One full day in Gatlinburg - what would you do???
Sep 23rd, 2006, 05:59 AM
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One full day in Gatlinburg - what would you do???
Passing thru in Oct. on our way to Nashville for a wedding....Staying downtown one night -- never been -- would like to get the most out of our day and then maybe we will stop again on the way back.....Thanks
Sep 23rd, 2006, 06:06 AM
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We were just in Gatlinburg a month ago. For sure, I would take the twenty minutes and drive the Historic Motor Nature Trail (it is not the Cades Cove one). It was absolutely breathtaking, very, very pretty. We even saw a little bear come down a tree and run across the road. It is a one way one lane road, but plenty of places to stop the car and get ot and hike/walk. I was told about this trail from another fodors poster before we went. After we drove this trail we told our friends about it that live in Knoxville and they said it sounds similar to Cades Cove, but it "is" a different trail. We also did Ober Gatlinburg for our kids, I wasn't that impressed with it, with the exception to the sky tram, that was nice and offered beautiful views!
Sep 23rd, 2006, 06:31 AM
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As vegasnative said...definitely do the Roaring Fork Motor Trail...You are in Gatlinburg proper and then all of a sudden in the beautiful forest.
October is crowded this time of year, so you will spend most of your time sitting in traffic.
Take the road thru the park to Townsend when you head to Nashville and get on the interstate that way instead of going out thru Pigeon Forge.
Cades Cove will likely be crowded in October.
October is crowded this time of year, so you will spend most of your time sitting in traffic.
Take the road thru the park to Townsend when you head to Nashville and get on the interstate that way instead of going out thru Pigeon Forge.
Cades Cove will likely be crowded in October.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 06:41 AM
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It sort of depends if you have kids and what your interests are. If you want to do the "touristy" things there is plenty of that there. I have heard the aquarium is nice. If you have kids, maybe take the sky tram to OberGatlinburg, they have an ice skating rink at the top.
For scenery, Cades Cove is very pretty. It will also be very crowded, but for a reason. You can also drive into the Smokies to Clingmon's Dome - the highest spot in Tennessee.
For scenery, Cades Cove is very pretty. It will also be very crowded, but for a reason. You can also drive into the Smokies to Clingmon's Dome - the highest spot in Tennessee.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 09:09 AM
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Yes that is the name (thanks iceeu2) it is the "Roaring Fork Historic Motor Trail", it is GREAT!
In fact it was iceeu2 that recommended it to me, so thank you iceeu2, we LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!! I had said I would post a trip report when we got back, but we didn't do a whole lot of exciting things, mostly jsut visited with friends. But we loved Gatlinburg, the beauty of it anyway, and I was surprised out how many Europeans were there. I liked the hanging baskets of flowers on the main street, I thought that gave it the European flare, very nice. Thanks again!!
In fact it was iceeu2 that recommended it to me, so thank you iceeu2, we LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!! I had said I would post a trip report when we got back, but we didn't do a whole lot of exciting things, mostly jsut visited with friends. But we loved Gatlinburg, the beauty of it anyway, and I was surprised out how many Europeans were there. I liked the hanging baskets of flowers on the main street, I thought that gave it the European flare, very nice. Thanks again!!
Sep 23rd, 2006, 05:08 PM
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Well, vegasnative, you are so very welcome. And, it makes me feel good to know that I have helped someone enjoy themselves. I just sent my friends a photo a month or so ago of myself and the real icee on the Roaring Fork Motor Trail....If I can find it again, I will post it for you.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 06:01 PM
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October is probably the best time to be there because of the beauty of the fall season. It is also probably the most crowded. Like someone said, you will probably be stuck in traffic if you go on the main roads. If you are going to take the Roaring Fork Motor Trail (which we love and do every time we go), I would also do the Grotto Falls hike which is on that road. Those two things would probably take up most of your day and you wouldn't be stuck in the traffic coming in and out of the mountains, but still see the beauty of the area. The rest of your time can be spent in town without needing to use your car. You can easily walk from one end of Gatlinburg to the other. There are public trolleys you can use if you need to and the Aquarium, Tram and plenty of shopping and restaurants are all right there. My kids liked the alpine slide at Ober Gatlinburg and Hillbilly Golf.
