Gatlinburg or Asheville?

[troobabiee7]

We're thinking of taking a trip to the mountains on North Carolina next summer and I know nothing about the area. We want a good mix of the mountains and city. We'd love to visit the Smokey Mountains, the Blue Ridge Mountains and some other attractions, go to museums and being near good restaurants and shopping. I need help from all of you who know the area! We're thinking of renting a home either in Gatlinburg or Asheville... which would you recommend? The two cities are are two hours apart so if we stayed in one we'd probably only visit the other once or twice, and then visit a bunch of places in between. Which areas nicer and has more to do? Also, is there enough to do in that part of NC/TN for two weeks? Any help is very much appreciated... thank you!

 

[melanie18]

Can't vouch for Asheville, but we just rented a cabin in Gatlinburg and loved it! We were there 6 nights and could have stayed a few more. There is plenty to do in the Smoky Mountains alone. We stayed at Elk Springs Resort in a cabin that was only 2 wks old. Loved it and it had a home theatre!

There are lots of restaurants in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is only 10 minutes away. Pigeon Forge also has Dollywood, Splash Country and Dixie Stampede.

We really enjoyed the area.

 

[Katlyn]

There is plenty to do in the Gatlinburg Area. Plenty of shows, shopping and sightseeing. The only place I have been in Asheville is The Biltmore House and that was beautiful. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a must and there are a lot of waterfalls in the NC area . We love the mountains. We will be back in Gatlinburg for a week in Oct.

 

[moburg]

We're thinking of taking a trip to the mountains on North Carolina next summer and I know nothing about the area. We want a good mix of the mountains and city. We'd love to visit the Smokey Mountains, the Blue Ridge Mountains and some other attractions, go to museums and being near good restaurants and shopping. I need help from all of you who know the area! We're thinking of renting a home either in Gatlinburg or Asheville... which would you recommend? The two cities are are two hours apart so if we stayed in one we'd probably only visit the other once or twice, and then visit a bunch of places in between. Which areas nicer and has more to do? Also, is there enough to do in that part of NC/TN for two weeks? Any help is very much appreciated... thank you!

I spent a weekend in Gatlinburg back in May. I forgot how much of a tourist trap it is! Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are worse. They are Myrtle Beach in the mountains, complete with Wings, Waves and various other t-shirt and souvenir factories. There is plenty of things to do there as well, if you can get past the other stuff.

Asheville, IMO, is much nicer, lower key. The Biltmore House is a must see!

 

[bsnyder]

I spent a weekend in Gatlinburg back in May. I forgot how much of a tourist trap it is! Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are worse. They are Myrtle Beach in the mountains, complete with Wings, Waves and various other t-shirt and souvenir factories. There is plenty of things to do there as well, if you can get past the other stuff.

Asheville, IMO, is much nicer, lower key. The Biltmore House is a must see!

I agree with this, and I think it just depends on what type of atmosphere you want. Both areas have beautiful scenery. But Asheville is more upscale - gallerys, eclectic shops, a very artsy community.

 

[bicker]

That's really the choice.... if you want access to the touristy activities, then Sevier County is the place to be.

 

[Angelhalo]

I thought Gatlinburg was tacky. It was a major tourist trap.

I'd vouch for Asheville over it any day. Asheville is beautiful and serene. Lots of cool shops, fantastic restaurants and tons of things to see and do. There's nothing like Biltmore at Christmas!

 

[OceanAnnie]

We loved Asheville. I agree with AH, there is nothing like the Biltmore at Christmas. Beautiful! I haven't been to Gatlinburg so I can't comment on that.

 

[shortbun]

We've been both places. We love the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area but rarely get down out of the mountains for the VERY touristy area. We do one or two NPS programs in the park, spend a day or two at our rental(we go deluxe) relaxing-hot tubbing-reading, slide in to eat a good meal or two, take a whole afternoon for Cades Cove, go rafting in Hartford, go tubeing and poof the week is done. No museums that I know of worth visiting there. Well, there IS an Elvis museum in Pigeon Forge and the Hard Rock Gatlinburg might count. We also like to spend a day rambling around in the Arts and Crafts area of Gatlinburg. There are some interesting craftsmen in that area.

Asheville is much more up scale but not lacking for activity. We usually go into the gem mines area one day, take a day at the Biltmore and try to find a tour we haven't done, visit Carl Sandburg's home which is south of Asheville not far, spend a day or two with friends, the food is wonderful and there is always a new or improved restaurant that does not disappoint. The Asheville Art Museum is great and there are several small galleries in the area. We actually drove a little over an hour south to Greenville, SC and visited the religious art collectiion of Bob Jones University one year. That was quite a suprising museum in that their collection is extensive. All kinds of outdoorsy adventures are available here as well. I'm guessing that there are far fewer house rentals in Asheville. We usually stay in a B&B or hotel. My fav B&B closed.

