Questions about Gatlinburg/Asheville

Asheville is more modern, artsy, has real cuisine, more breweries than you can count, upper scale shopping, etc. It’s very walkable and small. Only plan on driving to get to the city because it can get backed up on the main streets. Ubers are very cheap if you stay a little outside of downtown. As for fall leaves the timing will be different. Asheville peaked a couple of weeks ago. I’m guessing Gatlinburg before that.

Gatlinburg has a totally different vibe. More “country folk” like it. Chainsaw bear sculptures, kid’s novelties like bow and arrows and head dresses, lots of Harley’s, larger people, haha.

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If I was taking kids, Gatlinburg. If it was just the wife and I, Asheville.

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defnintely this

there's also ober gatlinburg that is great for kids.

think of asheville as more hipster/foodie/beer nerd

think of gatlinburg as more family/touristy/redneck

both are fun--just depends on what you're looking for

Gatlinburg is super touristy filled with pancake houses, rednecks, and traffic.

Asheville is a beautiful city with good food, beer, entertainment, and outdoor activities.

I guess it depends on what you are looking for, but for me, it's not close at all.

Split the difference, go stay in a cabin around Franklin or Highlands, NC. You have access to awesome food in the area that isn't overhyped like Asheville. It's not a city (Asheville) or super touristy (G'burg.) You have some great scenery nearby. Going into the national park from there isn't a long drive to Cherokee or the southern section. You can go to Robbinsville easy and hit the Cherohala Skyway for an amazing drive. Fontana is pretty close as well. Trails galore in immediate area and expanded area. A good bit of little towns to explore during the day that aren't a bad drive unless you don't like curvy roads.


Colors this year kinda suck. I wouldn't come for them.

I'm biased against Asheville though, because it's not much different than being in Chattanooga for me. I rather go to a more small mountain town feeling place. G'burg is a day trip place for me, about all I can take of it.

Stay in Asheville and you can even hit Greenville for a day.

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I'm biased against Asheville though,

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I don’t find Asheville to be anything special either.
Most of the so called breweries for which they are famous are just brewpubs.
It’s crowded.
The area is scenic but the town itself is just ok.
Homeless haven.

The Wicked Weed begins the scenes tour is great.
And the famous biscuit place is fantastic

It’s called Biscuit Head. 3 locations.

GreAt food.