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Planning a vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains
Posted on 7/5/16 at 8:34 am
Posted on 7/5/16 at 8:34 am
What's the best place to stay?
Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Bryson City, NC?
Best things to do for Family of 4, 2 kids under 13
Thanks
Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Bryson City, NC?
Best things to do for Family of 4, 2 kids under 13
Thanks
This post was edited on 7/5/16 at 8:39 am
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Posted on 7/5/16 at 8:36 am to LUS Tiger in FL
That place is really fun to visit once.
Posted on 7/5/16 at 8:53 am to LUS Tiger in FL
Gatlinburg is really touristy now. They do have some cool cabins though
Posted on 7/5/16 at 9:17 am to LUS Tiger in FL
I like the NC side much better. The TN side is kind of trashy, redneck. In my experience, the NC side is a little less crowded as well. Bryson City is a cool little town. Stay away from Cherokee.
Tubing is always fun, and there's a place for it in Bryson City. Not sure about Gatlinburg.
If you're camping, Elkmont is the park is the best one, but it fills up quickly in the summer. It's probably already booked every day this summer.
Tubing is always fun, and there's a place for it in Bryson City. Not sure about Gatlinburg.
If you're camping, Elkmont is the park is the best one, but it fills up quickly in the summer. It's probably already booked every day this summer.
Posted on 7/5/16 at 9:22 am to LUS Tiger in FL
Gatlinburg to be in the mountains and surrounded by all of the tourist attractions.
Wears Valley/Walland to have a little more privacy and be out of all the tourist areas, but have the ability to be in Gburg in 10-20 minutes.
Wears Valley/Walland to have a little more privacy and be out of all the tourist areas, but have the ability to be in Gburg in 10-20 minutes.
Posted on 7/5/16 at 9:46 am to TRUERockyTop
Appreciate the input 
Posted on 7/5/16 at 11:17 am to LUS Tiger in FL
quote:
What's the best place to stay?
Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge
We have been there a bunch over the years. Check out Timber Tops Cabins. We have always been very happy with them
Posted on 7/5/16 at 11:44 am to The Spleen
quote:
I like the NC side much better. The TN side is kind of trashy, redneck. In my experience, the NC side is a little less crowded as well. Bryson City is a cool little town. Stay away from Cherokee.
Tubing is always fun, and there's a place for it in Bryson City. Not sure about Gatlinburg.
If you're camping, Elkmont is the park is the best one, but it fills up quickly in the summer. It's probably already booked every day this summer
True, and good advice..I much prefer nc. Cherokee is also a tourist trap. I'd definitely take a tubing or rating trip.
Posted on 7/5/16 at 1:58 pm to LUS Tiger in FL
I'll be stream side at Elkmont the first week of September. Can't wait. The cabins in the area are nice as well but I prefer to go there and be in nature. Steel clear of the tourist trap garbage.
Posted on 7/5/16 at 7:31 pm to UKWildcats
Check out Cades Cove. The little town just outside the park is great for camping with kids.
Posted on 7/5/16 at 7:56 pm to LUS Tiger in FL
Bryson City. Within an hour or so of the GSMNP, Cherokee, the NOC. Rafting, Backpacking, hiking and mountain biking trails all within 15-20 min of downtown Bryson City. Great food and good beer. The Nantahala Brewery has an LSU flag hanging over the bar.
I live very close to Bryson City. What do you want to know?
I live very close to Bryson City. What do you want to know?
This post was edited on 7/5/16 at 7:59 pm
Posted on 7/5/16 at 8:05 pm to LUS Tiger in FL
Not quite in the Smoky's, but I really liked Dillsboro, NC. We stayed there and went white water rafting a few times.
Posted on 7/5/16 at 8:52 pm to TigerOnTheMountain
Thanks and you and the others already answered the initial question. We decided on Bryson.
We plan on doing a cabin because its different than the normal vacations we used to so to speak.
Any recommendations on a certain cabin, we are trying to narrow it down as I type this.
