Positioned between the Great Smoky Mountains and Chickamauga Lake, Cleveland is a small city near the Tennessee-Georgia border. It boasts a rich Native American heritage and is a great base for hiking, biking and horseback riding along the legendary Appalachian Trail.
Things to do in Cleveland
Discover the human and cultural history of Tennessee’s Ocoee Region at the Museum Center at 5ive Points. See Native American artefacts dating back to the Mississippian Indians and learn about the day-to-day life of the Ocoee Region’s first settlers, then get up close to uniforms, medals and weaponry from the American Civil War.
If you want to learn more about the region’s history, visit the Red Clay State Historic Park that forms part of the Cherokee Trail of Tears. Visit the James F. Corn Interpretive Center to gain an insight into Cherokee culture and the site’s role as the last seat of Cherokee national government. It features a series of stained-glass windows depicting the group’s emigration west.
A short drive east of Cleveland takes you to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where rivers and mountains offer a wealth of recreational opportunities. Go hiking along the famous Appalachian Trail and take in the sweeping views from Clingmans Dome, where fields of wildflowers ignite the landscapes during spring.
Stroll through the Ocoee Regional Nature Center, showcasing more than 100 species of trees, plants and flowering shrubs. Learn about the native flora of the Ocoee Region in the educational gazebo and relax by the scenic pond, then admire the rescued fire tower from Cherokee National Forest.
Getting around Cleveland
Cleveland is a 15-minute drive from Cleveland Regional Jetport and around 25 minutes from Chattanooga Airport. Buses travel throughout Cleveland and connect most of its attractions.