re: Where is your favorite place to travel in blue ridge or smokey mountains areas?

Went for the first time last year in June. We stayed in a cabin in between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Its a tourist trap area but I didn't mind, the crowds weren't bad and the weather and scenery were awesome. Drove an ATV through the Smokey Mountain National Park and saw several bears, some were pretty close. Lots of things to do in that area. Wherever you go, enjoy your trip!