Located at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee is the headquarters for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Signs around town are in English and Cherokee, and the city itself is anchored by the Harrah's Cherokee Casino. The tourist-oriented area is rich in outdoor activities for the entire family. The tribe runs a botanical garden, cultural museum, Indian village recreation, historical dramas, and an arts and crafts center.

The most visited national park in the USA, Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses some 800 square miles of protected forest along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. At the heart of it all is Gatlinburg, an ideal base from which to explore the park's hundreds of hiking trails, go river rafting, fishing, horse riding or wildlife watching, or embark on numerous other outdoor adventures. After climbing mountains, take a lift 342 feet to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle for stunning views of the Smokies and the surrounding area. Children will love the amusement centre next to the Needle, which is full of entertaining rides and games. For more family fun visit the captivating creatures of Ripley's Aquarium. Touch a Ray Ban and ogle a lagoon full of sharks. Dolly Parton fans won't want to miss Dollywood, located in nearby Pigeon Forge. This large amusement park features rides and attractions inspired by the popular country singer's love of music, the Smoky Mountains and good old-fashioned southern hospitality.

<p>Situated beside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is ninety-five per cent forest with streams, waterfalls, flora and fauna, Pigeon Forge is a superb holiday destination.</p><p> If you love musical shows and rides, Dollywood is the place for you, whereas Wonderworks is an unusual interactive upside-down attraction. At the Titanic Museum, you can sit in a lifeboat, walk up the grand staircase, take the helm and follow commands. Smoky Mountain adventures are ideal for lovers of outdoor activities, as they include whitewater rafting, mountain biking and rock climbing. Why not take a day trip to Cades Cove, about thirty miles from Pigeon Forge in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? There you can enjoy the scenic Abrams Falls and follow a nature trail. Elvis fans must not miss the Elvis Museum, a small private collection that includes costumes, jewellery, photographs and three cars. Smoky Mountain Car Museum has a jump bike that belonged to Evil Knievel as well as vintage cars, but it is only open from April until October. </p>

Sevierville Tennessee is located on the eastern edge of the state, the town sits in the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains, about ten miles north of the park. There are plenty of outdoor activities such as horseback riding and the Forbidden Caverns for the kids. Additionally, this quaint and quiet town's claim to fame is as the birthplace of Dolly Parton as well as being home to outlet malls and restaurants out on the highway.   

During the Civil War, Knoxville's Mabry-Hazen House served as headquarters for both the Confederate and Union armies. Today you can visit the house and other historic homes in this eastern Tennessee city. Among Knoxville's other attractions are museums, a zoo and the park that housed the 1982 World's Fair. University of Tennessee sports draw lots of fans, as does the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. To see Knoxville from the water, take a leisurely riverboat ride down the Tennessee River.

The name "Chattanooga" comes from the Creek Indian word for "rock coming to a point". This refers to Lookout Mountain, one of the city's major attractions. Here visitors can explore extraordinary rock formations, see a roaring enclosed waterfall and travel by train to the top of the mountain for truly breathtaking vistas. Back down on the ground, don't miss the world's largest freshwater aquarium: the Tennessee Aquarium. History enthusiasts will love the city's museums dedicated to Civil-War, Native-American and 20th-century history. More than anything, Chattanooga is a scenic city, full of natural wonders waiting to be explored on foot or by car, bike or train.