Planning a trip to Maggie Valley or the surrounding area, you will want to have an accurate impression of the local weather in order to pack appropriately. A fun and reliable site, Ray’s Weather Center, does more than provide an accurate weather forecast of each county in Western North Carolina. It also provides wonderful photos and local conversation. You will find drop down menus devoted to outdoor activities like birding and wildflower photography.

Links to webcams and a road conditions site along with an online almanac helps take the mystery out of packing for your visit to Maggie Valley and the surrounding area.

Where to get a good meal? The question that each of us faces when on vacation. Mark and I have some favorite local lunch spots that have original menus with meals from scratch.

Whitman’s on Main in Waynesville
Whitman’s on Main, a quaint bakery and deli in an historic building, is always busy at lunch. The eatery is comfortably appointed with tin tile ceilings and brick interior walls. While waiting to place your menu at the counter, you watch the cooks at work in the meticulously clean kitchen. The servers always greet you with a smile with ready answers to any questions you may have. The menu is filled with comfort foods with an original twist. You can always find a tasty special. Fresh salads and sandwiches and delicious soups dominate the menu. We always like to grab a chicken potpie on the way out the door for an easy and delicious dinner. Get reviews .

The Patio Bistro, Waynesville
The Patio Bistro in downtown Waynesville, another favorite, is best enjoyed during the warmer months. The charming European style patio accented with distinctive clay and iron sun images provide a perfect place to enjoy a healthy wrap sandwich. Another restaurant where the original menu provides a variety of soups, salads, wraps and even a quiche of the day – all from scratch. Ordering at the counter, you can choose to accompany your sandwich with one of many fresh salads on display in the deli case. You can find Patio Bistro, opened seven days a week, at 26 Church Street.

Country Vittles in Maggie Valley
The unassuming strip restaurant at 3589 Socco Road is a favorite with the locals. Hailing from Durham, NC with an aunt and grandmother who prided themselves on their fresh biscuits and fresh vegetables made with country meat, I feel particularly qualified to comment on the vegetable plate served here. It is excellent. Mark always orders the chef’s salad loaded up with everything that makes a chef’s salad special. Since we always go for those two menu items, I leave it to you to explore these items or many of the other fresh luncheon items on the menu. Country Vittles has seasonal hours and is only open for breakfast and lunch so check before going.

The Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway
If you are looking for a memorable lunch spot, the Pisgah Inn should definitely be on the list. This elegant 1950s restaurant is situated on the highest overlook of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We have never ordered an item on the menu that didn’t meet with our approval. From fresh trout to delicious salads, foods are served by a well trained staff in a unique environment. The Pisgah Inn opens in late March and closes at the end of leaf season. It is sure to please everyone in your group.

TIPS
Before you rent:
1. Review photos carefully.
2. Review guests comments.
3. Establish an internet relationship with the owner.
4. Pick up the phone and talk to the owner.
5. Pay over the internet through a secure credit card processing company.

Renting a vacation home from a private owner does not have to be a leap of faith. We take a number of steps at Mystic Mountain Cabin to eliminate the doubts.

On a Local, State, National, and International Level
1. Membership in the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce shows that we are serious about our business and the community in which we operate.
2. Listing on several prominent websites including VRBO and the HomeAway networks requires a substantial financial commitment, an indication that we are a stable owner.
3. A personal website provides an additional resource for information about Mystic Mountain Cabin and the owners.
4. Registered with the state of North Carolina as a vacation rental property owner, we are listed with the Haywood County Tourism Agency.
5. Linked to a credit card processing company, we are able to accept credit cards – an indication of our stability.

On a Personal Level
1. We encourage our guests to provide feedback. Check out previous guests comments at Mystic Mountain Cabin .
2. We answer your initial inquiry in a timely manner, usually within hours, another indicator of reliability.
3. We keep an up-to-date calendar so that you can easily determine availability.
4. I maintain an internet connection with future guests by providing travel information, calendars of events, and updates on activities in and around Maggie Valley.
5. We also have a toll free number so you can request additional information free of charge.

If you look for many of these indicators, you will not be asking yourself as vacation time approaches, “Is this vacation rental for real?” You’ll know that “yes, it is.” What do you look for when choosing a vacation rental? What would you find reassuring as an online renter?

TIPS
1. Don’t hesitate to ask if the owner will offer a discount.
2. Make an offer so the owner doesn’t have to guess how low you want him/her to go. Ask for a free night.
3. Be reasonable. Consider negotiating cleaning fees or a 10% discount off the daily, weekly, or monthly rates. Vacation owners love their homes and have considered their costs and competing properties to arrive at a fair rate.
4. Be tactful. Consider that vacation rental owners have all the costs that you have to keep the house operational including utilities, taxes, and insurances. In addition to these costs, advertising averages as much as $100 a month. Many owners are also carrying a mortgage.

When my family and I made the choice to stay at our first vacation rental home, we had some real concerns about what to expect. The price was incredibly reasonable. It seemed too good to be true. But, we decided to take the digital leap and send our deposit and payment to an internet someone. During the 11 hour ride to the cabin, we just kept our fingers crossed that the place would be habitable. Then, we pulled up to the front door. It was more than too good to be true. It was perfect. We were hooked. Vacation rental properties became the only way to travel for us. A great list of properties can be found at VRBO or Homeaway.

There are some real advantages to staying at a vacation home rented out by the owner.

1. You purchase access to an entire home usually at a nightly rate that is less than most hotels or motels.
2. Most owners do not charge extra for additional guests.
3. In some situations, pets are welcomed.
4. With multiple bedrooms plus a full living room everyone’s privacy and sleeping habits can be accommodated.
5. Unlike in a hotel, you have complete privacy from other vacationers.
6. With a full kitchen, you have the option of eating meals in for convenience, dietary needs, or cost efficiency.

I would encourage you to take the internet leap if you haven’t already. If you have, what do you like best about renting through the vacation owner system?

TIPS
1. Holiday times tend to be the most active booking periods.
2. When you are looking, so are many others.
3. To get your preferred dates plan to book several months in advance.

Have you ever been disappointed when trying to book Mystic Mountain Cabin. for your specific travel dates? Here are some tips to make sure you always get the reservation you want and need.

When you are traveling and how long you are staying help determine when to make your reservations. Often I find that everyone starts thinking vacation at the same time. In September, I receive multiple inquiries for Christmas week within days even hours of each other. So, you need to know that if Christmas is on your mind, it is also on the mind of many other vacationers who use the internet.

People think about booking for a vacation during a three day weekend. Over spring break, people start thinking about summer vacation; over Labor Day weekend, it’s time to start thinking Thanksgiving and Christmas. Over the Christmas holidays, people booking for a month in the summer make the final decision at that time.

Reserving for a month:
Most guests start checking dates as much as a year out in order to return to Mystic Mountain. At a minimum you should be thinking six months out to book Mystic Mountain for a month to get your preferred dates.

Reserving for a holiday week:
Guests usually contact me within three to four months of the holiday to secure a specific date.

Reserving for the summer season or leaf season:
Seasonal months in the Smokies are June, July and August or October. If you would like to be certain you will find a week available for June, July, August or October, you should be planning to book at least three months in advance.

What is your favorite time of year to visit Maggie? Plan ahead to make the most of that rare vacation time. Once you have stayed with us at Mystic Mountain you will not want to stay anywhere else. We would love to have you visit with us again and again. So, remember to contact us a minimum of three to six months in advance to get your preferred dates. We’ll be looking forward to your visit as much as you will! Don’t risk loosing the dates you prefer. Check availability today. Go to Mystic Mountain Cabin.