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Smoky Mountain Getaway

A travel journal to Gatlinburg by willow

The Smoky Mountains have been luring visitors for generations with their spectacular natural beauty. The Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited of our national parks.

  • 7 reviews

Smoky Mountain GetawayBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Imagine row upon row of misty mountain ranges with clear rushing steams which showcase seasonal beauty and peacefulness. Exclude the hustle of lucrative business. What you have is Smoky Mountain National Park.

Of course the thousands of daily park visitors have to stay, eat and seek various forms of amusement. Thus giving life to Cherokee, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Still the reason they all come is to experience the pristine beauty of 'land of a thousand smokes.'

Quick Tips:

Plan to picnic in the park at least once, some of my children's best memories are of wading and playing in the icy but pristine waters of Little Pigeon River.

Best Way To Get Around:

For Gatlinburg park and walk or ride the trolley.

LG's on the RiverBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

The restaurant is built high on a rocky bluff overlooking the scenic French Broad River. The view is almost worth the wait. Since we were not attending the show at the Lee Greenwood Theatre, even though we had reservations, we were overlooked several times when tables became available. We were seated after a ninety-minute wait. We were starved. Anything would have tasted good and we allowed the waiter to order from the limited menu available after the show crowd left. My spouse got pasta, heavy with garlic, I was luckier and got ribs. Any plans for romance were squelched as we ate under full lighting while the staff cleaned the dining room.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by willow on November 21, 2000

LG's on the River
2428 Winfield Dunn Parkway Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37764
(865) 932-6732

Old Mill RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Mill Restaurant"

This restaurant is housed in a rustic building behind the old mill. The mill itself is one of the most photographed mills in the U.S. The restaurant and bakery feature the very best of southern cooking and is one of my favorite restaurants. We always have at least one meal at the mill:o) My favorite entrees are the pan-fried rainbow trout and the country cured ham. Each entree comes with salad, country vegetables, bread, beverage and dessert. Servings are generous, and it's very easy to over order. Many times we get the dessert to go.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by willow on December 4, 2000

Old Mill Restaurant
175 Old Mill Avenue Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37863
(865) 453-1104

Smoky Mountain BreweryBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This fun restaurant is located upstairs over a beer brewery. It was January, cold and sleeting. We were glad to find a restaurant with available seating for lunch. We ate hot homemade soup with fresh brown bread and lingered long over dessert and coffee. My spouse sampled beer from the brewery. He gives a thumbs-up to the Mountain Light Beer.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by willow on December 12, 2000

Smoky Mountain Brewery
1004 Parkway, Suite 501 Gatlinburg, Tennessee
(865) 436-4200

DollywoodBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Dollywood lacks the technology and fanfare of Disney and Universal, yet extends a warm southern welcome with such charm as the big guys will never master. The shows alone are worth the admission price. Smoky Mountain gifts and crafts, as a rule, are cheaper at the park than at area retailers. Parking is free.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by willow on November 21, 2000

Dollywood
1020 Dollywood Lane Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 37863
(865) 428-9488

Aerial Tramway: Ober GatlinburgBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Aerial Tramway"

This enclosed cable car (less scenic but also less frightening than the chairlift which accesses Mount Harrison) is the best way to get up the mountain to the recreation complex at Ober Gatlinburg. The complex offers in-door ice skating, an alpine slide, winter skiing, live entertainment and assorted eateries. Sports equipment is available for rent. You can drive up to Ober Gatlinburg, but there is nowhere to park. We sometimes take the tram just for fun. Before ski season the complex is not crowded and offers a welcome reprieve from the traffic in Gatlinburg.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by willow on December 4, 2000

Aerial Tramway: Ober Gatlinburg
1001 Parkway Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738
(865) 436-5423

Great Smoky Mountains National ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

This scenic drive is one of the most beautiful routes I have ever driven. I never tire of this 30 mile stretch of highway. The highway meanders through hardwood forest while making a scenic climb to 6,000 feet when the hardwoods give way to conifers. The road runs parallel to or overlooking the Little Pigeon River for much of the route. There are multiple scenic overlooks and picnic spots along the roadway. We sometimes stop to hike the trails for short distances or visit the many marked waterfalls, but most of the time we just drive. My favorite season is spring when the rhododendron and dogwood bloom. My husband likes the changing leaves of autumn. So we visit twice a year or in lean years alternate seasons.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by willow on December 4, 2000

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
107 Park Headquarters Road Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee 37738
(865) 436-1200

About the Writer

willow
willow
Nicholls, Georgia

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