Any tips for going to Gatlinburg Tennessee area?

[SarahFair]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Gatlinburg. Id rather go there than the beach ANY day!

We go once or twice a year. We are going for Rod Run next weekend and staying in a cabin.
This will be our 3rd year.

 

[19Dawn76]

Quote:
Ummm...is this a voice of experience talking?

Me? Do something that dumb?

 

[gudrin]

When we went to Gatlinburg, I think my favorite part was the aquarium. The rest of it just seemed to be almost TOO touristy for my tastes. I'm trying to remember if we did Cades Cove or not. If we did, that was where we took a "side trip" that took us 3 hours to go 7 miles on this road that we shouldn't have been on! Gotta love GPS. Sorry. The trip is rather melded together in my mind yet.

 

[turtleblossom]

Four words: Lodge Cast Iron Outlet.
I got a huge wok there for 25% off!

 

[wegotchickens]

I think the bears have closed campgrounds, but not the Cades Cove Loop. It has been shut down off and on for maintenance and road repiars though. So it would be worthwhile to check.

Here's a link to the Park info. Not sure if any more anniversary festivities are planned. Haven't checked the link for a while.

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/parknews/75th-anniversary.htm

If you need a chicken fix you can always call me

Most of our birds are in a show from tomorrow through the 27th , but we'll still have a few at the house.

 

[retiredwithchicks]

One of my favorite things to do was get a bucket of chicken and take to the Chimney's picnic area and sit beside the roaring river for lunch. Of course when I was growing up it was a campground and where we always camped. Such wonderful memories. You'll need a jacket.

Several little historic driving trails in Gatlinburg area, just pick up pamphlets. Cades Cove is a must but don't get stressed with the traffic and early morning is a must to see anything with so much traffic also. Do the falls hike on way to Cades Cove, easy and relaxing.

Townsend is a small town toward Cades Cove and believe they are having their heritage festival that weekend. We were there on our honeymoon last year and went, Fun and good bluegrass music.

 

[Rootball]

if you hear banjo music coming from the hills, run like hell

 

[TaLani]

One of my fav places to eat is at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. -- http://www.bubbagump.com/locations/gatlinburg.html It has great food and great fun. I love the Sky/Chair Lift too - http://www.gatlinburgskylift.com/ , I've rode it during the day and night and prefer the night time ride. It's a bit pricey, but worth it to do it once anyway. Cooter's Place - http://www.cootersplace.com/ is pretty cool if you liked the Dukes of Hazzard. I love going to the Craftmen's Fairs too - http://www.craftsmenfair.com/ , I normally spend way too much money, but I find some awesome chicken decor. This is a good website to check out http://www.gatlinburg.com/default.asp - you can download a Gatlinburg attractions guide from this website.

Rootball, that's hysterical! I've actually seen t-shirts in Gatlinburg that say "Paddle faster, I hear banjo music!"

 

[DawnSuiter]

http://www.smokysaver.com is my area information website... it's new but we've got a lot of stuff already in it.
(I could really use some of your reviews & tips here folks! I had no idea so many of my BYC buddies visited locally!)

What are the ages of your group, what would you like to do?

Extreme sports, nature? dinner theater? magic shows, acrobats? antique shopping or outlet shopping?

I'd love to help you plan plan away!

Are you driving in or flying?

We have all kinds of festivals going on at that time
The Taste of Autumn is very popular and right in Gatlinburg, plus its a fundraiser for our local United Way.

 

[Cottage Rose]

Quote:

(dueling banjos...do, do, do, do, do,do, do do, dooooo)

THANKS Turtle! I need cast iron pans!

Lovin' you guys for all these tips!

I will share pics when I get back.