Sep 23rd, 2006, 06:15 PM
#11
Finish the day at the Smoky Mountain Brewery eating pizza and "doing" beer flights (very cheap). My daughter loved the porter beer.
http://smoky-mtn-brewery.com/page.asp?id=15
http://smoky-mtn-brewery.com/page.asp?id=15
Sep 24th, 2006, 02:24 AM
#13
I hiked LeConte in August (under protest). Made reservations for the lodge last Oct. when the reservations for the season opened. Weekends book up fast, but you can usually call and find an opening for a weekday. The shortest (but steepest) hike is Alum Cave trail estimated at 4 hours.
http://www.lecontelodge.com/home.html
http://www.lecontelodge.com/home.html
Sep 24th, 2006, 02:47 AM
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I agree with driving up to Clingman's Dome and then hiking the short (steep) paved distance to the top, but ONLY if it's a clear day. We've been there many times, and cloudy days are a disappointment because when you get to the top you can't see anything!
I also love to shop in the arts and crafts community,- an 8 mile loop where you stop at unique stores. I think they also have a shuttle on the loop.
I also love to shop in the arts and crafts community,- an 8 mile loop where you stop at unique stores. I think they also have a shuttle on the loop.
Sep 24th, 2006, 05:59 AM
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This is a good way to check the wx in the GSMNP..
http://www2.nature.nps.gov/air/WebCa.../grsmpkcam.cfm
http://www2.nature.nps.gov/air/WebCa.../grsmpkcam.cfm
Sep 24th, 2006, 06:00 AM
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Some places you might want to visit. About 6 miles east of Gatlinburg is a detached section of GSMNP called Greenbrier. Watch for small sign marking turnoff. Road goes next to beautiful stream and ends at several trailheads.
Could take Newfound Gap Road through center of park which has number of great overlooks. Stop at Chimney Tops picnic area and just beyond the trailhead to Chimney Tops themselves. Continue on main road and take the 7 mile spur road (Clingman's Dome Rd) just past Newfound Gap to end of road and hike to top of Clingman's Dome observation tower. Continuing on Newfound Gap Rd towards Cherokee Take the road just past the Oconoluftee Visitor Center and turn left onto the Blue Ridge Parkway.
If traveling towards Cades Cove take turn off to Tremont & Elkmont areas. Lots of various hardwoods here make for great color if hit it right.
Most all your questions about the park (including Grotto Falls) can be answered by looking up www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit.htm
Could take Newfound Gap Road through center of park which has number of great overlooks. Stop at Chimney Tops picnic area and just beyond the trailhead to Chimney Tops themselves. Continue on main road and take the 7 mile spur road (Clingman's Dome Rd) just past Newfound Gap to end of road and hike to top of Clingman's Dome observation tower. Continuing on Newfound Gap Rd towards Cherokee Take the road just past the Oconoluftee Visitor Center and turn left onto the Blue Ridge Parkway.
If traveling towards Cades Cove take turn off to Tremont & Elkmont areas. Lots of various hardwoods here make for great color if hit it right.
Most all your questions about the park (including Grotto Falls) can be answered by looking up www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit.htm
Sep 24th, 2006, 11:23 AM
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iceeu2
Grotto Falls is not that strenuous, probably compare it to Abrams Falls only a little shorter. We thought it was a very pretty trail and were pleased that there were actually falls at the end. It had been a fairly dry season when we went. (and we've walked to falls that were non existant when you got there). You can continue on beyond it if I remember right, but I don't know what trail that is that it connects with.
Grotto Falls is not that strenuous, probably compare it to Abrams Falls only a little shorter. We thought it was a very pretty trail and were pleased that there were actually falls at the end. It had been a fairly dry season when we went. (and we've walked to falls that were non existant when you got there). You can continue on beyond it if I remember right, but I don't know what trail that is that it connects with.
