Smoky Mountains- Who has been, what do to?
 

Trying to plan a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains in June. Need to work around SF and our granddaughter's high school graduation, so it looks as if it will be mid June.

We have been warned that Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are tourist traps...we're going more for the nature/scenery aspect and the National Park. What other suggestions of things to do in that area, or not too far away, can any of you offer? As of now, we are planning five nights there.

I booked a room at a Hampton Inn (which I can cancel) and am looking at VRBO (vacation rentals by owner) for a cabin or condo rental in the Gatliburg area, but if anyone has suggestions of another less hectic area which may offer cabin rentals, let me know.

Thanks!

THE DRAGON should be No. 1 on your list!
Lots of other suggestions here: https://www.mysmokymountainpark.com/...-to-do/top-ten
Don't stay in the touristy areas.
Bryson CIty NC has a bunch of craft breweries for Rick.
I know you don't like B&B's but this one is more like a hotel than a B&B. The owners don't live in it: https://www.bluewatersmtnl.com/ We stayed there several years ago.
If not that, then Fontana Village is where we stay at Ken's Dragon events.
These are both within easy driving distance of the Park
Did I say avoid the touristy areas, though a visit to Gatlinburg would be OK. Lots of good restaurants there.
Drive the Foothills Parkway.
Take the S or the P-car, no matter what! There are so many twisty roads around you'll never get bored!
Visit Highlands NC to see how the upper class summers. :)
Finally, THE DRAGON!

Let me know if you're planning on taking Gene's advice and decide to stay at Fontana Village Resort. I'll make sure you get a really good rate for your stay.

P car is road trip car. More room for all my "stuff." We prefer a rental which allows more living space.

Dragon is on the list.

Sounds like a great trip, Lainey. I'd be most interested in 1, 4 and the first 8.

https://www.mysmokymountainpark.com/...-to-do/top-ten

Did a lot of internet research on rentals. We can get out of the tourist areas and stay closer to the other park entrance not far from Townsend. Found a couple desirable rentals, have bookmarked them, want to be sure that we aren't so far out that going out to eat is 20 miles one way. Still looking in TN vs NC at the moment.

Also would like to be somewhere where I can walk and not get attacked by a bear. :LOL: This trip will involve a lot of sitting.....need to know that I/we can go for a walk if it's not a day for a hike/walk in the park.

Still researching rentals. Right now looks like arrival in TN 6/10/19. Has anyone spent time in that area in mid June? I'm hoping it's not too hot there that time of year? I don't want it hot when I'm playing tourist. Other option was mid May but don't want to run into the Memorial Day weekend, and that's a busy gardening time at our house.

Planning on 6 nights as of now. Should we plan a couple more nights in NC before heading home? We want enough time in and around the park, and want to allow for lousy weather. I would rather not have long days on the road to visit other areas of interest in NC, though we won't be that far away....decisions, decisions.

Suggestions welcome.

I stayed there a couple years ago during Miatas at the Gap. Previously on a number of visits to the area for S2000 events i had always stayed at Fontana Village but it was booked up for MAG so I had to look elsewhere. Other than not having any other Miata owners there, Blue Lake was head and shoulders above the village. The place is very cool...check out the pics on their web site...and the owners could not have been nicer. Gene is right. It is more of an "inn" than a B&B/ My only regret was not having more time to enjoy evenings down by the lake because of various MATG activities.

While I know that Ken favors the Fontana Village, for good reason since I've stayed there many times since my first visit in 2001, my preference, if I were going without a group, would be the Tapoco Lodge Resort.

https://tapoco.com/

Only problem (for me) with Tapoco is that the good chef left and they didn't hire a chief to take over (as of last September). Tapoco, to some extent is similar to Fontana in that you're kind of a captive audience to their restaurant because any other place is going to be a drive. While Tapoco's pizza is still good......

FWIW, I don't want to be a "captive audience" to a particular restaurant/hotel, unless it's only for a night or two.

I'm with you on that one. That can be a problem with some of those places at the top of a mountain.

https://wheelsthroughtime.com/
Worth a stop if you are near Maggie Valley. Some great opportunities for creative photos.

Actually, the restaurant at Fontana has been very good (and that's for over 10 years). They even indulge me at times and make my 4 courses and dessert with paired wines. :)

I would recommend stopping in Asheville for a day/night on your way home. Visit the Biltmore Estate which is America's largest private residence, like the homes in Newport.
Also, Asheville has an excellent restaurant and beer scene.

