There is no shortage of things to do or see in the Smoky Mountains, and what you want to add to your itinerary will depend on how much time you have to spend in the national park. Still, there are some places that are must-sees for any traveler vacationing in the iconic mountains. This guide will give you an overview of some of these locales.
One great feature of the Smoky Mountains is its scenic drives. The park is open to automobiles and even encourages visitors to cruise through parts of the park. And no other drive is more popular than the Newfound Gap Road. Starting at 1,400 feet above sea level in Gatlinburg, Tenn., the road takes travels on an uphill climb to an altitude of more than 5,000 feet. This peak is Newfound Gap, a low-lying passageway through the mountains. Along the drive, visitors will see a variety of plant life, representing a number of ecosystems, including hardwoods and pines to evergreen spruces. There is much to do along the road, including spots to picnic and trails to hike. There are also a number of smaller trails that afford drivers a chance to step out of the car and take a brief walk to stretch their legs.
Rising high above the other mountaintops is Clingmans Dome, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Smoky Mountains. Clingmans Dome is the highest peak in the national park and the third-highest peak east of the Mississippi within the U.S. Stretching more than 6,500 feet into the sky, this mountaintop is an excellent place for nature photographers and family portraits alike. Off to the distance by a short 10-minute walk is the observational tower, which is open to the public and provides amazing 360-degree panoramic views of the entire park. Unfortunately, most days visibility is hampered by clouds or rainy weather; however, on a clear day visitors can see as far as 100 miles. If you think you have to hike all the way to the top, think again. Clingmans Dome is accessible by car, and although it is quite popular, there are ample parking, restrooms and picnic accommodations.
One of the most-frequented tourist attractions in all of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove is a melting pot of natural beauty, wildlife and historical buildings. The cove is a lush patch of land surrounded by stunning mountaintops, which make a perfect backdrop for the enthusiastic photographer. For nature lovers, there is an abundance of wildlife in the cove, mainly deer. However, on occasion visitors have been known to spot such wild animals as bears, foxes and wild turkeys. But above all else, Cades Cove is most known for being the largest outdoor museum in all of the Smoky Mountains. Historic buildings, including barns, log cabins, churches and an old mill, all dating back 100 years or more, dot the landscape. All have been carefully preserved and all are authentic, dating back to a time when European settlers settled the land and turned it into a farming community.
