Gatlinburg Worth the Drive

Highlights cannot really capture the time we had in Gatlinburg. We stayed in Sieverville just outside the Smokey Mountains. it was still close enough to drive and enjoy all the this area had to offer.

While you may be hit in the face with the touristy strip, tucked inside are some nice shopping and dining in Gatlinburg from burgers to pancakes. While we did stay at a cabin, we did not delve too much into the fine eateries across the area. We found it best each evening to come back and cook some great pasta or grill some chops on the weber.

Of course the beauty of the Smokey Mountains draws people to this area and it did not disappoint. On our first scenic drive through Cade's Cove we quickly knew why this stretch was mentioned as a must by many visitors. Deer were all throughout the area as we took turn after turn on this small paved road. And finally as we ended our drive, up in the trees we saw what we had been waiting for. There foraging for some lunch time grub was a black bear. He seemed to pay no mind to the people down below. Crowds gathered as the bear continued to munch on a buffet of oak leaves and bark. Soon enough he came down and ascended up the mountains back to his home. That truly was the highlight for my daughter as she watched in sheer joy, clutching my leg, letting me know she still needed me near her.

Among other things we were able to visit the Ripley's Aquarium. And do not let the name fool you. No two headed fish here. It was more a place of amazement from the underwater tunnel allowing patrons to view different types of sharks from below and above as well as petting the sting rays in the sting ray pool. A quick day trip to Asheville brought us to one of the largest mansions in the US, the Biltmore. I can honestly say it was not my favorite. The ticket prices were inflates although my wife was lucky enough to find some on eBay at a discounted price.

Finally we were able to visit Dollywood. The time of year we went, the park was not very crowded which made it easy to roam.

Quick Tips:

* Go during off peak times of the year. We did and it made for a great, tension-free vacation especially with young ones.

* Head for the strip area in Gatlinburg early in the morning. This will get you a parking spot and a table at the local breakfast nooks. I would also include this with your trip to the Smokey Mountains. Plus more wildlife seems to abound in the earlier hours.

* Get tickets to attractions ahead of time, either on sites or via eBay. It may save some cash to spend on shopping. My wife liked that idea.

Best Way To Get Around:

* We drove. There are trolleys and public transit but much of the attractions can spread out which can be tough trying to delegate which bus or trolley to hop on. Driving was not that bad plus it makes for a great Smokey Mountains excursion. Within the park there are a bountiful amount of stops and you WILL want to stop. The views and sceneries are breathtaking.

Sevierville is a town out from Gatlinburg, however, still close enough to drive into the shops, eateries, and attractions yet still far away that you are not stuck in the traffic and hubbub of Gatlinburg. We stayed in a cabin/resort tucked away in the hills of Seveirville, called Oak Haven Resorts.

We showed up late on a Sunday and checked in. The staff at the time offered us an upgrade to a larger cabin at no extra cost. We followed the winding road up and down the hillside until we came to our cabin.

From the outside in the late night light, the cabin looked very inviting and homey while still giving off that air of the 'country.' However, when we walked in that all changed. It was a home away from home with a full kitchen, large bedrooms, a downstairs game room, a nice living room with cable, large screen TV and wireless Internet, as well as a wraparound porch with whirlpool and nice little gas grill. All the ameneties of home. We were quite amazed at what was available since we had two small children.

The sleeping quarters were very nice with comfortable, king-size beds, and spacious closets, a large bathroom area as well as cable TV in the bedroom. It gave our children plenty of run to play as well as relax.

The cooking amenties were perfect. More than enough cooking utensils and pots and pans to cook a nice pasta meal or BBQ some steaks on the provided gas grill. Cooking from the cabin sure saves on the pocket by not eating out and quite honestly, eating out with two small children can be somewhat crazy. At the cabin you feel in your own environment.

Housekeeping did a very good job. Each day we came back to a clean cabin with freshly made beds, vaccumed floors and an-all-around nice place. The only draw back was that they seemed to skimp on the extra towels. We did mention it on the first night and the rest of the stay we had more than enough hand and body towels.

Overall Oak Haven is a great way to feel like you are on vacation without losing the amenties we all would like and need during an extended stay. Tucked away in the Seveirville hillside, far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the tourists but only a drive away from most attractions in both Sevierville and Gatlinburg. For mor info check out the website. They have a large amount of cabins sizes and selections at www.oakhavenresort.com

Pancake Pantry is on the Gatlinburg strip, near the middle of the area. You will notice it by the old whorl feel of the building. And apparently this was the "place" to go and when you hear that you still have to keep a certain sense of reserve as always.

We hit the pantry around 9:30 in the morning and waiting lines had already started to form. We had to wait about 20 minutes for a spot and within that time period the waiting line had grown very long. My advice: Come early!

We were seated at a table/bench seating arrangement and the seats are close. They basically pack you in like sardines so get to know your neighbors.

The service was quick and I guess you realize what they recommend: THE PANCAKES! I had the blueberry topped buttermilk pancakes and they were very tasty. Fluffy but not dry at all. Plus freeze squeezed orange juice and coffee (Although I am not a coffee drinker).

