gambling_girl

I'm planning a long weekend trip to the Gatlinburg area in October or early November. I'm pretty flexible on my dates. I'd like be there during the peak color. Any suggestions when that might be? I was there during the second week in Oct about 5 years ago and there was some color in the mountains but not much in the lower elevations at that time.

Also, if anyone has suggestions of good places to stay with good mountain views, I'd love to hear about them. I've stayed at the Highlands in the past and while they have great views, the condos are becoming somewhat run down. I think it's time to find someplace new!
Thanks!

SAnParis

I'm not sure if you have stayed in, or ventured through, Gatlinburg before - but you may want to reconsider your destination entirely. My first suggestion would be to stay 'anywhere but in Gatlinburg'. From which direction are you coming ?

dusty56438

When I lived in the area, the second & third weeks in October used to be the best. It does change some year to year, but not much.

Here are some links that you can find updates:

http://www.weather.com/maps/fallfoliage.html

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/links/Autumn.htm

http://usparks.about.com/cs/natlpark...colorstate.htm

For scenic byways:

http://www.seeamerica.org/byways/index.html

This one will send you a nice free map:

http://www.byways.org/

You should also be able to get fall color info updates from Tennessee & North Carolina Visitors Bureaus.

syd

I recently returned from a trip to Gatlinburg. Colors are just starting to change in some higher elevations.

I'd highly recommend the Buckhorn Inn. It's about 5 miles east of downtown Gatlinburg so you don't have to deal with any of the downtown traffic unless you want to. My room had wonderful mountain views. Breakfasts are excellent. It's a very peaceful place.

SAnParis

Too me, Gatlinburg would serve as the antithesis of enjoying the Mts. There are a ton of places in Western NC as well as some good places to stay nearer the park than Gatlinburg (Cosby area for instance). However, if you want wall to wall traffic, waiting in line for meals & the convenience of shopping at the Gap...Gatlinburg may be right up your alley. Check out www.vrbo.com for ideas,& places to stay.

iceeu2

My favorite place is Oak Haven out in Sevierville. Check out the website and check out the reviews on trip advisor. It's a great place.

Also, over in Townsend is The Maple Leaf Lodge (it may have changed names) or if you really want to drop a huge chunk of change check out The Blackberry Farm in Walland.

Have fun.

syd

SAnParis, I hear what you're saying about Gatlinburg. I was there for an art workshop at Arrowmont and went bracing myself to deal with the wall to wall traffic. I have to say that staying at the Buckhorn, and learning the back roads to avoid all that craziness made for a wonderful experience. I'd go back to the Buckhorn in a heartbeat.

gambling_girl

Thanks everyone for your responses! Dusty, the links were very helpful. I do hate the the traffic in Gatlinburg and I'd love to find a quieter place that still has the access to the mountains. I am driving from Milwaukee,WI and I only have four days for the entire trip, though. (It's a full day drive - 12 - 13 hours with stops-- each way for me.)If there's other good destinations that aren't too much farther away I'd love to hear about them.

BetsyinKY

I have a couple of places I like to stay in the Gatlinburg area. Blue Mountain Mist Inn is a bed and breakfast in nearby Sevierville, and is one of the most welcoming places I've ever stayed. I went on a solo trip to GSMNP a few years ago and picked Blue Mountain Mist off the Internet. I was thrilled to find comfortable, clean rooms, nightly homemade desserts, and delicious breakfasts. The best part though, were the evenings spent talking with fellow travelers, who gathered around the "family room" fireplace each night. I met people from Memphis, Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Florida. By the time I left, I felt I was leaving old friends. Blue Mountain Mist is situated on farmland and has a great view of the mountains.

My other favorite Smoky Mountain retreat is the Richmont Inn, in Townsend. This inn is built to look like a cantilevered barn, but the rooms are not nearly so rustic! The guests at this inn didn't socialize, like the guests at Blue Mountain Mist, but the rooms and food were just as nice. Richmont Inn is situated up on a hillside, so that you feel like you are in a giant treehouse. The other bonus is that it is in Townsend, which is much quieter than Gatlinburg, and which is only a few minutes from the Cades Cove entrance to the park.

iceeu2

gambling girl, I finally got around to looking at my "Southern Living" magazine for this month and the article in it recommends the following:

Dancing Bear Lodge (that's the one I called Maple Leaf Lodge) in Townsend....www.dancingbearlodge.com

The Lodge at Buckberry Creek in Gatlinburg....www.buckberrylodge.com

Buckhorn Inn in Gatlinburg....www.buckhorninn.com

These all look super from the photos in the magazine and the food at all 3 sounds great.

earlxx

One more vote for Oak Haven
http://www.oakhavenresort.com/

iceeu2

Let's try again

dancingbearlodge.com

buckberrylodge.com

bighorninn.com

ilovetulips

icee just read the same article I saw.The places look quaint even though they are in the middle of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. For a place with views to die for try Gideon Ridge Inn in Blowing Rock. I have looked at availability for Oct. and it is slim. Maybe try to next year or spring would probably be incredible too.

ilovetulips

Blowing Rock is in North Carolina and it is a great little town. It is very tasteful and quaint, the polar opposite of Gatlinburg.

iceeu2

geezus louisis...i gotcha going to Canada for one of these!!

It should be:

buckhorninn.com

gmoney

iceeu2 and earlxx, Shhhhh! you've got to stop telling people about Oak Haven. It is getting harder and harder to get a reservation. Seriously, we love that place. Going back for the 3rd time in January in a 6 bedroom. Has anyone been there in Jan. I assume crowds are a lot smaller. What can I expect weatherwise?

RedRock

Check this site for a real time photo update of the GSMNP.

http://www2.nature.nps.gov/air/WebCa.../grsmpkcam.cfm

npurpleh2

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