Westgate Smokey Mountain Resort - Anyone?

[DavidRoss]

My wife and I are leaving for Gatlinburg this Saturday and did a one week trade into the Westgate Smokey Mountain Resort.

Has anyone stayed there before? Does anyone have any suggestions, buildings, areas to stay at the resort? It looks like there are several buildings that look like oversize log cabins but they all look a little different?

Also, what are some things not to miss in Gatlinburg?

 

[TriMom]

Hi! - I haven't been to the Resort you are staying at, but I live 3 hours from Gatlinburg, and have been too many times to count.

First of all, PLEASE leave the strip for at least one day and visit the Smoky Mnts. The visitor's center has lots of info and maps. I highly recommend a "hike" to Laurel Falls. The falls are beautiful, and the trail is paved the entire way. The drive through Cade's Cove is great too.

The one "Don't miss!" is Ripley's Aquarium - I've not talked to anyone who didn't enjoy it.

Ober Gatlinburg is fun. They have a skating rink, but I don't think they are making snow for the ski slopes yet. There is also a black bear exibit.

I prefer the shopping in the Craft's Community to the mall. Get a map for the shops from the visitor's center.

You could also drive down to Pigeon Forge (about 15 min. away). They are having Winterfest - lots of lights. Plus Pigeon Forge is outlet mall capital of the South.


I hope you have a great time - Feel free to ask any more questions.

 

[littlestar]

My parents own at Westgate Smokey Mountains. They really like it. Mom told me the units are furnished really nice. If I remember right I think they have fireplaces. That might be the bigger units, though (I wish I could remember more of what she told me). Mom and dad go every year and love it. They said the staff are really nice (good ole southern hospitality).

Be sure to go see Cades Cove if you get a chance. It's pretty. We saw bears when we drove through. I don't know how far away the Biltmore Estate is (I know it's in Asheville NC), but I bet this would be a great time of year to see it with it decked out for the holidays.

 

[DavidRoss]

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Tsi2quick]

Asheville is a couple of hours away from Gatlinburg but if you are going to be in Tenn for a while you might want to take a day and ride over to the Biltmore House, definitely a great place especially during the holidays.

I agree with TriMom on all her suggestions. Dont just stick to the main strip in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge but get off the "beaten path" and head to the Smokey Mountains and do some hiking or just riding through. Cades Cove is great and it has a lot of trails as well and picture opportunities.

My MIL loves the Crafts Community and gives you a sense of a quieter area which you will need after walking down the strip a few times! lol

We usually go to Gatlinburg once a year or so but due to our Disney trip this year we didnt make it. Hope you have a good time and get to see all the natural beauty the area offers.

 

[canda]

Check into the trip to Asheville first. I am pretty sure that those Hurricanes washed the main road from NC to TN out and that there was a pretty long detour with long traffic waits. I am not from that area so, I could be wrong, but it would not hurt to double check before you started on that trek.

 

[Tsi2quick]

The main road would be I-40. I dont think I-40 was effected to the point of being washed out although you could easily find out once you are in Gatlinburg I am sure. They did have major flooding in Asheville though.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

I am from Asheville area and there was damage done to the interstate between TN and NC but I think thye have 1 lane closed,I am not for sure.But definetly go to Piegon forge.If I were you I would definetly go to the Biltmore house it is Beautiful.


Misty

 

[Merilyn]

Gatlinburg is just beautiful at Christmas. You will enjoy your trip there. I hear they had a little snow this last weekend so maybe the mountain will have some. If you like to ski, there is a little skiing in the mountain. It is mostly man made but it will give a skier a chance to ski. There was a tram to go up the mountain but I haven't been on it in a while so I am not sure if it is still open. TN is a beautiful state and wherever you decide to sightsee it will be very nice. Have a great time and welcome to TENNESSEE!

 

[Tsi2quick]

The tram ride up the mountain was still there a couple of years ago, I think its called Ober Gatlinburg?

They may be getting more snow this weekend as we (NC mountains) are currently forecast to get some late this weekend and possibly middle of next week as well.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Regarding I-40 between NC and TN the following is verbatim from the NC DOT website -

I-40 REDUCED TO ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION NEAR TENNESSEE/NORTH CAROLINA LINE
I-40 is reduced to one lane in each direction just east of the North Carolina/Tenneessee State Line (Milemarkers 1-5) due to a slide caused by Hurricane Ivan. This condition will last through Spring 2005 as repairs are made to the roadway.

Significant travel delays are likely through this area during heavy travel times. Delays through the area during most times are less than 45 minutes. Click here for a map showing an alternate route to avoid this area. This alternate route is approximately 45 minutes longer than traveling through on I-40 (when no delays exist on I-40).

For more info go to - http://apps.dot.state.nc.us/tims/

 

[Tsi2quick]

Thanks for the info Wolfpack fan. I have given up I-40 on my trips to Tenn. anymore as we started going 77 to 81 which seems shorter to me. I40 is definitely a more scenic route though. That particular area of 40 where this slide happened at was the site of that huge slide a few years back that closed part of the highway right on the state line. You can easily see the hole left in the side of the mountain from that.

Kinda off topic...tough break with the Wolfpack losing T.A, Herring and Coach Holliday huh? Not exactly what I was wanting for Christmas! lol

 

[OneMoreTry]

For a view of the Smokies I don't think you can beat Clingman's Dome, which requires a STEEP hike along a WIDE paved road and a climb up a tower. The tower is concrete, with a wide staircase and a huge 360 degree viewing area. Easily accessible to anyone except those with heart or significant breathing problems.

I agree with the comment about visiting the park. Definitely put it on your schedule if the weather accomodates. There are some 200-year old cabins/homesteads that are great if you like history. There is a driving loop leaving right from Gatlinburg that takes you past a couple of them.

Dollywood is known for it's holiday lighting displays and shows. I've never been there this time of year. I've also heard that Dixie Stampede (in Pigeon forge) has a great holiday show. We went once but not at holiday time. It was fun but we thought a little overpriced. Don't go if you're allergic to horses.

The Park Grille at the "park" end of Gatlinburg is one of the better restaurants in town with wonderful atmosphere.

The "strip" in Gatlinburg is an abomination. People wondering around going nowhere. Lots of junk to buy. IMHO.

We like Jim Gray's gallery and have several of his lithographs. It's in the big round building as you're entering town -- not far from the aquarium. He's done some nice paintings lately. I'm not so fond of his old stuff, which lacks color.

The aquarium is fantastic. We did Believe it or Not in St Augustine so we didn't do it in Gatlinburg. If you haven't done it already and don't mind creepy, satanic stuff (almost to the point of sick) then it's worth a look. Otherwise don't pay Ripleys for anything but the aquarium.


IMHO the only MUST SEE is the natural beauty of the place.

Merry Christmas.

 

[OneMoreTry]

One more thing. Interstate 26 from Asheville to Johnson City is complete. One of the most beautiful drives I've ever seen -- including Sierra Nevadas, Montana, Front Range of Rockies. The mtn pass can be icy, though. You can hook up to I81 via I-26 -> I-181 -> I-81. It is a faster route to TN than I77-I81. But I think the fastest Asheville-Gatlinburg route is still I40.