Gatlinburg. - TripAdvisor
Transcription
Gatlinburg. - TripAdvisor
GATLINBURG SPRING & SUMMER GUIDE 2009 The best places to eat, sleep and play in Gatlinburg this spring and summer With more than 20 million reviews and opinions, TripAdvisor makes travel planning a snap for the 31 million travelers visiting our site each month. Think before you print. And if you do print, print double-sided. INTRODUCTION TripAdvisor, the most trusted source for where to eat, sleep and play in thousands of destinations around the world, has collected the best insider tips from its 31 million monthly visitors to produce a unique series of travel guides. In addition to the best hotels, restaurants and attractions for every type of traveler, you’ll get great advice about what to pack, how to get around and where to find the best views. Be sure to check out the guides at www.tripadvisor.com. Inside You’ll find reviews for more than 270,000 hotels, 78,000 attractions and 469,000 restaurants on TripAdvisor.com. Learn from other travelers what to expect before you make your plans. PACKING TIPS 1. Temperatures can vary by as much as twenty degrees between points in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so bring warm clothes if you’re heading for the park’s heights. 2. Snow flurries occur through March and rain showers can dampen April afternoons, so pack waterproof clothing. 3. Bring binoculars and a camera to catch reintroduced species, such as elk, river otters and owls in the national park. 4. Bring extra suitcases. Pigeon Forge has over 200 stores, including outlet stores and a year-round Christmas Village. GATLINBURG Gatlinburg was a small and sleepy spot until 1934, when the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was created and the town became the majestic park’s doorstep. The most visited national park in the United States straddles seventy miles of the North Carolina-Tennessee border and encompasses some 520,000 acres of misty blue ridges and 800 miles of trails. Recreational activities abound, from trekking to horseback riding, fishing and wildlife viewing. Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge make the perfect base for exploring. Tourists flock to this former farming and logging town, filling its hotels and restaurants and fuelling tourist attractions such as the Gatlinburg Space Needle and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort’s aerial tramway and the Gatlinburg Skylift transport visitors to views and yet more attractions up top. Often crowded in summer, vacationers increasingly opt for spring and summer visits in order to appreciate this picturesque area, both in the town itself and from cabins dotted around slopes overlooking the valley. tripadvisor.com Top VIEWS GATLINBURG’S BEST VIEWS Over 340 feet in the air, the Space Needle “is a great place to go to get a bird’s-eye view of Gatlinburg and the surrounding area. We were the only people up there, and it sure was nice to look down on all the noise and crowds instead of being in the middle of it.” —TripAdvisor Member, Cedar Mountain, N.C. Gatlinburg Space Needle, 115 Historic Nature Trail, 865 436 4629 See Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains from the Gatlinburg Sky Lift. It glides over Little Pigeon River up to 1800 feet on a 500-foot ascent to the top of Crockett Mountain. “This is something we do every year when we visit. Beautiful scenery, and definitely keep your eyes open for animals. The ride is slow, so if you are afraid of heights, you might want to pass.”—TripAdvisor Member, Crestview, Fla. Gatlinburg Sky Lift, 765 Parkway, 865 436 4307 Where to PLAY The upper overlook at Douglas Reservoir Overlook has an awe-inspiring view of the Great Smoky Mountains and Douglas Reservoir, while the lower overlook is a fine place to admire Douglas Dam and the French Broad River basin. Douglas Dam is “very peaceful” and offers “great views of the mountains.” —TripAdvisor Member Douglas Reservoir Overlook, Highway 338, Sevierville, 865 453 5441 (Sevierville Parks Department) TOP 10 Attractions 1. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, 88 River Road, 865 430 8808 6. Hillbilly Golf, 340 Parkway, 865 436 7470 2. Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre, 461 Parkway, 877 388 5784 7. Ripley’s Davy Crockett Mini Golf, 200 Parkway, 865 430 8851 3. Smoky Mountain Outdoors, 453 Brookside Village Way, 865 430 3838 8. Mysterious Mansion, 424 River Road, 865 436 7007 4. Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community, Highway 321, 800 565 7330 9. Cooter’s Place, 542 Parkway, 865 430 9909 5. Gatlinburg Sky Lift, 765 Parkway, 865 436 4307 10. Hollywood Wax Museum, 903 Parkway, 865 430 1800 FAMILIES “Hillbilly Golf is a fun experience. You start by traveling up the mountain in a cart. You then play each hole while making your way down the mountain. There are fun obstacles, and the course is in excellent shape compared to many other courses in the area. The price isn’t bad.”—TripAdvisor Member, Kentucky Hillbilly Golf, 340 Parkway, 865 436 7470 ROMANCE In season, drive the scenic roads to search for the best waterfalls. Roaring Fork Nature Trail “takes its name from Roaring Fork Creek, which it borders for part of the drive. The road is typical for the area, twisty and steep both up and down.”—TripAdvisor Member, Moyock, N.C. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 865 436 1200 (Closed January – February) Trot along “a conveyor-belt walkway through the world’s largest underwater tunnel” at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. “That’s entertainment.”— TripAdvisor Member Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, 88 River Road, 865 430 8808 “What a perfect way to end the day.” “A ‘cove’ in mountain parlance is a flat area in the mountain chain, and Cades Cove is a big one. Lots of history, beautiful plant life, breathtaking views and cool buildings left over from the 1800s. The best way to see the Cove is with a hayride. What a perfect way to end the day. Don’t miss this experience.”—TripAdvisor Member, Indiana The “gorgeous” hike to Laurel Falls is “totally paved and 1.3 miles one-way. I took a 2-, 5-, and 6-year-old, and they had no problems. It does have very steep drop-offs, so you have to watch the children carefully. To get away from the crowds, hike down the falls a little bit.”—TripAdvisor Member, New Orleans, La. Laurel Falls, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, U.S. 441, 865 436 1200 The views from a Scenic Helicopter ride are awe-inspiring. It was like being on “a magic carpet ride over the Smokies. Be sure to take your video recorder and sit up front. You’ll want to watch this over and over again.”—TripAdvisor Member, Amory, Miss. Scenic Helicopter Tours, 113 Helicopter Ride Blvd., Sevierville, 865 428 6929 Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, U.S. 441, 865 436 1200 Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716 tripadvisor.com Where to PLAY BUDGET “A unique attraction among many, the Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum has over 20,000 sets from all over the world.” Admission is free for kids, and the $3 charge for adults can be put towards a purchase of a shaker from the gift shop.—TripAdvisor Member Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum, Winery Square, 865 430 5515 “Newfound Gap Road is the main road through the park and leads, obviously, to Newfound Gap, roughly the park’s midpoint. The Gap is the point in the Smokies where Tennessee meets North Carolina. You can stand in two states at once!”—TripAdvisor Member, Indiana Newfound Gap, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, U.S. 441, 865 436 1200 Smoky Mountain Winery is “quaint. The wine-maker really took the time to explain the basic wine-making process. We visit year after year, and I think the wine gets better each time. Tasting and parking is FREE!”—TripAdvisor Member, Decatur, Ala. Smoky Mountain Winery, 450 Cherry St., 865 436 7505 “You can stand in two states at once!” ADVENTURE “We had no idea just how fun Flyaway Indoor Skydiving was going to be! Participants are given a lesson, and then suited up and led into the wind tunnel. The instructors were patient; I was impressed with how well they dealt with my kids. There is an observation area to watch friends and family fly. We will be talking about this for years!”