Gatlinburg, Tennessee? Places to Stay? Things to Do?

[Kae]

I have to say we so liked the old mill over the apple barn http://www.old-mill.com/ Way better food and service. Zoders INN is classic Gatlinburg to us. We rented a cabin last time we went.

Kae

 

[SimonSez]

We go to Gatlinburg almost every year. We used to stay at Greystone at the Aquarium, but they renovated and got pretty pricey. Now we stay at Jack Huff's on Cherokee Orchard Rd. It's a very nice motel, kinda Mom N Pop place if you will. The best part, is it's right behind The Village that others have talked about on here. Also, count me in as another who can't go to Gatlinburg without one or two trips to the Donut Friar

 

[kreckl]

I'm hoping for some advice-
We will be driving from Nashville to the Smokies for a few nights and I'm trying to figure out where to stay. We plan to raft at a place near Gatlinburg, play Hilly Billy mini golf, and zip line in Hartford. We will need a place out that way for 3 nights before we have to head back to Nashville to fly home. Can someone recommend? Its hard not to know traffic, roads, distances, etc. I know our zip line is supposed to be 20 min from Gatlinburg, and the rafting 45 min north, and am trying to find someplace convenient for all.
Thank you!

 

[Mom_Rides]

I am thinking about making a short stop in Gatlinburg, Tennessee on our way down south.

I was wondering what hotels people might recommend near Gatlinburg, TN.

Has anyone tried the Ober Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster?

What else would you recommend?

We have also stayed at the Best Western that's next to Dixie Stampede. We would stay there again! We enjoyed both Cades Cove and Roaring Fork. We've been to Dollywood and enjoyed that as well. We did the Alpine coaster on our last trip. It was close to where we stayed at the BW off the parkway on Wears Valley Rd.

 

[mdsouth]

We have also stayed at the Best Western that's next to Dixie Stampede. We would stay there again! We enjoyed both Cades Cove and Roaring Fork. We've been to Dollywood and enjoyed that as well. We did the Alpine coaster on our last trip. It was close to where we stayed at the BW off the parkway on Wears Valley Rd.

Thanks for the suggestions. Did you enjoy the Alpine coaster? That is one of the things I think my kids and I might really like.

 

[mdsouth]

More than any other tourist attraction we've done, PF and Gatlinburg can be Disney expensive or one of the cheapest getaways you will ever take.

I concur to look at hotels in PF and on Tripadvisor.
Apple Barn is a must do for breakfast.

Spend time in the park, another vote for Cades Cove from here.

A stroll through Downtown Gatlinburg to just to peak at the shops is a nice relaxing evening.

Thanks for your detailed reply! You really gave me some good ideas to think about.

Apple Barn, Bennets BBQ & Flapjacks Pancake House are highly recommended meals!
Plan extra time getting in/out of town as traffic is rather heavy(Fridays & Sundays seemed the worst). We find it best to park a block or two out of downtown Gatlinburg, then walk around the downtown area...definitely could take a full day! Lots of shopping and unique stores/atmosphere to the area.
A couple attractions that were very popular on our family reunion trip last summer were the Alpine Coaster, Ober Gatlinburg, Ziplining, Horseback Riding, and the Ripleys Aquarium.

I have always stayed in cabins, never hotels, but that's definitely a unique option to check out depending on your party size.

Hope you love it & hope the economy helps with all the fire recovery from last summer. I have been on several trips there and loved every second of it!

I like the idea of staying in a a cabin. I am going to try to convince my sister and brother and their families to meet us there for a short extended family vacation.

Oh, one more thing that hubby and I agree was worth the money are the outdoor go-karts (more so than alpine coaster). There is one place along the main area on Parkway in Pigeon Forge where you can drive 2 outdoor tracks and one indoor track. The karts go up the 40mph and are sooo fun! I rode with my husband since he's the better driver. No helmets and sometimes people will bump you.

There is a new mountain coaster (more like a roller coaster than the luge-style track at Ober Gatlinburg) across from Baymont Inn Gatlinburg- we didn't get to ride it since we last visited in December, but it looked like fun.

