10 Things To Do In The Smoky Mountains
My brother Vince turned 50 years old this year, and his wife Jenny had the brilliant idea of planning a family trip down to the Smoky Mountains. We spent an awesome six days exploring, laughing, and eating great food!
It had been far too long since any big trip like it has happened, actually maybe never. But I do hope it’s something we can do at least once every year moving forward, ideally with even more family to spice up the banter.
Most of the crew drove down from Milwaukee, but with several upcoming work and personal trips I opted to fly most of the way to Nashville and drive from there. They gave me a hard time but I stand by my decision!
Out of the many national parks I’ve visited in the United States this one is the most visited…having more than 14 million visitors in 2021. I was honestly surprised when I saw those attendance numbers because there is tough competition…the park system preserves some crazy diversity with respect to both the landscape and wildlife.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, shared amongst the states of Tennessee and North Carolina. Most of our endeavors were spent in Tennessee but we did spend a day in North Carolina. Based on our experience I’d guess the majority of visitors enter from the little tourist town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
With the desires of the birthday boy in mind, the women on the trip did most of the itinerary planning. I gotta say, I didn’t mind that one bit as my travels are usually solo and require all the necessary last minute research.
Sometimes it’s just nice to be told where to go and what to do, unless of course it’s an unreasonable choice of demands about trivial things like what to order and where to sit coming from your mother!
Whether you’re a hiker, a ghost chaser, a serial shopper, a UFO hunter, a food enthusiast, or someone who identifies every unknown living creature in the park as a “common brown such and such…”, this incredible national park has plenty to engage a variety of human interests.
I won’t confirm or deny whether we have any of those personality types in our group, but I will share a very commendable list of things to do on your adventure! Having options was beneficial because it would’ve otherwise been a tough task to keep a big group happy!
Clingmans Dome
After a steep and challenging half-mile hike to the spaceship looking observatory, visitors are afforded sweeping panoramic views from the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We unfortunately had no such experience, as the gloom of clouds and rain was in full effect.
I won’t name any names but there were a few of us in the group who didn’t quite make it to the top either…a husband distracted by common brown things and a wife humbled by the thin air and elevation after she tried running to the top. But in the end the joke was on me when I returned a few days later for a clear sky view and found myself in an even greater storm.
Ole Smoky Moonshine Tasting
After a long day of exploring, what sounds better than a plethora of Tennessee moonshine served up by a foul mouthed hillbilly cracking one liners with each flavored pour? Head over to the Ole Smoky Distillery in the heart of Gatlinburg for a unique tasting experience to take the edge off. They make over 30 different flavors that are just sweet enough to help you forget you’re practically drinking rubbing alcohol. The apple pie goes down nice when you’re eating steaks and playing cards!
Cherokee
Cross the border to the North Carolina side of the park and you’ll soon arrive at the Cherokee reservation. Although we spent half the day shopping through all the stores which basically carry the same products, there are some fun things to do and see here including the Oconaluftee Indian Village and Cherokee Museum.
Fortunately we did find time after shopping to see some elk and the very impressive Mingo Falls. On the short hike up to view the waterfall, keep your eyes peeled for the wildest looking caterpillar you may ever see…the Hickory Horned Devil which grows to be 6 inches long! Nothing common or brown about that Bobby!
Pigeon Forge
If you are one of those people who loves to buy a bunch of stuff you don’t actually need, send me an email and I’ll connect you with my cousin Bobby. The two of you can meet in Pigeon Forge and shop till you drop. Then, head over to the Sunliner Diner for lunch in a pink Cadillac and debate who got the better deal at the “$9.99 or Less” shop. (Hot tip…you can win very easily with a purchase next store from the “$9.98 or Less” shop. Not kidding, both stores exist.)
Cades Cove
For the history buffs make sure you don’t miss this well designed loop of attractions. Each stop along the way gives you a fairly decent perspective about the communities who lived on the land in the 1800’s.
Tour the log cabins, churches, mills, and barns to better understand the hardship the settlers must have experienced to survive. If you’re lucky you’ll cross paths with one of the park volunteers for a quick history lesson.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
One of the last things we did on our trip was this trail. It’s a slow, windy, narrow drive up into the forest and it’s very refreshing. I’d recommend it as an end of day activity to catch the bears looking for food and the sun setting behind the mountains.
We were lucky enough to see the best of both, with a family of bears scouring the trees and a blazing rainbow of colors lighting up the sky. Along the way you’ll also find some old abandoned cabins, cars, and Ely’s mill which featured weaving, local crafts, and solid wood furniture production.
Hike Laurel Falls
There is a decent little hike about 2.6 miles round trip to see the Laurel Falls. The unnamed husband and wife who came up short at Clingmans Dome redeemed themselves this time and made it all the way to the end, humbly crossing the finish line with shirt off, fists raised in the air, and common brown chest hairs for all the world to see.
If you thought that was the thrill of the hike, you were wrong. On the trek back some of us were greeted by a black bear. While the birthday boy and his wife ran away, my brother Anthony stood tall like a champ and yelled like a Spartan until the bear ran away. True story!
Blue Ridge Parkway
From the Cherokee reservation in North Carolina head onto one of the most scenic drives in the United States. If visibility is good the panoramic views are fantastic. We only did a shorter loop of the parkway in search of the Mingo Falls, but if you dare it will take you as far as Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
Mingus Mill
Built in 1886, this impressive grist mill still operates today in North Carolina. We missed the opportunity of consulting a park worker to get more information, but still managed to entertain ourselves peeking into the windows to take pictures and determine if there were any ghosts haunting the insides…some searching just a little more seriously than others!
Ripley’s Aquarium
If the weather isn’t on your side for a day, we’d recommend the aquarium in downtown Gatlinburg. The exhibits are well maintained and afford visitors a rare chance to see the world under water up close! You’ll find plenty of sharks, rays, penguins, tropical fish, and even some reptiles.
With a week to spare and better weather, there should be plenty of time to enjoy these areas of the park. I’m not sure this is the common experience for all, but we were thrilled by how many bears we saw…literally up close sightings every day.
My sister-in-law may have a different feeling about the bears, as she had one too many close encounters. The first was a surprise standoff with one on our cabin deck, and the second was a tense moment with the previously mentioned bear who greeted us on the hike to Laurel Falls.
The unforgettable moment on the deck may or may not have been a product of my mother soaking the lawn with bacon grease. I’m no bear expert but from what I hear that’s maybe a bad idea.
Some other highlights of our week in the Smoky Mountains included ghost hunting at the abandoned resort town of Elkmont, witnessing grown men parade around a car museum like kids in a candy shop, and an endless amount of laughing at each other.