And on that note, check Table and Cucina 24 for new American and Italian respectively. Asheville is known for it's craft breweries and there are lots of opportunities to sample their brews. There's also a thriving music scene. A great place for the arts, good food and drink.

A must see is the Tree of Shame at the Deals Gap Motorcycle Inn. (Not a place I would stay but if you are driving the dragon anyway...)
The Fontana Dam is also pretty interesting and includes a small visitor's center.
There are some spectacular views along 129 with several scenic overlooks. Same with US28 and many other great driving roads in the area. Just be sure to exercise the appropriate amount of caution, especially if you find yourself on 129 in TN (the dragon). Keep it between the mustard and the mayo and be on the lookout for cars and bikes cutting across the curves, although locals and most visitors know better. If you find yourself closely followed by a more enthusiastic driver or biker, there are also plenty of pull-overs to let them by.
If you drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, don't expect to make good time. Speed limit is mostly 45 MPH and as low as 25 MPH where there a lot of pedestrians, and enforcement is pretty strict. But with the views you probably won't mind the leisurely pace.

One final (maybe) suggestion: Browsing the Dragon Events forum under "Meets and Events" will provide lots of ideas about things to do all over the eastern TN/western NC area.

PS: Lots of pics, please. ;)

We had an MG national meet there in 2013. Stayed at the Crowne Plaza. There was a morning photo op at the Biltmore before taking the tour. Unfortunately we along with some friends didn't make it into the photo as we took full advantage of you last comment.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...30174a0212.jpg

Thanks for all the helpful hints!!

I was there in 2003 with the Fiat club! Here are pics of my white X1/9:



https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...715ac12d02.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...43a219c28d.jpg

Small world for car people. :)

While we are at it...
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...15e08458bd.jpg
Miatas at the Gap. Foot of Fontana Dam.

Looks like MG and Fiat owners hobnob at the Biltmore Estate. Meanwhile Miata owners make do with a dam meetup.

and S2K owners hang out and watch the newcomers. :) (we've been going sinc 2000)

Another resource to check out: https://grahamchamber.com/things-to-...2t3FR9w_zHzTg0

I've rented a nice two bedroom place in Townsend. The quiet side of the Smoky Mountains. We'll use it as a base and check out the area from there.

In the next little while, I'll review all your helpful hints, and start planning some of our time there.

Thanks!

Townsend is a nice town. Make sure you go to Franklin, NC for lunch at Cafe REL. It's located in a gas station (The Hot Spot Station) but ignore that. The food is excellent. When you leave Franklin, go up to Highlands stopping at Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls (at one time you could park beneath this falls but not any more). Highlands is where people with money used to spend the Summer before air conditioning A beautiful little town. There is an Ice Cream and Bakery in the "mall" shopping area on the main street. It's easy to find. If you get tired of curvy mountain driving, just stay on Rt 64 and that will take you to Rt 23 and you can GPS it back to Townsend. If you take Rt 441 out of Townsend, it's about 100 miles from there to Highlands. Might be a good day trip.

^
Thanks, Ken.

First rainy day retirement project is to start planning this type of thing!

Much appreciated. Many thanks to all my S2000 pals for suggestions. You guys are the best. :heart:

As you head into the park from Townsend there is a little restaurant on the left called Riverstone Restaurant. It is a great place to get some good down home cookin'. Also Ken's recommendation of Cafe Rel is spot on. The food is great!

As you are going thru the park from Townsend there are lots of areas to pull off. Do it. the picture takin' is great in many of those spots.

That will be the plan! Spare batteries at the ready. Maybe I need another lens. :LOL:

I did a quick Google, Dancing Bear Lodge looked rather nice with high ratings.

Bumping this up to thank all for their contributions. It's quiet at the office, boss is away, the cat will play......on the internet. Doing some research, copying and pasting the suggestions here.

Lots to do in that area!

Don't get caught! They might fire you!! :argh:

Oh, wait, never-mind. :p

:LOL: I tried to get fired the other week. It was a no go. Boss said I was too eager. In my state I could collect unemployment (as long as I was "looking for a job") at the same time as SS. That sounded like a "win win" to me. :D

Rent this place and invite some friends.....
https://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentalReview-g55328-d15047303-Indoor_Pool_Cabin_with_Theater_Room_Fire_Pit_Game_ Room-Sevierville_Tennessee.html

Looks very nice!

