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Travel Ideas
Plan your trip to the Smokies. Perhaps we can offer some suggestions you didn't think of. We would also like to hear from
you with your favorite family travel tips. We want our site to grow and the more information we can offer, the more enjoyable we can help make it for everyone who visits us in the Smokies.
Host Your Reunion in the Beautiful Smokies
What's one sure way to get the family together? Bring them to the Smokies! If there's one thing families can agree on,
it's fun. The Smoky Mountain area, with its myriad activities, is the perfect place to host a group gathering. There's something for every member of the family to enjoy. You can
spend an afternoon
exploring the great outdoors in the National Park or searching for bargains in the area outlet malls. Dollywood is a must for an
entire day packed with fun; the kids will love all the thrilling rides while the adults can take in one of the theme park's great musical productions. In the evening, the entire family
can attend one of many music and comedy shows and then retire to a single accommodations location, whether it's a hotel right in town or a secluded cluster of mountain cabins.
Plus, the Great Smoky Mountains are within a day's driving distance of nearly everywhere east of the Mississippi, so it's
a great central location for the group to congregate.
But planning such an event can be cumbersome. Fortunately, several receptive tour
companies are standing by at any time to start making arrangements for large groups. From lodging to fun-filled day and nighttime activities, a tour company can take care of
all your needs. Just one call secures any necessary tickets and reservations.
Pack a picnic basket!
The Smokies are filled with special places that all the restaurants and attractions in the
area cannot match when enjoyed with a picnic basket. Here are some of our recommendations:
Alcohol is prohibited in the National Park
Loaf of Homemade Bread or from your nearest Bakery.
Block of cheese.
Grapes or apples
Cookies
Sandwiches
Pack your family favorites for a memorable
Smoky Mountain Experience.
Be sure to never feed the wildlife.
Outdoor grills are available in many areas.
Be kind to your environment.
Picnicking Area Location Features
Big Creek - State 32 from Cosby
Small, quiet campground and creek
Cades Cove - Little River Road
Great start-off for the 11-mile Loop
Chimneys - Newfound Gap Road
Large picnic area on banks of Little Pigeon River
Deep Creek - Hwy. 19 from Cherokee
Covered amphitheater with several waterfall hikes nearby
Greenbrier - Hwy. 321 from Gatlinburg
Open & sheltered picnic areas in a perfect setting
Heintooga - Balsam Mountain Road
Highest picnic area in park offering great views
Metcalf Bottoms - Little River Road
Shady picnic tables in the cozy woods or along the river. Swimming in a cool mountain stream on a
muggy summer day is an experience like no other. Always use caution and common sense and never swim alone. Area Location Features
The Sinks - Little River Road
The Smokies' deepest swimmin' hole
Townsend "Wye" - Little River Road & Laurel Creek Road intersection
Broad, placid stretch of river with grassy banks for sunbathing
Smoky Mountain Roads take visitors off the beaten path for an unforgettable auto tour through some of the our most interesting places.
The following is a summary list of road trips, how far they are and about how long they will take. Traffic,
weather conditions and time of year all have an impact on the driving time.
Balsam Mountain Road, a 9 mile trip that takes about 30 min along the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a Two-way, paved road.
Cades Cove Loop, an 11 mile trip taking an hour through the Cades Cove Historic District along a One-way, paved road.
Cataloochee, a 6 mile journey which lasts about 30 min starting at I-40 and U.S. 276. this is a Two-way, dead end road.
Cherokee Orchard Road, a 3.5 mile stretch lasting only 15 minutes, beginning in Gatlinburg to Roaring Fork, a Two-way, paved road.
Foothills Parkway East, a 6 mile, 15 minute trip along Hwy. 321 in Cosby.
A Two-way, paved, easy driving road.
Foothills Parkway West, an 18 mile trek taking 30 minutes along U.S. 321N to U.S.129. It is a Two-way, paved road.
Heintooga Ridge, a 14 mile, 1 hour trip along Balsam Mountain Road, a
Two-way, paved road.
Parson Branch is only an 8 mile journey but takes about an hour through Cades Cove, a One-way, unpaved road.
Rich Mountain Road, 7 miles in an hour, whew! Through Cades Cove then onto a One-way, unpaved road.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a must see, 5 mile trip which will take about an hour. It is a One
-way paved road via Cherokee Orchard Road.
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