The Great Smoky Mountains grab your attention with marvelous mountain views, endless trails, and a variety of wildlife, but there’s so much more to the story. Before the national park was established, generations of families built their lives here. From raising crops to the creation of timeless traditions, they helped shape the region with a whole lot of grit and creativity. These days, you can still catch glimpses of that mountain heritage all over the Smokies. If you want to learn more about the people and traditions that shaped the area, here are 5 things to do in the Smoky Mountains that showcase the region’s heritage:
1. Explore the Historic Buildings in Cades Cove
Visiting Cades Cove is one of the must-try things to do in the Smoky Mountains. People flock to Cades Cove for a couple of major reasons: the scenery is stunning and it’s one of the best places to learn about Appalachian history. Drive the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road, and you’ll come across old churches, log cabins, homesteads, barns, and even a grist mill that’s still in operation. You’ll get a true sense of what daily life was like for some of the earliest families to live in the Smokies and learn more about their stories.
2. Step Back in Time at Elkmont
Elkmont may not look like much at first glance, but once you wander its old path, history starts unfolding before your eyes. What began as a logging industry hub turned into a resort area for the wealthy before it was eventually abandoned and became known as Elkmont Ghost Town. The buildings here, some restored and other dilapidated, give you a window into the area’s earliest tourism industry.
3. Meet Artisans at the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community
One of the things to do in the Smoky Mountains that both visitors and locals rave about is visit the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community! It’s an 8-mile loop, just outside of downtown Gatlinburg, filled with workshops and studios that continue to carry on the tradition of old-school Appalachian craftsmanship. You’ll see potters at their wheels, quilts coming together, woodcarvers at work, and a variety of other crafts being made. Not only can you shop, but you can start a chat with the artisans and learn more about their craft.
4. See Early Mountain Life on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Ready for a drive through the woods with history baked right in? That’s Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail to a T. It’s a one-way, 5.5-mile paved drive with plenty of stops along the way to hop out and see log cabins and other historic structures tucked away in the forest. These places aren’t just photo ops; they show how creative and tough those first settlers had to be, making a home out of whatever the mountains provided.
5. Sample Sips of Smoky Mountain Moonshine
You can’t talk about Smoky Mountain heritage and skip moonshine. The moonshine making industry began in the late 1700s and early 1800s when Scots-Irish settlers brought along European distilling methods to the area. Using local corn, they’d craft high-proof whiskey under the cover of night. Today you can learn more about the industry and its unique history while tasting a variety of samples when you visit Smoky Mountain distilleries. Plus, you won’t believe some of the fun flavors!
More Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains
Everyone comes for the landscape and the entertainment, but it’s the people, the old cabins, the crafts, and the stories that truly make the Smokies unforgettable. As you plan the itinerary for your getaway, make sure to check out even more things to do in the Smoky Mountains for a trip full of great memories!
