Atlanta to Great Smoky Mtns drive: 24 ranked stops worth the detour

The Atlanta Chinese community's go-to for cart-service dim sum on Buford Highway. Order: Har gow and shrimp dumplings.

A 1,000-ft gorge with a swinging suspension bridge

a chain of falls in a dramatic gorge with rim-trail overlooks

A Cherokee comfort-food buffet stop for the Newfound Gap Road day, especially useful on the quieter North Carolina side.

a tall, delicate fall on the Cherokee reservation near the Smokies

a wide fall and big pool, the reward of a beloved gorge hike

Emory-area favorite smoking until the meat runs out, so arrive early. (Decatur) Order: Pulled pork and mac and cheese.

One of the last of the Parkway's 26 tunnels before the road ends at the Smokies, named for a 19th-century Cherokee leader -- a five-second reminder that this whole drive terminates inside the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' homeland.

Downtown Decatur tapas destination pairing Spanish-inspired small plates and charcuterie with an extensive Iberian wine and sherry program. Order: Pork cheek bocadillo.

taller than Niagara, tucked on a college campus

a wide, gentle cascade near Lake Rabun, lovely in any season

a Belgian-inspired Decatur brewery with a strong sour program

Cult roadside smokehouse fusing Texas and Korean barbecue traditions. (Cumberland) Order: Korean-style smoked brisket.

a rare double fall a few steps off the highway near Cherokee

Historic civil-rights-era institution (founded 1947) still turning out classic Southern plates near downtown. (Castleberry Hill) Order: Fried chicken and collard greens.

Reservation-only lunch tea room tucked in the hills serving homemade seasonal fare with a devoted local following. Order: Wild plum tea and daily quiche.

a series of falls with mountain views near Highlands