Gatlinburg on Sunday to the 14th

Thank you! Grotto Falls looks beautiful. I do know our cabin is in Pigeon Forge, but it's pretty isolated according to the map. I don't plan on being st the cabin much anyways

I agree with The Spleen. I was there last week and I cannot stress enough that you need to hit the park early. Like no later than 9am. Clingman's was packed and we had to park on the side of the road. When we left, the parking was a mile down the road from the parking lot. If you wanted to go up to the top, the walk just to the visitor's center would we twice as far as the walk up to the observation deck.

Grotto Falls, same thing. Cade's Cove can have bumper to bumper traffic for hours if you go late. Also, Cade's Cove is closed for cars on Saturday and Wednesday to allow for bicyclists. Keep that in mind.

We stayed two days in Bryson City so we could ride the train. There are several tubing outfitters at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. I also think there are tubing outfitters in Townsend, TN (closer to where you are staying).

Cherokee, NC is a dump. If you do the NC side focus on Bryson City, Fontana Lake, and the Nantahala Gorge areas. They are beautiful and really nice.

Pack a lunch each day and enjoy this beautiful park. It is the most visited national park for a reason! We absolutely loved our trip.

We stayed at The Fyremont in Bryson City. It is rustic and very old, however it was extremely clean and they did breakfast and dinner. Their meals were superb! This place has a ton of atmosphere, but it isn't for everyone.

Someday when my kid is older we will go back and focus more on things like whitewater rafting, trout fishing, etc. If we do that we will probably spend fewer nights in Gatlinburg and rent a cabin in the Bryson City or Nantahala Gorge area for 4-5 days.

I already wish I was back there.

The SMNP webpage has some good books that describes the various hiking trails.

We really enjoyed white water rafting when we went last year.

Go see a sunrise or sunset at Clingman's Dome.

We also enjoyed the caverns in Townsend.

Yeah, Pigen Forge did nothing for me. We did go the Lodge outlet store and the Christmas Place and bought a new Christmas Tree. That's about all of it I could handle. I guess it appeals to some folks.

The Apple Barn had maybe the best fried chicken I've ever had. Other than that I hiked in the park and chilled at our cabin.

So many miles of trails to explore.

Try to just chill out beside a stream with your fiancee.It's beautiful and will give you and she a chance to really talk to each other (as well as gauge if your levels of laid back match....very useful info for your future.)