A family could easily waste a lot of money quickly on touristy stuff like this though- I would recommend the park over any of these experiences if I had to choose.

Thanks for the specific feedback on the go carts and Alpine coasters. I agree with you in that if we are limited in time, that the park will be the main thing we do and it will be easier on the budget.

Zoders Inn & Suites in Gatlinburg is older , family-owned, but in a good location downtown, and the rooms are right on a creek which is really pretty and relaxing. Our room had a balcony practically right on top of the creek, and we loved it!

If you're looking for something not too upscale but safe and clean, I highly recommend!

I will have to check it out, thanks!

I like the Bear Skin Lodge in Gatlinburg, easy walk to downtown. After several bad experiences with hotels check Trip Advisor! Apple Barn is a good stop to eat in PF and Cade's Cove is nice.

Thanks for the suggestion. Will check it out!

I have to say we so liked the old mill over the apple barn http://www.old-mill.com/ Way better food and service. Zoders INN is classic Gatlinburg to us. We rented a cabin last time we went.

Kae

You are making my mouth water with the food possibilities. Thanks!

 

[disneyfan551]

I live in the Great Smokies, and the high point is the beauty of the Park. You MUST drive through the Park towards Cherokee/Bryson City, NC (about an hour drive), and enjoy an amazing drive!! All of the touristy stuff is ok, but THIS is what it's all about! If you go into Cherokee, it is an Indian Reservation with a Harrah's Casino, and many wonderful things to see. Bryson City is the home of the Great Smoky Mountains Railway, & is an extremely popular option. Outdoorsy? You must go whitewater rafting at the Nantahala Gorge, or tubing in Deep Creek (National Park). So much to do here! Enjoy your trip!

 

[AmberK24]

I live in the Great Smokies, and the high point is the beauty of the Park. You MUST drive through the Park towards Cherokee/Bryson City, NC (about an hour drive), and enjoy an amazing drive!! All of the touristy stuff is ok, but THIS is what it's all about! If you go into Cherokee, it is an Indian Reservation with a Harrah's Casino, and many wonderful things to see. Bryson City is the home of the Great Smoky Mountains Railway, & is an extremely popular option. Outdoorsy? You must go whitewater rafting at the Nantahala Gorge, or tubing in Deep Creek (National Park). So much to do here! Enjoy your trip!

White water rafting was fantastic!!

 

[Legendteri]

We went last July and had a wonderful time. Cant give hotel recommendations as we shared a cabin with extended family.

We loved the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. Such a beautiful drive

As far as other attractions were concerned we loved the Aquarium as we dont have one by us. We saved money by buying our tickets ahead of time online and used a special promo code that I received when I ordered a free visitors planning guide from pigeon forge mailed to my home. I want to say we saved almost $30 for our whole family using the promo code and ordering online. WE also got a groupon for the Goats on the Roof mountain coaster. Groupon was having a special that weekend and I also used a special promo code for being new to Groupon which brought my husband's and my ride down to $10. WE returned later in the day and got 50% off for that ride too.

That area has some great restaurants. One of our favorites was Crockett's BReakfast camp. MY husband and I shared a skillet platter and it was enough for both of us. The Old Mill and the Apple Barn are very similar. One has corn chowder one has chicken noodle soup. One has corn fritters one has apple fritters. I had friend chicken at both and couldn't pick a favorite and would go to both places again. We also liked the family owned Pigeon Forge Deli. Great sandwiches and homemade pretzels. For dessert, the Apple Barn made on fried Applie pie and the Island at Pigeon Forge ( Poyner's Pomme Frites ) had a really fun spaghetti ice cream.

 

[Leelo]

My family visits Gatlinburg about every 2 months (My sister lives in Knoxville which is about an hour away). Our 2 family favorite places to eat are Pottery House (It's part of the Old Mill area) and Pigeon Forge Deli (they bake their own bread and pretzels. Best BLT I have ever had in my life). We do not care much for the meals at Apple Barn BUT if you go to the Cider Bar (attached to the gift shop/general store) you can get a delicious warm fried pie with ice cream. Yummy!!

Also, Dollywood is a must if you enjoy theme parks.