1. Sevierville—Starting Point
Gain a different perspective of the Great Smoky Mountains from above on a scenic helicopter tour, up-close along the National Park hiking trails or beneath the ground at Forbidden Caverns. Shift gears at the Muscle Car Museum, then touch down at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation to check out airworthy warbirds as they thunder by on the runway performing impromptu flight demonstrations that will leave you breathless.
2. Pigeon Forge—7 miles, 12 minutes
Old-fashioned southern hospitality awaits you at Pigeon Forge along with a passel of museums, theme parks and mountain adventures. Walk the passageways and climb the Grand Staircase at the Titanic Museum Attraction where, through the magic of interactive displays, you’ll experience the final voyage of the world’s most famous luxury liner. Theme park aficionados should swing over to Dollywood for family fun including the bone-shaking Wild Eagle Roller Coaster.
Recommended Stopover
A. River Plantation RV Park Inc
Pigeon Forge, TN – (800) 758-5267
3. Gatlinburg – 7.4 miles, 15 minutes
Named one of the “Top Ten Prettiest Towns” by Forbes Magazine, Gatlinburg boasts lots of attractions in a small area. Take a jaunt along the Downtown Parkway with three miles of shops, restaurants and destinations before slowing down to soak up the quiet along the Riverwalk. “Believe It or Not!” Ripley’s is big in this town. There’s Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze and Candy Factory, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Hike the mountains and revel in the stunning views of waterfalls and old growth forests.
4. Cosby – 20.2 miles, 28 minutes
Experience the Smokies the way they used to be (before the crowds came) in Cosby, where the campgrounds are quiet, the restaurants have plenty of seating and there are quaint places to relax and unwind. Still close to the bigger cities with those incredible tourist activities, this little town offers you a chance to chill out among the mountains and take life at a slower pace. Explore the Tennessee back roads and gain special entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Cosby while leaving the crowds behind.
To learn even more about the Volunteer State, check out our Explore Tennessee page.