5 days in Smoky Mountains & Cherokee Itinerary

Start off your visit on the 20th (Thu): admire the sheer force of Whitewater Falls, take in the awesome beauty at Sunset Rock and Ravenel Park, and then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Whiteside Mountain. On your second day here, surround yourself with nature on Lake Glenville Scenic Waterfall Cruises, admire the sheer force of Bust Your Butt Falls, then admire the sheer force of Dry Falls, and finally admire the sheer force of Bridal Veil Falls.

To find ratings, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Highlands road trip planner.

Newark to Highlands is an approximately 4-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of bus and car. Expect little chillier evenings in Highlands when traveling from Newark in October, with lows around 44°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Fri) to allow time to drive to Cherokee.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like River Rafting & Tubing and Mingo Falls. Change things up with these side-trips from Cherokee: Wheels Through Time Transportation Museum (in Maggie Valley), Otter Creek Trout Farm (in Topton) and Nantahala River Gem Mine (in Bryson City). There's much more to do: examine the collection at Museum of the Cherokee Indian, take in the dramatic scenery at Soco Falls, steep yourself in history at Mingus Mill, and take in the awesome beauty at Waterrock Knob.

To see more things to do, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Cherokee attractions planner.

Traveling by car from Highlands to Cherokee takes 1.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 70°F in October, and nighttime lows around 44°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Mon) to allow time to fly back home.