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About
Highlights:
- Visit historic sights - Hear interesting stories - Learn the history of each area visited - Stop at local shopping areas - See beautiful views - Option to dine at a local restaurant
Sights of the Smokies is a 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 historic sights, hear interesting stories, learn the history of each area visited, stop at local shopping areas, see beautiful views, and stop for a lunch break to dine at an amazing local restaurant (meal not included).
We begin our tour at the Apple Barn. From here we go thru Pigeon Forge and into the city of Gatlinburg for a history lesson on how Gatlinburg 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. After touring around Gatlinburg we will head to the top of the mountain to Rockefeller Memorial on Newfound Gap Rd. Here you will have 30 minutes to explore at your leisure. Take a short hike and breath in the fresh mountain air. There are also restrooms at this stop.
Moving on down into the area known as Elkmont we will briefly discuss its history and its namesake. We will also discuss some of the local people who lived in Elkmont as well as a stop to visit Daisy town. On our way to our lunch stop we will pass thru Metcalf bottoms and briefly discuss the Walker Sisters.
We will have a 1 hour lunch break at one of 3 local restaurants depending on the time of year. This lunch is not included with your admission price so you will have to purchase your own meal. The lunch stop typically is from 12:30-1:30. You may leave extra tip at your discretion but it is included in the price as well. You are not required to have lunch at this stop but we will be at the location for at least an hour to give all guests time to enjoy a meal if they wish to have one.
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 commonly 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 may stop to 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.
Along the entire route your guide will do a great deal of talking and tell you plenty of stories along the way. This is probably the most in depth tour in the area by far since all the information given on this tour is from a real 7th generation local. 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.
