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Sights of the Smokies
Length: 6 Hours
Sights of the Smokies is an 6 hour "all day" tour visiting several interesting and sometimes lesser known areas of the Great Smoky Mountains region. This tour is designed to do a little bit of everything that a person might want to do in a typical day here in the Smokies. We will visit 2 sightseeing areas, 2 shopping stops, eat at a local restaurant (meal not included), visit historical areas, and learn a lot of new and interesting facts/stories about the Smoky Mountains.
We begin our tour in the Sevierville/Pigeon Forge area. From here we go to Gatlinburg to get a history lesson on how it got its start, who its early families were, and how it is today. We will discuss several of the prominent families in the small city both past and present. We will discuss some of its landmarks and a bit of its checkered past. This is a mini version of our once popular Roundabout Gatlinburg tour. After touring around Gatlinburg we will head to the top of the mountain to Rockefeller Memorial on Newfound Gap Rd. Here you will have about 40 minutes to explore at your leisure. On the way up and down the mountain we will show an amazing DVD all about Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in the Smoky Mountains.
After our tour of Gatlinburg we will head to Pigeon Forge for a short drive around the city to discuss its history and its humble beginnings as a farm town. We will discuss some of its oldest structures including the Old Mill and the Old Mill District. We will also discuss some of its newest attractions and shopping areas like The Island. Your guide will discuss how the local scenery has changed over the past 30 years and how this dusty farm town has evolved into THE place to be for all families visiting the Smoky Mountains.
Continuing our journey down Wears Valley road we eventually come to the city of Townsend. This beautiful place is referred to by locals as "The quieter side of the Smokies". This was once a logging town where the Little River Railroad and Lumber company was established. We will learn about several local businesses on our trip down through the main highway in town. Your guide will discuss some of the local events that take place each year and also about some of the historic local buildings. We will also pass by a very unknown site called Dark Island swinging bridge. This bridge is one of the few left that were build back in the 1800's which were used by locals to cross the river to get to work. We will likely visit the local museum which is all about the Little River company where we will see a 100% authentic Shay engine which was used in the area in the early 1900's by the lumber company. This engine has been restored and put on display. The museum also contains many other items from the same time period. The museums hours vary wildly by season, so this stop is NOT always guaranteed.
Once the tour of Townsend is complete your guide will visit the very small community of Walland where we will take a trip up the Foothills Parkway East to see some of the most amazing views looking back into the park. On a sunny day you can see the 3 tallest peaks in the Smoky Mountains. Your guide will help point them out as well as assist with photos at your request. There may be a small optional hike at the top of the mountain for those who want to stretch their legs. After everyone gets enough activity and photos we will begin our journey back down the mountain, back into Townsend
to visit our second local shopping area called Apply Valley country store and cafe. This will give our shoppers a chance to get those local souvenirs and for others to use the bathroom after our journey up the mountain and back. This stop will likely be our last depending on time. By this point its time to begin our trip back to the starting location. On the way back we will follow the same path through Wears Valley and we will be showing a DVD called Exploring the Smokies. This journey takes about 45 minutes which gives plenty of time to watch the DVD and learn lots of new and interesting facts about the Smokies.
Your guide will do a great deal of talking and tell you plenty of stories along the way. You are welcomed and encouraged to interact with your guide to get the best experience. There is more to this tour than can be fully described here. The best way to see what we mean is ... to experience it. Come join us and find out for yourself. Our guests almost always agree that the Sight of the Smokies tour is one of their favorite things to do in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains.