Cades Cove - Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Cades Cove is preserved as an "open air museum" of pioneer life in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With an ambience that is as tranquil and serene as any place on earth, one can enjoy the majesty of the mountains, the wonderment of the wildlife and views as appreciated by settlers long lost to the past. Travel back in time down the Loop Road and see how the early 19th and 20th-century farmers and their families lived and created a place of their own. These homesteads now appear abandoned as they were when sold to the government in the 1920s to become part of the 500,000 acres of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hundreds of deer and abundant numbers of wild turkey, falcons, broad wing hawk and black bear make their home in and around the once planted fields and tree lined slopes of Cades Cove. Seasonal interpretations are given at the Visitors Center area which encompasses an old farm settlement. Hiking and bicycling on Loop Road are exclusive on Wednesdays and Saturdays from late spring and throughout the summer months. Other travel options include hiking, horseback riding and a park sponsored hay ride around the Loop Road. / 865-436-1200

Cherokee Indian Reservation - Only 35 miles from Gatlinburg, on the other side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the ancient homeland of the Cherokee Nation. To see the past Cherokee way of life, tour the Oconaluftee Indian Village and visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. To experience their current life style head-on, check out the authentic crafts sold in their shops, the great fishing spots along 30 miles of stocked rivers and streams and of course, the gaming at Harrahs Cherokee Casino. Summer entertainment includes the famous outdoor drama "Unto These Hills". For more information call the Cherokee Indian Reservation at 1-800-438-1601 / Cherokee, NC / $

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Straddling the borders of Tennessee and North Carolina with over 800 square miles of natural splendor, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has more than 50 species of mammals including the black bear and more plant species than any other area in North America. Some of the highest mountains in the Appalachians are here. Main touring areas in the Tennessee Smokies include Cades Cove, Clingmans Dome (Tennessee's highest peak), Newfound Gap and the Sugarlands Visitor's Center which is just outside Gatlinburg. Hiking, horseback riding, fishing and white water rafting or canoeing are some of the more adventurous ways to explore this beautiful park. Visit the Great Smokies and youšll know why it is the most popular of our national parks. / 865-436-1200

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - A one hour drive from Gatlinburg and years into the past, ride a steam locomotive train through the glorious mountains from Dillsboro, NC to Bryson, NC and back, for a day of scenic railway adventure. Weekend excursions include Dinner Trains and "3 in 1" Railfan Weekends. / 1-800-872-4681 / $

Forbidden Caverns - Towering chimneys, waterfalls and awesome rock formations are found in this ancient cavern. Well-lit walkways with a special sound and lighting system heighten the experience. Look for one of the largest groupings of rare cave onyx. Northeast of Sevierville / 865-453-5972 / $

Little River Road - When traveling through the mountains, one expects winding roads and beautiful scenery. This little gem which winds from Gatlinburg to Townsend doesn't present any high mountain vistas, but it has some spectacular views as itfollows and crisscrosses the Little River down the mountain side.

Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum - A great place for railroad buffs, a restored Shay locomotive, the depot, steam sawmill and a collection of lumber mill and railroad artifacts are all assembled to show how the companies logged the area so many years ago. Townsend / 865-448-2211 / $

Smoky Mountain Deer Farm & Exotic Petting Zoo - Up close and personal with Mother Nature's creatures, feed and pet over 200 animals from all over the world. / Happy Hollow Lane off Hwy 411, Sevierville / 865-428-3337 / $

Tennessee Heritage Trails - A statewide celebration of historic sites, sounds and creative arts have become synonymous with the heritage of Tennessee have been officially designated Tennessee Heritage Trails. Several of these recognized area designations are appropriately in the Smoky Mountain region, in and around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Townsend.

The Tennessee History Trail includes the Great Smoky Mountains National Park which weaves the past to the present through nature, old settlements and the mountain passes that welcomed those who came before. The lore and lessons of the past are protected and remembered, from the Native American hunting grounds and their ancient settlements to the European migrations into places like White Oak Flats (Gatlinburg) and Cades Cove which were viable communities up and until the early 20th century.

What would Tennessee heritage be without the Music of the region? The Tennessee Music Trail stops can be found at Smoky Mountain Travelers and Sweet Fanny Adams Theater in Gatlinburg, where bluegrass and mountain music take center stage with their later music counterparts from the Nashville scene.

The local stops on the Arts & Crafts Trail can be found at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg and The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community situated along on an eight-mile loop of road just outside Gatlinburg. See apprentices and artisans at work on mountain crafts, creating essential commodities for the local inhabitants of by-gone days as well as the folk art that so pleased the eye. Purchases can be made directly from the craftsmen in The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community or from the Arrowmont School gallery and bookstore.

Trout Fishing - A popular pastime in the Smokies region, brook and brown trout fishing is permitted in the National Park and in local municipal trout streams. Licenses are required for anyone over the age of 8 and special regulations apply depending on the area in which one wishes to fish. Area-wide regulations on trout include the use of only single hook lures and no natural bait. For example in Gatlinburg there is absolutely no fishing on Thursdays (stocking day) and all trout caught from December 1st to March 31st must be released immediately. Please check with the local governing body or outfitter near your chosen fishing spot for regulations and licensing. / Cherokee Reservation 1-800-438-1601 / Gatlinburg - 865-436-1400 / GSM National Park - 865-436-1200 / Pigeon Forge - 865-429-FISH / Townsend - 865-448-6628 / $ for licenses, guided trips and equipment rentals.

Tuckaleechee Caverns - Huge rooms 400 feet long and 150 feet high were carved out of the limestone and rock by water and erosion. Beautiful waterfalls, streams and rare onyx rock formations make this one of the greatest sights under the Smokies. / Townsend / 865-488-2274 / $
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