Southeast U.S. National Park Tour

As you arrive in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, you’ll get to know your guide. This evening, you’ll visit the Gatlinburg Space Needle. This 407-foot observation tower offers stunning 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Today’s adventure is in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can hike through wooded trails and visit the historic buildings, barns and houses in Cades Cove. Learn about the native animals, trees and plants that make this park their home. Watch for birds, animals and rushing waterfalls as you experience this scenic park.

Today, you’ll get a unique perspective as you soar 1,800 feet to the top of the mountain on a chairlift. At the top, the Gatlinburg SkyBridge, a pedestrian suspension bridge, crosses 680 feet across the valley below. It’s 140 feet high at its highest point and has a glass bottom at this spot.

Next, you’ll take on the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster, which travels through forested areas on a specially designed track.

This morning, you’ll travel about 1.5 hours to Asheville through the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The parkway spans a total of 469 miles as it connects Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park with the North Carolina portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Along the way, you’ll stop off at the Folk Art Center and Mount Pisgah. Enjoy the scenery. You’ll end up in Eastover (near Columbia, SC) for the remainder of the trip.

Today’s agenda takes you to the hardwood forests of Congaree National Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. You’ll spend the day hiking along the boardwalk trails through forests of black tupelo, bald cypress, sweetgum and loblolly pine. 

Next, you’ll check out the Robert Mills House and Gardens. This National Historic Landmark was built in 1823 and designed by Washington Monument designer Robert Mills. The Robert Mills Historic District also includes the Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens, the Mann-Simons Site, the Woodrow Wilson Family Home and the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House.

Today, you’ll head to Congaree’s Cedar Creek for a kayaking excursion. Watch for birds as you paddle peacefully along. Afterward, you’ll visit the art, history and science exhibits at the South Carolina State Museum.

Spend your last morning in South Carolina enjoying a cup of coffee or taking some final photos of the great outdoors.