Mini-vaca in the Smoky Mountains

[Soror]

We're planning a mini-vaca in the Smoky Mountains. I think it will be about 4 nights/3.5 days. We're going in mid-October.

Any specific recommendations for places to stay? Are there any little towns we could stay in that are walkable or specific scenic areas we should look for a place to stay? 

Any special places to visit, especially that are off the beaten path?

I've done a bit of searching and I keep seeing Cade's Cove recommended. I've also seen Ruby Falls, Apple Barn, Ripley's Aquarium/Believe It or Not, and some other farms that I think we might like. 

My dh has always wanted to do a big corn maze so I thought this might be a good chance to do that. I think they'd like Ripley's because they love animals and odd things. Cade's Cove and Ruby Falls sound lovely for the scenery. Dh and I like hikes. The kids like some hiking but not as much. 

I'd like to do a mix of paid/free activities. We would do Dollywood as the girls always loved Dolly but the cost is just too much and tbh I'm not a fan of theme parks. I don't know if we want to try and catch a show or not.  

[Faith-manor]

You might want to check out Cherokee NC, Severville TN, Marysville TN, and Bryson City NC. They are all very picturesque and walkable. If memory serves, Cherokee has some lovely kayaking.

ETA: Cherokee is my favorite. It is on a reservation, and the culture, arts and crafts, are wonderful. I loved the whole feel of that town. I think you would find a lot to do and see, and the drive up to the south end visitor center in the park is gorgeous.

Edited July 29 by Faith-manor
Adding information

[kbutton]

Off the beaten path: Museum of Appalachia

[Terabith]

I can’t remember how old your kids are but the Oak Ridge Atomic Museum is really good.  

[Terabith]

Also, it’s expensive but the Ripley’s Aquarium there is actually my favorite aquarium we went to, though it’s been more than ten years since the last time I was there.  

[Elizabeth86]

22 minutes ago, Terabith said:

Also, it’s expensive but the Ripley’s Aquarium there is actually my favorite aquarium we went to, though it’s been more than ten years since the last time I was there.  

They do have a homeschool discount. I *think* all the Ripley’s attractions have homeschool discounts. Dollywood always has a homeschool discount around August - September. I know it doesn’t apply to this trip but good to know for another time.

[Clemsondana]

These things aren't all near each other.  The Museum of Appalachia is definitely an interesting off-the-beaten-path thing to do, and is slightly north of Knoxville.  Ruby Falls is closer to Chattanooga than Pigeon Forge/Sevierville.  Cades Cove has a cool drive, hikes, camping, and bike rides, depending on what you enjoy.  Lost Sea cave is closer, and near that is the Mayfield tour where you see the packaging of milk and ice cream.  I'm a sucker for those sorts of things, and it's pretty quick (there's also a Sweetwater Valley Farms thing where you can see cheese being made).  None of the last 3 is earth-shatteringly fascinating, but they are local quirky things that I've done with my kids and you can easily do all 3 in one day.  If you go towards Chattanooga to do Ruby Falls, you can also do Rock City (of See Rock City painted on barns fame) and see the aquarium there, which is really good.  Chattanooga is a pretty cool down, and the Childrens museum is fun for kids.  Ripley's Aquarium is more in the touristy part of Gatlinburg.  There are lots of tourist shops and restaurants in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg/Sevierville area.  There's an outlet mall, Smoky Mountain Knife Works (my mom likes to go for the kitchen section), a lodge cast iron store, and a giant Buccees, among other things.  There are restaurants and shops (both of the touristy candy shop, locally made soaps, candles, etc variety and large stores like Kohls) scattered around. Use a map to plan days, since it can take a long time to get between places in heavy traffic.  

[Melanie32]

We go to the Smokies every year. It’s my happy place. 
 

I used to love Cherokee, NC but now it’s mostly a tourist trap and pretty rundown. The park on the river there is lovely but that’s the only thing there worth visiting IMO.

We’ve stayed a few different places but really enjoyed staying in Waynesville, NC this year. It has a lovely, walkable downtown and is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway as well as the Great Smoky Mountain National Park which is a must see. It is so very beautiful there. You will find nature trails, caves, waterfalls and can hike to the highest spot in the Smokies there. Both of these are free. I’ve always wanted to stay in Bryson City, NC as well. Cades Cove is adjacent to the National Park and is lovely but oh so crowded. It will take you hours to go just a few miles if you drive it but you will probably see at least one bear and they have some nice nature trails as well. 

