The fun and lively city of Asheville is an hour from the national park but makes an excellent base before and after your time in the Smokies. If you’re coming from the Tennessee side, Knoxville is a fine option. Whichever gateway city you choose, remember that traffic jams are often a problem at the most popular park entrances near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina. Unless you’re planning a stop at one of the visitor centers, choose one of the less traveled entrances.
Day 1
Arriving in Asheville, head downtown for some shopping. Stores range from bohemian-chic boutiques to specialty shops offering one-of-a-kind treasures. Have lunch in the River Arts District, where you can stroll along the French Broad River and visit artist studios and watch them work at Asheville Cotton Mill Studios. Take in the permanent collection at the beautifully restored Italian Renaissance–style Asheville Art Museum, or step back into history at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial. There’s much to do at night in downtown Asheville, with farm-to-table restaurants, local microbreweries, and creative cocktail lounges around every corner.
Day 2
From Asheville, take the relatively slow (but definitely worthwhile) Blue Ridge Parkway past unforgettable sights like majestic Mt. Pisgah as you make your way to the historic community of Cherokee. Here, learn about the Cherokee people at the Oconaluftee Indian Village and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian before checking out locally made crafts at the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual. Take an afternoon for fishing at the Qualla Boundary or visiting one of the charming nearby towns like Sylva or Bryson City.
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Day 3
Stop for picnic supplies before heading past the Oconaluftee entrance and into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Newfound Gap Road, the park’s main throughway, takes you to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to get oriented and plan your next few days. Spend an hour or so exploring the nearby Mountain Farm Museum, then drive the half mile to Mingus Mill and see corn being ground in an authentic working gristmill. Continue on to Clingmans Dome, where you can hike the winding path to the park’s highest point via the beautifully designed observation tower. Stop for a leisurely lunch at Collins Creek Picnic Area, then walk off all those calories on the Kephart Prong Trail. Spend the rest of the day exploring the park from Newfound Gap Road, which leads to other hikes. Catch the sunset at a scenic overlook.
Day 4
Get your endorphins going today. If it’s summer, consider cooling off by tubing or whitewater rafting. Or you can break a sweat by hitting the trails on foot, on a bike, or on a horse. In winter there’s snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Consider spending a night or two camping at one of the rustic campgrounds or stay overnight at LeConte Lodge, the only lodging inside the park. Either way, it can be a magical experience to wake up early inside the park to explore popular areas like Cades Cove and the century-old community of Elkmont.
Day 5
Explore the Tennessee side of the park today, starting out early to beat the crowds to the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road. Although it’s the most popular area of the national park, Cades Cove is well worth your time because of its valley views, gorgeous fauna, and well-preserved settlers’ homes. Spend some time in the Cable Mill area, visiting the water-powered gristmill and other historic buildings. Keep an eye out for the plentiful wildlife, including black bears, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys. Many trails and nature walks beckon along the way. You can hike the Trillium Gap Trail to Grotto Falls or explore the Roaring Fork Nature Trail before heading out of the park for dinner in Gatlinburg.
Day 6
Take a break from nature with some old-fashioned fun at Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s Appalachian-themed amusement park. If you don’t want to commit the time and money at Dollywood (or equally family-friendly attractions like The Island in Pigeon Forge), take a tram up the mountain for eye-popping views. Pigeon Forge has a wide range of hotels, plenty of restaurants, one-of-a-kind country music spots, and other lively evening entertainment spots like the Comedy Barn Theater and Dolly Parton’s Stampede.
Day 7
Squeeze in one more morning activity in the national park today, perhaps taking in the carefully restored cabins at the Elkmont Historic District or hiking the Alum Cave Trail. Take your time heading back to Asheville, stopping along the way in the charming towns of Waynesville and Brevard.