Turtle Feathers sits on a hill overlooking the depot of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. We watch the train pull out every morning, often on time. It comes right past us as it begins the day's 44 mile roundtrip to the Nantahala Gorge. It is a 4 1/2 hour trip all told, running alongside the Tuckasegee River, crossing the Fontana Lake Trestle, and includes a one hour layover at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, where there is a great view of the kayaking. The trip concludes at about 3:00pm, and customers calling at that time typically have to hold a moment, while the whistle signals the train's return.
For those with the bandwidth to handle it, here is a 2.67MB .mp3 to help set the mood.
Great Smokies.com is a visitors guide to Bryson City, Swain County, and the Great Smoky Mountains. It is a very thorough site, and is good source of information about the area's events and attractions. There are many things to do in the Smokies that will help to ease the pangs of leaving the hospitality of Turtle Feathers.
According to Mapquest the Cherokee Casino is 19 minutes, and 12.83 miles away. I've never been there, but it is certainly a popular destination. Can't say much for the website, but it is what it is.