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Join Chuck Schmidt, travel host and go touring Wears Valley, Cades Cove, Townsend and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as surrounding communities. In this Smoky Mountains Podcast learn about attractions, hiking trails, the best places to dine as well as tips and suggestions for saving time and saving money on your vacation.
Show Notes Episode 009 – Touring Wears Valley, Cades Cove and Townsend.
In this episode on the Smoky Mountains podcast you’ll learn about Wears Valley attractions such as:
Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, the Granddaddy of mountain coasters in the Smokies. It was the first mountain coaster in the Smokies opening in 2003. The Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is the longest downhill ride in the United States, with over 1 mile of track! The vehicles are designed to carry two visitors in comfort but can be handled easily by one alone.
The Coaster at Goats on the Roof, Measuring nearly a mile in length and reaching top speeds of nearly 30 miles per hour, The Coaster at Goats on the Roof offers thrills for all ages, and because you the passenger are in control of the brake, you can make the experience as tame or as hair-raising as you’re comfortable with.
Wears Valley Zip Line Adventures – 43 private unspoiled acres with unmatched views of Mount LeConte and he Geat Smoky Mountains National Park. They have 5, 6 and 7 zipline courses extending up to 1.5 miles of ziplines.
Friendly Falls Gem Mine– Miners are welcome to grab a bucket up at the store and take it down to the peaceful creekside mining flume. Scoop your sand into the sifting box, put it in the rushing water of the flume, shake it around and see all the beautiful gemstones for you to take home.
This Smoky Mountins Podcast also focuses on different dining available in Wears Valley as well as hiking trails and point of interest inside GSMNP.
As for the attractions in Townsend this Smoky Mountins podcast covers:
Tuckaleechee Caverns- is a massive cave / cavern system The “Big Room” is the largest cave/cavern room that is open to the public in the eastern United States could almost fit a football stadium. Many stalagmites reach over 24 feet tall with flow-stone formations over hundreds of feet in length and width. Tuckaleechee Caverns is proud to have the tallest underground waterfall in the eastern United States, named “Silver Falls”, a 210 foot two-tier waterfall. Be prepared for going up and down flights of stairways and uneven terrain. OPEN – MARCH 15 to NOVEMBER 15th
Next to Heaven Adventure – Ziplines and horse back riding. You will zip from mountain to mountain on 3 separate lines ranging from 1000 ft up to at 1/4 mile. We offer the most beautiful scenic unguided ride in the smokies. The unguided horseback ride up the mountain is absolutely beautiful. The view at the top is breath taking. This is a true trail ride, if the unguided part concerns you the do have guides that can take you and your party.
The Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum The Townsend-in-the-Smokies Chamber of Commerce established a non-profit organization to found the Little River Railroad & Lumber Company museum in 1982. A Shay engine that had been used in the logging operation, No. 2147, was restored for the project. The depot at Walland was moved to Townsend and memorabilia was collected from the days of the railroad and lumber operations.
Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center preserves, interprets and shares the history and culture of the diverse peoples and Native Americans who have inhabited the Southern Appalachians including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
This Smoky Mountains Podcast also focuses on different dining available in Townsend as well as hiking trails and point of interest inside GSMNP.
As for Cades Cove, you’ll learn about driving the loop and the best times to avoid the traffic. Learn about bicycling the loop as well as hiking trails in the area; Abrams Falls, Spruce Flats Falls, The Schoolhouse Gap Trail, West Prong Trail, Gregory Bald and the Rich Loop Trail.
Hopefully you found this Episode 009 Touring Wears Valley, Cades Cove and Townsend helpful.
Are you planning a visit to the Smokies and are wondering how to fit it all in? Check out our sample itineraries: https://dancingbearfoot.blog/2018/08/30/smoky-mountains-vacation-itinerary-day-1/
If this is your fist time coming to the Smokies and renting a cabin check out out blog post in what to look for when renting a log cabin.
Thank you for reading. If you’d like to learn more about our cabin or other great things to see while visiting the Smoky Mountains please visit us at Dancing Bearfoot.com.
Like our Pizza Bear? Check out the other great artwork from Kenton Visser https://www.kentonvisser.com/
