Extended Getaway Ideas within 10 hours from Pittsburgh (Athens, Marietta: where to stay, appointed)

[Hopes]

Since I'd like to take my dog, I'd like to get a cabin in the woods near a quaint small town with interesting shops and cafes.

Western Pennsylvania is out of the question since I'm bored with the few small towns that qualify as interesting.

How far do I need to go to find this great small town that might have cabins within 30 minutes of it?

I'm thinking West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, perhaps? What about to the West? I don't like flat terrain like Ohio.

Over the past three years, I've had enough of Upstate NY and all of New England to last a lifetime.

[Moby Hick]

North Carolina is within that range. You could get to the mountains or the outer banks. I never actually went to the mountains or the outer banks when I lived in North Carolina, but lots of people I worked with seemed to enjoy going there.

[greg42]

Well north would actually be the way to go now if you like to watch the leaves change and stuff. But if you're done with that, you're done. When are you going?

Look up Shepherdstown WV and see if you'd like that. I don't know where you'd stay in a cabin nearby though exactly....

I would say go down to Smoky Mountains area but the town is not really what you want. (Although you don't HAVE to go to that part I suppose.)

There are a few other places in WV I suppose. I don't really know which would be most appealing in terms of town. I'm more familiar with the natural sights and such and town is more secondary.

[fleetiebelle]

Hocking Hills area in Ohio isn't flat. You could look around towns like Athens or Marietta, OH or Parkersburg, WV. Or there's always Asheville, NC.

[cheezit34141988]

Traverse City, Michigan - 8 hour drive.

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You wont be disappointed.

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[pman]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Since I'd like to take my dog, I'd like to get a cabin in the woods near a quaint small town with interesting shops and cafes.

Western Pennsylvania is out of the question since I'm bored with the few small towns that qualify as interesting.

How far do I need to go to find this great small town that might have cabins within 30 minutes of it?

I'm thinking West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, perhaps? What about to the West? I don't like flat terrain like Ohio.

Over the past three years, I've had enough of Upstate NY and all of New England to last a lifetime.

jim thorpe?

[trackstar13]

Grandfather mountain in North Carolina

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[greg42]

Or, not small, but still cool, Ann Arbor. Again I don't know where to stay, but pick the town first if the town is key. Although, it's kinda flat in that vicinity really.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by greg42

I would say go down to Smoky Mountains area but the town is not really what you want. (Although you don't HAVE to go to that part I suppose.)

My parents and two other couples actually enjoyed an extended getaway in a nice log cabin on the outskirts of Gatlinburg and loved it. They also visited nearby Pigeon Forge and had a great time. That's certainly a possibility. The larger city of Knoxville isn't far away and might also be worth checking out.

[fleetiebelle]

I was in/near Gatlinburg this summer, and Gatlinburg was my least favorite part of the trip. It and Pigeon Forge are giant tourist traps, though if you want to buy fudge and Duck Dynasty t-shirts and play miniature golf, you're set. Smoky Mountain National Park is beautiful, though.