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We are traveling to the Smokies during the 4th of July weekend. Should we stay in Gatlinburg, or Cherokee? We would prefer a place where we can walk to some shopping/ eating places, and also don't have to travel far for activities like zip lining, ATV riding, etc.
Any other recommendations will be appreciated as well.
We are traveling to the Smokies during the 4th of July weekend. Should we stay in Gatlinburg, or Cherokee? We would prefer a place where we can walk to some shopping/ eating places, and also don't have to travel far for activities like zip lining, ATV riding, etc.
Any other recommendations will be appreciated as well.
Neither, unless you like huge crowds. We usually stay on the Western entrance of the park in Townsend, TN. It is much quieter and less congested.
I found Gatlinburg to be far more "walkable" than Cherokee. Plus, you're closer to Pigeon Forge and the activities available there. That said, it's kind of a pain to drive in. Once you get there, leave your car parked as much as you can.
Unless you know ahead of time that you want to be located closer to the North Carolina side of the park, I would pick Gatlinburg.
+1 on Gatlinburg vs Cherokee...
While not a huge fan of G'burg or Cherokee, I would rec'd Gatlinburg for motel, stuff to do, etc.
As for "traveling to the Smokies..." yes SMNP is nearby, entrance-wise, though some of the less traveled/less busy spots and hikes are not exactly at the entrance gate.
It may or may not be packed on the 4th Weekend; have never been in/through SMNP on a holiday weekend, though we hit it regularly on weekdays. My guess is the main road(s) will be crowded, esp from late morning on when the drive through tourists have woken up and climbed into their cars.
If OP is thinking of G'burg, cop a room soon. As for things to do in/around G'Burg, besides C- tourist food and T shirts:
We are traveling to the Smokies during the 4th of July weekend. Should we stay in Gatlinburg, or Cherokee? We would prefer a place where we can walk to some shopping/ eating places, and also don't have to travel far for activities like zip lining, ATV riding, etc.
Any other recommendations will be appreciated as well.
Oh my God...avoid both places like the plague! Cherokee is at least a bit quietier, Gatlinburg has more activities but with that you get bad traffic and bad taste (wall to wall t-shirt shops, fake tourist attractions, and bad resteraunts).
I think Gatlinburg is a vary walkable town, it's one of the few places in the region where you see hordes of people out walking around. Lots of little plazas with a huge variety of shops. You can take the cable car up to the ski resort which is nice for the view and I think they have summer activities.
BUT you will have to drive to get to ATV riding and Zip lines and the traffic will be horrendous.
So maybe a night or 2 in Gatlinburg and then a night in Townsend to recover. Zip lines are in between. Where are the ATVs?
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