—TripAdvisor Member “Take a guided walk with the oldest guide service in the area, A Walk in the Woods. They’ll show you the sites and sounds of the Smokies with easy, hands on trips to some of the best-kept secrets in the Smokies.”— TripAdvisor Member “We always go to Walden Creek Stables and do the Mountain Adventure Ride. The people there are so friendly, and the ride is awesome.”—TripAdvisor Member, Eden, Ga. Walden Creek Stables, 2709 Walden Creek Road, Sevierville, 865 429 0411 A Walk in the Woods, Various starting points, 865 436 8283 TripAdvisor members have posted more than 1,380,000 photos on the site. The good, the bad and the very candid. It’s almost like being there! Flyaway Indoor Skydiving, 3106 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, 877 293 0639 EDUCATIONAL/HISTORICAL Furniture making, woodturning and pottery are taught to the next generation at Arrowmont School. “So many original works by locally trained artists. All must be seen to be appreciated. DO NOT miss visiting!”—TripAdvisor Member, Louisville, Ky. Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, 556 Parkway, 865 436 5860 About 20 miles from Gatlinburg, Cherokee, North Carolina, is a small town in the heart of the Cherokee Indian Reservation. “Visitors can learn more about the Cherokee people, their crafts and culture at Oconaluftee Indian Village.”— TripAdvisor Member, New Hampshire Discover Elvis memorabilia from Cadillacs to touring apparel at the Elvis Presley Museum. “My favorite thing was the one-dollar bill that Elvis signed and was later purchased for $8000. Bottom line: a must for Elvis fans.”—TripAdvisor Member, Tennessee Oconaluftee Indian Village, Cherokee, North Carolina, 828 497 2111 Elvis Presley Museum, 2638 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, 865 428 2001 Live bands play at Smoky Mountain Brewery for those “indulging in some of their wonderful made-on-site brews.”— TripAdvisor Member Comedy Barn promises “a thousand laughs” and clean family fun in their awardwinning comedy variety show. RELAXATION “Local courses,” like Bent Creek , “have taken advantage of the rugged terrain to provide some unique golf holes with beautiful scenery.”—TripAdvisor Member Bent Creek Golf Course., 3919 East Parkway, 865 436 3947 Smoky Mountain Brewery, 1004 Parkway, 865 436 4200 Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716 Comedy Barn, 2775 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, 865 428 5222 tripadvisor.com What’s the TOUR How to Get Around “Getting around Gatlinburg is easy once you have a city map and a roll of quarters for the Trolleys, which run color-coded routes all over town. Just ask your driver for help finding your way around.”—TripAdvisor Member “For the more adventurous and those with strong calf muscles, walking is the way to go. But be warned, Gatlinburg has only two kinds of streets: uphill and downhill.”— TripAdvisor Member WHERE TOP 10 Restaurants to eat “Traffic on Highway 441, through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, can become very congested, so drivers may want to follow an alternate route.”—TripAdvisor Member Want more information on Gatlinburg? TripAdvisor.com offers free weekly e-mail updates filled with new deals, reviews and articles for Gatlinburg or any other destination you choose. 1. Buckhorn Inn, 2140 Tudor Mountain Road, 865 436 4668 6. Cherokee Grill, 1002 Parkway, 865 436 4287 2. Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria, 968 Parkway, 865 430 4090 7. Smoky Mountain Brewery, 1004 Parkway, 865 436 4200 3. Wild Plum Tea Room, 555 Buckhorn Road, 865 436 3808 8. Linebergers Seafood Restaurant, 903 Parkway, 865 436 9284 4. Mountain Lodge Restaurant, 913 E. Parkway, 865 436 2547 9. Log Cabin Pancake House, 327 Historic Nature Trail, 865 436 7894 5. Pancake Pantry, 628 Parkway, 865 436 4724 10. Desserts & More, 634 Parkway, 865 277 7285 FAMILIES The kids will relish tucking into “awesome sandwiches at the Wild Plum Tea Room.”