Okay, I'm one of Lainey's friends, and I would be glad to sign up since Lainey is paying. :)

The Dancing Bear IS very nice although we've only hung out in the lobby and had drinks in the bar.

Our accommodations are already rented, but maybe we'll stop by the dancing bear. We won't mention the names of any of you who hung around there previously.............just in case.

No worries. We all use assumed names! ;)

I believe the names used were Rick and Lainey. :D

Ha! Maybe we had better avoid the joint!

You'll be safe if you just say you're Dave and Mikey.

We have arrived and it's lovely here! The rental is spacious, clean and more than I expected for what I felt was a reasonable price. I'm out on the screened porch listening to the critters of the night. I swear I could almost sleep out here. We had a good trip with very little traffic.

We drove through Pigeon Forge on the way in. SO happy we don't plan on spending time there it is a tourist trap to be sure.

Went on the Cades Cove Loop this evening. Spotted a couple of bears, not close enough to photograph and didn't attempt to get close though some folks did. Snapped this photo I like it!
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...b8db1dfb94.jpg

Pigeon Forge is a vacuum cleaner for tourist money. Only one time is enough for anyone. Don't miss Klingman's Dome. There's a walkway that will take you up to the observation deck. Worth the hike. You can also go to Cherokee for the casino (again, a one time is enough escapade). Now you see why I go down there twice a year.

Our first stop today Ken

Enjoy! And the consider taking a trip to Gatlinburg because the drive through the park is really nice (and curvy) and go to the Park Grill for dinner (and check out where all the Dragon people go for dinner in the Spring). Have a great trip. That's a beautiful area.

Nice. Now you need to build a garage to hang it on the wall. We are off today to a tiny tourist town in Grand Rapids, Ohio with our MG friends. And its all top down for this one.... thankfully.

Thanks Dave, and Ken.

Tired tonight. The fit bit say I climbed over 75 flights of stairs and I'm feeling it.
The hike up to Klingman's Dome is extremely steep. Rick said he was re-visting his stress test. Then we chased waterfalls, and butterflies etc, and all of these things required more steps, more climbing A few photos and I'll toss one or two in odds and ends.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...10c1dab24.jpeg
Pictures cannot do this scenery justice
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...5ba47e77b.jpeg
Ramp up to observation tower, after making a 1/2 mile climb up the steep paved trail.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...74456fc2e.jpeg
Exhausted from my time on the Appalachian Trail

Now you need to make a trip up to Highlands to see Dry Falls (which definitely isn't) and Bridal Veil Falls and then ice cream at the chocolate shop in the "mall" on Main St.

Noted Ken. Thanks

What area are you speaking of?

Thanks! Noted. We may end up back in the NC area before the week is out.

Oodles of twisty roads around there!

Fun day! Someone got a new hat! Photo #2 Dragon Slayer +1 (The encouraging, "Let's do another run wife)

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...04a4322c8.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...59cc8e270.jpeg

Now you see what you have been missing!

Congratulations on your Dragon run. Dragon Fall Run is Sept 5-9. You two going to be there?

Thanks! We've had a good week. Totally enjoyed the Dragon Run, but not in the cards for a repeat trip that soon. Appreciate all the hints and advice here. We've spent a lot of time in the car. The scenery is gorgeous. Thankful we did not stay in Gaitlinburg. Spent some time there yesterday.

Put our trust in modern engineering and took a ride on the chair lift to walk on the sky bridge. Note the new T shirt! :LOL: Going to stay mostly local tomorrow. Long ride home begins Sunday

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I'll know your serious about the dragon when you get that dragon tattoo. :D . Have a safe trip home and I'm glad you had a good time.

I bought a sticker for my Jeep. Does that count?

Well, it does move you up to beginning novice status. :D

Sure, the sticker counts!

Just put the sticker on your arm when you go to your Zumba and other exercise classes!

Sorry this is too late to help OP. Stayed in Gatlinburg last year as a base to access parks and the Dragon. Drove the rental car like I stole it :) Gatlinburg was tolerable as a tourist town, Pigeon Forge would make a great set for a National Lampoon family vacation comedy. Oh, the bears; not big but more like dangerous rats. They forage through the town looking for food. Family pets and garbage cans have equal appeal. As a California boy, I was surprised at the number of bears in the area; be careful while hiking in the woods.
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