An easy stop right on the main road through Nantahala National Forest. You are unfortunately no longer allowed to drive behind the falls. There are large, heavy signs in the road preventing a car from driving back there, unless you carefully drive around them, which is definitely highly dangerous, I'm assuming quite illegal, and something that we most certainly did not do...
It's not possible to sum up the wonder and the beauty of the Smokys in a review, and if you're reading this, you likely already know that. You also know of the incredible hikes, trails, views, waterfalls, etc., etc., etc. So, here are some suggestions you may not know...
Don't be afraid to come here in the spring. The cold weather and the rain make the "smoke" (fog) even thicker, and while you won't see anything from the tops of the mountains, including your hand in front of your face, this weather phenomenon is like something from another world.
If you do go in spring, call ahead, many roads are closed to traffic.
If you're here because you love nature, and not people... The Oconaluftee Visitors Center on the North Carolina side of the park isn't even 1/8th of the 3 ring circus of trashy families, backwoods inbred hillbillies, tourists spending their first day ever outside of their living rooms, and people who have clearly never heard of the terms manners, social skills, or getting the f out of my way in their lives as the Sugarlands Visitors Center on the Tennessee side is.
Recently added this to our list of food related museum stops, and it kept up with the likes of the SPAM museum, original KFC, and so many more! Lots of fun displays and way more bean info than you can digest. See the original recipe book (although it is locked behind "lasers" so don't get too close!) Watch the bean history movie. Get a free souvenir picture taken with a photoshopped Duke the dog. Shop for country relics and never before seen flavors of beans in the general store. Find out how much you weigh in beans. Then be sure to eat at the cafe.
And if you try one of their famous bean pies, I suggest waiting a half hour, then going back to the museum to see how many beans worth of weight you have lost...
Insanely impressed with this park. Tons of beautiful views. Tons of history. Tons of trails. Tons (well 3) of states coming together in one spot. Some areas can only be hiked to, some only by guided tours, some you can only drive to once a year, and some you can enjoy whenever you darn well please.
Be sure to drive to the 2,440 ft tall Pinnacle overlook to take it all in. No trailers or vehicles over 20 ft are allowed on the road up, and for good reason, as it is steep and oh so curvy.
Also camped here ($20 for electric site, $10 with senior or access pass) and it was one of nicest campgrounds we have been to in a long time. Level cement pads with decent privacy, soaring trees, mountain views, and definitely the nicest campground shower house (with HOT water) that we have seen recently.
Not sure what some of these crazies are talking about, this place is definitely worth the detour!
For starters, who doesn't love KFC?! And I will go to my grave insisting that it tasted better here than it has ever before in my life!
Couple that with seeing tons of cool artifacts (my favorite was the 100 pound container of herbs and spices shipped to the colonel that he personally cut every single label, ingredient, etc. off of), reading all sorts of informational displays, seeing the original kitchen that he invented this gloriousness inside, and eating in a cool old dark rickety building as opposed to a sterile white on white institutional nightmare, and this place is a definite must see, must eat stop on your way through Kentucky. Just don't forget to sit in The Colonel's lap and snap a selfie!
We visited this little roadside wonder both before some jackwagon burned it down, and now again since it has been rebuilt in all its miniscule glory. This place is exactly what you thought it was when you clicked on it... A tiny church, with a tiny bell you can ring, in a beautiful setting, only a mile from the interstate. If you dont stop here then you must not love the fat little baby Jesus!
Some very cool art here! Including the insanely huge-normous lobster waiting out front. She's a monster of a sea beast, and a must-see on your way through the keys.
Unfortunately the parking lot is way too small for how popular this place is, and due to the fact that I needed a handicapped parking spot (with ramp access), of which there were none, I was unable to stay and browse through the store itself.
If their scuba / snuba / rental / snorkel trips / tours / services are half as impressive as the world's largest queen angel fish, which is located in their parking lot, then it is obvious why they were awarded 5 stars from PADI!
I'm sure this place is beautiful.. However, I accidentally drove through here for the first time at night.. Don't. Unless you like unfamiliar roads with more curves than a Saturday night party at the Playboy Mansion
I like big nuts and I cannot lie!! Not sure what these other reviewers are smoking, as the road here is fine, you can literally park right under it (see my picture..) and theres all sorts of stuff around, like a big ol' backwoods Georgia style country store and a campground... You don't want to miss this one!