Where do I start. Don't waste your time in the casinos during the day there is so much to see. Clingmans Dome you can drive to and do half mile hike to the Dome watch sunsets sunrises. Soco Falls is roadside a must-see. An hour away is Route 64 going through Highlands. You can see Cullasaja Falls,Bridal Falls, Dry Falls, bust your butt Falls and do a very easy hike to Glen Falls. It's a beautiful drive and everything I mentioned there is about 35 minutes of each other. There are a handful of sites and a beautiful Grist Mill on route 74 between the casino and Oconaluftee visiting center. I went to the visiting center because every night around 4: 30 to 5 p. M. The elk start coming out to graze on the lawns. About 90 minutes away Blue Ridge Parkway short walk amazing view craggy garden, there a few other Hikes Benton Falls, mingo falls. I hope this was helpful.
There is a place called looking glass falls, its not really a hiking trail but it is a must see. Also 2 miles from there is a place called sliding rock. There are hiking trails there.
Don't forget Mingo falls in Cherokee also.
Soco Falls east of Cherokee a few miles. Cataloochee near Maggie Valley to see elk up close. Deep Creek in Bryson City (tube or hike). Skinny Dip Falls on parkway.
Soco falls is not a hike but a beautiful location to spend an hour in.
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