Smokey Mountain trip

RebelRider · Sep 18, 2015

My wife and I are planning a trip to the Smokey Mountains Dec. 24 - Jan. 1. I'm hoping to hear some feedback from some people a little more familiar to the area.

We rented a cabin in Pigeon Forge for Christmas 2013, but found ourselves fighting to get away from the traffic and novelty of the town. This time we are wanting to stay in North Carolina. We loved Gatlinburg, and would like to find a cabin to rent around an hour from there. We would also like to visit the Biltmore estate again, so being somewhat close to there would be great also. The cabin we are looking at is in Bryson City. Can anyone recommend a site or area for pet friendly cabin rentals? Is there something we should do while we are there that I'm missing? There will be only two of us with no children. We love Mountain scenery and snow doesn't bother us. Both ages 30-32 from the Texas coast.

halcat · Sep 18, 2015

We went to biltmore once and stayed at Grove Park inn at Ashville. The inn was way better than Biltmore. But it s by no means a cabin. It's huge. With traffic, when in Gatlinburg, going out to eat takes four hour round trip.

race_jeep · Sep 18, 2015

halcat said:
We went to biltmore once and stayed at Grove Park inn at Ashville. The inn was way better than Biltmore. But it s by no means a cabin. It's huge. With traffic, when in Gatlinburg, going out to eat takes four hour round trip.

We went to the grove park inn just to check it out and it was badass!
This year for our annual Christmas runaway we are thinking somewhere in between pigeon forge, and Asheville, we like riding through the mountains, but I hate crowds.

I'll post some pics when photobucket decides to work right

RebelRider · Sep 19, 2015

I wouldn't mind moving around to different areas throughout the week and staying in hotels, but she really wants a cabin. I hate crowds also, that's why we didn't care for Pigeon forge.

John Galbreath Jr. · Sep 19, 2015

Brian Ford has a house up there he rents out. Might check him out.

GONOVRIT · Sep 19, 2015

Not sure if the trains are running that time of year or not but that's a good time. You could take a short hike to see what's left of the giant poplar trees in Joyce Kilmer. There's some nice waterfalls in the area if you don't mind hiking. Cherola Skyway is a nice drive. We usually spend time in that area during warmer summer months when water activities are doable.

RebelRider · Sep 19, 2015

JohnG said:
Brian Ford has a house up there he rents out. Might check him out.

I'm assuming that's his name on here? Thanks

RebelRider · Sep 19, 2015

GONOVRIT said:
Not sure if the trains are running that time of year or not but that's a good time. You could take a short hike to see what's left of the giant poplar trees in Joyce Kilmer. There's some nice waterfalls in the area if you don't mind hiking. Cherola Skyway is a nice drive. We usually spend time in that area during warmer summer months when water activities are doable.

I'm going to look into this. Thanks

biggin · Sep 21, 2015

Look into hot springs Nc. Plenty of cabins and not a lot of people in town then. Plus you can check out the hot springs. About an hour from Asheville and an hour from gburg. And if you like scenic you have the max patch close by as well as the blue Ridge parkway.

85buggy · Sep 21, 2015

Bryson city is s good ways from pigeon forge

RebelRider · Sep 21, 2015

85buggy said:
Bryson city is s good ways from pigeon forge

We live in Texas. Everything is a good ways away.

TacomaJD · Sep 21, 2015

Just stay at the Downtown Inn slap dab in the middle of Asheville and walk to all the fine and fancy beer drinking establishments! Damn I love Asheville, we are going back up there mid November.

race_jeep · Sep 21, 2015

Here my grove park inn photos

93puggy · Sep 21, 2015

Bryson City is just about a hole in the wall anymore. I believe there are still some cabins for rent around the Deep Creek area of Bryson City. Your only about an hour away from Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. My hometown of Sylva has gotten interesting since the 3 new brewerys have opened up this past year. Cherokee is also close, but is mainly just casino town anymore. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a good scenic ride and will take you all the way to Asheville and beyond. Cataloochee is also close if your interested in seeing Elk up close. Asheville is also a great time if you enjoy great beer and food. Also Grand Father Mountain and Mount Mitchell are in the area. Let me know if you need anymore info and I'll gladly help.

TacomaJD · Sep 21, 2015

Grove Park Inn is awesome, if it weren't so damn expensive we would stay there! Downtown Inn is little over $100 a night on average, and in the center of everything....leaves more beer monies on the table molaugh

RebelRider · Sep 21, 2015

Thanks everyone for the info. We went ahead and rented a cabin in Bryson city. It actually came down to what we could get since it's so late in the year. I don't think it's as good of a view as our one in Pigeon Forge, but I bet it sure beats the crowds. We will definitely hit the state park again even know some of its shut down that time of year.