How's Tennessee for a vacation spot?

[maslex]

As a family (me, DH DS12 & DS13) go on a vacation every year. Whether it's by ourselves or with another family.

We've been to Disney quite a few times. Love it but thought we'd take a break for a while. We've done 3 cruises so far. Love them, but want to do something different next year.

We love the mountain atmosphere and my DH took a weekend trip with a friend a few years back and loved it. Now we're thinking of doing our vacation there next year. Here is what DH suggested. We live in CT....drive down to TN and go to Dollywood and Splash Country (water park) and then drive to VA and go to Busch Gardens and Water Country. We would probably also do other little things along the way (sightseeing). We would probably splurge a bit and rent one of the beautiful cabins instead of a hotel.

What are your thoughts and what else would you do for sightseeing? Thanks!!!

 

[Keli]

I always enjoy the Dixie Stampede. If you like historic sites Cade's Cove is an intersting place to visit in SMT national park.

 

[BMNABrinx]

The Smoky Mountains...our other favorite family vacation spot!

 

[denisenh]

oh my gosh...that sounds so great!! I love a road trip. I planned a vacation like that before, actually two. We were going to go to Tennessee and Virginia separately.

We always wind up out west every summer vacation (LA and/or Las Vegas) and Florida every winter vacation. I think that our teenagers would love a vacation like you have planned...they would just like something new. ah, we always have fun.

I just wish that we had time to make a road trip. It is so much more adventurous.

 

[sbell111]

Hot.

 

[shortbun]

I vote you include Historic Williamsburg while you're in Virginia and definitely do some of the wonderful things in the Smokey Mountain Nat'l Park as well as some Pigeon River rafting over in Harford, TN(about an hour's drive.) If your kids and you are lightweight folks-you'd probably love the wind tunnel flight place - not cheap but definitely fun(take enough cash to do it a couple of time so you can really get the hang of it.) Dan Murphy told me about it and he was spot on for unique family entertainment!!! I second an early evening drive through Cades Cove. We also love the Arts and Crafts area of Gatlinburg. You drive from place to place looking at all the different artisans and stuff. It gets kind of touristy but we've discovered some real favorites!!! Oh and as sappy as the Dixie Stampede was-we LOVED it!!!( I mean 'sappy' in a very American, Mom and Apple Pie way)

 

[Liberty Belle]

We love to vacation in Tennessee. Some of the cabins are really not that expensive at all and really make the trip. We've rented from Sunset Cottage before and were happy with them.

Make sure you plan plenty of time to spend inside the park. As someone mentioned, Cades Cove is really nice, Laurel Falls is a nice shortish (but uphill) hike up to the falls, there are some really pretty spots off the roads with just a short walk down to the river (or maybe it's a creek?) where you can wade and walk amongst the rocks.

 

[Ohiodislover]

We've went to Gatlinburg, Pidgeon Forge many times. We were actually married in Gatlinburg. I will warn you--PF can nickel and dime you to death--lots of mini-golf, go-carts, etc.

We have rented from Chalet Village at least 4 times, and have always been pleased.

If you do go, make sure to try The Apple Barn Wonderful breakfast.

 

[momof1princess]

cades cove is BEAUTIFUL, and don't forget to visit cherokee, NC-the museum of the cherokee indian is very interesting and CHEAP-only cost us $8.00 each to get in last year! there is a great fun center in gatlinburg, i think it's called fort fun-we played blacklight golf and laser tag and LOVED it! i'd play laser tag every day, LOL. we rented a cabin called "black bear" from mountain rentals of gatlinburg-it was less than 5 minutes from the center of town but very quiet and had a beautiful view-especially from the hot tub on the back deck! hope y'all have fun!

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

Hot.

In the summer, yes, if you're from a northern state If you're in the Smokies, it's quite pleasant most days in the summer. Knoxville's pretty hot, though (all that heat and haze and humidity gets trapped in the valley).

OP, try going in the fall, if you can! The leaves are just spectacular, and the weather is gorgeous. Fall is also my favorite time to go to Dollywood - beautiful fall decorations, bluegrass concerts, and good food.

For something a little different in the area, go to Townsend (near Cades Cove - only 15 minutes or so from Pigeon Forge) and go tubing on the river. You rent inner tubes, and "float" down the river for the afternoon. Awesome in the summer!

 

[S. C.]

Biltmore house in Asheville NC well worth the trip to tour it. They have a short video about it on their site.

http://www.biltmore.com/visit/

 

[Wishing on a star]

Okay, here is the lowdown...
I was born and raised in TN!

Sounds like a good plan....
But here are some thoughts, things to be aware of.

The mountains of E.TN and Historic Williamsburg are a long way apart! Do not underestimate this leg of the trip.

If you think you will love the 'mountain atmosphere' Then get a nice log cabin outside of Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg.
There have been several threads, some recent, about cabin rentals in this area. Also plan a day for Cades Cove.... It is soooo nice to get up early, and drive the road from Gatlinburg to Cades Cove in the morning, and see it early in the day. There is a perfect swimming-hole right where that road hits the intersection at Townsend, just a few miles before you hit the entrance to Cades Cove. People often rent rafting tubes and raft thru this area too.

