The Peaceful Side of the Smokies
Foothills Parkway & Cades Cove
4 Days | Spring | Summer | Fall
Starting At $Flexible Pricing
Come see The Peaceful Side of the Smokies with a day outing that is beyond compare in and near the town of Townsend, TN. You ride open-air jeeps on the Foothills Parkway, tourist vans into the mountain village of Cades Cove. Plus you learn about the culture of Mountain People at the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center.
Highlights
Tour Highlights:
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Tour Inclusions:
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Flexible Pricing:
- Customizable Comps
- Net Rates
- Luxury or First Class Hotels & Meals
- Motorcoach Transportation & Professional Tour Managers are available
Tour Tennessee will be happy to structure tour prices to match your needs. Just let us know!
Itinerary
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Thursday – Country Tonite
Your group arrives in Pigeon Forge for a three night stay. After hotel Check in you enjoy a delicious dinner at Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant a southern favorite
Then at Country Tonite Theater you enjoy a fantastic show. In this fast-paced production you will enjoy a variety of dynamic singing and dancing, side-splitting comedy, powerful gospel, and American patriotism. From the strong talent of the youth performers, to the experienced veterans of the Country Tonite stage, the love of God, family and country resonates throughout the show. (D)
Day 2 – Friday – Townsend, TN – Pink Jeep Tour – Foothills Parkway – Cades Cove
Your morning begins with great excitement onboard the open-air Pink Jeep Tour. Your adventure guide will narrate as you motor along “the prettiest drive in America” with scenic viewpoints offering spectacular views of the highest peaks in the Smokies.
This tour ends at the Apple Valley Mountain Village in Townsend, TN where your bus is waiting. Here you find lunch at the Apple Valley Café followed by a visit to The General Store.
Then you visit the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, a Tennessee Mountain History Museum with 13 historic buildings, including cantilever barns, a chapel, a sawmill, a smokehouse and wheelwright shop. Two galleries display Native American and early settler artifacts dating from 10,000 BC to the 1930s. Another display chronicles the evolution of transportation from horse-drawn buggies to motorized vehicles.
Also this afternoon, you journey in tourist vans, with another adventure guide, on an 11 mile, one-lane looping road into remote Cades Cove. This hidden valley is framed by picturesque mountain peaks and was hunted by the Cherokee for centuries before Europeans arrived around 1820. Many of the original 19th structures from that community of almost 300 people still stand, including three churches, log homes and a water mill near the visitors center.
Here you are literally walking through history with nature by your side. The Cove is one of the Smokies best wildlife viewing areas with herds of white-tailed deer, black bear, coyote, turkey, raccoon, and others.
Returning to Townsend dinner is at the Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro serving regionally inspired dishes in a rustic setting. It is also a true farm-to-table experience as they use fresh produce grown on-site.
Following dinner at the Amphitheater in the Heritage Center you enjoy a Friday Night Sunset Concert. (B,L,D)
Day 3 – Saturday – Anakeesta – Dollywood
Begins at Anakeesta, Gatlinburg’s newest theme park. You enter the park riding a chairlift, gondola, or their Ridge Rambler Trucks 600 feet up to the summit of Anakeesta Mountain and the Firefly Village. Strolling across this whimsical mountaintop you will discover quaint shopping, sweet treats and slow-smoked southern barbeque all with scenic views of Downtown Gatlinburg. Enjoy live music, quick bites, outdoor seating and an elevated dining experience at Cliff Top in Black Bear Village.
The adventurous will enjoy the 16-bridge Treetop Skywalk, or will want to climb Anavista Tower for 360⁰ views from downtown Gatlinburg’s highest point. You will also find meandering pathways in the multi-sensory Vista Gardens featuring music and scenic overlooks.
Then by early afternoon, you arrive at Dollywood, known for its world-class entertainment, amazing thrill rides, and family friendly adventure. At Dollywood you’ll enjoy live stage shows, the Dolly museum, real train rides, the American Eagle habitat, and for the very brave ride the Wild Eagle Coaster (along with many other rides the park has to offer).
You’ll also enjoy watching Dollywood’s master craftsmen and artisans at work proudly continuing the centuries-old traditions of hand-making their arts & crafts with daily demonstrations. Dollywood offers you the chance to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains and the incredible spirit of its people
Your Dollywood Admission includes a dinner voucher for use in the park. (B,D)
Day 4 Depart for home
After breakfast, depart for home. (B)