Best Tennessee mountain vacation areas? NEED ADVICE

[Ridgerunner]

Fall Creek Falls State Park, Big South Fork National Recreation Area, Natural Tunnel State Park (Virginia), Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

[skinem]

Like ACTS Mom, we too, like Townsend. When we go to the Gatlinburg area, we usually stay in Townsend. Cheaper, quieter, close enough to the crowd.

Love Fall Creek Falls. We have family reunions there every couple of years. The lodge and cabins are nice, GREAT golfing (has been ranked in the past by Golf Digest as one of the top 10 public courses in the nation), lots of nature trails, caves, and of course, multiple falls. Room enough to get away from people if you desire.

[tsimmu]

I would definitely check out TN state parks. They are an overlooked gem!

[MountainAire]

How about Fall Creek Falls State park? Plenty of cabins, open camping, beautiful falls and nature trails.

[kygman]

Several years ago my parents took my brother and I and our families to Gatlinburg. They rented a house owned by a hotel about a block and a half from the main drag through town. We saved money this way by cooking our own meals. We'd have cereal or something easy for breakfast and be back for either lunch or dinner. The other meal was on our own. If we got tired of walking around Gatlinburg we would come back, sit on the porch watching the swimmers in the hotel pool. My dad said it was like getting away but being close by. I took my wife up there last fall. If you take the road going to Cades Cove, at the intersection with the highway coming from Townsend, there is a parking place at the "river" (more like a big stream) going along side the road. We bought a picnic lunch and sat on the rocks by the water. It was nice and peacful. We didn't want to leave!

[creeksitter]

That's me, sitting on the rocks by the water. Where did you think I got my name?

I keep an "office" by the stream up above Tremont in the Townsend area and go up there every week or two to relax, pay bills, and plan the week ahead. It makes paying income tax just a little more bearable knowing that part of it is going to pay office rent in such a fine place.

If you want a retreat just a little closer to home consider Tellico Plains near the Cherokee Forest and the beautiful Cherehola skyway. It's like the Blue Ridge Parkway without the crowds.

[Psychop1]

Originally Posted by tsimmu

I would definitely check out TN state parks. They are an overlooked gem!

I remember living up north, someone asked if I wanted to go to the state park. I said sure. They took me to a picnic table by the lake. That was the state park. No baseball fields, volleyball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, pavilions, hiking trails, horseshoe pits, or playgrounds for kids. They don't know what a state park is.

[bearcampcabins]

Sounds like you are describing Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, TN.
Both are minutes away from BEAUTIFul scenery along with many things to do! We have numerous shows to see (I would see The Smith Family Theater if you want great comedy and amazing singing and impersonations - not glittery and flashy, they emphasize the talent in music and singing)

We have a bunch of restaraunts to choose from - mainstream ones and also hidden gems.
---The Old Mill is great along with Apple Wood - located @ Apple Barn
---Alamo has a great steak.
---Smoky Mountain Brewery - good food all around and a local brewery as well.
---Roaming Gnome has great bar food.
---The Peddler in Gatlinburg is higher end Steak House....they bring the steak and cut it at your table for your own selection.

Penty of putt-putt courses for kids
--Ripley's courses are awesome, especially Davy Crockett in Gatlinburg - it's like being at Disney!


Go-Carts are plentiful
Indoor skating rink
Ice skating in Ober Gatlinburg
All the Ripley's attractions are great! (in Gatlinburg)

Tubing down the local rivers are fun - better hurry as it will be getting colder soon!

CADES COVE is a MUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are plenty of hiking and wilderness trails of all levels of difficulty. Most are for the whole family. Plenty of natural waterfalls.


Hmmmmm, what else sticks out?

Shopping is CRAZY! Too many stores to mention.

And if you do come down here, you have to take advantage of renting a cabin to stay in. Don't waste your money on a hotel or motel. Sometime not, but just go ahead and put everyone's money together and rent a cabin. Nothing beats having the privacy and home accomodations. Most all have hot ubs, jacuzzispool tables and satellite TV.

Here's a link: http://www.bearcampcabins.com

Originally Posted by northbound95

Every year my wife and I retreat to the mountains to get away from the rat race here in south florida. Sometimes twice a year. We seem to take the same vacation every year to the same spots in North Carolina. Pretty much know it like the back of our hands as I have been going since I was a kid. We would like to venture to other northern neighboring states such as Virgina or Tennessee still keeping with the mountains, scenic drives, charming small towns and nature type surroundings. Can anyone recommend some areas in these other states that are centrallly located in the mountians for a variety of daytrips and things to do. We usually book a cabin for a week and we love some seclusion but Im trying to avoid making the mistake of choosing a place thats just a bit too far from anywhere. Thanks