Carolinas, Georgia & South Trips (Lonely Planet, 1st Edition) - Alex Leviton [42]
Dollywood
Revel in the Appalachian-themed kitsch at this family-friendly amusement park, owned by East Tennessee’s own darlin’ Dolly. 865-428-9488; www.dollywood.com; 1020 Dollywood Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN; adult/child $50/39; hours vary by season, closed Jan-Mar;
Dollywood’s Splash Country
Cool off in the Mountain Waves pool at Dolly’s 25-acre water park. 865-428-9488; www.dollywoodssplashcountry.com; 146 Middle Creek Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN; adult/child $42/37; 10am-7pm high season, closed Oct-Apr;
Gatlinburg Sky Lift
Ride this chairlift high into the mountains for incomparable views. 865-436-4307; www.gatlinburgskylift.com; Parkway light 7, Gatlinburg, TN; adult/child $12/9; 9am-10pm, to 5pm winter
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Choose from a variety of scenic train tours, including dinner and wine trips and kid-friendly rides. 800-872-4681; www.gsmr.com; 226 Everett St, Bryson City, NC; adult/child from $34/19;
Mountain Farm Museum and Mingus Mill
Be transported to the 19th century at this replica farm (next to Oconaluftee Visitor Center) and working grist mill (a half-mile up the road). 423-436-1200; www.nps.gov/grsm; 9am-5pm Mar-Dec
Museum of the Cherokee Indian
Artifact-filled exhibits trace the long, proud and often sad history of Native Americans in these mountains. 828-497-3481; www.cherokeemuseum.org; 589 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC; adult/child $9/6; 9am-5pm
Nantahala Outdoor Center
This trusted river outfitter has whitewater trips for all levels, with several outposts throughout the Appalachians. 828-488-2176; www.noc.com; 13077 Hwy 19/74, near Bryson City NC; guided rafting trips from $38;
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Pick up maps and camping permits at North Carolina’s gateway to the Smokies. 423-436-1200; www.nps.gov/grsm; Hwy 441, near Cherokee, NC; 8am-4:30pm, until later spring & summer
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Take a walk through the shark tunnel and play with stingrays at this massive fish tank. 865-430-8808; www.ripleysaquariumofthesmokies.com; Parkway light 5, Gatlinburg, TN; adult/child $22/12; 9am-9pm Sun-Thu, to 11pm Fri & Sat;
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
The shrunken heads are a major crowd pleaser at this house of oddities. 865-436-5096; www.ripleys.com; Parkway light 7, Gatlinburg, TN; adult/child $15/9; 9am-midnight;
Sugarlands Visitor Center
Tennessee’s main park entrance has a bookstore and ranger tours in summer. 865-436-1291; www.nps.gov/grsm; Hwy 441, TN; 8am-4:30pm, until later spring & summer
The Lost Sea
Descend into Craighead Caverns and sail across a 4.5-acre underground lake. 423-337-6616; www.thelostsea.com; 140 Lost Sea Rd, Sweetwater, TN; adult/child $16/7.50; 9am-5pm, until later spring & summer;
Unto These Hills
This summertime outdoor play dramatizing Cherokee history has been performed at the Mountainside Theater since 1950. 866-554-4557; www.cherokee-nc.com; Drama Rd, Cherokee; adult/child $18/8; 8:30pm Mon-Sat Jun-Aug
EAT
Pancake Pantry
Dig into an extra-tall stack at this beloved all-day breakfast joint. 865-436-4724; 628 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN; mains $4-9, 7am-4pm;
Tomato Head
Fill your belly with pizza and tofu burritos at this quirky locals spot. 865-637-4067; 12 Market Sq, Knoxville, TN; mains $5-9; 11am-9:30pm Tue-Thu, to 3pm Mon, to 10:30pm Fri & Sat, to 9pm Sun
SLEEP
Buckhorn Inn
Curl up by the fire and gaze out at the misty mountains from the parlor of this gracious bed and breakfast. 865-436-4668; www.buckhorninn.com; 2140 Tudor Mountain Rd, Gatlinburg, TN; r from $115
Elkmont Campground
The park’s largest campground has 220 sites on the banks of the Little River. 865-436-1271; nps.gov/grsm; Little River Rd, TN; campsites from $17; Mar-Dec;
Hotel St Oliver
Sleep amid quirky Southern antiques in this eccentric old downtown hotel, with a grand piano in the tiny lobby. 865-521-0050; www.hotelstolivertn.com; 407 Union Ave, Knoxville, TN; r from $75
LeConte Lodge
Hike up to these rustic cabins at the summit