Cades Cove Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour | 2 hours to 4 hours

58 Reviews | Great Smoky Mountains National Park
From $14.99 per group Lowest Price Guarantee
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You can select up to 4 travelers in total.
Traveler (0-120) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 4
2
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cades Cove Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
2 Adults x $14.99
$29.98
Approx Total
$29.98

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
  • Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
  • 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!
  • Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations

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. New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips! This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Meeting points

After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.

End point

Open in Google Maps

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.

Itinerary

  • 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.

    10 minutes

  • N/A

    The first landmark you'll encounter is the John Oliver Place, a historic homestead dating back to the early 1800s.

    10 minutes

  • N/A

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

    10 minutes

  • N/A

    Past that is the Methodist Church, which cost only $115 to build when it was constructed in 1902!

    10 minutes

  • N/A

    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.

    5 minutes

  • N/A

    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.

    5 minutes

  • N/A

    Up next is the Abrams Falls Trail, which takes hikers to a powerful waterfall hidden deep in the wilderness.

    10 minutes

  • N/A

    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!

    10 minutes

  • N/A

    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!

    10 minutes

  • N/A (Pass By)

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

  • N/A

    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.

    10 minutes

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and an instructions email. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular
  • How to start the tour: Once onsite, open the Action's Tour Guide App: • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If there are multiple tour versions, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Amazing savings: • Driving Tours: Save money by purchasing a single tour for the entire vehicle, avoiding individual fees per person like on a bus tour. Connect your phone to the car speakers to share the audio.
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It's perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app's features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
  • Minimum Mobile OS Requirement: iOS 14 or later / Android 9 (Pie) or later. It is compatible with iPad models that have a GPS chip.
  • CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet supported. Connect your phone via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux for audio. Use phone speakers if needed.

Free Cancellation

June 15100% refund
June 16No refund

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

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.0

58 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    37
  • 4 stars
    6
  • 3 stars
    3
  • 2 stars
    2
  • 1 star
    10

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 37 reviews with 5 stars

We loved it

Published on Dec, 2024

We loved it! Disappointed that we only saw a bunch of crows and two turkeys, but the audio tour was great! Made it more interesting and enjoyable hearing stories and facts about the areas we were in. Will use again and purchase other driving tours.

Great experience

Published on Oct, 2024

It was great taking our time, hearing the history of the lands. Very easy to navigate. The views were amazing

Highly suggest using this app

Published on Oct, 2024

Wonderful idea! The tour gives you very interesting historical information that makes the sites much more interesting and helped us decide if we wanted to stop or not. The audio comes on automatically just before the point of interest - you don’t have to worry about keeping track or hitting play. Definitely worth the money. One caution about Cades Cove - we were there on a Sunday and there was a line of cars going about 10 miles per hour around the loop for a good part of that portion of the tour. So if you go on a weekend, plan on 2 hours just for the loop. We spent around 5 hours in total and didn’t do any of the stops towards the end. One of the more interesting stops was 2nd to last one so maybe skip some of the smaller cabins at the beginning (but see one). The only complaint was that the map doesn’t show on Apple Car Play. The audio comes through but my son had to hold my phone to keep track of the map. It’s mostly one way road so not a big issue.

Cades Cove Narative

Published on Sep, 2024

Loved that we had a narative to tell us what to look for. Very informative and without it we would not have known the history of what we were experiencing.

A great experience made even better

Published on Aug, 2024

I downloaded before getting to the park and had no problems getting it to play. The stories and information were interesting and added to the wonderful experience we had driving through Cades Cove.

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