A Week in the Smokies

The one attraction not to miss is Ripley's Aquarium, with a fascinating array of aquatic creatures from around the world. It is arranged so that visitors actually walk beneath the tanks and can "pet" a few species.

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There is no electricity, no telephone and no running water, although modern toilets are available. Spigots can be found at either end of the camp to provide water for personal cleanup, and to refill water bottles. A hot water spigot is available outside the kitchen. Light is from kerosene lamps, and heat is from recently installed propane heaters in each cabin.

Each of several cabins sleeps four people on double bunk beds with heavy wool blankets. Two and three room lodges sleep eight and thirteen people, respectively, with the entire facility able to accommodate fifty people per night. Reservations are required.

Sunset and sunrise can be viewed from lookout points near the peak. The main office provides a place for visitors to talk, relax and play games.

Coffee, hot chocolate and a hearty supper await those who make it to the lodge, as well as a hot breakfast in the morning, before the trip down.

See the web site at http://www.leconte-lodge.com/

Elevators and luggage carts are available to take you to your room. The rooms are attractively furnished, well kept and clean. A fully outfitted kitchen made it possible to eat in the unit, rather than having to go to a restaurant for every meal. Having both indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a playground, make it a very kid-friendly place. Pool facilities, including a hot tub, are designated "adults only" for the hour before closing each evening. Sauna, health club, raquetball and laundry facilities are available on site. Front office personnel are very helpful.

See the web site at http://www.treetopsresort.com/

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

The phone system was malfunctioning when we got there, so that the phone was constantly clicking to indicate we had messages when we didn't. We unplugged it. Some of the dishes needed to be washed before use, especially the blender jar, which had been washed without being taken apart. The screen door to the deck had to be set back on its rails.

We recommend this resort and would stay there again, but only in a unit with more than one bedroom.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Not Available
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Coupons can be found all over town and on their website.

The atmosphere is large and open, with much of the front wall being glass.

It’s in the same restaurant family as the Smoky Mountain Brewery across the street and several of the local beers are available from the bar.

See the website.

See their website for more information.

Advertising indicates that "kids eat free", but this does not apply to the entire kids' menu. Kids can have spaghetti or macaroni and cheese for free, but all other items on their menu do have some cost.

See their website for more information.

Coupons are available all over town and online. See their website.

The menu features several different fish entrees, as well as pork, chicken and steak, all of which are creatively prepared and very enticing. A full wine list and bar, and wonderful desserts allow you to compliment your meal. The restaurant is family-friendly as well, with an excellent children's menu.

Stop by the gift shop on the way out.

See their website.

The aquarium first takes visitors through several exhibits on foot, including a tropical rain forest complete with pirahnas, then on to an array of fish with unique behaviors, such as moving rocks by mouth. After turning a corner past a tank filled with several large tropical species, visitors can see a replicated coral reef populated by hundreds, if not thousands of very colorful fish. Dive shows are held in this tank.

From there, visitors can proceed to an interactive area geared primarily for children, an exhibit area highlighting several species such as octopus and crabs, or a walking sidewalk tour beneath the shark lagoon which also contains turtles, eels, sawfish, rays and others.

At the time of this visit, a Titanic exhibit was in place, providing insights on what happened to the unfortunate ship and why.

Further exhibits include a ray tank, which also houses dive shows. An in-house fast-food counter and a more traditional restaurant immediately follow.

The final tank contains several types of rays, and has a shallow end at which they can be "petted". A diver is present for this at specified times of the day, but the rays are generally cooperative all the time. Smaller children may have a difficult time reaching them unless a diver is present to help.

Pass through the gift shop on the way out.

See the web site at http://ripleysaquariumofthesmokies.com

The animals are contained in spacious open pens on a gentle slope with easy to follow foot paths. Most of the animals are extremely tame. Those that aren't, like certain male deer during mating season, are in specially marked pens, and you are advised of them as you start your tour. Any animal that approaches you either through, or as in the case of camels, over a fence can be treated as tame, and is usually just looking for a handout. Some animals prefer their solitude. Kangaroos, wallabies and prairie dogs in particular are usually out in plain sight, but don't normally approach their fences.

There are animals here that would be difficult to find anywhere else in the USA, most of which will eat right out of your hand. Feed can be purchased on site for as little as $1.50 and includes a souvenir cup. The goat and deer pens are gated so that you can wander among them if you wish. Children especially enjoy the goats.

Pony and horseback rides are available as well. Pony rides are $3.75, which is refundable if your child won't get in or stay in the saddle. Thirty and sixty minute horseback rides, for which reservations are recommended, are $14.95 and $19.95 respectively.

There are picnic tables at the pony stables so that this outing can be combined with lunch.

See the web site at http://www.deerfarmzoo.com/

We found a coupon for this in one of the many attraction maps.

See the website here.