—TripAdvisor Member Wild Plum Tea Room, 555 Buckhorn Road, 865 436 3808 ROMANCE “Park Grill is a must. The place was beautiful. It looked like a mountain lodge with the exposed timbers.”—TripAdvisor Member, Louisiana Park Grill, 1100 Parkway, 865 436 2300 “My husband, two children and I all loved the food at Bennett’s. Parking was easy, the location was convenient and the prices weren’t too steep. I would definitely recommend this place to fellow BBQ lovers!”—TripAdvisor Member, Louisville, Ky. Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que, 714 River Road, 865 436 2400 “Oh my goodness! Who would have thought that the Best Italian Café, this unassuming back of the plaza restaurant, was one of the best eateries in Gatlinburg?”—TripAdvisor Member, Inez, Ky. Best Italian Café, 968 Parkway, Suite 9, 865 430 4090 BUDGET “Calhoun’s barbeque is out of this world. The ribs were better than any I’ve had before. The seafood dishes are also excellent. I would rate this restaurant a 5++. There was nothing I did not like.”— TripAdvisor Member, Maryland Calhoun’s BBQ, 1002 Parkway, 865 436 4100 Log Cabin Pancake House’s all-you-caneat lunch and dinner buffets offer “great choices and great prices. The service is great, and the food is wonderful. There is A LOT of food, so come ready to chow down.”—TripAdvisor Member, Rutherfordton, N.C. Log Cabin Pancake House, 4235 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, 865 453 5748 Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716 “The Hard Rock Cafe is an amazing place to eat! The atmosphere is welcoming, and the waiters are the best in Gatlinburg. They have a great selection of food and drinks that are always fixed wonderfully. All of the prices are reasonable, and the experience makes it well worth it.”—TripAdvisor Member, Kentucky Hard Rock Cafe, 515 Pkwy., 865 430 7625 Four-course set menus and a BYO policy rule at Buckhorn Inn. “Our meal was fabulous, as was the service. Get there a bit early so you can sit out on the veranda overlooking the mountains. Just beautiful.”— TripAdvisor Member, Pace, Fla. Buckhorn Inn, 2140 Tudor Mountain Road, 865 436 4668 “We got so much food at Little Tokyo that we could have fed four people easily! I ordered the ribeye and my son ordered the shrimp and chicken. Both were outstanding. We also ordered several sushi rolls and, man, were they excellent.”—TripAdvisor Member, Birmingham, Ala. Little Tokyo, 2430 Teaster Lane, Pigeon Forge, 865 908 0555 tripadvisor.com WHERE to eat Country cooking For “hearty country food,” including vegetable platters, soup tureens and mac and cheese, try Applewood Farmhouse. It’s “especially known for its apple fritters, which are almost the main attraction.”—TripAdvisor Member Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, 240 Apple Valley Road, Sevierville, 865 428 1222 “We love The Mill. The wait, during season is long, but well worth it. They give you so much food that we can easily split it with our kids and have plenty. At dinner time, the sides are served family style, with refills.”— TripAdvisor Member, Ocala, Fla. Old Mill Restaurant, Old Mill Square, 164 Old Mill Road, Pigeon Forge, 865 429 3463 The Pancake Pantry has offered the “same great taste and service for over 25 years. My family loves it and my kids have grown up eating there. Don’t let the line worry you. It goes very fast and is done in an orderly manner.”—TripAdvisor Member, Chatsworth, Ga. Pancake Pantry, 628 Parkway, 865 436 4724 HIDDEN GEMS “If you are interested in good country cooking for a fair price, you should check out the Mountain Lodge Restaurant.” It’s “where you will find most of the locals eat breakfast and lunch.”—TripAdvisor Member Mountain Lodge Restaurant, 913 East Parkway, 865 436 2547 “The Hofbrauhaus is our top choice for lunch in Gatlinburg. Though the menu is limited, the reuben sandwiches are wonderful, and the list of imported beers is extensive. An old-world German atmosphere. A great place to cool off and relax in the midst of a day of shopping.”— TripAdvisor Member “The Bullfish Grill was excellent! Every dish was well cooked and beautifully flavored. The prices were reasonable for the food and atmosphere and well worth it.”