Smokey Mountains

[vanyel]

It's a cold morning in NWI. How about the rest of you?

I have a question about the Great SMokey Mountains. My dh and I are planning a long-weekend the end of Feb or beginning of March. Anyone ever been the to the Smokey Mts? Any advice, suggestions, places to stay, etc? I'd like to wait until April but Dh's job is seasonal and he may be back to work in March so we want to take advantage of the time off.

And Suzanne - I loved Dreamgirls, did you?

Cathy

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

We live near the Smokies (in East Tennessee). That whole area is beautiful! We go to Gatlinburg at least once a year, and we also go to different areas of the Smokies. We don't ever stay overnight there, though, since it's close enough to just do a day trip. I think they have a tourism website with a list of places to stay, though! Good luck--that sounds like a fun trip!

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

If you wish to stay in Gatlinburg, which has more "night life", in that there are stores & eating places within walking distance and you don't mind not having an indoor pool, Johnson's Inn is family owned. We always stay there at least once a year. They are a very and I mean very short walk to the Pancake Pantry where you have to go to eat breakfast. Also very close to the Aquarium.
If you wish to stay in Pigeon Forge, most places are okay and there is better selection of indoor pools. You will have to drive or take the trolley bus to get anywhere. So checking out "MyPigeonForge" dot com is good place to start.

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

Ooh. . .the pancake pantry!! Now, I'm hungry and drooling on the keyboard!! Another thought for a place to stay is Sunset Cottage Rentals. They have some nice little "cabin" type places, but they are "up the mountain" a little (not walking distance to anything).

 

[New England Eeyore]

Yes, I loved Dreamgirls too! I can defininitely see why it's gotten so many awards.

 

[angietuck2]

No matter where you go or what you do there it is beautiful. The first time we went it was Christmas time and we hiked to one of the waterfalls in Great Smokey Mountain National Park, which is about 10 minutes from Gatlinburg , with our 2 small boys and it is one of the best family memories that we have. No matter where you stay in Gatlinburg there is so much to do and see. We actually rented a small cabin on a campground, right on a stream it was beautiful!!

 

[vanyel]

Thanks for all your responses and helpful suggestions.

Stitch - Sunset Cottages is one that I had looked at already and liked. I alternate between the cabin idea and a resort/hotel.

My dh is a big breakfast eater so the Pancake Pantry sounds like a yes.

I realized last night why this trip seemed harder to plan than our WDW trips even though it's shorter and cheaper. It's because I know my way around wdw and I'm comfortable with that knowledge. The other problem is that this trip to TN will probably be our vacation this year since my dd is getting married in Dec and I want to make the most of it.

Anymore suggestions for things to do, places to stay etc...I'm willing to hear more

 

[RealMickeysGirl]

We stayed in a little cabin managed by Dogwood Realty - I think they have a website.
If you are into the history of the area, Cade's Cove is nice - great place to picnic in the summer but may be a little chilly now. They have grouped together old buildings and have a little shop and a grist mill. Beautiful scenery.
Then there is the reservation in Cherokee, NC - not to far a drive. On our last trip we drove over the mountain into NC to Builtmore.

 

[KAMommy]

I'm chiming in late, but like SIOH, we live just a few minutes from the Smokies. I would suggest either Gatlinburg (if you like touristy stuff) or Townsend (if you don't). Townsend is known as the "quiet side of the Smokies"...not a lot in the way of restaurants and stuff, but you won't starve. Cabins are always a good bet, too. We recently had an office retreat at Golf View resort in Pigeon Forge, they were really nice (and owned by a client of our firm).

You must do Cades Cove while you are here. If you can, get up EARLY and drive the loop just after sunrise. The last time I did that, we stopped counting at 125 deer. The scenery is just amazing.

And if you want a short "day" trip, drive up into the Cherokee National Forest in Monroe county. I was raised in this area, and there are some beautiful falls that you can just drive up to.

 

[vanyel]

Thanks. I think we're aiming for April now as there isn't any way we can get away while mil is recuperating from knee replacement surgery. I've been looking at all the websites and keep changing my mind.

Actually, as it's been below 0 several days this week, I tried to convince myself to spring for a more expensive vacation and head to a warmer climate but not this year.

 

[mikki'smom]

We just got back from Gatlinburg this past Wednesday. We always stay at
Riverhouse Inn at the Park. The rooms are very clean and very large. Their
e-mail address is www.riverhousemotels.com. It is located at the last traffic light (#10) before you enter the park. We like to walk the trail fom the hotel to the Sugarlands Welcome Center where the forest rangers can tell you about all the things that are happening in the park while you are there.

 

[sthnbell19]

Hey,
My family goes to the Smokies at least once a year. The Ramada Inn and Suites is nice in Pigeon Forge. Also, if you would prefer to stay in Gatlinburg we have stayed at a motel called Rocky Waters several times. They have balconies overlooking a creek that runs right behind the hotel. Also, the Old Mill is a great restaurant to check out. They have a great breakfast as well as dinner menu.

 

[vanyel]

Thanks for all your help and info. After much research, reading, on-line searching, I'm now leaning toward Jackson Mountain Cabins near Gatlinburg.

The one thing that every source agrees on is that we must eat at the Pancake Pantry! and go to Cade's Cove. And I have to check out Cherokee Nat'l Park.

What about the Aquarium? Is that a must-do?

Cathy

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Eh, I can take or leave the Aquarium. We have the Newport one here, and I can't say there is a huge difference between them. If you have a hour or so to kill, it is an expensive way to do it, but not unenjoyable. My boys would rather eat again. Course they always want to eat.

 

[vanyel]

We did it! Rented a cabin from Jackson Mountain in an area called Bird's Creek? The rental company said it was in a quiet area with only a few other cabins, and not right on top of each other. I hope it's as nice as it looks. No WDW this year but that's ok. Next year will be my 50 bd and I'm planning a wdw getaway to celebrate!

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

What is the name of your cabin? We rented one called Wren II for our honeymoon from them. It really is out and away, but just off a great back road around the traffic.

 

[vanyel]

AlexWyattMommy,

Four Seasons. It's a one bedroom, woods view. I put the link in - hope it works. I started looking for a mountain view but I liked this one, and as DH said, we won't have any problem finding mountain views

http://www.jacksonmountainhomes.com/content/house/su/1FRSEAS

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

They renamed the one we stayed at. It is now called "Hearts-a-fire".

 

[vanyel]

That's funny. Heart's Afire was on our short list. The only reason I choose the other one was because I liked the indoor whirlpool better and I liked the loft. I flipped back and forth between the two of them last night and this morning before deciding. It might have been the king bed that decided it though my dh helped with the final decision.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

If I remember correctly, it was only a queen in the loft. There was an indoor whirlpool type tub and the hot tub outside. The coolest or I guess I should say neatest thing was the floor on the main level. It was concrete, painted to look like terra cotta tile, and it was HEATED!! Very nice on a cold day.