The Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. Renowned for its scenic views, roaming wildlife and Southern charm, this is the most visited national park. Let’s dive in and chat about some of the must-see, must-do attractions of the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding areas.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Sugarlands Visitor Center is an excellent place to start as you enter the park. Here you can learn all about the park’s history, plants and animals with different exhibits. Along with the exhibits you’ll find a shop, bookstore, public restrooms, drink vending machines, and available seasonally are ranger-led programs. Within the park you will also have access to 3 other visitor centers, Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cades Cove Visitor Center, and Clingmans Dome Visitor Contact Station.
A few of the must see places in the park itself include:
Clingmans Dome: the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, at 6,643 feet, with truly spectacular views (1 mile round-trip). While the hiking area is fully paved, be warned, it’s very steep, and can get chilly at the top.
Cades Cove Loop Road: This scenic 11-mile one-way loop road is perfect to experience the beauty and nature that the Great Smoky Mountains has to offer, but make sure to bring a little bit of patience, as the loop typically doesn’t move quickly, and of course your camera to snap a quick picture of the wildlife that surrounds you.
Deep Creek Loop: Explore three of the park’s waterfalls on this family friendly hike along the creeks. In the spring you’ll notice numerous types of wildflowers and cool off with a lazy tubing trip down the river during the summer months.
Gatlinburg SkyBridge & SkyLift
The SkyBridge is the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America and the most unique experience in the Smokies! Gatlinburg SkyLift is the longest-running attraction in town and a must-do experience while visiting. This four-season scenic chairlift allows you to relax and take in sweeping vistas found nowhere else- looking out over Gatlinburg and out across the highest peaks of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. After exploring and enjoying refreshments in the SkyCenter, you’ll ride the lift back down the mountain, enjoying ever-changing views throughout the journey.
A must-do experience in the Smokies, voted the #1 theme park in the US by Tripadvisor, Dollywood offers more than 50 world-class rides, high-energy entertainment, award-winning dining and the friendliest park atmosphere in the world! Here you can celebrate the best of life as you light up the Smokies with rides, slides, music, food and laughter – day and night.
The Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is the LONGEST downhill ride in the United States, with over 1 mile of track! So if you are looking for an unforgettable experience in your vacation here in the” Great Smoky Mountains”, this is a must do!
More for the kids:
Become A Junior Ranger at the Park, Be On the Lookout for Black Bears, Whitewater Rafting or Float Trip, Biking, Stroll Downtown Gatlinburg and check out Ripley’s Museums, mini-golf, laser tag, bumper cars, a mirror maze, a car museum, the Space Needle, Anakeesta theme park, Soaky Mountain Water Park Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Ober Gatlinburg, some incredible food joints and more!
As the most visited national park in the country, it’s no secret how much the park and surrounding areas have to offer — whether it’s a family reunion, summer vacation, bachelorette party, destination wedding or just a trip with the guys, the Smokies has something for everyone. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is somewhere everyone should experience at least once.