Great Smoky Mountains/Gatlinburg, TN

[usd2bmd]

We are looking at going to the Great Smoky Mountains next year on vacation. We have never been so I am hoping that some of my DIS friends can give us some advice.

There will be five of us (DH, DD, myself and a family friend and his GF) and we are looking to rent a cabin.
We are planning on this being a somewhat low budget vacation so we are probably looking to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $1000-$1400 for lodging (this would cover all of us). Less would be wonderful but we still want to stay in a nice place.

My questions are (so far); have any DISers been there before? What sort of things are there to do? Have you stayed before and if so, where? How many days should we plan on staying? We were thinking 4 nights.

Is there another area that we should consider staying instead of Gatlinburg?

As always thank you all for your help.

 

[Dopey420]

In the summer, traffic and pollution are horrendous! Spring and Fall are better. Thanksgiving and Xmas are tremendously busy.

Gatlinburg is the most touristy place you will ever go. Lots of embarrassing "Southern" spellings like "Kuntry Kitchen." Lots of "Lil' Abner" type advertising, hillbilly rednecks with short frayed denim overalls.

It is a bucket list destination if you like pancakes. Or helicopters.

Hiking in Great Smoky National Park is wonderful, there's no one there. Driving the loop through the park is awful. Bumper to bumper traffic the whole way.

You can stay out in Maryville and get away from all the touristy junk. We stayed at a beautiful lodge in the mountains. Can't remember the name but it had no phone or TV, but lots of board games, hiking trails and a band that played by the fireplace.

 

[cjnix29]

Traffic is bad, yes, touristy, yes. But beautiful!!!! the National Park is just gorgeous! Hiking is great!! if you do the park and do the Cade's Cove drive, get there as soon as you can in the morning, more chance to see wildlife and less chance to spend the drive looking at the bumper of the car ahead of you! we stay through our timeshare, so can't give you specifics about resorts in the area. We went over the 4th of July this year, and I won't do that again, but planning on going back for spring break. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are close together so there is an abundance of things to do. we like it!

 

[Jimsig]

Did Gatlinburg this past April with DW and 5yo DD. Clingmans Dome is a must IMO, beautiful drive and scenery. But depending on when you go be prepared, it was 72 deg in Gatlinburg and about 35 up top. As PP's have said lots to do between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

 

[C_leen]

Do a search and you'll find several threads with LOTs of ideas! This is on our 2016 family trip list.

 

[taymorel]

We went in July and had a good time. We stayed at the Margaritaville Hotel and loved it. It is pricey but it is in The Island that has lots of shopping, Margaritaville restaurant, Paula Deen restaurant, The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel. It was close to outlets and so many other restaurants.

We also went to Dollywood for the day and loved it. That park has a lot of roller coasters so my son really enjoyed it.

The good thing about Gatlinburg is they have lots of coupon books. Once you get there you can find coupons for lots of stores, attractions, and restaurants.

 

[Kae]

We stayed in Hemlock Hills had a great Cabin. The Ripley's Aquarium is awesome.

 

[Sarahbelle341]

I would recommend the Pigeon Forge area more for lodging honestly. We love the Old Mill restaurant, Dixie Stampede, and the Apple Barn. A cabin can be a more authentic experience than just a hotel and they can be reasonably priced. The Ripley's aquarium is cool and the outlets are busy but nice.

 

[Tanzanite]

We stayed Aunt Belhams cabins beautiful cabin 8 days and got 8 nights price of seven it was a fabulous place.

 

[Campingfam5]

There are wonderful hiking trails, with Mt. LeConte being a great adventure, if you are interested in hiking. We sometimes go at Christmas and stay in a cabin. One year my sil reserved a condo through eBay. She got a great deal! Dollywood is fun,as is The Dixie Stampede ( although they can be pricey). I have heard the Titantic attraction is interesting. Lots of touristy as well as outdoor activities.

 

[lilly6]

The Titanic attraction in Pigeon Forge is wonderful! We've been 3 times and haven't gotten bored with it.

Between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge there is probably every touristy thing you could ever think of doing.