THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS
When the heat of the summer starts to get you down, the best solution is to head for the hills. And the absolute best high ground near Nashville is a mere three hours east in the Smoky Mountains. The area offers so many recreational and entertainment options that it’s like stepping into the pages of a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book. If you decide to hit the road for a little elevated air, here’s a guide to where to go, where to stay, what to do, and what to drink.
Explore the park, of course...
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most-visited recreation area in the country with more than 11 million tourists making the trek each year. Don’t worry about overcrowding, though. The park covers more than 800 square miles and contains 850 miles of hiking trails and unpaved roads, so you should be able to find your own little slice of solitude somewhere. Bonus: The Tennessee government stipulated back in the 1930s that “no toll or license fee shall ever be imposed,” so visiting is always free.
Popular natural spots to visit include Clingmans Dome, which at 6643 foot is the highest point in the park, the tallest mountain in Tennessee, and the third tallest east of the Mississippi River; or Laurel Falls, a beautiful cascade that attracts smaller crowds thanks to the two-hour roundtrip hike from the trailhead at the visitor's parking lot.
Hit the road for a view...
The GSMNP and the immediate surrounding areas are also perfect for taking scenic drives where you might encounter the morning fog that gives the mountains their name. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a 5.5 mile one-way loop that offers views of fast-flowing mountain creeks, forest areas filled with old-growth trees, and historic buildings like preserved log cabins and grist mills. Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations in the park thanks to an 11mi drive around a green valley surrounded by mountain peaks, where each curve offers new sweeping vistas and the potential to glimpse all sorts of wildlife ranging from wild turkeys to black bears. Even more adventurous is Highway 129, which runs alongside the border of the GSMNP and Cherokee National Forest. Known as “The Tail of the Dragon,” this challenging stretch of road features an astounding and harrowing 318 curves over 11 miles, making it a bucket-list drive for motorcyclists and intrepid sports car enthusiasts. Proceed with caution!
Rent a cabin...
Outside of the park, the most popular spots to visit are mountain towns like Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville in Tennessee along with the less touristy destinations in Jackson County on the North Carolina side of the Smokys. Jackson County destinations like Cashiers, Cherokee, Sylva, and Dillsboro have their own charm and a less frenetic pace of life.
In Gatlinburg, rental cabins are the places to stay. Big enough for a group of friends or families, most of the better ones are equipped with full kitchens, rec rooms with pool tables and video games, and hot tubs to soak in after a long day of tourism. Airbnb has hundreds of listings for you to choose from. During colder months, Ober Gatlinburg is a popular spot for skiing and snowboarding, as well as hitting up the restaurants and bars for après-ski activities.
See the weird stuff at the Ripley’s Museums...
For daytime fun, the Ripley’s family of attractions has eight options. Visit the Aquarium of the Smokies, the Mirror Maze, or the Odditorium, where you can view more than 500 exhibits and artifacts ranging from shrunken heads to a robot sculpture made from scrapped cars to a gallery of taxidermied mutant animals. If these kind of museums are up your alley, then you’re the target audience for The Salt & Pepper Shakers Museum. It also only costs $3 to get in, and you can apply your admission fee toward the purchase of any item in the gift shop. It’s also located near the Winery Square center, if you’re looking to do some more retail browsing.
Sip some moonshine...
Gatlinburg is also in the middle of the area where Tennessee moonshine was traditionally made, and Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine is the most-visited distillery in America. Sure, it’s basically just flavored vodka sold in jars filled with grain alcohol infused with flavors ranging from Apple Pie to Sweet Tea to Peach, but let he who has never tried one of those whipped cream/blood orange/glazed donut vodka flavors throw the first stone.
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By: Chris Chamberlain on 7/13/17
