I just purchased a Groupon Getaway for a cabin in the Smokey Mountains on a whim. I have been to Gatlinburg before, but only around the holidays, and it was quite a while ago. The Groupon needs to be used by May 24th so I'm thinking a trip in the spring would be fun for a change. What I need to know is:
When is the best time to see wild flowers in bloom?
DH and I love tours of any kind (so long as they are not lame) - any good ones in the area?
Interested in history - what historical sites should we check out?
Good place for one nice dinner (will probably grill/cook at the cabin most nights)
Looking for a place to stop overnight on the way from Detroit - any recs?
Thanks so much!
Smoky Mountains in the Spring
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The Cades Cove drive has an interesting history and stops along the way--we downloaded a tour, which we thought was excellent.
Thanks abram. I will check it out - is it on the Cades Cove web page?
I have often driven from the Detroit area to the Smokey Mountains, and have enjoyed an overnight stay at the Cumberland Inn, in Williamsburg, KY.
www.cumberlandinn.com
They have a very nice indoor pool that is glassed in - allowing you to see the mountains as you are beginning to enter that terrain. The restaurant is very good (great inexpensive breakfast) and the rooms are pleasant and very clean. I believe that it is part of the Cumberland College system where they teach hospitality. It is also a part of a larger chain who sponsors the school.
It's a hidden gem right on the I-75.
The drive time the next morning - to finish the trip - is minimal and will have you in crazy Pigeon Forge before noon.
The hotel is in a dry county. So if you enjoy a glass of wine or a beer after a day's drive, you'd need to bring your own.
Happy Trails!
I think we bought it from www.robinwing.net.
For a nice dinner, try the Buckhorn Inn, I think they accept outside guests for dinner with prior reservations. Otherwise, most of the dining is very touristy. Or try dinner at the Dancing Bear Lodge in Townsend. Definitely do the Cades Cove trip - early am or late afternoon is good for animal viewing. You can rent bikes or ride horses there as well. Check out the Heritage Museum in Townsend. Unless you like outlet malls and are taking kids, try to avoid Pigeon Forge.
Was it the one for Bryson City? The cabins look quite nice and I have them bookmarked for a trip sometime.
I would check out Cades Cove, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and Clingmans Dome. The Smoky Mountains are beautiful and lots to do there. I would stop by the Sugarlands vistors center for a map and info. As far as restaurants we like Howards Steakhouse, Best Italian,Calhouns,Smoky Mountain Brewery and Old Mill which is in Pigeon Foerge but the others are in Gatlinburg.I would go around the 2nd or 3rd week of April or first week of May. You should see lots of wildflowers around those times. We go every year in April and love it. You might also take a drive over the mountains and explore Cherokee,NC. Have a great vacation
If it is in Bryson City, they are on the Cherokee and Cades Cove side. Lots of good restaurants in that area without having to deal with Gatlinburg.
No, the cabin is right in Gatlinburg. I do want to go to Bryson City though, so if you know of a place for a good dining experience Gretchen, please let me know.
I believe we will plan a day trip to the Biltmore Estate...is that something worth checking out?
I don't think you need to really go to Bryson City. People love Biltmore and it is a spectacular site.
I think that perhaps RagTopGirl is referring to The Buckhorn Inn - in the "Arts District" in Greenbrier/Gatlinburg. It is an excellent restaurant. I'm sure that you could find out more about it with a Google.
...Which reminds me, I love The Greenbrier Inn restaurant. Fun to sit at their small bar too.
Thank you all for the info. One other thing I forgot to ask about are wineries. Are there any in the area?
Not any that you would want to visit--in my opinion.
Smoky Mountain Winery(Mountain Mist,Strawberry wines are good) and Sugarlands Cellars which is brand new(Wiley Oakley Wine very good) are in Gatlinburg.There is also a few in Pigeon Forge.Mountain Valley Winery(Mountain Berry is my favorite)Hillside Winery most wones are sparkling( Muscadine Frizzante and Vino Rosso both are good).Applebarn winery all wines apple based.
If you go to the ones in Pigeon Forge they will give you a card and if you visit all 3 of them on the last one they will give you a free wine glass with Smoky Mountains Tennessee prined on it with a bear foot. I like all the wineries in the area. I like the semi sweet to sweet ones the best.
http://www.smokymountainwinery.com/
http://www.sugarlandcellars.com/our_wines.htm
http://www.mountainvalleywinery.com/
http://www.hillsidewine.com/
http://www.applebarncidermill.com/
I'll let you be the judge.
I would highly recommend the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in Bryson City. The Depot is in downtown & it's a great train ride through the Western North Carolina Mountains.
I agree with jiloml. I would take the train ride too. NC mountains are very pretty and a little different then the TN side. I would also checkout Grandfather Mountain.
Try to avoid Gatlinburg on the weekends if you can...the traffic is horrific. Took us 45 miles to drive one mile. As far as wildflower hikes, here's a good reference: http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/blog22_wildflower_hikes.htm. May and June are both good months for wildflowers. Gregory Bald is one of the most spectacular hikes in June because of the abundance of azaleas in every color you can possibily imagine.