12 Best Places to visit in your Smoky mountain trip
1.If you are passing through Kentucky, then you should stop at Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum for a quick lunch. Its the original KFC and has a little museum attached to it showcasing KFC history and stuff, so it will be a 2-in-1 stop.
3.Ober Gatlinburg is best attraction in Gatlinburg itself. It is a cubicle hanging in a ropeway all the way up to the mountains. The guide will describe all the places it passes through with beautiful views of the mountains and the picture perfect town of Gatlinburg. The place where it drops you has many other activities to do like ice skating, cafes,fun rides and Scenic Chairlift. You can get tickets on spot or online. Click here to visit the official website.
4.Scenic Chairlift will be an wonderful experience if you dare to do so. I will recommend this only to fit people , because this is a cable chair thing for two people hanging with a rope going even higher up to the steep Mount Harrison at a view point and the hanging chair wont even stop to pick you up at the station. You have to jump-sit on the moving chair as it will pass through the station. I dont want to make it scary, but it is what it is. You have to get the tickets on spot where Ober will take you. So it is a two part journey. Photos will be taken at the very end while you are still hanging on the chairlift, smile or kiss and make it worth all the risk.
5.Visit Laurel Falls and Cade's Cove on the same day, as both are on the same route. Laurel Falls is a 1.3 miles steep walk, possible to tag along children,it comes first on the way. The waterfall is good and worth the steep walking.
6.Cade's Cove is a beautiful scenic area on top a mountain. It is not a particular point, it is a scenic loop of 7-11 miles drive-through comprising of lush meadows, little cottages, winding roads, horses, deer and good views. It is a photographers haven. There are several parking spots on the road where you can stop your car and come out to enjoy peaceful nature and take photographs.
7. Roaring Forks Motor Trail is a scenic drive through with Little river by the road side all along. There are several beautiful rapids which calls for wonderful photography opportunities.(the first pic of the page)
8. Rainbow Falls is another hiking people look up to. Sadly it is really long and can take about 5 hours or so. We didnt have time to do it.
9. Last but not the least, Clingmans Dome. This is sacred place of worship for the Cherokee tribe. There is a steep road taking you up there and there is the Appalachian Trail passing along with it. You can go by one and return by another. You will be North Carolina at this stage. On the way you can also visit the border between the two states.
Note: The washroom at Clingmans dome is ancient style and you will have a bad experience using it. So take precautions or you may drink less water and wait till you reach Sugarlands Visitor Center.
10. The Island at Pigeon Forge is an amazing place filled with shops, restaurants and free parking. There is fountain in the middle of the plaza surrounded by rocking chairs which displays light and sound fountain show at regular intervals which is very enjoyable.
11. Helicopter rides in this area (Sevierville)is way cheaper compared to other places. We did the Scenic Helicopter tours for $35 a person. Rates start at $9, $18, $25 ,$35 and so on. It was worth it and had to buy our photograph taken by a staff at the end of your ride. Check out details here.
12. For great food options, I will recommend Cicis pizza which is a pizza buffet, a dream come true. We had another dinner at Panda Express at Pigeon Forge and then went to see the fountain show at the Islands at pigeon Forge..
There are many many other beautiful places to see in the Smokies but this is just what I saw on my trip.
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