For fantastic views of the Great Smoky Mountains, ride the 52-mile railroad journey. Various train ride options are available, such as fall foliage rides, Polar Express holiday rides, river excursions and lunch and dinner train rides. Rides vary in length, allowing families with young children to choose a shorter trip, and those with older kids riding the more than 4-hour adventures, such as the Nantahala Gorge Excursion, which includes an hour stop of site seeing and a picnic by the river. Standard class, open air gondola, first class and crown class seating are available, with a number of prices to fit every family’s budget.