The Fugitive Caboose + Cottage: Walk to Downtown!
Bryson City, NC, United States
Two buildings, one yard, and the best location in Bryson City. The cottage has two king bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a living room with hand-hewn log walls. Next door, the caboose is the actual train car from The Fugitive, with four twin bunks and its own bathroom. Kids claim the caboose every time. Downtown is less than a 10-minute walk: restaurants, breweries, shops, and the Great Smoky Mountain Railway. Sleeps 8 with two full bathrooms between the two buildings.
Good to know
This listing includes both buildings on the property. They share a yard, fire pit, and parking area. The cottage was built during Bryson City's early days and updated with modern comforts: hand-hewn log walls, stone floors, and rustic log-frame furniture throughout. Two king bedrooms (sassafras wood beds), a separate living room with TV, a full kitchen with stove, oven, fridge, and coffee maker, and a full bathroom. The caboose is P&WV #839, the actual train car from the Harrison Ford movie The Fugitive. It has four twin bunks (two lower, two upper by ladder), a full bathroom with shower, and a kitchenette with mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. Original hardwood floors and authentic railroad details throughout. It's compact and full of character. Outside there's a shared fire pit, a gas grill, a private deck off the cottage, and a private deck off the caboose. Walkable distances: • Downtown shops & restaurants: less than a 10-minute walk • Great Smoky Mountain Railway / Polar Express: 10-minute walk • Breweries: 5-10 minute walk • Grocery: 8-minute walk Short drives: • Great Smoky Mountains National Park: 10 minutes to trailhead parking • Deep Creek Trailhead: 9 minutes • Downtown Cherokee: 17 minutes • Nantahala Outdoor Center: 17 minutes • Harrah's Cherokee Casino: 17 minutes The way most families use this: adults take the cottage, kids take the caboose, everyone ends up at the fire pit. During Polar Express season (November/December), the whole group walks to the train together!
Other Details to Note
• Two Separate Buildings: The cottage and caboose are side by side in a shared yard. Each has its own entrance, bathroom, and lock. They are not connected. • Upper Bunks: The two upper bunks in the caboose are accessed by ladder and may not be suitable for young children, guests with mobility issues, or anyone uncomfortable with heights. • Kitchen vs. Kitchenette: The cottage has a full kitchen with stove, oven, and fridge. The caboose has a kitchenette only (mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker). No stove, oven, or kitchen sink in the caboose. • What to Expect in the Caboose: This is a genuine historic train car, not a replica or a themed hotel room. The original hardwood flooring shows its age. The space is compact. If your group appreciates real history and rustic character, the kids will love it. • The local library is being renovated, so you may notice some construction activity during the day. Work is typically limited to standard business hours. • Polar Express Season: Both buildings book quickly November through December when the railway runs its holiday trains. The departure point is a 10-minute walk.
What this place offers
Common
- Air conditioning
- Cooking basics Pots and pans, oil, salt and pepper
- Dishes and silverware
- Essentials Towels, bed sheets, soap, toilet paper, and pillows
- Hair dryer
- Heating Central heating or a heater in the listing
- Kitchen Space where guests can cook their own meals
- Dedicated workspace
- TV
- Wifi
Bathroom
- Hot Water
- Shampoo
Bedroom and laundry
- Bed linens
- Extra pillows and blankets
- Hangers
- Iron
What this place offers
Common
- Air conditioning
- Cooking basics Pots and pans, oil, salt and pepper
- Dishes and silverware
- Essentials Towels, bed sheets, soap, toilet paper, and pillows
- Hair dryer
- Heating Central heating or a heater in the listing
- Kitchen Space where guests can cook their own meals
- Dedicated workspace
- TV
- Wifi
Bathroom
- Hot Water
- Shampoo
Bedroom and laundry
- Bed linens
- Extra pillows and blankets
- Hangers
- Iron
Entertainment
- Ethernet connection
Family
- Board games
Home safety
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kit
- Smoke detector
Kitchen and dining
- Coffee
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Stove
Location features
- Private entrance Separate street or building entrance
Outdoors
- BBQ grill
- Fire pit
- Garden or backyard
- Outdoor seating
- Patio or balcony
Parking and facilities
- Free parking on premises
Accessibility and Availability
Neighborhood
Bryson City is a town of about 1,500 people with more stop signs than stoplights. The Tuckasegee River runs right through downtown, and most of what you'll want to do is within a few blocks: two breweries (one with a rooftop deck and mountain views), a chocolate shop, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, a small aquarium, a fly fishing museum, and a street art mural trail you can walk in an afternoon. The Great Smoky Mountain Railway departs from the downtown depot. Great Smoky Mountains National Park trailhead parking is about a 10-minute drive. It's the kind of place where you leave your car parked and don't think about it again until you head to the trails.
Guest Access
This listing includes both the cottage and the caboose. Your stay includes full access to: Cottage: • Two king bedrooms • Separate living room with TV • Full kitchen (stove, oven, fridge, microwave, coffee maker) • Full bathroom • Private deck Caboose: • Four twin bunk beds (two lower, two upper by ladder) • Full bathroom with shower • Kitchenette (mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker) • Private deck Shared: • Fire pit with seating • Private backyard • Free parking on premises
Find us
Bryson City, NC, United States
Free parking is provided at the property. Downtown Bryson City is less than a 10-minute walk, and most guests never move their car once they arrive. Restaurants, breweries, shops, and the Great Smoky Mountain Railway station are all within a few blocks on foot. You'll need your car for the national park (about a 10-minute drive to trailhead parking), Nantahala Outdoor Center, and Harrah's Cherokee Casino. There is no public transit and limited rideshare in the area.
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Approximate location. Full address will be provided on booking.
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