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Cades Cove Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

58 Reviews 4.28 out of 5 stars Based on 58 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA

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1 to 2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation

Overview

Purchase only one tour per vehicle, not per person. Everyone listens together!

Discover gorgeous natural scenery and rich history at Cades Cove, one of the most popular destinations in the Smoky Mountains. This scenic loop packs a ton of sights into a small space. Check out sparkling waterfalls, lush hiking trails, and historic churches all in one place! Plus, learn the fascinating history behind this cove, including how the Civil War once threatened to tear it apart.

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

What's Included

  • Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
  • Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
  • Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
  • Cades Cove Daily Tag
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Sugarlands Visitor Center Loop Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Campground Drive
Townsend, TN 37882, USA

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Between May and September, Cyclists and pedestrians have exclusive usage of the Cades Cove Loop Road every Wednesday. No other vehicles are allowed during this time.

What To Expect

Cades Cove Visitor Center

Your tour of Cades Cove begins near the Sugarlands Visitor Center. From here, you'll drive down a scenic route to reach the main attraction: Cades Cove Loop.Note: This 25+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Cades Cove in 3-5 hours.Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

John Oliver Place

The first landmark you'll encounter is the John Oliver Place, a historic homestead dating back to the early 1800s.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cades Cove Primitive Baptist Church

Next up is the Primitive Baptist Church, one of three historic churches in Cades Cove which offers a window into the area's past.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cades Cove Methodist Church

Past that is the Methodist Church, which cost only $115 to build when it was constructed in 1902!
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cades Cove Missionary Baptist Church

Then there's the Missionary Baptist Church, which split off from the Primitive Baptist Church during the early days of Cades Cove due to ideological divides.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Elijah Oliver Cabin

Continuing on, you'll come to the Elijah Oliver Place, accessible via a half-mile trail. This secluded homestead once belonged to an abolitionist who found himself in grave danger when the Civil War broke out.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Abrams Falls Trail

Up next is the Abrams Falls Trail, which takes hikers to a powerful waterfall hidden deep in the wilderness.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cades Cove Historical Grist Mill

After that, you'll see the John Cable Grist Mill. This mill dates back to 1870 and you can still see it in operation today!
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Henry Whitehead House

From the John Cable Grist Mill, you'll have the option to make a detour to the Henry Whitehead House. This pleasant cabin was actually built as a wedding gift!
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Tipton Road (Pass By)

Next on your route is Tipton Place, which was once home to a war hero of the American Revolution..
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Carter Shields Cabin

Finally, you'll come next to the Carter Shields Cabin, a staunchly abolitionist home that lost much during the Civil War.There are many stories that you'll hear along the way, including • A Cherokee Homeland • White Settlers Arrive in Cades Cove • Smokies Wildlife • The Cussing Cover • Last Family who lived in Cades Cove and more. Explore the captivating Great Smoky Mountains and the stunning Cades Cove by purchasing our special bundle that includes both destinations.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Show 9 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
  • Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Cades Cove Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-267535P3

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.28
58 reviews

Average 4.28 out of 5 stars based on 58 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
40
4 stars
8
3 stars
2
2 stars
2
1 star
6

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What's Included

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
  • Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
  • Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
  • Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
  • Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
  • Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
  • Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
  • Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
  • Cades Cove Daily Tag

Additional Info

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
  • How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
  • Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
  • Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
  • Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

Report Product Issue

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Free Cancellation

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT).

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American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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