I would then suggest that you make a time-slot for the Blue Ridge Parkway Ashville NC area. This is quite nice.... Biltmore House, the Blue Ridge Parkway, etc.. As I said, it is a LONG trip from TN over to the coast where historic Williamsburg is at. While Asheville is only, I am guessing an hour and a half from Gatlinburg, this would still break up that leg of the trip. And, is worth a stop.

When do you plan on traveling?
Sbell is right when she says 'hot'.
The heat and humidity here in the South can be oppressive.
If this is to be a summer trip, then I would plan it for the earliest that you could possibly plan. Up to July 4th was not too awfully bad this year, but right now it is hitting the 90's with 200% humidity. And, trust me.... you do not want to be at Pigeon Forge at the 4th!!!!

There are lots of people here who live/lived in the area, or who have experience visiting. So, keep posting questions about where to stay/eat/what to do etc...

We live not too far, and for our vacation for next year, we are planning to take DS to historic Williamsburg/Water Country/and a bus tour (day trip) to see Washington DC. We are excited!

 

[sbell111]

In the summer, yes, if you're from a northern state

We live in Tennessee. My wife is from here.

It's hot.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I live about 2 hrs south of Chattanooga.. which I'm not a fan of... but staying in Gatlinburg is beautiful if you get a cabin or a place off the main strip to enjoy the mountain atmosphere.
But, I also enjoy Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg for their touristy areas too. You'll love it!

 

[etoiles]

We went on a road trip from Chicago to the Smokey Mountains last summer and I really enjoyed it! The Smokey Mountains were beautiful! We did the Cades Cove and Roaring Fork scenic drive. Also went to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede dinner show and had a good time. We stayed in downtown Gatlinburg which made it very easy since parking in downtown Gatlinburg seemed to have its issues and we could just walk to places from our hotel.

We also drove to Asheville, NC and went to the Biltmore Estate.

Here are a few pics of it:

 

[ChristmasElf]

As a family (me, DH DS12 & DS13) go on a vacation every year. Whether it's by ourselves or with another family.

We've been to Disney quite a few times. Love it but thought we'd take a break for a while. We've done 3 cruises so far. Love them, but want to do something different next year.

We love the mountain atmosphere and my DH took a weekend trip with a friend a few years back and loved it. Now we're thinking of doing our vacation there next year. Here is what DH suggested. We live in CT....drive down to TN and go to Dollywood and Splash Country (water park) and then drive to VA and go to Busch Gardens and Water Country. We would probably also do other little things along the way (sightseeing). We would probably splurge a bit and rent one of the beautiful cabins instead of a hotel.

What are your thoughts and what else would you do for sightseeing? Thanks!!!

www.covemountain.com

The cabins are beautiful here. Under 10 minutes to Dollywood. Shopping like groceries (Kroger and SuperWalMart are just down the mountain) Cabins are clean and have everything you will need already there. There is also a pool.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I have not been, but here is a newer place that has cabins in a gated resort, pool etc... close to DollyWood and views of the Smokey Mountains.
It looks wonderful. Check out some of their cabins.

www.sherwoodforestresort.com

 

[Sir Robin Hood]

If you want to take your family on a vacation to TN, definitely come up to the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. Very family-friendly towns, with a lot to do for families with children, and you're practically next door to the Great Smoky Mountains national park. It's not that I'm biased toward this area since I've lived here for the past 7+ years or anything, but it's....yeah, we want your business. Seriously, our job security depends on tourism, so please come visit the area!

Recommended Must-Do's:
Dollywood (Pigeon Forge)
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies (Gatlinburg)
Cades Cove (Nat'l Park near Townsend)
Roaring Fork Nature Loop (Driving tour, Gatlinburg)
Ober Gatlinburg (The alpine slide is a favorite)
Newfound Gap (More about this below)
Gatlinburg Sky Lift

As far as the National Park itself, I've done (not bragging) every trail minus the AT. My favorite trails for families with children are: Laurel Falls (paved, 1.3 miles each way) beautiful waterfall at the end. Clingman's Dome is the highest point in the Smokies and is only .7 of a mile (but very steep), paved trail. Great lookout when it's clear. Also Newfound Gap which sits on the TN/NC border in the National Park between Gatlinburg and Cherokee, NC. GREAT picture spot. A popular tradition for families who come to the area is to get pics standing by the TN/NC state line sign; with half the family in one state, and half in the other. It's also a great lookout area to view the park.

Overall I think you will definitely enjoy the area.

 

[Buckalew11]

When do you plan on traveling?
Sbell is right when she says 'hot'.
The heat and humidity here in the South can be oppressive.
If this is to be a summer trip, then I would plan it for the earliest that you could possibly plan. Up to July 4th was not too awfully bad this year, but right now it is hitting the 90's with 200% humidity. And, trust me.... you do not want to be at Pigeon Forge at the 4th!!!!

See, my take is this has been one HOT summer. Maybe it is hotflashes.

We live in Tennessee. My wife is from here.

It's hot.

Hotter than hades. Gosh, it has been hot.

 

[Buckalew11]

And my suggestion (to cloud the water a bit more. ) would be to stay in Townsend and visit G-burg and PF from there. Townsend is so peaceful and relaxing. It depends what kind of vacation you want to do but there are very nices places to stay there too and you can drive 30+ mins. and be in PF. And G-Burg. And cades Cove is close by along with all that tubing down the river. If you go tubing, be aware we have had a lot of rain throughout 2009. The river is up these days.