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Started By
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Gatlinburg on Sunday to the 14th
Posted on 7/6/17 at 10:58 pm
Posted on 7/6/17 at 10:58 pm
Never been there before. Going with the fiancé and her family. They have a couple of things planned, but most of the trip is up for grabs. What are some must do things? I've looked in "ClimbWorks" bike trails. Their "The Curliest" looks awesome, but that's about all of my planning so far. Any help is welcomed! Thanks!
Posted on 7/7/17 at 6:58 am to mannymo54
I just came back from the Smokies. We stayed at the Bearskin Lodge. It is close to the park and accessible to the town as well.
We have a 3 year old, so we could only do limited hiking. We did the trail to Grotto Falls with her, and she was a champ. Definitely explore as much of the park as you can, but get an early start the days you do. Go to Cade's Cove, but do go early to avoid the crowds.
We found some good places to eat off the strip: the Greenbrier, Crystelle Creek, and Taste of Italy. The Peddler is where we enjoyed the most on the strip (it is next to the Bearskin)
The also have a good arts and crafts community off the strip if you enjoy such.
Pigeon Forge is just a mess. We only went there to do some outlet shopping.
Enjoy!
We have a 3 year old, so we could only do limited hiking. We did the trail to Grotto Falls with her, and she was a champ. Definitely explore as much of the park as you can, but get an early start the days you do. Go to Cade's Cove, but do go early to avoid the crowds.
We found some good places to eat off the strip: the Greenbrier, Crystelle Creek, and Taste of Italy. The Peddler is where we enjoyed the most on the strip (it is next to the Bearskin)
The also have a good arts and crafts community off the strip if you enjoy such.
Pigeon Forge is just a mess. We only went there to do some outlet shopping.
Enjoy!
This post was edited on 7/7/17 at 7:01 am
Posted on 7/7/17 at 8:37 am to Bubbles Up
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
Posted on 7/7/17 at 8:56 am to mannymo54
I'd spend as much time in the park as possible. Get there early though, it gets REALLY crowded this time of year, especially around the popular spots - Cade's Cove, Clingman's Dome, etc. When I was there around this time last year, the road to the Clingman's Dome parking lot was bumper to bumper for several miles at 10 in the morning.
I'm sure there are some on the Gatlinburg side, but there are several places on the NC side to tube the rivers. We did one in Cherokee, and it was okay.
I'm sure there are some on the Gatlinburg side, but there are several places on the NC side to tube the rivers. We did one in Cherokee, and it was okay.
Posted on 7/7/17 at 10:09 am to The Spleen
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.
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.
This post was edited on 7/7/17 at 11:04 am
Posted on 7/7/17 at 10:18 am to Bubbles Up
quote:
Cherokee, NC is a dump
This is true. We had intended to do a tubing trip in Bryson City, but I missed a turn and didn't realize it until we got into Cherokee. So we just decided to do it there since we were already there.
Posted on 7/7/17 at 11:02 am to The Spleen
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.
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.
Posted on 7/7/17 at 11:07 am to Bubbles Up
Western NC is my favorite area of the country.
Posted on 7/8/17 at 3:12 pm to mannymo54
Parents took us when we were around 12. Took us white water rafting. It was a blast.
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:25 pm to mannymo54
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.
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.
This post was edited on 7/8/17 at 6:31 pm
Posted on 7/8/17 at 6:59 pm to mannymo54
quote:
I do know our cabin is in Pigeon Forge
I'm sorry. See if anybody wants to camp out with you for a night or two in the park, just play it off as an opportunity to get back to nature and not as an excuse to get out of PF.
Posted on 7/8/17 at 10:25 pm to bigpapamac
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.
Posted on 7/9/17 at 10:56 am to Bubbles Up
Thanks for all the help fellas! Currently passing through Birmingham. Should be there around 4!
Posted on 7/9/17 at 11:14 am to mannymo54
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.
So many miles of trails to explore.
Posted on 7/9/17 at 1:40 pm to mannymo54
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.)
Posted on 7/9/17 at 1:40 pm to mannymo54
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.)
Posted on 7/9/17 at 4:40 pm to mannymo54
Have a great time and enjoy the park! It is truly a national treasure.
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