On the outskirts of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this small museum spotlights Native American peoples of East Tennessee as well as the region's mountain culture. The exhibits aren't super in-depth or wide-ranging, but if this is your first visit to the area they provide a nice introduction to East Tennessee. In the Historic Village out back you can explore 13 furnished buildings showcasing various eras.
Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center
East Tennessee
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
13.91 MILES
The story of the Smoky Mountains began in primordial times when clashing supersized continents created a chain of mountains that are today among the…
5.63 MILES
In Appalachian parlance, a cove means a valley, but Cades Cove is far more than that. One of the most popular destinations in the Tennessee section of…
12.81 MILES
On April 15, 1912, the steamship Titanic sank on her maiden voyage after colliding with an iceberg. The ship's history and the stories of many of her…
16.14 MILES
Mt LeConte (6593ft) is the park’s third-highest peak and one of its most familiar sights, visible from practically every viewpoint. The only way to get to…
26.42 MILES
This remarkable modern museum traces Cherokee history from their Paleo-Indian roots onwards. Its villain is the perfidious Andrew Jackson, who made his…
9.29 MILES
To get bread on the table, early residents of Cades Cove first had to mill their grains and corn. Above all other staples, corn was the most important…
14.84 MILES
‘On top of Old Smoky’ is Clingmans Dome (elevation 6643ft), the park’s highest peak. At the summit, a steep, half-mile paved trail leads to an observation…
25.61 MILES
One of the park's most picturesque 19th-century buildings, the Mingus Mill is a turbine-powered mill that still grinds wheat and corn much as it has since…
Nearby East Tennessee attractions
3.42 MILES
A requisite stop when driving Little River Rd is this series of cascades just off the road. Here, the Little River makes a sharp hairpin turn, with water…
4.22 MILES
A lovely spot for a picnic, with tables set up along the Little River. Afterwards you can dip your feet in the cool, rushing waters.
5.62 MILES
Children enjoy splashing in the shallows of Abrams Creek at this woodsy picnic spot, where a number of tables are perched by the water. You'll find grills…
5.63 MILES
In Appalachian parlance, a cove means a valley, but Cades Cove is far more than that. One of the most popular destinations in the Tennessee section of…
6.14 MILES
Built in the early 1820s, this rustic log cabin is the oldest in Cades Cove. Check out the stone chimney, made with mud mortar. The home was built by one…
7.15 MILES
Cades Cove's 1902 Methodist Church has a small but picturesque white steeple and includes gravestones on its lawn. It was built by blacksmith and…
7.25 MILES
One of three rural churches that remain standing in Cades Cove, the 1887 Primitive Baptist Church is flanked by an atmospheric cemetery. Look out for the…
7.36 MILES
The last cabin on the loop road is arguably the most photogenic, tucked in a small grassy glade surrounded by the woods. Carter Shields, a Civil War…