Today was our second time back to Alum Cave Trail, and we did the 2.3 miles to Alum Cave Bluff and…read morethen turned back, for a total of 4.6 miles. You can go on for a total of five miles to reach Mt. Leconte, but since the weather was turning and it was starting to rain we cut our hike short. Like others, I suggest getting to this trail head early, as at 7:30 am half the parking lot was full!! We love this trail in particular for its endless water features, lots of scenic spots to take pictures, unique bridges, and the breathtaking view from the top. Even with the bad weather today, it was something spectacular watching the fog lift above the golden trees. If you haven't been, this trail is definitely worth your time and attention. You will want to wear some sturdy walking shoes for this one and maybe even bring a walking stick!!

Gorgeous trail with diverse beauty. We did the medium length hike to the bluff and loved it. Once…read moreyou pass the cave the whole hike is pretty much going uphill so come prepared to get a workout in and wear proper shoes and bring some water. The views are great from the bluff and totally worth it. We came during the week around noon and parking lot was full so we had to park further out and walk about a half mile or so to the trail so be prepared for that or plan your time. Totally worth it! One of my favorite hikes that we did in the area. Loved being by the creek, the log crossings, the cave, the moss, the trees, and the Mountain Views. the scenery was so pretty. There is a bathroom on-site at the start of the trail in case you are wondering.

Cute spot to watch waterfalls and drink a beer, for non beer people, there's sodas and some snacks…read more Very cheap to do.

A true gem off the side of the road in Wears Valley. If a beer garden and a waterfall had a baby,…read moreyou'd find yourself gem mining at Friendly Falls. They're under new ownership, beers are cold and cheap, and you can relax at picnic tables, play in the waterfall, or play disc golf or darts while the rushing sounds of the waterfalls soothe you into a relaxing state. You'll know you're in the right spot if the Christmas lights are twinkling and the chain rope is open. Can't recommend this little spot enough

At 6643 feet, Clingmans Dome, now known by its Cherokee name, Kuwohi, is the highest point in the…read moreGreat Smoky Mountains National Park. My visit to Kuwohi was a highlight of my visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The drive up to the summit is breathtaking. There are several overlooks along the way to stop and enjoy the views. When we arrived, it was about 20 degrees colder than in Gatlinburg and it was very windy. Fortunately, we had dressed warm for the hike. The half mile trail is paved and accessible, however, the climb is straight up and was very difficult for some people. At the top of the trail we passed the Appalachian Trail. Then we found a fantastic Mid Century concrete spiral structure to climb. At the top, is an observation deck with placards describing the magnificent views of Tennessee and North Carolina. The modern observation deck was completed in 1960, replacing a wooden structure. Thomas Lanier Clingman was one of the early explorers that mapped the region in the 1850's. Kuwohi was (and still is) a sacred mountain of the Cherokee people. The mountain held Magic Lake that is believed to have healing powers for those who value the earth and its people. Parking permits are required to park in the large lot. Permits can be purchased on site for $5/day. Restroom facilities are available, but no running water. A nearby Visitors Center sells maps, shirts and other hiking gear. Kuwohi is a must visit on a trip to SMNP. Bring warm clothes (gloves, hat, etc). Cell tower reception is poor, so maps are helpful.

This stop has been on my list for awhile, and I'm not really sure how I hadn't made it yet…read moreconsidering the amount of times I've road tripped to the Smokies... but here we are! Got to see a bear on the way coming from Oconaluftee, which meant the day was perfect no matter what else happened. The weather was a little rainy, scattered storms here and there, and the cloud cover wasn't great for a great view from the overlook, but.... The parking lot view was still excellent, and the overlook itself was cool to see, and there was a Passport stamp station and Visitor Center, loads of camp style restrooms, with plenty of parking, so, absolutely worth the stop!

This is a neat/small not-for-profit museum that gives the history of railroad and lumber industry…read morein Townsend, TN. There's a lot of photos and info, old machinery and equipment in two small buildings. Great way to spend 30 mins on a hot day. Very interesting too!

