Welcome
to Fox Run Apartments and your new neighborhood!
As locals who know and love Haywood County, we put this guide together to share our favorite restaurants, trails, and day-to-day essentials throughout the area. Click on any of the topics below to jump right to that section or simply scroll down at your leisure to explore your new community.
Day-to-Day Essentials: Groceries & Local Markets
Haywood Historic Farmers Market
Open Saturdays from May to October. This is where residents get grass-fed mountain meats, fresh seasonal produce, and local honey.
Ingles Markets (Waynesville & Maggie Valley)
Your closest full- service grocery. The Waynesville flagship on Russ Ave features a massive deli, pharmacy, and Starbucks, while the Maggie Valley spot is your go-to for quick evening runs.
Publix at Waynesville Commons
Known for top-tier service and "Pub Subs," this is the best spot for specialty items and high-quality prepared foods.
Mast General Store
An 1890s-style institution that is part outfitter and part heritage museum. You can find high-end Patagonia gear and barrels of old-fashioned candy under one roof.
Ace Hardware & Haywood Appliance
Essential local hubs for home maintenance, specialized tools, and reliable local delivery for your larger home needs.
Waynesville Dining: Fine Cuisine & Southern Classics
The Chef’s Table
The local gold standard for a sophisticated night out, featuring wine-country cuisine with a menu that rotates based on what the owner harvests from his own farm. The dining room is intimate and fills up fast, so reservations are absolutely mandatory for weekend nights.
The Sweet Onion
Casual fine dining and the anchor of downtown Waynesville. Locally sourced and regionally inspired, it is best known for fresh mountain trout and southern fried chicken.
Bogart’s Restaurant & Tavern
A rustic local favorite for steaks and burgers. Its classic mountain log-cabin interior and high-quality comfort food make it a reliable spot for a casual neighborhood dinner.
Haywood Smokehouse
Texas-style brisket often ranked #1 in the state. They don’t take reservations and they close as soon as they sell out of meat, so if you want the good stuff on a Saturday, be in line by 11:30 AM.
Birchwood Hall Southern Kitchen
Upscale Southern classics with a hyper-local farm-to-table focus on Main Street.
Church Street Depot
The premier spot for 100% Angus "Depot Dogs" and hand-pattied grass-fed burgers.
Maggie Valley Dining: The Heritage Staples
J. Arthur’s Restaurant
Open Saturdays from May to October. This is where residents get grass-fed mountain meats, fresh seasonal produce, and local honey.
Joey’s Pancake House
A valley institution since 1969. There is almost always a line out the door on weekends, but the staff moves people with military precision. Arrive before 8:00 AM to beat the biggest rush.
Frankie’s Italian Trattoria
Genuine, family-run Italian that survives on quality alone. Known for massive portions of chicken parmesan and a cozy atmosphere.
Pop’s Butts On the Creek
Classic BBQ served right on the water. It is casual and fun, and the "Mac-Attack" burger is a local favorite.
Switchback at Cataloochee Ranch
Elevated mountaintop ranch fare featuring wood-fired ovens and what is arguably the best sunset view in the entire valley.
Coffee, Breweries & Social Hubs
Frog Level Brewing
The cornerstone of the Frog Level district. The back deck sits directly over the creek, making it the premier spot in the county for a beer and live music.
Panacea Coffee House
A roastery and cafe in a refurbished warehouse that serves as the unofficial office for many local professionals and remote workers.
Boojum Brewing Company
Named after the local mountain legend, this Main Street taproom has high-energy vibes and a standout burger menu.
BearWaters Brewing Company
Two unique locations—Waynesville features axe-throwing and an arcade, while the Maggie Valley spot sits right on Jonathan Creek.
Orchard Coffee
An award-winning espresso bar and bakery known for handcrafted specialty lattes and made-from-scratch donuts.
Fitness & Wellness: The Medical Center Gym
Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center
This is the premier fitness hub for the county—a 54,000 sq. ft. medical fitness facility featuring a lap pool, indoor track, and rock wall.
Waynesville Recreation Center
A massive municipal complex with a water park-style pool, full basketball courts, and an indoor track.
Mercy Urgent Care
Walk-in care for non-emergencies. Use their website to check in before you leave home to see real-time wait times and skip the lobby.
Haywood Regional Medical Center
The full-service county hospital and 24/7 ER located just 10–15 minutes away.
Education: The Haywood District
Jonathan Valley Elementary
Our immediate neighbor, located less than a mile from Fox Run. A fantastic, tight-knit community school for grades PK-5.
Tuscola High School
Home of the Mountaineers and the secondary education hub for the Waynesville/Maggie Valley district.
Haywood Community College
A beautiful wooded campus specializing in regional professional crafts (woodworking, pottery) and forestry.
The Outdoors: Trails, Falls & Wildlife
Cataloochee Valley (GSMNP)
The best spot for hiking and elk viewing. The wild elk herds are the most famous residents of the valley; arrive an hour before sunset to watch them move into the fields near the historic cabins.
Lake Junaluska
Only three miles from Waynesville. The 3.8-mile paved trail is the best flat walk in the county, featuring rose gardens and stunning views.
Soco Falls
A rare double waterfall located right on the edge of Maggie Valley. It’s an incredibly short walk from the roadside, but follow the trail down to the platform at the base for the best view.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The entry point is just south on US-19. Key stops include Waterrock Knob for the best sunsets and Richland Balsam for the highest elevation on the entire Parkway.
Graveyard Fields
A popular high-elevation valley on the Parkway featuring two major waterfalls and wild summer blueberries.
Hiking Haywood
The centralized hub for every trail in the county, from easy paved walks to rugged summits like Max Patch.
Winter Life & Roads
Cataloochee Ski Area
The premier winter sports destination in the area with 18 slopes and robust snow-making capabilities. The season typically runs from late November through mid-March.
DriveNC.gov
This is your essential winter resource for real-time camera feeds and road conditions on I-40 and local highways.
The I-40 Corridor
Your winter lifeline. Because it is a major interstate, it stays clear and salted long after the high mountain passes have closed.
Regional Connectivity: Airports & Municipalities
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
Your closest commercial hub. Located roughly 35 miles (about 40 minutes) from Waynesville and 40 miles (about 45 minutes) from Maggie Valley.
Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
A great alternative for more flight options. Located 96 miles (about 1 hr 45 min) from Waynesville and 88 miles (about 1 hr 45 min) from Maggie Valley.
Day Trips
Asheville is 30 minutes east for the Biltmore Estate and River Arts District. Cherokee is 25 minutes west for Harrah’s Casino and the Museum of the Cherokee People.
Town Municipalities
Use these resources to handle your property taxes and get the latest local town news.
- Town of Waynesville: waynesvillenc.gov
- Town of Maggie Valley: maggievalleync.gov
Local Culture & Festivals
Apple Harvest Festival (October)
Downtown Waynesville shuts down for WNC’s biggest harvest celebration featuring local cider, fried pies, and mountain music.
Folkmoot International (July)
North Carolina's official international folk music and dance festival with downtown parades.
Thunder in the Smokies
Maggie Valley's largest motorcycle rally, held multiple times a year at the Festival Grounds.
Wheels Through Time Museum
Home to over 350 rare, running vintage American motorcycles. They operate on seasonal hours, so always check their "Running Days" schedule before visiting.
HART Theatre
An award-winning semi-professional community theater in Waynesville. The quality of their Broadway-style productions is a true local treasure.
