My Smokey Mountain getaway

The national park is the best place to be. Horseback riding is fun, in or out of the park. Hiking,camping, picnicking, or just riding around are wonderful. Cherokee is a must see. Dollywood is wonderful, especially for kids. There is so much to do, or nothing to do. It depends on why you are there, and what you want from your trip.

Quick Tips:

Avoid Pigeon Forge during car shows. Try to come into town at an off time of day if you can. Week day travel is easier than week-end travel. If you are staying in a condo and eating in, buy your food at the Walmart in Sevierville or the Kroger in Pigeon Forge. Avoid buying gas in Gatlinburg also.

Best Way To Get Around:

I have not used the trolley system, but would recommend it over driving. Driving is the only way to get anywhere in the park however. Walking from one side of town to another is not difficult on the strip, if you are in good enough shape to go hiking. There are taxis for emergencies, as I will explain later.

Bearwatch is the chalet I own. It is on top of a mountain within the city of Gatlinburg, but far from town. Bearwatch has 3 or 4 bedrooms, depending on whether you use the divider, 2 1/2 baths, a large and comfortable great room, fully equipped kitchen, game room with wet bar, decks all around, hot tub, two fireplaces, picnic table, what can I say!? It is my place. Great for two families, a large family, three couples. Oh, there is a 32 inch TV and one other TV on the cable. I am there about once every six weeks, as I work some in the area. The view is to die for.

This is a campground inside the park. It has been several years since I stayed there, and I don't remember much about it, having outgrown the love for camping. I do remember that the campsites are adequate, and that there is a bath house with showers and rest room facilities that are not too bad. If you want to stay at any campground in the park, be sure to reserve space well in advance, as they fill up quickly. This is why we ended up way over in Cosby. Everyone should go camping at least once in their life.

Best Things Nearby:
Great Smokey Mountains, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Cherokee, Dollywood.

Best Things About the Resort:
Off the beaten path, out of the Gatlinburg traffic, activities for kids, nice Jacuzzi, indoor pool, peaceful.

Resort Experience:
I stayed here before I bought my chalet and enjoyed it very much. I stayed on an RCI time share exchange. Part of the time, part of my family stayed with me. This is an older place, but I did not find it at all like a hotel, as some others mentioned. The pool is indoors, but with an outdoor deck, which makes it nice year round. It is away from the Gatlinburg traffic. My grandson was young when I was there, and they had group activities for kids. This is not the most luxurious time share I have been in, but it is still nice.

The program forced me to enter a price per room, but really, I have no idea.

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

This is my current favorite restaurant in Gatlinburg. It is on the edge of town, right next to the park. In fact, you can sit and look out at the park. This restaurant has a bar as well. The food is good. The breakfasts are out of this world. They have a little fruit cocktail (non-alcoholic) that is really nice and complementary. It is crowded during rush hours, but there are comfortable tables to sit at while you are waiting, both in and out of the bar. It is not the Ritz, but just nice, not cheap, but a nice place to eat, especially if you have been "eating in" for most of your trip.

The most awesome thing about the Smokies is that they are different any time you go. Unfortunately, some of the plant life has been damaged by acid rain. Still, every season has a special wonder. I like to try to get there when the rhododendron are blooming. Last time I was there, the dogwood were in bloom. Snow also makes the mountains beautiful, and then, there is the fall. There is really never a bad time to be in the mountains.