The Great Smoky Mountains are an excellent destination for a scenic drive. I recommend stopping at the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg, TN, or the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, NC, for current information — both are wheelchair accessible. The park provides several guided auto tours that you can download from the National Park Service app or website.
If the six highlighted tours aren't enough, you can also access the Blue Ridge Parkway from the North Carolina side of the park and travel over 400 miles to Shenandoah National Park. There are countless overlooks and picnic areas from which to appreciate the beauty of the mountains. I lived in this area for many years, and it was one of my favorite activities when I did not have the energy to hike.
