Anyone every traveled to the Gatlinburg/Dollywood neck-of-the-woods?

[Canesluver]

I've got a week off in August, and we're thinking about exploring a part of Eastern Tennessee that we've never seen-- maybe Gatlinburg and spend a day at Dollywood.

Has anyone ever been there? stayed there? any lodging recommendations?

[nccanes]

I've been a few times. Gatlinburg is a huge tourist trap/town - so go forewarned. Even Pigeon Forge which decades ago was kind of not-touristy certainly is.

We've rented a house in the mtns outside Gatlinburg. Kinda hit and miss - first one we found we hated, then went back to the rental office and got a nice one.

You're going to spend time in Great Smoky Mountain Nat'l Park, right? I think BigDog would enjoy shooting Cades Cove.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=cades+cove

[Canesluver]

Absolutely. Shooting the mountains is, like, the focus of the trip. What he wants to do is only book 1 or 2 nights, and then not be locked into anything else, so we can just be footloose and go where the wind blows us.

We're driving to Asheville the first night, to over-night at a friend's house, and then start driving into the Smokies. He's got a book of trails and waterfalls, and we're just going to discover things along the way. Technically, we're not camping -- but just kind of living out of our car, with stops along the way for "Kodak moments." A cabin -- something cooler than a generic motel room, would be nice for a couple nights, though...

I'll check out the site. I just realized we're less than 2 months away from my week-off, so we need to make a few plans, even though BigDog wants to keep things "loose."

[nccanes]

Ok good. Just couldn't figure out why you two would be headed to Gatlinburg/Dollywood. :lol:

[livinthedream]

CL, the Hemlock Inn in Bryson City is nice. It's on the NC side of the Smokies, so I'm not sure if it would work out for you, but if interested here's the link:

http://www.hemlockinn.com/

Mr. LTD and I stayed there many years ago (pre-Junior). It's a very pretty, rustic B&B with cottage-style rooms (supper and breakfast are served family-style in a main dining area). The cottages are comfortable but there are no TVs, internet access, etc. It's really designed for a quiet getaway. We had a great time when we were there.

[Canesluver]

Now, now... don't you be laughin' at us about Dollywood, Miss NCC!! :lol: BigDog's a theme park/roller-coaster junkie. And he recently, out-of-the-blue, said, "You know... sometime, we really need to "do" Dollywood, so I can put it on my "list."**


Thanks for the link LTD - that sounds inviting! :D


**(And part of that is we recently met Randy Partin, Dolly's brother who's building this entertainment center in Roanoke Rapids... and is considering bringing Theatre in the Park's production of BRIAIRPATCH out there... but that's a whole other story....... and by the way... when we were talking to him, all I could do is stare at his mullet, and my fingers were getting itchy for a pair of scissors! :lol:)

[nccanes]

Oops sorry. :angel:

I can do DisneyWorld, but I really have no compulsion to go anywhere else with huge crowds of people. I'm sure I'd love it if I ever really spent the time. :beatup:

[RedBloodedGal]

Ahhh.. the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge adventure.... this is our getaway place once a year in late October..
We have always rented cabins from this company: http://www.sunsetcottage.com/
Always had great success and loved every one of them, you can find the smaller ones pretty reasonable.
I surely recommend a trip through Cades Cove.. it's beautiful with lots of hiking trails, Dollywood was much more fun than I thought it would be... hubby absolutely lurves their roller coasters and last year we took the most awesome one hour horseback ride through the mountains that was the highlight of our trip.
Just walking through downtown Gatlinburg is a nice relaxing adventure as well and we really enjoyed the Ripleys Aquarium that is there....
I think you will really enjoy yourselves!!!

[Canesluver]

Thank you, RBG - I love the idea of cabins, and they have a 20%-off special for August if 2 nights (or more) are booked. The rates look very good.

Just in some browsing I found these condos, which I like the rate of, too: http://www.highlandscondos.com/Default.asp


I'm trying to get BigDog into the idea of finding someplace to use as a "home base," and then we'll plan day-trips out from there.


I love these ideas, folks -- keep 'em coming!! :D

[RedBloodedGal]

"home bases" are awesome... especially since most of these cabins have wonderful hot tubs out on their back porches overlooking lovely scenery... nothing better after a long day trip!!!! We usually get one with a pool table too and have been known to not be seen for 3 or 4 days... its the ultimate in relaxation if that's what your looking for.

[guinevere]

We're getting ready to leave for Cherokee as we speak. going to walk up to Clingmans Dome and do so side trip hiking before we go to SEvierville Pigeon Forge Gatlinburg for the week. We're going to over night in Asheville as well and stop in Black Mountain on the way back for crafts and dulcimer action (ifs that an oxymoron?)

To me Gatlinburg et al reminds me of Myrtle Beach with the tourist stuff but close enough to the mountains to get away from it. I embrace both. :) Dollywood is fun and if you really get into it you can watch the craftsmen do their stuff. I bought a glass bowl that I watched the guy make. They have a special by the way, that if you go after 3p the next day is free.

I've got a book on the parkway if you want to borrow it - hoping that I see you before then.

[goalie33]

I don't know if this is your sort of thing, but one of the best driver's roads in America is right on the NC/TN border, less than 30 miles from Cades Cove.

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

[Canesluver]

Thanks to the wonderful suggestion from RBG, we're staying at this cool log cabin. I really appreciate the suggestion. We decided to make it home-base for 3 nights of our week-long trek. Their August specials are great. It's 30% off!!

It's called "Bears Escape"

http://www.sunsetcottage.com/besext10.jpg http://www.sunsetcottage.com/beslr10.jpg

http://www.sunsetcottage.com/bearsescape.html

Can't wait!!!! :nanner:

[nccanes]

Wow that looks fantastic!

[RedBloodedGal]

Oh yea me!!... So glad I could help...lol... your gonna love it... I promise....
Enjoy your time there and bring very light clothing cause the days are going to be hotter than you know what in August!!!!!

[Canesluver]

Any hotter than here? Aren't the mountains generally cooler?

E-- did you go to the link? Up in the loft they have 3 table games -- pool, foosball, and AIR HOCKEY!! Woooooooooo!! It's so us!! :lol:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

You've never felt humidity until you've felt it in the Western NC/Eastern TN mountains.

Anymore, it's not cool up there at all. You used to never need AC and most homes up there don't have it....you do now (I hope that place has AC).

IMO, the humidity down here is often so much lower it doesn't feel as hot at higher temperatures.

[RedBloodedGal]

We were really surprised on our first trip up that way which was in late September how hot and humid it was during the day... it was the mountains after all....we actually had to go purchase a few short sleeved shirts and shorts. Its cooler at night and can be downright chilly early in the mornings but heats up really fast. For some reason the NC mountain area around Boone/Blowing Rock are much cooler than the Tenn. area, must be an altitude thing... lol

[livinthedream]

After reading this thread, I think we're going to check into these cabins for a family weekend in September when Jr. is on track-out. That looks awesome! I'll expect to hear a report after this trip (complete with pictures :D ).