The Park preserves the mountain pass used by Indians, and later by settlers moving west. Daniel Boone was hired to blaze a trail beginning in Southwest Virginia through Cumberland Gap . Known as the Wilderness Road , it became the route westward for pioneers from North Carolina . Civil War battles were fought here as North and South vied for control of strategic crossroads. Fort McCook Earthworks, created by the Union Army led by Robert L. McCook, can still be seen on the road to the Pinnacle Overlook at the park. See the authentic iron furnace, where iron was made before and during the Civil War. 50+ miles of trails meander over 20,000+ acres of wilderness. Gap Cave , located beneath Pinnacle Overlook, offers the tallest stalagmite in the world. Sand Cave , eroded rock forms, has a ceiling of gold, red & green. The cliffs at White Rocks once served as a landmark for early pioneers. Visit Hensley’s Settlement where approximately 25 original buildings have been restored and the surrounding land has been returned to the original farming and pasture scene of its original appearance when settled in 1903. Visitors Center includes museum, information and tickets, crafts and books.

Located on the beautiful campus of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum houses one of the most diverse Lincoln and Civil War collections in the country. Exhibited are many rare items - the cane he carried that fateful night at Ford's Theatre, two life masks, the tea set he and Mary Todd used in their home in Springfield, and numerous other artifacts. Approximately 30,000 books, manuscripts, pamphlets, photographs, paintings, and sculptures tell the story of President Lincoln and the Civil War period in America's history.

The P38 Lost Squadron Museum houses the "Glacier Girl," a P38 which was flying in the Operation Bolero mission during WWII in 1942. The planes in the operation were forced down, and the 25 Army Air Corps crewmen were rescued. However, the six P38's and two B-17's were buried under ice, which by 1992 when the recovery got under way, had drifted 1.5 miles and were then buried under 25 stories of ice. Using techniques of Cold Mining, a steam probe was used to bore a hole down to "Glacier Girl." Once there, a crew descended down the hole and began to carve out the "Glacier Girl" using a hot-water cannon. The plane was then moved to Middlesboro and restored. Plans for "Glacier Girl" include the plane being flown in different air shows, it will remain the number one attraction at the museum, and ultimately, it is hoped that "Glacier Girl" will fly and complete the Operation Bolero mission.

State Park built around a 100-foot high, 850 foot long tunnel formed through rock by the erosive action of water. Access to the tunnel mouth is via either a chair lift or a hiking trail. There is no entry allowed into the tunnel, which has both a stream and railroad running through it. The park also offers hiking trails, picnicking, amphitheater swimming pool, and campground, chair lift and visitor center. In 1985, the Visitor Center was opened and houses an information-education center and gift shop. Local history, geology, area wildlife and railroad exhibits are displayed. The chair lift was added in 1989 and is a popular alternative to hiking down to the tunnel entrance. The campground offers 23 campsites. There are also 18 RV sites with electric and water hookups. Several programs and events take place through the year.

The Museum of Appalachia provides a deep insight into the Appalachian region. Located sixteen miles north of Knoxville, the museum offers a unique look into the rich history of the mountains of the eastern United States. The museum provides a gift shop, crafts, Hall of Fame, Tater Valley School and Irwin's Chapel, front porch music, gardening, Mark Twain's family cabin, spinning and weaving, animals, and home-cooked food. A combination of these exhibits and activities paints a colorful picture of the culture of the Appalachian people. The people are considered to be a very interesting and an admirable breed of humans. They are kind and gentle, but also tough and resourceful. Most lifestyles are simple and very fulfilling. Experiencing the museum provided an informative look into Appalachia.