Planning on being there beginning August for about 5 days.
We have a 13 and 7yo and we excited about doing the different things you mentioned or kid friendly
Any other happenings during this time frame?
Geaux Tigers
We plan on doing a cabin because its different than the normal vacations we used to so to speak.
Any recommendations on a certain cabin, we are trying to narrow it down as I type this.
Planning on being there beginning August for about 5 days.
We have a 13 and 7yo and we excited about doing the different things you mentioned or kid friendly
Any other happenings during this time frame?
Geaux Tigers
Posted on 7/5/16 at 8:56 pm to LUS Tiger in FL
Try the Great Smoky Mountain Railway. It's not cheap, but you can pick it up right in downtown Bryson City and it's a great way to see the mountains. And kids love trains. 
Posted on 7/5/16 at 9:12 pm to LUS Tiger in FL
Tubing down Deep Creek is a lot of fun but the water is very cold. The cabin route is the best way to go. Check out VRBO for some available in or around Bryson City. Nantahala lake is beautiful and only about 20 mins from Bryson City. I would try and rent a cabin on the lake.
The Filling Station is a must stop for lunch. Bryson City, in a lot of ways, offers the same food/beer/mountain cultural experience that Asheville does, minus the far left liberals and still maintains a small, mountain town feel. The NOC will provide you with any outdoor opportunity you and your family may want. Stop by Corner Coffee(the airstream coffee shop) for some excellent, locally brewed coffee. The owners are good friends of mine and you will not be disappointed. If you have any other questions I would be happy to try and answer them.
The Filling Station is a must stop for lunch. Bryson City, in a lot of ways, offers the same food/beer/mountain cultural experience that Asheville does, minus the far left liberals and still maintains a small, mountain town feel. The NOC will provide you with any outdoor opportunity you and your family may want. Stop by Corner Coffee(the airstream coffee shop) for some excellent, locally brewed coffee. The owners are good friends of mine and you will not be disappointed. If you have any other questions I would be happy to try and answer them.
This post was edited on 7/5/16 at 10:01 pm
Posted on 7/6/16 at 8:28 am to TigerOnTheMountain
I believe there is a zip line tour place near Bryson City as well. My kids are around OP's same age and LOVED that a couple of years ago. Can't remember if it was near Bryson City though.
The NC mountains is one of my favorite places in America. We've talked about moving there a few times, but just can't pull the trigger.
The NC mountains is one of my favorite places in America. We've talked about moving there a few times, but just can't pull the trigger.
Posted on 7/6/16 at 3:47 pm to The Spleen
We don't need any more GD liberal transplants! 
I'm jk. Kinda. I love it here. My family had a place in Highlands growing up so I was already familiar with the area. One day, I decided I wanted to move here. So I bought some land, a house, and did it. Don't regret it at all.
The NOC has zip line, rafting, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, fishing. Basically everything people come here for in one place.
I'm jk. Kinda. I love it here. My family had a place in Highlands growing up so I was already familiar with the area. One day, I decided I wanted to move here. So I bought some land, a house, and did it. Don't regret it at all.
The NOC has zip line, rafting, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, fishing. Basically everything people come here for in one place.
This post was edited on 7/6/16 at 3:50 pm
Posted on 7/6/16 at 3:56 pm to TigerOnTheMountain
The NOC also has River's End Restaurant. Good food served in massive portions meant to satisfy AT through hikers and such.
Posted on 7/6/16 at 4:01 pm to GoldenDawg
Yes the breakfast burrito is insanely good.
Posted on 7/6/16 at 4:06 pm to TigerOnTheMountain
quote:
We don't need any more GD liberal transplants!
I hide my liberal streak in public pretty well. You'd never peg me for a liberal in real life.
quote:
Highlands
We do a week in Highlands every summer, and occasionally one in the fall. Going up there in 2 weeks actually. Highlands is a little too snooty for my blood, but it's an easy drive from Bham, and it's close enough to the stuff I enjoy.
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