The Smoky Mountains Self Drive (Asheville - Gatlinburg - Pigeon Forge - Knoxville)

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Asheville is perhaps best known as the location of George Vanderbilt`s Biltmore Estate and the home of major American novelist, Thomas Wolfe. This town of less than 100,000 people has 17 farmers` markets, and the local restaurant scene is all about taking advantage of the seasonal produce sold there.

Explore The Pisgah National Forest, Biltmore, the North Carolina Arboretum, the Western North Carolina Nature Center, the Folk Art Center, the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, the Botanical Gardens at Asheville and so much more!

The quaint, resort-like village of Gatlinburg is nestled in the mountains of East Tennessee and it is known for its beautiful scenery, great shopping, as well as its colorful history. The city borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where people are welcome to explore the park`s numerous offerings. Within a short walk, you’ll find a world-class aquarium, mini golf and mountain coasters, museums and arcades, and countless other attractions for kids and adults alike, right on the Parkway. Or you can admire the picturesque view over the trees in gondolas, chair lifts and aerial tram cars to discover mountaintop family adventures. With so many great family fun attractions, there's no place quite like Gatlinburg, Tennessee!

Explore The Ober Gatlinburg, the Ripley`s Aquarium of the Smokies, the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, the Gatlinburg Space Needle, the Anakeesta, the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, the Ripley`s Believe Ir on Not, the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster and so much more!

Set against the misty blue backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge is best known for family-friendly activities. In addition to the Smoky Mountain scenery, the city has plenty of parks and recreational areas. Dollywood and Dollywood`s Splash Country have rides and activities for all ages and are great places for the whole family to experience in the spring, summer, and fall. Como to Pigeon Forge and enjoy great family-fun with live music, dozens of restaurants, places to stay, and so much more at this little mountain town in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.

Explore The Dollywood`s Splash Country, Dollywood, the TITANIC Museum Attraction, the Island in Pigeon Forge, the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show, the WonderWorks Pigeon Forge, the Alcatraz East Crime Museum, the Hollywood Wax Museum and so much more!

Knoxville is the Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, so you are only a brief road trip away from all the Smoky Mountains have to offer. The city offers a wide range of activities including live music, outdoor adventure, shopping, restaurants, festivals, and museums. The Museum of East Tennessee History has interactive exhibits plus regional art, textiles and Civil War artifacts. This is also one of the top producers of television programming in the country, with companies like Discovery (National Operations HQ), Jupiter Entertainment, Rivr Media, NorthSouth Productions, Lusid Media and more calling Knoxville home. No matter how you enjoy this hidden jewel, you can be sure of one thing: Knoxville will surprise you.

Explore The Ijams Nature Center, the Zoo Knoxville, the Sunsphere, the Knoxville Museum of Art, the Little River, the World`s Fair Park, the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, the Market Square, the Women`s Basketball Hall of Fame and so much more!