Serving as the seat of Jackson County, Sylva lies in the Plott Balsam Mountains of North Carolina. According to local legend, the town was named after a Danish handyman who worked for General Hampton, a landowner who played an influential role in the town’s early development.
Things to do in Sylva
A short drive south of Sylva is the American Museum of the House Cat, which is home to more than 5,000 curiosities related to cats. One of the tiny museum’s oldest exhibits is an ancient Egyptian bronze statue of the lioness goddess of the sun, Bastet, which dates back to 600 BC. Also on display is a petrified cat from medieval England.
If you’re a fan of the 1993 film “The Fugitive”, then visit the remains of the iconic train and bus collision that was featured in the movie and is now rusting along the Great Smoky Railroad. Also near Sylva is the wreck of a Cessna 414A that crashed in 1983 during poor weather and has remained in the forest of Waterrock Knob ever since. Hiking trails lead from the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center to a lookout that offers spectacular views across the valley.
Want to try your luck at mining for precious gems? Head to the Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine, which is located near the town of Franklin. If you drive in the other direction from Sylva, you’ll arrive at the Balsam Mountain Preserve, which is home to a visually stunning 18-hole golf course designed by Arnold Palmer.
Getting around Sylva
Sylva is around a one-hour drive from Asheville and Asheville Regional Airport, which has flights to destinations across the United States. Regular buses connect to Sylva and the town is compact enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the best way of getting around the region.