1. The Smokies: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
There’s no better place to begin your Great Smoky Mountains National Park adventure than in the small town of Gatlinburg. From downtown Gatlinburg, you can easily drive to the park’s most popular areas, or simply jump on the chairlift and head for the hills at the Ober Gatlinburg, a ski resort and amusement park offering year-round activities.
Apart from the scenic drives, park highlights include more than 900 miles of hiking trails, and the 6,643-foot-high Clingmans Dome, with its Observation Tower perched atop the mountain’s summit and offering 360-degree views. If you are coming for the hiking and sightseeing, the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains is from spring until fall but winter holds its own attraction.
Popular Smoky Mountains day trips include Sugarlands, a beautiful valley and favorite destination for hikers, and the lovely Cades Cove. Once home to settlers, Cades Cove now attracts many tourists eager to see its picturesque meadows, pioneer homesteads, mountain views, and wildlife.
For the truly adventurous, look into an overnight camping trip or a fun stay in a rustic cabin deep in the woods.
2. Graceland and the Elvis Presley Memphis Complex
As popular as the White House in Washington D.C., Graceland and the Elvis Presley Memphis Complex is considered one of the top attractions in the historic city of Memphis.
Undoubtedly the most famous rock ‘n’ roll residence in the world, Graceland Mansion remains a place of pilgrimage to fans from far and wide, and tours of this fine, stately home provide a unique glimpse into the King’s life (nothing has been changed since he passed away there in 1977).
The complex is also home to Elvis Presley’s Memphis, a vast warehouse-like structure that includes exhibits and displays of the star’s many outfits, his influences, and his rise to fame. Also worth checking out are the family tomb, an impressive collection of cars, aircraft, and memorabilia, and tours of his living quarters, including the music room, TV room, and Jungle Den.
A variety of tour packages are offered, including accommodations at the luxurious Guest House at Graceland. For those interested in «virtually» visiting the attraction before their arrival, numerous fun interactive exhibits and online tours can be experienced on their website.