[Pawz4me]

5 minutes ago, Melanie32 said:

 

I used to love Cherokee, NC but now it’s mostly a tourist trap and pretty rundown. The park on the river there is lovely but that’s the only thing there worth visiting IMO.

We’ve stayed a few different places but really enjoyed staying in Waynesville, NC this year. It has a lovely, walkable downtown and is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway as well as the Great Smoky Mountain National Park which is a must see. It is so very beautiful there. You will find nature trails, caves, waterfalls and can hike to the highest spot in the Smokies there. Both of these are free. I’ve always wanted to stay in Bryson City, NC as well. Cades Cove is adjacent to the National Park and is lovely but oh so crowded. It will take you hours to go just a few miles if you drive it but you will probably see at least one bear and they have some nice nature trails as well. 

Ditto to all of this.

[teachermom2834]

Ruby Falls is neat but it’s not in the Smokies. It’s in Chattanooga- which is a fun day trip out of the Smokies but it’s a 3 hour drive without traffic from Gatlinburg so if you’ve only got a few days you may not want to spend one in the car. There are other things to do in Chattanooga (I was just walking downtown an hour ago 😉) but I just thought I’d mention it as Cades Cove, Ripley’s etc are right there but Ruby Falls is not and I wasn’t sure if you knew that or not. 
 

And there absolutely can be major traffic in Chattanooga/Knoxville/ and the area around the Smokies depending on the time of day that would impact a day adventure. 
 

 

[athena1277]

We went to Gatlinburg a few years ago.  We stayed near one end of the main road where most of the shops/attractions are and walked everywhere.  My favorite thing we did was visit Sky Park.  You ride a ski lift up the mountain and then walk across the glass bottomed bridge.  Admission lets you go up/down the ski lift all day, so we went back after dark to see everything at night.  We also enjoyed the aquarium and the little shops along the main road.  If you aren’t staying there and go for the day, you will have to pay to park and walk to everything.

We went to Bryson City once, as things were starting to open up after Covid.  There wasn’t as much in that area to do.  We wanted to see the show the Cherokee (I forget what it’s called), but they had not started it back.  I wanted to ride the train in Bryson City, but it’s $$$.  It would be beautiful to go in the fall when the leaves are changing color.

[Soror]

2 hours ago, athena1277 said:

We went to Gatlinburg a few years ago.  We stayed near one end of the main road where most of the shops/attractions are and walked everywhere.  My favorite thing we did was visit Sky Park.  You ride a ski lift up the mountain and then walk across the glass bottomed bridge.  Admission lets you go up/down the ski lift all day, so we went back after dark to see everything at night.  We also enjoyed the aquarium and the little shops along the main road.  If you aren’t staying there and go for the day, you will have to pay to park and walk to everything.

We went to Bryson City once, as things were starting to open up after Covid.  There wasn’t as much in that area to do.  We wanted to see the show the Cherokee (I forget what it’s called), but they had not started it back.  I wanted to ride the train in Bryson City, but it’s $$$.  It would be beautiful to go in the fall when the leaves are changing color.

Thank you for the rec's. 

5 hours ago, teachermom2834 said:

Ruby Falls is neat but it’s not in the Smokies. It’s in Chattanooga- which is a fun day trip out of the Smokies but it’s a 3 hour drive without traffic from Gatlinburg so if you’ve only got a few days you may not want to spend one in the car. There are other things to do in Chattanooga (I was just walking downtown an hour ago 😉) but I just thought I’d mention it as Cades Cove, Ripley’s etc are right there but Ruby Falls is not and I wasn’t sure if you knew that or not. 
 

And there absolutely can be major traffic in Chattanooga/Knoxville/ and the area around the Smokies depending on the time of day that would impact a day adventure. 
 

Good info, thanks so much!

6 hours ago, Melanie32 said:

We go to the Smokies every year. It’s my happy place. 
 

