Quick Summary:

  • The Great Smoky Mountains are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains, which run down most of the East Coast of the United States.
  • They straddle the border between North Carolina and Tennessee and are largely the home of Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
  • In this vast region, visitors can enjoy a wealth of activities, from hiking trails up mountains and beneath waterfalls to experiencing the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge.
  • It’s a wonderland for nature, featuring beautiful caverns, craggy mountain peaks, and old log cabins and barns tucked away into the wilderness for history buffs.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Cades Cove ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cades Cove | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of Gary - Fotolia.com

2. Cataloochee Ski Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Cataloochee Ski Area | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of Pavel - Fotolia.com

3. Chimney Tops Trail

Category: Activities
Chimney Tops Trail | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of William - Fotolia.com

4. Clingman's Dome

Clingman's Dome | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of Brad - Fotolia.com

5. Elkmont Ghost Town, Great Smoky Mountains

Category: Activities
Elkmont Ghost Town, Great Smoky Mountains | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of ehrlif - Fotolia.com

6. Forbidden Caverns

Category: Attractions
Forbidden Caverns | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of smolskyevgeny - Fotolia.com

7. Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Category: Activities
Great Smoky Mountain National Park | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of richardbarrow - Fotolia.com

8. Grotto Falls, Great Smoky Mountains

Category: Activities
Grotto Falls, Great Smoky Mountains | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of Photosbyjam - Fotolia.com

9. Harrah's Cherokee

Harrah's Cherokee | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Harrah's Cherokee

10. Little River Road

Category: Activities
Little River Road | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of John Cothron - Fotolia.com

11. Mountain Farm Museum

Category: Activities
Mountain Farm Museum | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of Photosbyjam - Fotolia.com

12. Noah Bud Ogle Cabin

Noah Bud Ogle Cabin | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of Angela - Fotolia.com

13. Ober Gatlinburg

Ober Gatlinburg | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of spiritofamerica - Fotolia.com

14. Oconaluftee Indian Village

Oconaluftee Indian Village | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of Gary - Fotolia.com

15. Ramsey Cascades

Ramsey Cascades | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of Michele Whalen - Fotolia.com

16. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Category: Attractions
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of Yakov Stavchansky - Fotolia.com

17. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Category: Activities
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of ehrlif - Fotolia.com

18. Seven Islands State Birding Park

Category: Activities
Seven Islands State Birding Park | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of Julie - Fotolia.com

19. Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster

Category: Activities
Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of Brocreative - Fotolia.com

20. Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo

Category: Kids & Family
Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of demchyna - Fotolia.com

21. Titanic Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Titanic Museum | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of Archivist - Fotolia.com

22. Tuckaleechee Caverns

Category: Attractions
Tuckaleechee Caverns | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of satura_ - Fotolia.com

23. Unto These Hills Cherokee Theatre

Category: Entertainment
Unto These Hills Cherokee Theatre | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of linjerry - Fotolia.com

24. Walker Sisters Place

Category: Activities
Walker Sisters Place | Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains
© Courtesy of Jill Lang - Fotolia.com

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