SYLVA, N.C. – The main drag in Sylva is five blocks long interrupted by three traffic lights. The Jackson County Library that occupies an impressive hilltop building that originally was the country courthouse is at one end, and barely a half-mile away at the other end is a building housing a pizza restaurant and a craft brewery. A brisk walk between the two might take 10 minutes, including waiting on a red light. In between are dozens of reasons no one blazes through this Great Smoky Mountains town. It is a real place, an actual town – not a dolled-up tourist destination. Tourists love it for its authenticity, but so do locals, which gives Sylva (population 2,500) a welcoming vibe.

When Nick Breedlove, executive director of the Jackson County Tourist Development Authority, starts reciting Sylva’s attractions, he has to pause to catch his breath. On his list: coffeeshops, three breweries (perhaps a hundred brews on tap), an equal number of bookstores (one dealing in rare titles), outdoor equipment and apparel shops, Gallery 1 (a showcase for 16 local artists), Tuckasegee Fly Shop (a trout angler’s heaven) and restaurants beyond expectation. The restaurants are all locally owned and include ILDA (“where the southern Appalachians meet Italy”) and Dalaya (a Thai place nominated for a James Beard Award).

Racing down the street

Youngsters gleefully run down the Main Street sidewalk in Sylva, oblivious to local retailers such as Black Balsam Outfitters and its array a backpacking equipment, hiking boots and apparel. Image by Tom Adkinson

Brews and more brews at the Lazy Hiker

Colorful wooden planks list the selections at the Lazy Hiker Brewing Company, including Amblin’ Amber Ale, Trail Mate Golden Ale and Black Bald Imperial Stout. The three breweries in town combine for approximately 100 craft brews. Image by Tom Adkinson

One gallery, 16 artists

Gallery 1, located up a flight of steps above Main Street, features the art of 16 Jackson County artists who work in multiple media. Items range from modestly priced watercolor notecards to artistic pottery pieces to large-scale oils with four-digit price tags.Image by Tom Adkinson

Treasures for bibliophiles

A casual shopper inspects the sidewalk racks of the Friends of the Library Used Book Store, one of three bookstores in Sylva. One trades in rare titles.  Image by Tom Adkinson

Art from the Berlin Wall

Freedom Pavilion, where the inventory is artwork on pieces of the Berlin Wall, is perhaps the most unexpected store on Main Street. However, it provides an interesting history lesson, especially for younger visitors who have no memories of a divided Berlin inside a divided Germany. Image by Tom Adkinson

Getting ready for trout fishing

Cases of trout flies, fly rods, waders and conversations about the many trout streams in Jackson County and the rest of Western North Carolina are the stock in trade at the Tuckasegee Fly Shop. The fly shop also offers guided fishing trips. Image by Tom Adkinson

Coffee, conversation and warm sunshine

The sunny sidewalk outside the Blue Ridge Bootleg coffeeshop is a great place for a snooze (if you’re a dog) or a cup of a specialty brew (if you’re a human). Parking is at the door.   Image by Tom Adkinson

Trip-planning resources: DiscoverJacksonNC.com and TownOfSylva.org

(Travel writer Tom Adkinson’s book, 100 Things To Do in Nashville Before You Die, is available at Amazon.com.)