Explore the Great Smoky Mountains at your own pace with a self-guided and self-driving tour. Hike to Alum Cave, enjoy a panoramic view from Charles Overlook, and discover Cades Coves from the comfort of your own car. Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app that will function as your personal guide, audio tour, and map all in one. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Drive to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to start your journey. After exploring the Visitor Center, head past the Mingus Mill, a remnant of a once-thriving town. As you drive to Beech Flats Quiet Walkway, hear accounts of the Cherokee people who once lived here. Learn about their legends and their struggle to hold onto their land. Once you arrive, enjoy a meditative stroll through nature. Hop back into your car and head to Charles Webb Overlook, which offers a panoramic view of the park. Once you’ve snapped some stunning photos, continue toward Clingman’s Dome, the highest peak in the Smokies, for more unparalleled views of the mountains. Continue to the trail for Alum Cave, one of the most popular hikes in the park. If you wish, take the moderate 4.4-mile roundtrip trail for beautiful panoramas and fascinating rock formations. After your hike, drive to Chimney Tops Overlook, offering more stunning mountain views. Next, enjoy an easy wilderness walk at Balsam Point. As you continue past yet another incredible vista and another secluded walkway, hear little-known park history. Jump back in your car and drive towards Gatlinburg, stopping on the way to check out the pristine Cataract Falls. In Gatlinburg, pass the famous Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Drive past Ogle Place, an old-timey homestead dating back to the 1800s, before arriving at Rainbow Falls. Continue your drive past several more waterfalls and the historic cabins of Ephraim Bales and Reagan Tub, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past. Finally, finish your Great Smoky National Park tour with a visit to the old Ely’s Mill, which is still in operation today. Start the second part of your combination tour, discovering Cades Coves, just west of Gatlinburg. From there, continue west toward the scenic loop. The first landmark on your route is John Oliver Place, once home to some of the first homesteaders to make a living here. After that, pass 3 churches dating back to the 1800s and uncover the devastating impact of the Civil War on this community. Drive to Elijah Oliver Place, a beautifully-preserved homestead offering an authentic look at early pioneer life. If you wish to stretch your legs, hike to Abrams Falls, a secluded, powerful waterfall. Next, drive to Tipton Place. Finally, reach the Carter Shields Cabin, another idyllic homestead from a bygone era. Finish your tour at the start of the loop as you hear about the last family to call the cove home.

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map all in one. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Once downloaded, your tour begins at whichever destination you choose to explore first. On the Blue Ridge Parkway, you can start in Cherokee, Asheville, Roanoke, or Afton and drive in either direction. Discover sweeping vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Feel the awe-inspiring beauty of Cathedral Falls and French Broad Falls, cascading through lush forests. Discover the majestic Black Balsam Knob, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. Venture along amazing hiking trails and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the forest. Visit Cherry Cove Overlook for breathtaking vistas that stretch as far as the eye can see. Each step of the way, the Blue Ridge Parkway reveals even more scenic wonders. Shenandoah National Park also boasts plenty of natural treasures. Start from either end of the Skyline Drive and cruise through a verdant landscape. Experience the tranquility of gorgeous vistas, learn the history of the region, and even hike sections of the famous Appalachian Trail! In Cades Cove, step back in time as you visit historic churches and 19th century cabins. Discover the stories of the settlers at Elijah Oliver Cabin and marvel at the beauty of Abrams Falls. Capture the essence of the past at the Cades Cove Historical Grist Mill and explore the picturesque Tipton Road. Continue your adventure into the Great Smoky Mountains. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural and natural heritage of the landscape as you learn about the Native people who lived here long ago. Witness the historic Mingus Mill and find peace along the Quiet Walkways. Ascend to breathtaking mountain vistas and learn about the park's history as you drive. Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah, Cades Cove, and the Great Smoky Mountains all offer an unforgettable blend of natural beauty, history, and adventure. Embrace the magic of these destinations with this easy and accessible bundle.