STEP THREE: Make Your Can’t-Miss List
>> What should I do while I’m here? <<
You made it to Step Three! Up until now, the steps have been pretty simple….but it’s time to dig into the nitty-gritty of trip planning.
Your task now is to decide what you want to see while you are in the Smokies. This will likely involve several hours of planning and research.
Or…if you’d like to bypass this step, take a look at this Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary. I’ve already done all the hard work for you!
Now it’s time to get out your notes and laptop and get ready to research.
First, you’ll want to make a list of the things you absolutely don’t want to miss while you are in the Smokies.
These are the big points of interest that initially piqued your interest in taking a trip to the park.
You may find the official NPS website and the Dirt In My Shoes Ultimate Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains helpful for finding the can’t-miss spots.
If it’s your first time to the Great Smoky Mountains, your list will probably include places like Clingmans Dome, Newfound Gap Road, and Cades Cove.
This list might also include wildlife viewing spots, activities you’d like to take part in, or restaurants you’re dying to try depending on your own personal interests and priorities.
Second, make a list of things that would be nice to do or see if you’re able to fit them in.
Maybe you’re really excited about the waterfalls, but you’re not sure if you’ll have time to hike to some of the more remote ones. Put those remote ones on this list.
Maybe you really want to see the old historic buildings that pepper the park, but you’re not sure how much time you’ll have to actually visit the less popular ones. Put those less popular ones on this list.
Third, use the lists you made to group the activities together by region.
Take a look at the Great Smoky Mountains map and organize the things you want to do based on where they are located within the park.
For example, a few of the main regions in the Smokies are the Newfound Gap Road, the Cades Cove region, and Little River Road. Referring to my list of things you can’t miss, I’d lump Clingmans Dome and Alum Cave under the Newfound Gap Road area. The Little River Road area would include the Elkmont Historic District and Spruce Flat Falls…..and so on.
It actually is possible to have a disastrous time in the Great Smoky Mountains, which is why this step is so important to complete. The Smokies is definitely not a place you just want to show up to without a good plan.
Don’t forget that I’ve already created a spectacular plan for you if you need some help completing this step.
It’s much easier to move forward with planning if you have a list of must-see’s organized together by region….and it sure will come in handy over the next two steps as we wrap up your Great Smoky Mountains plan.
That’s it for Step Three! Now on to Step Four, where you’ll learn all about the entrances and towns that surround the park.
Click NEXT to plan out your lodging.
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