—TripAdvisor Member, Louisville, Ky. Bullfish Grill, 2441 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, 865 868 1000 Hofbrauhaus Restaurant & The Cheese Cupboard, 634 Pkwy., 865 436 9511 SPECIAL EVENTS Now in its second year, the Mountain Man March is a marathonlength hike through the mountains surrounding Gatlinburg. It raises money for the children of fallen soldiers and for cadet training. (April 4) Mountain Man March, http://www.mountainmanmarch.com Dodge pillaging Civil War soldiers on the Parkway, as members of the Southern Guards Battalion recreate the Battle of Burg Hill during the Living History Civil War Reenactment. (June 19 – 20) Living History Civil War Reenactment, Various venues, Gatlinburg, http://www.eventsgatlinburg.com Horse drawn wagons deposit performers onto the streets of Gatlinburg as part of summer’s Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales. Musicians, storytellers and local artisans dress in the clothing of the past and entertain young and old with Tennessee history and traditions. (June 12 – August 8) Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales, Various venues, Gatlinburg, http://www.eventsgatlinburg.com Over 100,000 spectators are expected at the famous Midnight Independence Day Parade. As night falls, the streets are closed in preparation for the procession of colorful floats. And don’t miss the grand finale on the night of the 4th—the twenty-minute long fireworks extravaganza is guaranteed to please. (July 3 – 4) Midnight Independence Day Parade and Fireworks Extravaganza, Downtown Gatlinburg, http://www.eventsgatlinburg.com Gatlinburg’s River Raft Regatta makes a splash each year, as residents race their homemade crafts down the Little Pigeon River. Past vessels have been made from anything from rubber duckies to matchsticks. (July 4) Gatlinburg’s River Raft Regatta, Downtown Gatlinburg, http://www.eventsgatlinburg.com Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair brings together arts, crafts and music as hundreds of artisans and vendors offer their unique crafts for sale, while local bluegrass and country bands play concerts. (July 17 – 26) Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair, Gatlinburg Convention Center, 865 436 7479; http://www.craftsmenfair.com Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716 tripadvisor.com Where to STAY FAMILIES The Summit of Gatlinburg condos offer “three times the space and comfort of a hotel at less than half the price. And all units have fully equipped kitchens, so save a little $$$ by eating in!”—TripAdvisor Member, Indiana The Summit of Gatlinburg, 1260 Ski View Dr., 865 436 2600 “Wow! We were overwhelmed with the view and amenities for the price at Gatlinburg Highland Condominiums.” Bordered on three sides by the National Park, “you have a sense of actually being in the mountains.”—TripAdvisor Member, Mississippi “The fireplace was a surprise, and the view ranked an A+++. As far as I am concerned, Riverhouse at the Park is the ONLY place to stay in Gatlinburg.”—TripAdvisor Member, Baytown, Texas Riverhouse at the Park, 205 Ski Mountain Road, 865 436 2070 Gatlinburg Highland Condominiums, 855 Campbell Lead Road, 877 877 1377 “…absolutely breath-taking” Have questions about Gatlinburg? Get insider advice from local experts in our forums. The majority of questions are answered within 24 hours. ROMANCE At the Lodge at Buckberry Creek, a rustic haven, “you really feel like you’re in a whole other world from the crowded town nearby.”—TripAdvisor Member The Lodge at Buckberry Creek, 961 Campbell Lead Road, 865 430 8030 The Deer Ridge Mountain Resort is “absolutely breath-taking. The view of the mountains from the balcony was one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. At night, we could see the city lights off in the distance, and it was completely silent.”—TripAdvisor Member, Kentucky Deer Ridge Mountain Resort, 3710 Weber Road, 865 436 2325 BUDGET “We felt right at home at Jack Huff’s! We love the closeness to town and the cleanliness. The apple cider in the lobby is not so bad either! Great bunch of down home folks. Rates were very reasonable, too.”