THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS AND NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

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The Great Smoky Mountains cross the borders of Tennessee and North Carolina. These are a few of the many attractions in the area. Even though Asheville, North Carolina is actually in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I have included a visit there as it is only about an hour from Cherokee, N.C.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga is definitely worth a stop as there are several noteworthy attractions to visit. One of the most popular is Rock City Gardens, located atop Lookout Mountain. There are beautiful trails around large boulders, waterfalls, and scenic lookout points. Visitors must be able to climb steps to enjoy Rock City.

Also located on Lookout Mountain, and worth a visit, is Ruby Falls, a cave with a large waterfall. There is much walking and climbing involved, including steps, so be prepared.

Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville, Tennessee

The Gatlinburg, Pigion Forge, and Sevierville, Tennessee area has so many attractions that one article could not possibly cover it all. Accommodations include Hotels, Cabins, and Condominiums. Pigeon Forge has many dinner shows, museums, music shows, and other fun attractions. Gatlinburg borders The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is easy to make day trips into the park and of course there is plenty to do in town. Of course no visit is complete without visiting Dolly Parton’s Dollywood in her hometown of Sevierville.

Gatlinburg, TN

Bordering the park, Gatlinburg is a very busy city which many attractions and many specialty shops. Ober Gatlinburg is on a mountain top where you can ski in the wintertime and can ice skate tear round. The newest attraction is the Gatlinburg Sky Bridge which is the longest suspension footbridge in the U.S.

Sevierville, Tennessee

Sevierville, Tennessee is the birthplace of Dolly Parton and she owns Dollywood which is a Smoky Mountain and Dolly Parton themed park. There are plenty of rides, music, and you can visit Dolly’s museum and tour bus.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located between Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC. The Appalachian Trail passes through the center of the park. The highest point is Clingman’s dome at 6643 feet. There are many hiking trails and people enjoy the pioneer history at Cade’s Cove. In the park, there are plenty of camping sites and picnic areas. Be sure and watch out for black bears!

Cherokee, North Carolina

Cherokee, NC is a town in the Cherokee Indian Reservation and borders The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There is much to see here and many Cherokee items to shop for. Attractions include the outdoor play, ‘Unto These Hills’, which showcases the removal of the Cherokee Nation by the U.S. forces to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears. Of much interest is the Oconaluftee Indian Village which is a living museum of the Cherokee.

Oconaluftee Indian Village and River Trail, Cherokee, N.C.

Oconaluftee Indian Village at Cherokee, NC showcases the life and history of the Cherokee Indians. You can watch demonstrations as well as enjoy the nature trail.

Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina

The Biltmore Estate, though located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, are only about an hour from Cherokee. The 178,926 square feet mansion, built by George Washington Vanderbilt ll, is the largest private home ever built in America and is open to tourists. The estates also includes gardens, a winery, farms, lodging and much more.

The Great Smoky Mountains Area is filled with beauty, history, and natural attractions. After one visit here, people are drawn back many times due to the timeless majesty of these mountains.