Experience Jackson County, North Carolina, Through the 5 Senses

Go beyond the basic itinerary when visiting North Carolina’s Jackson County and immerse yourself in the region through your five senses. Exploring, smelling and tasting different foods and drinks of the county allows visitors to live in the present and create lasting memories.

ILDA © JCTDA / Discover Jackson NC

See

At ILDA, chef Santiago Guzzetti prepares Italian-Appalachian cuisine in the same space his wife’s stepmom opened the restaurant almost 40 years ago. Guzzetti creates Instagram-worthy plates, with dishes like saffron Paccheri pasta with butternut squash, brown butter, sunflower-seed pesto and fried sage.

Hear

Dine outside on Foragers Canteen’s spacious patio and listen to the Tusckagee River flow by and the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in the distance. Serving a fusion of locally sourced, farm-to-table ingredients, Foragers Canteen welcomes guests to enjoy delicious dishes in one of the county’s most beautiful and scenic spots.

Smell

At Dillsboro Chocolate Factory, there’s no escaping the sweet aroma of a fresh batch of chocolate. The family-owned business provides high-quality treats for all Smoky Mountain guests, from caramel bars to fudge to truffles.

Guadalupe Cafe © JCTDA / Discover Jackson NC

Taste

Guadalupe Café boasts farm-fresh flavors with tropical influence, making it a must-visit when in Jackson County. In addition to locally grown, organic salad greens and generatively raised beef from Mountainside Family Farm, the restaurant features delicious tacos. Choose from a variety of flavors of tacos, including red curry shrimp, blackened plantains, peanut chicken and mango pork.

Innovation Station © JCTDA / Discover Jackson NC

Touch

Enjoy the feel of an ice-cold pink of locally brewed beer at Innovation Station. Sit on the patio and choose from more than three dozen taps of locally brewed beers. The brewery also offers ciders, wines and non-alcoholic options.