—TripAdvisor Member, Alabama Jack Huff’s Motor Lodge, 204 Cherokee Orchard Road, 865 436 5171 PREMIER “My husband and I stayed at Zoder’s for our anniversary. We were shown to our room, which was just as beautiful as in the pictures on the website. They provided firewood, and you could walk to the reception area for wine and cheese or cookies and milk to bring back to your room for a complete romantic evening.”— TripAdvisor Member, Phoenix, Ariz. Best Western Zoder’s Inn, 402 Parkway, 800 720 5228 “Bales is a wonderful place to stay. Very friendly; clean rooms. It’s not fancy, but it’s not priced fancy, either!”—TripAdvisor Member, Boaz, Ala. Bales Town and Country Motel, 221 Bishop Lane, 865 436 4773 “They thought of everything!” “Elk Springs Resort is the nicest place we’ve ever stayed at by a long shot! These cabins are beautiful and reasonably priced. They thought of everything. We enjoyed the beauty around us, and the seclusion, but we also loved the modern features. My family has never been so comfortable and happy on vacation!”— TripAdvisor Member, Atlanta, Ga. Elk Springs Resort, 1088 Powdermill Road, 866 550 1795 Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716 The updated 1930 Laurel Springs Lodge “is in a great location. Walk to all the downtown sights or to the shuttle bus. The lodge itself is just right.”—TripAdvisor Member, Charleston, S.C. Laurel Springs Lodge, 204 Hill St., 865 430 9211 “It’s not fancy, but it’s not priced fancy, either!” “The Gatlinburg Inn was exactly what I expected: a charming, quiet place amid the hustle and bustle of Gatlinburg. Our room was extremely clean; the beds were very comfortable. The decor was like stepping back in time and remembering when things were simpler and unhurried.”—TripAdvisor Member, Mechanicsville, Va. Gatlinburg Inn, 755 Parkway, 865 436 5133 “When you arrive at All Seasons Cabins, you truly feel like you are at a home away from home. There are so many personal touches that make this cabin so worth it. The cabin was very clean, and the hot tub on the back deck was awesome. We would come back in a heartbeat.”— TripAdvisor Member, Dayton, Ohio All Seasons Cabin Rentals, 721 Schneider Lane, Pigeon Forge, 865 654 8722 tripadvisor.com Where to STAY HIDDEN GEMS Luxurious bed and breakfast inn Eight Gables “reflects what Gatlinburg used to be: quiet, graceful, with no annoying shops and crowds.”—TripAdvisor Member, Indiana “I hate to share this little treasure for fear of not being able to get booked,” but Hippensteal’s secluded mountaintop bed and breakfast inn, “deserves the kudos!”— TripAdvisor Member, Ohio Eight Gables Inn, 219 North Mountain Trail, 865 430 3344 Hippensteal’s Mountain View Inn, Grassy Branch Road, Sevierville, 865 436 5761 About Buckhorn Inn “is secluded, away from the honky-tonk of Gatlinburg, but only a few minutes drive from the entrance to the Smokies. The view from the porch is to die for. This place is a treasure.”—TripAdvisor Member, Boston, Mass. Buckhorn Inn, 2140 Tudor Mountain Road, 865 436 4668 TRIPADVISOR TripAdvisor is the largest travel community in the world with 31 million monthly visitors and featuring more than 20 million reviews and opinions of 348,000 hotels and attractions. TripAdvisor.com is the most trusted source for travel recommendations about where to go, where to stay and how to play for 61,000 destinations around the world. TripAdvisor.com also provides easy access to the major online travel sites to make booking your next vacation, your best vacation, easier than ever. Edited/compiled by Aefa Mulholland This brochure and its contents are copyright © 2009, TripAdvisor, Inc., all rights reserved. TRIPADVISOR, the owl logo and all other marks displayed herein are registered and/or common law trademarks of TripAdvisor and/or third parties. Representations made in this brochure are current as of its publication date. 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TripAdvisor recommends that you pursue any and all investigation you feel necessary or appropriate before transacting with any third party. Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716 tripadvisor.com