Possible trip to Gatlinburg TN ?

[skitodisney]

We are thinking about visiting the Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Smokey Mtns area next July. I am wondering if anyone has any ideas of a decent place to stay.. we have concidered renting a cabin or resort just not sure which. We definetly would like to do horseback riding, fishing ,hiking, as well as other more tourist type attractions.. any thought on what you have done that I should concider would be great!! TIA for any info!

 

[GADisneyDVC]

my family has a family reunion here every October. We stay in Pigeon Forge at the Eagle's Ridge cabins. We have used these cabins for about 10 years. I know they have some that are brand new and you can check them out on their website. Hope that helps a little.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Check out www.cabinfevervacations.com. They have beautiful cabins!! There's a ton of things to do in Gatlinburg. From miniature golf, shopping, hiking, sight seeing, LOTS of good eating, Dollywood, dinner shows....lots of good times to be had!

***Also, whitewater rafting is great and there are lots of places in the area to try. Within about an hours drive of Gatlinburg in Bryson City, NC is a great train ride (Great Smoky Mountain Railway) that takes a few hours and some that are practically all day. Cades Cove is a nice place to visit.

 

[sbpuckett]

We actually own time share there. Our resort has tons of stuff on site, including an indoor water park kind of thing. If you'd like more info just PM me. How long are you planning to stay?

 

[jchick]

We stayed at the Park Vista Hotel last year, it's very nice. We booked through expedia and have absolutely no complaints. There are not a lot of higher end hotels there, but I'm sure you can tell from looking online. They have a restaurant in the hotel and bar in the lobby, though we never ate there.

 

[sammielynn]

We live so close that we very rarely stay in a hotel, just go for day trips. It's a great area and so much to do. You could spend a whole week in the GSM National Park and never get bored.
Be sure to check outollywood (not Disney but fun), Comedy Barn - our favorite(funny and clean enough for everyone), Apple Barn(love those fried pies), and great shopping. Just walking around Gatlinburg is fun. There are all sorts of places to eat and explore. You can find out more at http://www.gatlinburg.com/.

 

[skitodisney]

Thanks everyone! Has anyone gone horsebackriding and can recommend a good place?

 

[mommyintn]

I have not yet used them for horseback riding but will be in October it's Walden Stables
http://www.waldencreekstables.com/ They are in Sevierville (so you'll pass through there on your way to Pigeon Forge). I live about 45 minutes from Pigeon Forge, if you have any other questions let me know! Have fun

 

[WantToGoNow]

We just went in July. I have stayed at the Park Vista, Bear Skin Lodge, Holiday Inn and now the Greystone Lodge at the Aquarium. We were looking for something a little less expensive this year and opted for the Greystone. I can't say I wasn't a little nervous on what I was getting for $70 a night but I can tell you I was well pleased. The location was wonderful, the hotel was beautiful and the continental breakfast was wonderful. We had a double room in the center building with an interior corridor. The room was huge -- we had a crib in the room and could have still put another twin bed in there. The pool was warm and clean and we stayed in it until about midnight every night. The continental breakfast had bagels, 3 cereals, donut holes, oatmeal/grits and biscuits with gravy. We had planned to go back in the spring and stay at the Park Vista again but we agreed that we want to go back to the Greystone.

 

[Markiesgirl]

We rented a gorgeous (and brand new) cabin from www.majesticmountainvacations.com this summer and loved it. We would love to stay at the LeConte Lodge located in the park itself and is only accessible by hiking 5miles on foot and llama train!

 

[luckymommy]

Ditto on the Eagles Ridge cabins. We stay every year! It is close to the "strip" so that you can easily go out shopping, eating, etc. Some cabins that we have stayed in the past were soooo far out and up the top of a mountain that it took almost 20- 30 min just to get to a main road! Check them out. I think youll like it. On their website you can see the inside of all the cabins so that you can pick the one you like!

 

[jchick]

I second that about eating at the Apple Barn. We ate there almost every day of our 1 week vacation! We had bfast most of the time, but dinner was also delicious. I thought it was like a Cracker Barrell with a twist!

Have a great time!

 

[memymomonica]

I feel in love with that area last year. Would consider retiring there. It just has a great feel

 

[GADisneyDVC]

We love the Apple Barn too! Yummy!!

 

[themooch]

The Smokies is our absolute favorite vacation spot! We love to stay at Westgate Smokey Mountain. Their indoor water park should be finished the first part of 2007. It kind of reminds me of The Wilderness Lodge at WDW! Guess that is why we like it so much. LOL

Here is the link...

http://www.westgate-gatlinburg.com/contact.cfm

Sometimes you can get a great deal on www.redweek.com if you search for this resort!

They have studio, 1 bdrm, 2 bdrm, and 3bdrm cabins. They are located on the drive between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Not out of the way at all.

Hope this helps.

 

[CTdiznymom]

Wow, you have gotten alot of great advise, and I am printing it all out for myself as well. We vacationed in Pigeon Forge and had a wonderful time. Fell in love with Tenn. and wouldn't mind moving there. We rented a cabin thru. TimberTops, and it was perfect. Breakfast on the deck overlooking the mtns. every am. Dollywood is fun and practically at the bottom of the mountain we were on. There was also a place for riding which was in the neighborhood. Can't wait to go back.

 

[disneyfan551]

Though I'm a little partial , I second the idea of a day trip to Bryson City, NC. The whitewater rafting in the Nantahala Gorge is FANTASTIC!! Good Morning America actually did a 15 minute segment on the area about a month ago, as one of the top destinations to visit!

Leaving Gatlinburg, you'll drive through the Great Smoky Mountains, into Bryson City, you'll also pass through the Cherokee Indian Reservation. The nighttime drama "Unto These Hills" is a great show. And if you are into gambling, you'll enjoy Harrahs' Cherokee Casino.

The train ride on the Great Smoky Mtns. Railway in Bryson City is another fun thing to do! Or, tubing on Deep Creek is very cheap and a wonderful way to spend a day!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[fiveforall]

We went this past July and stayed in Deer Ridge Resort. It was WONDERFUL. The condo was so nice and the view was breathtaking. We had a great time but found July to be very HOT and very crowded. My DH hated driving through Gatlinburg because of the traffic. We loved Dollywood and the Aquarium. Growing up, my family visited every year during late May and October. I love going in October. There are so many things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. You'll love it, but be prepared for heat and crowds. Make sure you drive over to Cades Cove. We saw a momma bear and her babies when we were there. It is a lovely spot.

Oh, and the Apple Barn and the Peddler are great!

 

[sbpuckett]

The Smokies is our absolute favorite vacation spot! We love to stay at Westgate Smokey Mountain. Their indoor water park should be finished the first part of 2007. It kind of reminds me of The Wilderness Lodge at WDW! Guess that is why we like it so much. LOL

Here is the link...

http://www.westgate-gatlinburg.com/contact.cfm

Sometimes you can get a great deal on www.redweek.com if you search for this resort!

They have studio, 1 bdrm, 2 bdrm, and 3bdrm cabins. They are located on the drive between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Not out of the way at all.

Hope this helps.

Yay! That's where we own our timeshare. planning a Spring Break trip this year and can't wait for the water park!!

 

[rocky41102]

We went to Gatlinburg for our honeymoon and it was absolutely perfect. We rented a cabin from Timber Tops. I'm not sure about other companies but Timber Tops had beautiful cabins with lots of luxuries. The cabins are a little pricier than hotels in the area, but if you want privacy or the best views ever, get a cabin.