Escape to North Carolina’s mountains this Labor Day—small towns, waterfalls, and cool breezes beat the holiday crowds.

Departing from Bryson City, the Tuckasegee River Excursion stops at Dillsboro for an hour and 20 minutes, bringing in travelers eager to shop at the town's arts and crafts stores.

The two Western North Carolina wastewater projects awarded funding are in Bryson City, in Swain County, and Waynesville, in Haywood County.