Gatlinburg Vacation (Knoxville, Ripley, Lenoir City: condos, hotels, rental car)

[daisybear]

Hello,

My husband and I are planning a vacation in late July to Gatlinburg. Can anyone suggest places to stay? We are looking at the Highland Condos and have read good online reviews and their website shows some great mountian views.
A few details: traveling form Houston and staying for 5-6 nights, are in our late twenties with no kids. We want a nice, slow paced vacation in the mountains. We like to eat, drink and golf.
Aside from Pigeon Forge (which doesn't seem like our thing) what do you suggest we do while there.

Thanks for any tips!

[kygman]

One thing I hear from people I've talked to in Gatlinburg, is "we didn't go see the Smokies. We just stayed and shopped." Gatlinburg is nice for shopping. Just start at the bottom of the hill at the Mountain Mall and work your way up the road checking out the shops. Pigeon Forge has shops but we liked Gatlinburg better. Take the drive through Cades Cove. There's no restaurants, hotels or anything but life the way it used to be in the area. You can drive to Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort but, if you value the brakes on your car, I'd take the tram over the mountain to get there...or drive a rental car! lol The Tram ride is breathtaking, looking across the Smokies. Really amazing coming back after dark and looking at the lights of Gatlinburg.
May I offer a big piece of advice for driving to Gatlinburg? Do NOT take I-40 through Knoxville! Actually you can't take I-40 through Knoxville right now because you have to detour around. I'm 52 years old and it's hard to remember a time when that section through town was not under construction for one reason or another. lol After you go past Kingston, keep watching for the Lenoir City exit. The sign says to Smokie Mountains. The highway you'll be taking is US 321. It's not 4 lane, but it's a nice drive. My brother has lived in Kingston for around 30 years and says that's the best route to take. Knocks off some mileage! You'll go through several towns and come out in Pigeon Forge. Turn right and you're on the main route to Gatlinburg! If you like to eat, you may want to check out The Old Mill Restaurant in Pigeon Forge. Good food and good atmosphere.
Have a good trip!

[Grizzlybear34]

While in Gatlinburg, go to the Ripley's - the original one. It was well worth the money. You mentioned golf? There is a miniture golf course called Hillbilly Golf, and that is a must do. I don't golf so I can't give you the low down on real golf.

We ate at the Log Cabin Pancake House in Pigeon Forge one breakfast, and we did not get to try the Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg. You should do one of those while you are there. For drinks and a good meal, try the Smoky Mountain Brewery - definitely try their house special Brewery wings in their thunder road sauce. I don't know if they had "drinks", but they had plenty of house brewed beers that were excellent, or so I'm told...

[Doogie]

On the way to Cade's Cove there is a swimming hole where you can cool off. There is a little rock cliff that you can jump off or you can just wade into the water. We even saw someone fly fishing in the river on the side of the road.

Sure there's plenty of hotels in Gatlinburg but if you prefer something a little (or a lot) quieter, I would suggest you look at staying in a cabin as an option. It's a little better to have a mountain view than a parking lot view in my opinion. You can get one close in or a little further from town. Check something like Smoky Dreams that is about 20 minutes outside the mayhem.

Also, be sure to go whitewater rafting. It will probably be the highlight of your trip if you do. Definitely the Upper Pigeon. There's a bunch of places just off of I-40 exit 447 at Hartford like Wildwater, USA and Smoky Mountain rafting. Be sure to check water release days. You don't want to show up when there's no water in the river. For something even more intense you can do the Ocoee River about an hour east of Gatlinburg.

[daisybear]

Thanks for all the great tips! I will def. look into the cabins becuase we are looking for a "retreat" from city-ness and a chance to see the mountains. The brewery sounds great too.
Any other cabins retal suggestions besides Smokey Dreams?

[rlrm777]

The shows are mostly very good too. We have a time-share at Westgate, and go to see Louise Mandrell occasionally. The Blackwood Brothers show is awesome.

And I definitely agree about getting a cabin vs a motel.

Oh, and BTW; if you go to Gatlinburg and don't go see the Smokies, please don't tell me.

[Rcm58]

My kids and their friends are in a cabin now in Pigeon Forge having a graduation party. The cabin is cliffside and has a beautiful view of the valley and mountains. The place has a gameroom with pool table, air hockey and electronic darts. The door from the gameroom opens to the deck that has hot tub and sauna. Right below this unit is the community pool. This unit sleeps 12 but they have cabins for 2 on up to the 8000 sq ft 12 bedroom 12 bath cabin. American Mountain Rentals is where we got it from but we have rented from a resort called The Eagles Nest also and they were very nice as well. Cabins can be had for as little as around $200 a night.

[kygman]

If you get a cabin (smart move!) and want to cook a meal or two on your own, there is a good "hometown" grocery in Pigeon Forge. Coming out of Gatlinburg, I think this store (been since last summer! lol) is on the right just past where you turn to go to Dollywood. It's nice eating out on a trip like this but you can save a good bit getting some styrofoam plates and something easy to fix and staying in a night or two. Most places have some pots and pans.

And I agree with rlrm about not driving up in the Smokies!

Doogie, when my brother and I were younger, we camped quite a bit at Cades Cove and Elkmont. I remember that place near Cades. We camped right by that "river" and spent more time wading and having fun in the water than going to Gatlinburg! lol

[kriddie77]

We go to the mountains every year. We usually stay with Aunt Bug's cabins and they are wonderful!!!! This year we are taking the entire family and are staying with Kimble Rentals. We go the second week in June. We usually eat at the same places as well. The Old Mill is a fave for those who like country cookin'. The Alamo is great for steaks. Bennett's is good for breakfast. There is also a place called The All American Steak and Buffet which has a good breakfast bar. Definitely go to Cades Cove, Ripley's Aquarium, Fannie Farkles( Downtown Gatliburg for their wonderful footlong corndogs) We are going to the new wax museum. The tram to Ober Gatlinburg is full of a gorgeous view! There is just so much to do. I could go on and on for days lol. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

[Tinman313]

If you have kids check this out for something different. Look at the " Kabins"

Pigeon Forge KOA | KOA Campground in Pigeon Forge near Dollywood, Splash Country, Ober Gatlinburg