Short getaway - Gatlinburg, TN?

GC

GC

Well-known member
The wife and I like to occasionally take little mini getaway trips, long weekend 2 - 3 day, recharging the battery sort of stuff. We'll pull a "run-away" like this every couple of months and have a blast exploring new places and pretty much just goofing around. This isn't a vacation with a pre-determined agenda. We just play it by ear and do whatever strikes the fancy. We're always looking around for new places to go. Some friends recommended Gatlinburg to us. Any of ya'll ever been to Gatlinburg? Recommendations for stuff to see and do while we are in the area? Actually, any other recommendations for a run away that is a days drive or less from mid Missouri? Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennesse, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, all surround us plenty close enough for our mini trips. Looking for idea's and recommendations, and thanks in advance.
 
GC, I think a lot depends on what you both like to do... for instance;

I collect those mini-liquor bottles (I have over 650, with very few duplicates) and a few big bottles of limited edition (or Small Batch) of US Bourbons and enjoy going through the various distilleries, especially the little known ones and learning the history. Kentucky and Tennessee have a bunch as well as some in MO. All one-dayers

When I retired, we bought and rehabbed a 150yr old property with the old Slave Quarters still intact. We enjoy touring old properties that are in other areas. Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, & Tennessee are full of them.

We've been to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, etc and it's a lot like the Bagnell Strip or Branson... Beautiful country, but total tourist.

My wife is big into artistic crafts and collects rocks to paint, that is pretty self explanitory in the picture

VicsRockTown.jpg


as well as traditional oil & acrylics


VickiesArt-Hibiscus.jpg


With the increase in gas prices, we have quit taking those extended vacations and since my family migrated through KY and IL and hers is from IL, we like to explore the family history aspects as well.
 
Havn't been there in 15 years now, but do remember trout swimming in the stream running though the place next to our hotel. I am sure they charge for the rights to fish it. A nice place to visit.
 
Gary, I know Gatlinburg/Pigeon Force INTIMATELY.

You have a PM. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

If you want to get away from the "crowd", I would suggest that you not only check out Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg, but also Cherokee NC which is 30 miles on the other side of the Smokey Mtn Nat'l Park. Harrahs has a casino there that is pretty nice if you like the gambling scene. No "shows" at the casino, and no alcohol because it's on the Cherokee Indian Res. Lots of good musical shows in Pigeon Forge, DollyWood amuzement park (not much for adults). Gatlinburg is now mostly shops and such. My wife likes to park the truck and just walk the streets browsing the shops. Sometimes you find some neat stuff, but it is definitely always over-priced just like anywhere else. The Natl Park is a great place to hike and sightsee if you want to see mountainous terrain. There is a variety of lodging from hotels to cabins available. We usually stay in some newer log cabins that are 3 miles or so off the beaten path. Close to town, but far enough away to be quiet.

Let me know if I can help you guys in any way.

Steve.
 
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If you get up into Virginia there are some nice caverns to explore. Luray caverns is nice and natural bridge is worth seeing. Luray caverns also has a very nice car collection.

Jack
 
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GC,

If you like history, Mississippi and Western TN are full of Civil war battlefields and sites to explore. Shilo National park and Battlefield in North MS/SouthWest TN is a great place to spend a day or two. Another nice getaway from you would be Eureka Springs AR. Beautiful Country. I know a little about your getaway range, I grew up in Southern MO and now live in MS. One of my favorite getaways is Pike County IL /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif, but I usually like to do that without the family about the first two weeks of November! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Good luck on the getaways, My wife and I love to do the same thing. We are lucky to be close enough to the coast to run down to the beach for a long weekend several times a year.
 
Well, I've about been talked out of Gatlinburg. The whole tourist carnival atmosphere isn't what we're looking for.
 
GC,

I go down to Gatlinburg every year for a vacation. We always usually rent a cabin on the mountains which generally have hot tubs and pool tables. For leisure activities we always make a point to drive through Cades Cove a the top of the mountain. We will take hikes back to falls and picnic beside the mountain streams. The gatlinburg area does not have to be all about tourists and being elbow to elbow. It is my favorite place to vacation and a must see for all folks if you ask me.
 
Well... could some of you guys who have been there recommend a cabin to rent out of town and toward the mountains? We might take one day for the town for the little lady to do some shopping and browsing around, however, the rest of the time would most likely be spent touring the park and surrounding mountains. Also, a recommendation for decent resturants would be appreciated!
 
You got to go to Cades Cove when you get there. The wife and I try to go every year and have a good time. We always see big whitetail deer that you can walk up to within yards of and usually we see black bears that are fairly "tame"..... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif Just remember, they are still wild bears.
They neighboring town of Sevierville has Dixie Mtn Knife works which I stop at every time. You can take helicopter rides up into the smokies, which just makes the place look awesome. The trout in the streams running right through town.
I have stayed in the cabins there, but I really enjoy going to the hotel. It let's me see the chair lift and all the surrounding mountains.
By the way, you will pass a new Bass Pro Shop and Gander Mtn. about 30 miles out of Gatlingburg.
I enjoy the place, but I stay out of the "tourist" district.
Ya gotta go to Ripley's Aquarium....ya get to go under the sharks.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Here's a couple pics of the place the last time I was there.
I believe it was November.
If ya come, just give me a holler. I'm about 80 miles from there on I-40. You will have to go right past me to get there. My hunting partner is about 60 miles from there and he is on I-40 as well.
I'd be more than happy to steer you clear of the tourist traps there and where to go find the really cool stuff. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-006.gif

Here's the motel. I like to stay in the upper area. This last time I was on the 13th floor so I could see these next two pictures.
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Here's the view from my room last time.
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Thanks guys! I really appreciate the help and advise. We haven't quite made up our minds, she is thinking about some bed & breakfast place on the White River in Arkansas. Do a little horseback trail riding and trout fishing. We might save Gatlinburg for the fall trip we usually make. Bopeye's pic's started me thinking how beautiful those mountains would be in October when the fall colors are prime.
 
i am there about once a month at least. i live about an hour and twenty minutes away. the basspro shops is there so thats usually my foot in the door and usually it ends up"well since we're this far". i enjoy just hitting some of the little country roads away from the main drag. its a beautiful place, almost any kind of shopping you could want. you have ripley's aquarium in the smokies, lots of trails to hike, campgrounds, excellent trout fishing if you know the right spots. and in the fall the mountains are breath-taking
 
If you plan on Gatlinburg in the fall, the month of October would probably be completely booked for miles around. That's peak season for foliage. Would recommend The Peddler in Gatlinburg for top quality steaks.
 


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