes

Excitement builds as your boots click into your skis at Cataloochee Ski Area. New to skiing or need a refresher? Take a lesson before you hit the slopes. Then build your confidence on smooth beginner slopes, working your way up to longer runs like Easy Way.

Expert skiers can hop on a chair lift and head up the mountain. On sunny, blue-sky days, see mountains stretching toward the horizon from the 5,400-foot summit. Point your skis down Upper Omigosh, then speed down an expanse of glistening snow.

There’s also a dedicated freestyle ski and snowboard zone within Cataloochee’s system of slopes that allows tricks and jumps. In this terrain park, you’ll find hard features, such as rails and pipes, as well as ones created from snow, like berms.

Shop Adventure

Within downtown Waynesville, a bevy of stores, galleries, and boutiques promise prime shopping. Don’t miss Sassafras on Main, with two floors of toys and books. Upstairs holds toys of all sorts, crafts kit and art supplies, sturdy Melissa & Doug items, puzzles, board games, and more. Wander downstairs to find shelves of books, from the latest bestsellers to picture books; literary gifts, like pens and journals; baby clothes; and stuffed animals.

Across the way on Depot Street, shop a selection of bags, belts, journal covers, wallets, and other durable handmade leather goods at Axe & Awl Leatherworks. Back on Main Street, Twigs and Leaves Gallery, which focuses on the connection between nature and art, represents 145 artists primarily from the Southern Appalachians. Two doors down, the Jeweler’s Workbench showcases handcrafted jewelry, watches, and artistic gifts created by more than 50 artists.

Venture to Wall Street and duck into The Modern Deer. Among the shop’s collection of cottage style décor, you’ll find candles and hand soaps made in-store with delightful scents like berry merlot. Then, stop by Wall Street Books, where rummaging through shelves of used books is a bit like a treasure hunt.

On the Stage

Experience Waynesville’s performing arts at its local home, Haywood Area Regional Theatre (HART). December’s performances, Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! bring the holiday spirit to the stage.

In the new year, HART kicks off its Winter Studio Series, smaller thought-provoking theatrical productions selected by local actors and directors. Later in January, HART hosts Cool Jazz, a concert featuring the chill rhythms and acoustic stylings of musicians as part of Visit Haywood Ice Fest. Come with your sweetie to the Valentine’s Day Cabaret for a love-themed evening of song and music.

Dine and Unwind

Among the many culinary offerings in Waynesville, Singletree Heritage Kitchen’s casual setting belies its chef-inspired menu. Housed within the historic Walker Station building, hardwood floors, paneling, and wooden tables give the former garage a rustic feel, and the aroma of regionally inspired dishes crafted by chef and owner Josh Weeks waft through the space.

Among its seasonal offerings, you can choose from appetizers like peppered beef carpaccio with fried capers and entrees like the Sunburst trout. For a little indulgence, add a craft cocktail and a slice of the flourless chocolate cake to your meal.

With weathered brick and whiskey barrels, Frog Level Brewing Company continues the story of the eponymous district that was first developed from swamp land in the late 1800s. The restaurant became part of this area’s rebirth, when it opened in 2011. Tucked between railroad tracks and Richland Creek, it has since drawn locals and travelers to Frog Level. The brewery also serves tasty pub fare so you can pair its award-winning Salamander Slam IPA with the brisket mac and cheese for a tasty, comforting meal.

Inside Mountain Vibes KAVA Lounge, a tropical mural and palm leaf light fixtures impart a warm and inviting atmosphere. Although the beverage options are plentiful, the bar doesn’t serve alcohol. Instead, its selection includes kava, coffee, traditional teas, mocktails, kombucha, and other botanical beverages. Originating in the Pacific Islands, kava, derived from the roots of a tropical plant of the same name, has a relaxing effect on its drinkers.

Winter Specials

At dusk on Saturday, December 13, a section of Main Street will close to traffic, luminaries lighting the way, setting the stage for A Smoky Mountain Christmas. It’s a night when shops keep their doors open into the evening, the air fills with music, and everyone is invited to enjoy the magic of the season. The trees that line the road glow with lighted spheres, and many storefronts contain cheery Christmas displays. Santa welcomes those with wish lists to share, and his elves set up a series of craft stations for children to visit. Food vendors and restaurants offer treats like funnel cakes and offer special samples or offerings for the event. Don’t be surprised if you hear the clop of horses—visitors can take a ride in a horse-drawn wagon.

In January, the four-day Visit Haywood Ice Fest has events in towns throughout the county, in addition to Waynesville’s Friday night Ice Block Party. Ice-themed fun includes the Frosty 5K at Haywood Community College Saturday morning, Ice Extravaganza at Maggie Valley’s festival grounds beginning later that afternoon, and a skating rink at Sorrell’s Street Park in Canton all weekend. The festival, designed to appeal to all ages, has its surprises. At Waynesville’s Ice Block Party, “Last year we had fire dancers,” says Ashley Rice, Marketing Manager for Haywood County Tourism Development Authority. “Every year we try to bring something new to it.”

In 2025, truckloads of snow from Cataloochee Ski Area piled near the entrance Ice Extravaganza created a play area that enticed kids to frolic in the snowy drifts. Live ice carving demonstrations, interactive creations like slides and games carved from ice, a craft fair, fire pits, and craft vendors also filled the festival grounds.

The weekend full of gatherings draws visitors and locals together during a time of the year that’s typically spent indoors. The communal spirit is Rice’s favorite part of the weekend. “It’s a chance for everyone to come out, see each other, and have a great time.”

Waynesville At a Glance

County: Haywood

Population: 10,709

Year Established: 1809

Resources: Visit Haywood highlights local events, dining, lodging, and other attractions for visitors.