First trip to Gatlinburg,TN
Mar 19th, 1999, 06:09 AM
#1
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First trip to Gatlinburg,TN
We are going to a family reunion, of sorts, in Gatlinburg June 27 - July 4. Three couples 30's and 40's with 4 kids ranging from 2-17. We've rented a house, but what are the don't miss things we should do?? Thanks for any info!
Mar 19th, 1999, 05:49 PM
#3
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Dear Anne,
Be prepared for crowds in our nations favorite national park. But if you stay in the park it will not be bad, however Galtinburg and Pigeon Forge will be full.
My list of "don't miss things":
1) A drive thru Cades Cove at Sunrise.
2) Hikes- Many types of hikes- short to lengthly.. with little children take some short hikes. Beautiful waterfalls, summer flowers,etc
3) Tubing the Little River in Townsend.
Kids will love it.
4) Hayride in Cades Cove at sunset. Horserides anytime.
5) Fishing the Park's rivers is great.
6) For senic drives, go thru Cades Cove and then back thru and exit thru Parsons Branch Road to Hwy 129 to The Parkway back to Townsend. The signs state "primitive roads" but that only keeps the tourists out! Our Honda has made many times. Also, try Roaring Fork Trail above Galtinburg. Stop and take one of the short hikes or bag your lunch.
7) Clingsman's Dome on 441
8) Dollywood is something our whole family enjoys regularly, except we don't go in July and August (tourists).
9) Try the artisans area in Buckhorn north of Galtinburg for crafts shopping.
10) Little kids will like fishing in local trout ponds and you will enjoy the trout for dinner!
11) Wildlife- seen mostly early at sunrise and at sunset. Look closely in Cades Cove for the bears. You will see plenty of other wildlife IF you go early or late. I advise early due to crowds. Allow aat least 2-5 hours to do the Cove right. Also,. on Wednesday and Saturday mornings the 11 mile loop aroud Cades Cove is closed to autos until 10:00 am for walkers, bicycles,etc. Plan ahead and rent bikes in Cades Cove. It is fun.
12) Sugarlands Visitor Center in National Park- good resouce materials. Visit early. Same for Townsend Visitors Center.
7)
Be prepared for crowds in our nations favorite national park. But if you stay in the park it will not be bad, however Galtinburg and Pigeon Forge will be full.
My list of "don't miss things":
1) A drive thru Cades Cove at Sunrise.
2) Hikes- Many types of hikes- short to lengthly.. with little children take some short hikes. Beautiful waterfalls, summer flowers,etc
3) Tubing the Little River in Townsend.
Kids will love it.
4) Hayride in Cades Cove at sunset. Horserides anytime.
5) Fishing the Park's rivers is great.
6) For senic drives, go thru Cades Cove and then back thru and exit thru Parsons Branch Road to Hwy 129 to The Parkway back to Townsend. The signs state "primitive roads" but that only keeps the tourists out! Our Honda has made many times. Also, try Roaring Fork Trail above Galtinburg. Stop and take one of the short hikes or bag your lunch.
7) Clingsman's Dome on 441
8) Dollywood is something our whole family enjoys regularly, except we don't go in July and August (tourists).
9) Try the artisans area in Buckhorn north of Galtinburg for crafts shopping.
10) Little kids will like fishing in local trout ponds and you will enjoy the trout for dinner!
11) Wildlife- seen mostly early at sunrise and at sunset. Look closely in Cades Cove for the bears. You will see plenty of other wildlife IF you go early or late. I advise early due to crowds. Allow aat least 2-5 hours to do the Cove right. Also,. on Wednesday and Saturday mornings the 11 mile loop aroud Cades Cove is closed to autos until 10:00 am for walkers, bicycles,etc. Plan ahead and rent bikes in Cades Cove. It is fun.
12) Sugarlands Visitor Center in National Park- good resouce materials. Visit early. Same for Townsend Visitors Center.
7)
Mar 19th, 1999, 05:53 PM
#4
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Yes!! Do Cades Cove and the Roaring Fork Trail. (Just wanted to reiterate the above post.) Cades Cove is peaceful and beautiful, the Roaring Fork Trail is breathtaking. Clingman's Dome was a huge hike, fun, but when we got the top it was totally cloudy and we couldn't see a thing. The people on the way down the steep trail warned us, but we went on anyway. We should have listened to the voices of experience!!! Have a great trip.
Mar 19th, 1999, 06:03 PM
#5
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Galtinburg is nice, but don't spend any more time than necessay here. Kids like all the different ways to waste $ at venues such as Ripleys, Guniness, etc but the Park and the music are the reasons to go to The Great Smokey Mts. I do recommend any of the music theaters in Pigeon Forge, they are fun and don't cost that much more $. Again, Dollywood has something for all ages and good musical shows. Also if you go after 3:00 you can get in free the next day. But remember the Mountains, rivers, trails, wildlife, plants and history are why one should visit the Great Smokies. Plan well and in advance and your trip will be much more enjoyable and memorable. By the way, Piegon Forge usually always earns Southern Living's top honors for shopping and my wife helps keep it that way! Good luck in planning, and one last tip, study the backroads and don't be afraid to use them...that is where you will find our family (except in July and August).
