would love info on Gaitlinsburg, Tennessee

[geka]

We are thinking of making a trip to Gatlinsburg in April sometime. We usually go to Florida but decided something different might be fun plus we won't have to fly, we can drive. Having never been there my hubby said to get online and ask the tuggers about this area? What is there in regard to activities and what resort should we book into? We love to hike and bike and do all that active stuff...love to sightsee also. Thanks tuggers!!

[AwayWeGo]

It's smack in between Pigeon Forge (Dollywood, shopping, shows, commercial attractions, etc.) & the Great Smokey Mountains National Park (nature, the great outdoors, history, scenic tours, etc.). By staying in Gatlinburg, you get a chance to enjoy both.

Gatlinburg itself has its own Miracle Mile chockablock with shops & restaurants & places to stay but with virtually no free parking anywhere.

We always heard everybody should vacation in Gatlinburg at least once, so we did -- had a nice time there September 2007. We stayed in a nice studio unit at Gatlinburg Town Square -- our 1st & only (so far) straight-points timeshare reservation. Details are in the TUG Resort Reviews Section.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.

[mecllap]

You can look at info about all the area TS resorts here on TUG (but they are pretty popular and can be hard to get into in the summer, not sure about April, but spring break could be a conflict for you), and google Gatlinburg and find tons of info -- it's a major tourist (and wedding) destination, with lots of tourist-type "traps" (go-karts, mini-golf, shops . . . .) and a very good aquarium. Adjacent to one of the most visited NPs in the country (but being originally from the west, I don't find it very interesting -- GSMNP, good for hiking (not sure about biking -- it's the mountains). If you make a day trip over the mountains to Asheville to see the Biltmore Estate -- leave very early in the morning; it takes several hours to enjoy the estate -- the April flower festival is really nice (and it's about a 2-hour drive to AVL). Dollywood's adjacent Splash Country is a fun water park (oops you daid April, so forget that), and the NP is really good for outdoor activities/scenery. Cherokee on the east side of the NP is worth a visit. Downtown traffic in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge can be a nightmare during the summer (probably not bad in April) -- an indication of how fun and popular they are.

[EAM]

We were favorably impressed with the aquarium in Gatlinburg. We also enjoyed Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood, etc.

[Talent312]

Gatlinburg has lots of shlocky tourist traps and traffic can be a nightmare.
My DW said she'd like us to buy a condo on one of the nearby mountain-tops (not in my lifetime).

The highway from Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge is one ugly commercial strip.
However, I have enjoyed the Smokies, esp. Cades Cove and hikes in less travelled spots.

[sfwilshire]

April is a beautiful month to visit the area. Lots of flowers and flowering trees. Typically decent weather. Dollywood and other attractions in full swing. Not so many tourists as other times of the yar.

Sheila

[lprstn]

We loved it for Christmas, the shows, decorations and Dollywood was opened also. They have tons to do, and are also building a MagiQuest there (a must do with kids).

We also went in the summer and did Dollywood and the waterpark, its got a lot of things there that you see in Florida or Mytle Beach for the kids to do.

Definately a fun trip.

We loved the Wyndham, and stayed there twice for our two trips there.

[Space Coast Laurie]

Here are some ideas on stuff to do in the Gatlinburg area. This info is at least two years old. Haven't rechecked the links. I compiled it when I took two chalets worth of friends up to Gatlinburg in 2007 so they could decide on some outings ahead of time. Comments/opinions are my own. I added some new comments, which are in italics.

As far as which timeshares to request, it depends on what you're looking for. Many folks want to be downtown. Personally, I go downtown as little as possible. I own at Club Chalet because I want to be in a huge standalone chalet up on the mountain and somewhat back in the woods. That's too "rustic" for many folks, even with the air conditioning, washer/dryer and cable TV, but that's my preference.

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Bring a ton of film and your hiking boots! 800 miles of trails, and more streams, waterfalls, and gorgeous scenery than you can possibly fit into your week. Be sure to check out the historic sites along Cades Cove Loop.

