North Carolina
Between Cherokee and Bryson City, at the southern door of the Smokies.
Whittier sits between Cherokee and Bryson City, which puts the Qualla Boundary, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and the national park's southern entrance all within a short drive.
It is quiet in its own right, and the Tuckasegee runs close by.
Nearby

Scenic excursions from the Bryson City depot along the Nantahala and Tuckasegee rivers.
Official site
Living history on the Qualla Boundary, with traditional dwellings and crafts.
Official site
The long running outdoor drama telling Cherokee history through the removal of the 1830s.
Official site
The southern entrance at Cherokee is a short drive away.
Official site

Whitewater rafting and kayaking through the Nantahala Gorge, a short drive from Bryson City.
Official site