I used to love Cherokee, NC but now it’s mostly a tourist trap and pretty rundown. The park on the river there is lovely but that’s the only thing there worth visiting IMO.

We’ve stayed a few different places but really enjoyed staying in Waynesville, NC this year. It has a lovely, walkable downtown and is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway as well as the Great Smoky Mountain National Park which is a must see. It is so very beautiful there. You will find nature trails, caves, waterfalls and can hike to the highest spot in the Smokies there. Both of these are free. I’ve always wanted to stay in Bryson City, NC as well. Cades Cove is adjacent to the National Park and is lovely but oh so crowded. It will take you hours to go just a few miles if you drive it but you will probably see at least one bear and they have some nice nature trails as well. 

Thank you- that sounds perfect BUT I'm coming from the west and I was hoping to find a place closer to me.

7 hours ago, Clemsondana said:

These things aren't all near each other.  The Museum of Appalachia is definitely an interesting off-the-beaten-path thing to do, and is slightly north of Knoxville.  Ruby Falls is closer to Chattanooga than Pigeon Forge/Sevierville.  Cades Cove has a cool drive, hikes, camping, and bike rides, depending on what you enjoy.  Lost Sea cave is closer, and near that is the Mayfield tour where you see the packaging of milk and ice cream.  I'm a sucker for those sorts of things, and it's pretty quick (there's also a Sweetwater Valley Farms thing where you can see cheese being made).  None of the last 3 is earth-shatteringly fascinating, but they are local quirky things that I've done with my kids and you can easily do all 3 in one day.  If you go towards Chattanooga to do Ruby Falls, you can also do Rock City (of See Rock City painted on barns fame) and see the aquarium there, which is really good.  Chattanooga is a pretty cool down, and the Childrens museum is fun for kids.  Ripley's Aquarium is more in the touristy part of Gatlinburg.  There are lots of tourist shops and restaurants in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg/Sevierville area.  There's an outlet mall, Smoky Mountain Knife Works (my mom likes to go for the kitchen section), a lodge cast iron store, and a giant Buccees, among other things.  There are restaurants and shops (both of the touristy candy shop, locally made soaps, candles, etc variety and large stores like Kohls) scattered around. Use a map to plan days, since it can take a long time to get between places in heavy traffic.  

Thank you for the places. I haven't looked in detail yet on what is where yet.

8 hours ago, Terabith said:

I can’t remember how old your kids are but the Oak Ridge Atomic Museum is really good.  

 

8 hours ago, Terabith said:

Also, it’s expensive but the Ripley’s Aquarium there is actually my favorite aquarium we went to, though it’s been more than ten years since the last time I was there.  

My "kids" are 20, 17, 14, 11 (probably bf/gfs joining us that are 19 &18). Glad to hear that I think mine would like it.

10 hours ago, Faith-manor said:

You might want to check out Cherokee NC, Severville TN, Marysville TN, and Bryson City NC. They are all very picturesque and walkable. If memory serves, Cherokee has some lovely kayaking.

ETA: Cherokee is my favorite. It is on a reservation, and the culture, arts and crafts, are wonderful. I loved the whole feel of that town. I think you would find a lot to do and see, and the drive up to the south end visitor center in the park is gorgeous.

Thanks for the list of towns!

[Soror]

So, @Faith-manor mentioned Severville, TN and I just had a friend recommend Wears Valley, which evidently is close to there. They loved it but when I'm looking at places to rent they are way more expensive so I'm not sure about that.

[saraha]

We just celebrated dh’s 50th birthday in Gatlinburg. We stayed at Baskins creek condos just behind “the village” and the kids walked everywhere. We got the ripley’s entertainment pass and everyone did the aquarium, then they picked and choosed who wanted to do what. We had his birthday dinner at The Rampant Lion on Sunday, but if it had been a day it was open, would have gone with the Fox and Parrot, they are in the arts district. Also in the arts district is a glassblower named Sparky who is just a wonderful person.

In the past we have loved clingmans done and hillbilly golf. The sky park is cool. We feel like the apple barn is overrated although the in-laws would eat there every single time they went to Gatlinburg. 
smokey mountain knife works is cool

[saraha]

Came back to add the hike to Laurel Falls in the National park is not too long or strenuous but a nice little challenge and has a nice pay off.