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/
http://www.gsmnp.com/
http://www.great.smoky.mountains.national-park.com/
http://www.cadescove.net/

I especially enjoy the Laurel Falls trail. Go very early in the morning and you'll have the place almost to yourself. Later in the day and it's a zoo. - Laurie

OBERGATLINBURG (on top of Ski Mountain/Mt. Harrison)
Drive down to town and take America’s largest tramway up, or drive up and do the round-trip on the tramway to downtown and back. Ok, I’m weird, but the big ski lodge up there reminded me of “The Shining.” There’s a nice relaxing restaurant up at the lodge where you can have a decent meal (as long as you’re not in a hurry… the food was good, but the service was lacking). At the Obergatlinburg amusement area, you can ice skate (yes, even in July!), take on the Alpine Slide, or head even higher up the mountain via the ski lift. There’s usually a great little bluegrass group playing up at the top, where you can relax for a while, enjoy the cool air, and take some awesome pictures. The black bear habitat up at Obergatlinburg is kind of interesting, but we didn’t care for the conditions in which the bears are kept (it was almost like they were in drained in-ground swimming pools). When we got back from visiting the bear habitat last year, we had a huge black bear in the chalet driveway. I think he was probably a lot happier than the bears at the habitat, even though he couldn’t get into our trash cans.
http://www.obergatlinburg.com/

DOWNTOWN GATLINBURG, TN

Pretty commercialized and congested. Park the car and walk, or hop on the trolleys to get around. Lots and lots of neat little shops with crafts, artwork, and gourmet food items. Dress for the heat and stay hydrated… it’s a lot hotter downtown than it is up at the chalet.

The Village Shops
27 unique shops and eateries set in a quaint European village atmosphere.
http://www.thevillageshops.com/

Smoky Mountain Winery
Not at friendly as the Mountain Valley Vineyards in Pigeon Forge, but worth a quick stop and taste. If you like rather sweet whites, both wineries have some interesting options.
http://www.thewineman.com/wineries_T...ntain%20Winery,

Smoky Mountain Convention Center / Craftsmen’s Fair
Catch the first day of the Craftsmen’s Fair at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in downtown Gatlinburg. This show is very impressive. You can spend hours looking at all the wares of 180 crafts vendors, taking in some country and bluegrass music, and snacking on some local confections (all in air-conditioning). http://www.craftsmenfair.com/ NOTE THAT THE DATES FOR THIS SUMMER (it's done twice a year) are July 17-26, 2009. - Laurie

River Road Pancake House
There are pancake restaurants aplenty in the Gatlinburg area. Skip the chains and visit local restaurants instead. We found a great breakfast place just around the corner after you come down the mountain. Very quaint looking inside, clean, generous portions, very good service, and delicious! Depending upon when you go, you may have a wait a little while to be seated. Go down Ski Mountain Road to the bottom of the mountain and make a left onto River Road. Go a block or two, and it’s on the right.

Volunteer Pizza (DON’T DO IT!)
Yeah, they’ll deliver up to the chalet, but it was the worst pizza any of us have ever eaten. We ordered pizza the first night because we got in a 9pm and were tired and hungry. It was so bad that we ended up filling up on the red licorice and trail mix we’d brought with us instead of eating the pizza. If you’re desperate, go out into the woods and eat sticks. They’ll probably taste better.

PIGEON FORGE, TN

Also very commercialized and congested, but still has some places worth visiting.