Very historical and a must to remember and learn the history of the railroad…read more Thank you for keeping the history alive and sharing with all.

I saw this place on tiktok by Daisytown and also Elkmont. The drive out here is a lil wonky and…read morewill take a long time to get out here. If you are handicap, you dont have to pay for parking. But otherwise you need to get a day pass at the visitor center.

Thanks to Google Maps (and my thorough trip itinerary planning), I had discovered the historic…read more(once a) "ghost town" of Elkmont. For America's most visited national park, it can be difficult to escape the crowds within the Great Smoky Mountains--yet Elkmont is one place to do just that! This Little River Valley was once home to a pioneer Appalachian community, a logging town, and later a resort community. To this day, old relics and abandoned buildings from the past remain--awaiting to be explored. The area was settled in the 1840s as the town of Little River when a logging company was formed. A railroad was later constructed to transport timber for the Little River Lumber Company. This eventually allowed the wealthy from Knoxville to visit what eventually became a resort town. When the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was was established in 1934, residents were given the option to sell their homes at full price and relocate, or sell to the National Park Service (NPS) for a discounted price allowing them to live there until they become deceased. By 1992, most of the homes remained vacant or with expired leases leading 70+ historic buildings into a state of deterioration. Thankfully the NPS decided to renovate and preserve 19 buildings in Elkmont for public visitation. You can now find the Elkmont Historic District with cabins along Jakes Creek Road that were completed around 1997. They attempted to keep the buildings in the closest original condition--even their exterior paint colors! Each cabin has information about the tenants and any unique features. Unfortunately, the cabins cannot be brought up to code for renting or staying inside. However, the largest lodge known as the Appalachian Club is available as an event venue. Continue to explore the Old Elkmont Cemetery up a rocky road near the beginning of Elkmont Road, or choose to hike the Jakes Creek or Little River Trails where you will venture past less discovered old chimneys, walls and tractors that still remain. Directions: Coming from Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge or Cherokee, turn to go west on Fighting Creek Gap Road toward Cade's Cove (turn off near the Sugarlands Visitor Center). After the Laurel Falls trailhead, watch for signs to Elkmont Campground. Follow Elkmont Road all the way til it becomes a loop drive at Jakes Creek Trail Trailhead.

Visiting and driving through a covered bridge has been on my bucket list and the Knoxville area was…read morejust the place to check it off. Take a scenic afternoon drive through Sevierville and see one of the many covered bridges in Tennessee. Nothing fancy but oh so quaint. Be respectful of the neighbors and pull off on to a small spot for a quick picture. You wont regret the drive.

I love chasing covered bridges and this one in Tennessee didn't disappoint! This king post truss…read morebridge spans over Little Pigeon River and still is used for through traffic. It's nestled off a quiet road so your gps will lead you there. While visiting TN and the Great Smoky Mountains, we wanted to explore a few covered bridges as well! This rustic one has undergone several renovations and restorations and it's on the National Register of Historic Places, I'm glad this gem of a bridge was saved!! It's in a little neighborhood which is pretty cool! The lattice work is beautiful and the stone foundation is impressive! Built in 1875, this bridge is 83 feet long and it was a thrill to drive through it! Now only about 20 vehicles pass through it daily, but it stands as a proud reminder of days gone by and a historic testament of architectural design and a wonderful legacy to those who love to keep the past alive!

Actually, I was up there to play Bagpipes for a funeral. It's a beautiful place and the bridge is…read morereally a work of art!