 

[LJC1861]

I live in Asheville and love it. There are tons of things to do here.....and yes, I agree with other posters that it is a bit more upscale with Biltmore, downtown with its galleries and shops and all the outdoor things to do with the Blue Ridge Parkway running through town.

The Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area is a lot of fun, and most definitely a tourist trap of sorts. That being said, we do have a lot of fun when we visit there.

Here is what I would do.......

I would stay in Maggie Valley. It is just about halfway in between both places and a very cute little town. There are lots of things to do there as well as the other places and cabin rentals might be a bit cheaper than Gatlinburg.

You can make the drive to Gatlinburg from Maggie Valley one of two ways. You can drive a very pretty scenic route through the Great Smoky Mountains Natl Park which is the long way around.....or you can take the interstate, to the Foothills Parkway to 321 which will take you right into Gatlinburg. This route takes just over an hour from Maggie Valley.

Downtown Asheville is just about 35 minutes from Maggie Valley as well.

Waynesville, another cute town is a few minutes from Maggie Valley.

All in all, no matter where you stay you will have a wonderful time. As you get closer to a decision on where to stay I can give you specifics on where to dine and things to see and do.

Have fun!!

Linda

 

[Boots]

There is another side to the TN Smokies too. You have Townsend and Cades Cove. Townsend bills itself as the peaceful side of the Smokies. Ashville is entirely different from Gatlinburg. Just do your research and decide what you like best. They are both great places just entirely different. Have fun what ever you decide.

 

[chell]

Linda has a great idea about staying in between and visiting both.

There are a lot of great things to see and do in Asheville. If you can, do try to visit the Biltmore House. It is such a beautiful place. When we went we ran out of time and didn't get to visit the gardens, but they are beautiful. They also have a winery if you are interested in that.

The gem mines in the area are a bunch of fun. I'm rather fond of them since the stone in my engagement ring was found at one of them.

There are plenty of amazing restaurants if you do go to Asheville. Let us know and I can recommend some for you.

The Farmer's Market is a great place to visit as well. I need to take a trip up soon.

 

[bicker]

I was going to suggest that. Townsend. Two thumbs up.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I live closer to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, and have visited there several times..

Have been to Ashville a couple of times...

I LOVE both!!!!

OP, based on your description on what you are looking for, then I would definitely recommend Asheville for you.

If you are wanting DollyWood, Splash Country, Tourist attractions, Dinner Shows, etc.. then I would recommend Pigeon Forge.

Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge are NOT city-town destinations... They are 'tourist' destinations... Theme Parks, Dinner Shows, The Aquarium, etc...

Asheville is a CITY destination.. Biltmore house, recommended restaurants, a lot of more cultural offerings.

Of course, both offer the Mountains (either GSMNP OR Blue Ridge Parkway)

I hope this helps you choose!

From your original post, I would suspect that Asheville is what you have in mind.

 

[Wishing on a star]

PS: There is NOTHING in Townsend... It is more of quiet 'peaceful getaway'.

It is known as the 'peaceful side of the Smokies'.

Now, I love all these areas.. I am not knocking Townsend...

But, this is just a heads-up for the OP and any others who may be reading.

 

[bicker]

The point of Townsend is that it is the gateway to Cades Cove, and it is very convenient to the Wye. A Townsend vacation, for us, is about the great outdoor activities.

 

[Buckalew11]

There is another side to the TN Smokies too. You have Townsend and Cades Cove. Townsend bills itself as the peaceful side of the Smokies. Ashville is entirely different from Gatlinburg. Just do your research and decide what you like best. They are both great places just entirely different. Have fun what ever you decide.

Hi Boots! So nice to see your name again! I hope all is well with you. Also wonderful to see Townsend mentioned.

It is the total opposite of PF/G and it'd be my pick to stay there and travel to PF/G for a day or 2.

I was going to suggest that. Townsend. Two thumbs up.

Townsend doesn't offer the culture of Ashville but it is a very beautiful spot in the Smokies. IF they could get their act together within the "city government" they could create a wonderful, beautiful place to vacation. So far, they've done a good job keeping it from becoming another tourist trap like PF/G but they need to come together with a plan and allow it to grow in the right way. maybe someday but I'll probably never see it happen.

 

[troobabiee7]

Thanks so much for all the info! I really appreciate the help. From looking at homes we were able to find the best deal that fit our needs in Handersonville... does anyone know anything about it? Supposedly it's around twenty-minutes from Asheville and 2 hours from Gatlinburg. We'd probably spend most of our time in NC and then go to Gatlinburg around twice. The only thing I'm worried about is having enough to do. We're used to Orlando where there's always a lot going on... is there enough to do in the area for two weeks?

 

[Jenvenza]

LOVE LOVE LOVE Asheville!!!!! The Biltmore is wonderful!

 

[bicker]

Oh yeah... Townsend is also very afforable.