Dollywood theme park (where most of Dolly Parton’s relatives are employed!)
http://www.dollywood.com/

Mountain Valley Vineyards
A nice stop on the way back from Forbidden Caverns. Free wine-tasting, and a nice gift shop. Try the Cynthiana (a semi-dry red), made from a grape that only grows in Tennessee and the surrounding areas... it’s different/interesting.
http://www.thewineman.com/wineries_T...ntain%20Valley

SEVIERVILLE, TN (about 40 minutes from Gatlinburg)

Forbidden Caverns
Nice partial day trip to see beautiful underground caverns. Found a VERY interesting and photogenic old farm and antique store along the way (can’t tell you where it is, but I think you’ll know it when you see it). Bring a sweatshirt and comfortable walking shoes for the cavern tour. It’s very cool in there, and the floor is often uneven and wet.
http://www.forbiddencavern.com/

English Mountain Trout Farm & Grill
Haven’t been here yet, but it’s on my list for next year based on what I’ve read online, including comments by those who have been there. Here’s their spiel: “You hook'em - We cook'em ! We feature fishing for rainbow trout with no license required and tackle and bait provided. We have a full menu, you can eat inside our cozy dining room or outside in our picnic area. You can even get Rainbow Trout to go - fresh dressed & packed on ice. To find us just follow the signs to Forbidden Caverns.”

CHEROKEE, NC (other side of the Smoky Mountains National Park)

Cherokee Indian history displays, Harrah’s Casino, and a large number of crafts shops (though much of what you find is NOT local stuff… many of the “Indian blankets” are actually from Mexico). Didn’t really find any decent places to eat in Cherokee (we tried “Little Princess Restaurant” for a quick lunch, and I don’t recommend it). Visit Saunooke’s Mill and pick up some water ground cornmeal.
http://www.cherokee-nc.com/

“Unto These Hills” Cherokee Indian Outdoor Drama – Portrays the history of the Cherokee from the entrance of DeSolot in 1540 up to and through their removal to the West in the infamous 1838 “Trail of Tears” march. Presented at the “Mountainside Theater” in Cherokee. Tickets available online or at the box office. I do recommend seeing this. Note that it gets pretty cool after dark up there, so you may want to bring/wear jeans and bring a sweatshirt.
http://www.untothesehills.com/ FOLLOW-UP COMMENT ON THIS ONE: They changed the presentation dramatically in 2007 or so. We absolutely did NOT enjoy the new production we saw at that time. - Laurie
Cherokee Indian Museum
http://www.cherokeemuseum.org/

Mingo Falls
Possibly the most stunning cascade in the region is Mingo Falls on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. From the Saunooke Village shopping area in downtown Cherokee, drive north on Big Cove Road approximately 5 miles (past the KOA Campground) to the Mingo Falls parking lot. The walk from the parking lot is not long, but is very steep with many stairs. If you don’t have health/mobility problems though, it’s well worth the hike.

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[Space Coast Laurie]

If you go when it's warm enough to do so, tubing and white water rafting are also a lot of fun.

[Space Coast Laurie]

Just re-read what I posted and the update is that we did visit the trout farm. It was kind of fun... kids would probably get the biggest kick out of it. By the time you pay them to allow you to "fish" (which takes about 5 seconds), and then to clean and cook your fish (based on its weight), it ended up being a somewhat pricey dinner. However, you're paying for the experience. From hook to hot dinner was surprisingly quick, though they werent' real busy that day anyhow... we went in the middle of the week.

[RIMike]

Sevier County is where Gatlinburg is located...and the area is beautiful...

Gatlinburg has a lot to offer in terms of activities, including a great little downtown that is walkable. Pigeon Forge is where the outlet malls are located and DollyWood, the amusement park.

But for me the area is a wonderful destination because it has the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are a number of great hikes in the park. All of that depends on how difficult you desire a hike to be. Be sure to go on the Roaring Fork Road, regardless if you go on a hike or not. It is a little difficult to find the first time, but is outstandingly beautiful and you feel as though you are REALLY BACK IN THE WOODS as would a pioneer settler in an earlier time. There are several outstanding hikes to waterfalls on the road.

I also really enjoy Mt. LaConte Hike...which is pretty challenging, but worth the trip to the top of the mountain.

And of course you have to go to Cades Cove...if you go early in the morning you can rent a bike and bike around the loop. But even if you drive it, you can see a lot of wild life, especially early in the morning or late afternoon. I have seen fox, coyotes, bear, and deer. There is camp ground/picnic area there as well so you can take a lunch with you too.

If there is specific things you would like to know, send me a note.