I love covered bridges and was excited to visit this one, though it is a "modern" bridge that was…read morecompleted in 2000. It only has 9'6" clearance so I did not try bringing the Sprinter van across. There is parking on the east side but not the west, so I left the van on the side of the road briefly. Note that the bridge IS open for vehicular traffic and there is a well-worn path down to the waterside if you want to try for a side photo. The historical marker gives context. It reads, "This bridge is named in honor of Frederick Emert who came here with his family in 1790 as the area's first settler. In 1997, under the leadership of Mayor Judy Perryman the Mayor and Board of Aldermen provided local funds to go with state and federal money. In the spring of 2000 the bridge was constructed by the team of Steve McCarter and Garry Shultz for the town of Pittman Center in its continuing effort to provide improvements within the town that further its vision, which is: "To create and perpetuate a quality living environment and to encourage quality development that supports that end. To encourage development that supports a tourist-oriented economic base that relates to and magnifies our unique relationship to and with the Great Smoky Mountains." "The bridge spans the waters of the Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River which was designated an "outstanding national resource water" in March 1998 by the State of Tennessee. At that time, this was the only stream outside a national park to receive this designation. Environmental stewardship has played a prominent role in achieving this designation. Special thanks goes to the "Save the Middle Prong" organization whose members spent time and money and were ultimately willing to go to court to maintain the integrity of this outstanding natural treasure for future generations." While it looks like a Tennessee marker, it does not have the seal or other identifying information. [Review 1171 of 2024 - 488 in Tennessee - 22194 overall]

Not that long ago, the United States Congress finally past the 19th Amendment, "The right of…read morecitizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex." A very simple sentence that conveyed a lot of rights to half of the citizens of our country. Once Congress approves a Constitutional Amendment, it must be ratified by a percentage of States. At that time, it needed to be at least 36 to reach the requirement. Thirty-five other states ratified the Amendment before Tennessee did. It took them a year and much debate before a tie vote in the state house of representatives was broken by a single vote. Looking back now, you really have to wonder about Tennessee's elected representatives! This monument is dedicated to the suffragists who made it possible and has a prominent spot in Knoxville's Market Square. [Review 12892 overall, 208 of 2020.]

Neat little statue that holds a lot of history behind it. I'm not sure why this statute is here in…read moreAsheville maybe it took place here? But it is a nice representation of women's rights and I am all for that and equality. It is nice to show my daughters how far women have come over the years

An amazing and unforgettable experience - perhaps the crowning jewel of our entire trip. Olivia was…read morea knowledgeable and personable guide. I loved hearing about how the cave was discovered by little kids - brothers - who spent their childhoods playing in it, and how they later grew up to save enough money to buy it outright and keep it in the family thereafter (and it's still privately owned by the family to this day!) At the start, we were a bit concerned about the amount of walking - and in particular, the steps. Our youngest is at the age where he wants to be independent, but he needs extra time to manage stairs (and some of those passages were narrow and steep enough to where we didn't feel comfortable carrying him) but we needn't have worried. Our large group had some adults who needed extra time with stairs, as well as people who took full advantage of our pace to snap more photos (and I've been on another cave tour where we were rushed through and unable to take many photos at all); nobody seemed to mind. I was also worried about not bringing a sweater, as the cave is 58 degrees year round, but it's a little bit of a workout which keeps you warm. If you have any health issues like a heart condition or anything affecting the function of your lungs it might be too intense (I'm just fat, and it was mildly strenuous: just when your heart starts to pound and you're breath is coming in faster you've reached your next destination and you return to resting state - this happens a couple times.) The cave is like being on another planet. We snapped some amazing photos. When it was time to return to the world above, my kids were sad that it was over.

If you're heading to Townsend. Tuckaleechee Caverns is a must-do…read more This place is absolutely worth the visit. Pricing is reasonable, and the experience is unforgettable. We had Kash as our tour guide and he was fantastic, energetic, kind, and amazing with kids. He kept everyone engaged, answered every question, and clearly knows the caverns inside and out. Even in a large group, you could still hear him clearly throughout the walk. The tour runs about 1.5 hours and covers over a mile underground. Be ready for stairs, lots of them (around 87 steep steps on the way out), and this is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. The cave floor is wet, so good shoes are a must. You'll also duck in a few spots, but not constantly. The views are unreal: a waterfall, a stream, stalactites, stalagmites, and massive natural columns you get to see up close while learning the history behind them. It stays cool inside, but you'll warm up from all the walking. It's well organized even when multiple groups are passing each other, and everything flows smoothly. The gift shop is also a win: well stocked, fair prices, and they accept cards. Bottom line: if you love nature, caves, geology, or just want a unique family experience, this is 100% worth your time.