My husband and I went and visited the Smokies. Learn what I thought about my first time in the Great Smoky Mountains!
Driving Through the Smoky Mountains – My First Time
Yee-haw, ya’ll! I just got back from the doggone best trip ever to the Great Smoky Mountains, and I can’t wait to tell y’all all about it! Let me tell you, the Smoky Mountains blew my cowboy boots off. As soon as I caught my first glimpse of those rolling green peaks disappearing into the misty blue horizon, I tell you what, my jaw dropped faster than a calf at branding time. That’s right, the views in this neck of the woods are absolutely stunning.
So buckle up and get ready for the ride of your life, because I’m gonna take you through the highlights of my first trip to the most visited national park in the good ole US of A. From scenic drives prettier than a painted pony, to hiking trails that’ll have you happier than a pig in slop, to exploring mountain towns full of more Southern charm than granny’s sweet tea. Yessir! This is gonna be more fun than a square dance at the county fair!
Related: Read my post about how to go car camping!
Scenic Drives and Overlooks
Now I know I got a little carried away with all those “yeehaws” and “doggos” earlier. And while I do love me some Southern slang – I did move to Kentucky in 2021 after all – I actually do want to tell you properly about how jaw-droppingly beautiful the scenery is in the Smokies.
In all seriousness, driving through the mountains here is like cruising through a real life oil painting. The smokey blue ridges just roll on forever into the horizon. We’re talking views more stunning than your Granny Betty Lou’s wedding photos.
Hi Granny Betty if you’re reading this!
The Newfound Gap Road winds right through the middle of the park with one picture-perfect vista after another. Make sure to stop at the overlooks for iconic views like the one from Clingmans Dome, the highest point in Tennessee. Just be ready for some serious crowds trying to sneak into your pictures!
No seriously! We found ourselves in lines more than once as we tried to snap the perfect Facebook worthy pic!
Further down Newfound Gap, stop at the Chimney Tops overlook for one of the best panoramas of the ancient mountain peaks shrouded in silvery mist. No fancy camera skills needed, the views look like professional postcards no matter which way you point your lens.
And be sure not to miss the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail loop, where you’ll feel like you passed through a time portal to the old days of log cabins, churches, and tub mills. The mountain farmsteads are sure to spark some wholesome nostalgia.
So if you’re looking for that perfect profile pic, just take one of the scenic drives. The Great Smoky Mountains will give you all the camera candy you can handle!
Hiking Trails for Next Time
Now on this first trip, my husband and I only had one day to explore the Smokies. So sadly, we didn’t actually get to hit any of the amazing hiking trails. I know, I know, that’s like going to Disney World and only riding the merry-go-round once.
But from the car, we could glimpse some of the incredible trails weaving through the lush forests and up into the misty mountains. And let me tell you, it took everything in me not to jump out and start trekking those wooded paths!
We drove by trailheads that lead to iconic routes like the Appalachian Trail and saw hikers on their way up to stunning destinations like Laurel Falls. Watching those tiny people marching up the steep slopes, I felt my hiking shoes get a bit jealous.
I was especially bummed we couldn’t make the tough climb up to the Chimney Tops. That panoramic view from the unique dual-peaked summit looked absolutely magical in the brochures I found at the rest stop on our way into Tennessee! But a mile-high hike is not something we could squeeze into a quick day trip.
However, this just gives us all the more reason to come back and spend a whole week immersed in the mountains. I cannot wait to finally hit trails like Hen Wallow Falls and experience the roar of water crashing down a 90-foot cascade.
I reckon we’ll have to get some doggy backpacks for Baileys and Kahlua because I don’t see my doggos trekking up the rocks – ya know what I mean?
And we definitely have to come back and spot some of the iconic Smoky Mountain wildlife, like black bears, turkeys, and whitetail deer. Safely viewing these creatures in their natural habitat would be the experience of a lifetime!
So while we made the most of the scenic drives on this first trip, we are already counting down the days until we can return to the wonderland of trails in the Great Smoky Mountains! I just know those views overlooking all that was below were just a teaser for the beauty awaiting us on foot.
Exploring the Nearby Town
After soaking up the natural splendor in the mountains, head down to the local towns for some fun. The mountain resort city of Gatlinburg offers family entertainment, kitschy shops, and Southern cuisine. But one of my favorite stops was the Gatlinburg Winery shop.
This winery has been crafting specialty wines with unique local flavor right at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains since 2017. We visited their tasting room to try their famous cotton candy wine – and let me tell you, it was deliciously sweet bliss in a glass!
The winemaker Nolan has nearly two decades of experience perfecting his craft. His goal is for every sip to capture the essence of Gatlinburg’s beauty and Southern hospitality.
Thousands flock to the winery to try the signature cotton candy wine that started it all. The blush-colored, carnival-inspired sipper tastes exactly like the sugary pink cloud we all know and love. It’s no wonder this wine spawned a nation-wide cotton candy wine obsession!
But cotton candy is just one of many fruity, flavorful wines offered. You can get a free tasting flight to sample award-winning wines like their Blueberry Muffin. Or join the Gatlinburg Winery Club to get new specialty releases shipped to your door.
With the misty blue Smoky Mountains as the backdrop, the tasting room provides the perfect atmosphere to sip these one-of-a-kind wines. The exceptional pours and welcoming hospitality encapsulate the charm that makes Gatlinburg a true gem.
So next time you’re exploring the mountain towns, make the Gatlinburg Winery a sweet stop. Their wines offer a delicious taste of this special region!
I Can’t Wait to Go Back!
The Great Smoky Mountains exceeded all my expectations for natural splendor on my first visit. While we only had time to experience the park by car, the scenic drives gave us a taste of the breathtaking vistas, misty peaks, and wooded wilderness that make this the most visited national park.
Driving through paradise-like panoramas on Newfound Gap Road and the Roaring Fork Motor Trail was just a teaser. I cannot wait to return and dive deeper into those mountains on the amazing hiking trails. Walking beside thundering falls and climbing to the summits of the iconic peaks is now at the top of my travel bucket list.
And the local mountain towns like Gatlinburg and Cades Cove offer such a fun way to soak up the culture, history and cuisine of the Smokies region. From moonshine distilleries to wineries serving up specialty sips, there is so much still left to explore.
While this trip may have been a quick introduction, the stunning scenery and warm hospitality have me hooked. I’m already counting down the days until I can return to the wonderland that is the Great Smoky Mountains!