Now the interesting thing here is that they ONLY accept cash, no Credit Cards but of course they have an ATM machine for your convenience. All in all the food was wonderful if you can stand the packed in crowd and the wait. It may be a little tough with kids.

We took a day out of our trip to Gatlinburg to drive over the Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, at first thought, for the kids but as it turned out, the whole family had a good time. Good enough to stay until they closed the park.

A large parking lot and tram system provided easy access for all, no matter how far you may have parked from the park entrance. While on the tram, our tour guide mentioned some things to do as well as any new or exciting festivals that were happening that day.

We were lucky to hit the park on a day (mid September) when the crowd was quite light allowing our daughter (as well as myself) to ride the rides without any long or extensive waits. The ThunderHead is a great wooden coaster although I was the only that dared to ride it. There was even an entire section of the park dedicated to younger children with games of skill, rides and water games. Both daughter and younger son were able to ride most of the attractions. The park is divided into sections with different themes but all ascend to a higher theme of Smokey mountain coutry dress, food, hobbies, skills and the like.

The food is the typical food you find at other theme parks such as hamburger, hot dogs, corndogs, funnel cakes and the like as well as some distinct food endeavors such as BBQ specialties and stuffed sandwiches filled with sausage, green peppers, bell peppers and onions which was outstanding. The prices are comparable to any other theme park which of course is not cheap but not outrageous.

One thing you should not miss is the Eagle Sanctuary right on the grounds of Dollywood. They have different shows throughout the day with live bird demonstrations with eagles as well as other types of birds. Fun and very informative plus a great photo opt of an eagle.

One of the nice surprises we encounted at the park was the staff. Some of the friendliest people you have ever met. Much nicer, friendly and interactive than any other theme park I have been. From "working the crowd" to making sure the youngsters were tight in their seats, these employees made the visit to Dollywood an experience that you remember not only for the rides but the hospitality.

If you have a day to spend, I would certainly recommend Dollywood and as with all theme parks, there are new rides every year to add to the thrills.

You hear the word Ripley's and you think of the crazy show from the 80s where we watched all the strangest things you could imagine. However, Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg is the farthest from what you would think.

This huge facility has everything you might want to see and know about aquatic life. The tickets were a little pricey but as on any vacation, we are there to spend a little cash. The aquarium follows a path where we go thru tunnels and passageways full of marine life from jellyfish to pirhannas. One of the largest array of sea life I have seen.

The creme of the crop is the huge shark tank that you can view both from a top and right in the middle of the action via a glass tunnel that bisects through the middle of tank. My daughter was amazed at the number of sharks from nurse sharks to hammerheads all swimming right about your head, either walking or riding the moving floor. This truly was built with the visitor in mind.

For children there were interactive areas found at the bottom of the building. You could pet a seahorse crab and stingray or find the golden treasure in the pirate exhibit. It kept our daughter's attention for quite some time as well as out 1 and half year old sun who loved the brightly colored fish.

When you think Ripley's, marine life does not come to mind. Well this place will change your way of thinking. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is well worth the price of admission.

During our vacation to the Gatlinburg area, we put aside a day to go to Asheville, NC to visit the famous Biltmore Estates, located about 2.5 hours from Gatlinburg. I must say the drive there was picturesque to say the least with mountains on each sides of the road most of the way.

I will preface by saying to try and get discount tickets either from a website or from eBay. We did that and saved about 15 bucks per ticket which are quite expensive.

The parking area is quite a walk to the actually estates, however, the walk through the nature trails are very serene and open up to a glorious view of the entire front area of Biltmore Estates. It's a perfect photo op.

The actually mansion itself has a self guided tour by way of a headset or you can read the many plaques throughout each room describing its story. The place was truly majestic and very elegant to say the least. The tour is laid out nicely and will take about 2 hours or so to tour the entire area. I will warn those with small children that it is all steps so strollers will cause you to use your arm muscles to carry up and down the spiral staircases. They do have an old, small elevator, however, they were not always monitored by employees.

They also have an attached courtyard with gift shops, a restaurant, and a small food stand selling hot dogs, and sausages along with chips and sodas. The restaurant was packed and the food court had limited seating with a large crowd gathering. I was somewhat disappointed in the eating area. We had to wait for 30 minutes until a table opened and it was ballpark prices on the food as well.

After lunch we proceeded down to the Winery which was about another 1 mile drive from the estate. The winery was a pleasant surprise and very calming compared to the hustle and bustle of the entrance to the mansion itself. We were able to taste several of the Biltmore wines and take home a bottle or two for ourselves. The employees at the winery were extremely nice and even gave us tips of what to see on the way back to Gatlinburg.

We were lucky enough to visit Biltmore during the opening of a small petting zoo. The kids loved to see and pet a variety of animals from horses to sheep. And the people there were more than happy to talk about the animals and allow us to pet and interact with all of them.

As we left Biltmore I was torn about my experience. It certainly is a place to witness in person, however, it is not something I would go back again and again to see. As with all places, there could be improvements: Lower ticket prices, more seating, and better selection/price of lunch items.