Getting there from Chicago
If you’re like me and love saving money, you may try to take the Megabus from time to time when getting away for a few days. When you take the Megabus, you take a chance; it is part of the saving money part. We were set to catch our Megabus at midnight to head towards Gatlinburg, Tennessee and it didn’t pick us up until 2 am. We ended up getting a refund after our trip and we did get down there eventually, but for getting to Tennessee coming from Chicago, my recommendation would be to rent or take your own car. From Chicago, you are looking at a 9 hour drive which is maybe a little much for a short trip, but if you have a long weekend or more, Gatlinburg is an amazing place to visit!
5 things to do in Gatlinburg, TN
Dollywood -- courtesy of Andrew Jessop
1. Go to Dollywood
I won’t get too much into why Dollywood is such an amazing place to visit in this post because I am writing a separate blog post all about Dollywood (read it here), but trust me – you shouldn’t pass this up. Dollywood’s got something for everyone – rides and coasters, music shows, excellent food, a fun atmosphere, Smoky Mountain history, authentic old timey crafts, trains, a wildlife preserve, and of course, all things Dolly! Allow at least a full day here or, if you get your tickets after 3pm, you can come back the next day for free!
I won’t get too much into why Dollywood is such an amazing place to visit in this post because I am writing a separate blog post all about Dollywood (read it here), but trust me – you shouldn’t pass this up. Dollywood’s got something for everyone – rides and coasters, music shows, excellent food, a fun atmosphere, Smoky Mountain history, authentic old timey crafts, trains, a wildlife preserve, and of course, all things Dolly! Allow at least a full day here or, if you get your tickets after 3pm, you can come back the next day for free!
2. Hike
Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers numerous amazing (and free) trails to explore, which not only provide great exercise and some much needed fresh air, but they also have amazing views of waterfalls, rivers and wildlife you may or may not be prepared to see. We saw about 5 bears during our weeklong stay… they were just everywhere! Here’s a photo of one who couldn’t resist trying to pry open our dumpster.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers numerous amazing (and free) trails to explore, which not only provide great exercise and some much needed fresh air, but they also have amazing views of waterfalls, rivers and wildlife you may or may not be prepared to see. We saw about 5 bears during our weeklong stay… they were just everywhere! Here’s a photo of one who couldn’t resist trying to pry open our dumpster.
Photo courtesy of Blaise Hayden-Jessop Poth
My favorite trail we explored was Laurel Falls, which was quite well maintained and lined with beautiful Laurel flowers. It was pretty crowded by the time we reached the falls though, so I advise going early if you can.
Laurel flower -- Photo courtesy of Andrew Jessop
3. Stay in a cabin
Staying in a cabin in the Smoky Mountains is worth the investment. They’re EVERYWHERE, and if you have enough people staying with you, there probably won't be that much of a price difference from staying in a hotel.
Staying in a cabin in the Smoky Mountains is worth the investment. They’re EVERYWHERE, and if you have enough people staying with you, there probably won't be that much of a price difference from staying in a hotel.
Time to slooooow down
Queen of Gatlinburg -- Photo courtesy of Clarissa Dennis
We stayed in a cabin called the Queen of Gatlinburg that was the kind of a place where 10 adults, 4 kids and 2 dogs can cohabitate and have a blast, and still find a quiet corner to sit in a rocking chair while listening to the birds sing.
This log cabin paradise had 5 bedrooms and a bathroom for each, 2 additional half baths, a kitchen built for many cooks, rocking chairs on 3 wrap around porches, a hot tub, skee ball machine, movie theater, puppet theater, pool and foosball table, a grill and basketball hoop. It is a place that was made to make memories.
This log cabin paradise had 5 bedrooms and a bathroom for each, 2 additional half baths, a kitchen built for many cooks, rocking chairs on 3 wrap around porches, a hot tub, skee ball machine, movie theater, puppet theater, pool and foosball table, a grill and basketball hoop. It is a place that was made to make memories.
Games in our cabin! Photo courtesy of Clarissa Dennis
Ober Lift -- photo courtesy of Andrew Jessop
4. Ride the Ober Gatlinburg Tramway
Get ready to take the 2-mile ride up the mountain in a tram car with breath taking views of the Smoky Mountains. Once you reach the top, there’s a place to do a little shopping and get some refreshments, and if you’re up for it, there’s a cool ice-skating rink inside, too.
Get ready to take the 2-mile ride up the mountain in a tram car with breath taking views of the Smoky Mountains. Once you reach the top, there’s a place to do a little shopping and get some refreshments, and if you’re up for it, there’s a cool ice-skating rink inside, too.
Kids love it! Photo courtesy of Clarissa Dennis
5. Walk the Parkway
Gatlinburg is such a family friendly getaway, filled with Ripley's attractions like the Believe It or Not Museum and an awesome Ripley's Aquarium, countless restaurants and shops, bluegrass music and much more. One of my favorite activities along the parkway was a free Moonshine tasting at Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine. The Ripley's 5D movie theater and Aquarium also topped my list of activities. A word to the wise, the parkway kind of winds down at night, so don't go out late looking for much nightlife, but it is a lot of fun to enjoy during the day and early evening.
Be sure to put Gatlinburg on your bucket list of places to visit for a guaranteed adventurous time!
Gatlinburg is such a family friendly getaway, filled with Ripley's attractions like the Believe It or Not Museum and an awesome Ripley's Aquarium, countless restaurants and shops, bluegrass music and much more. One of my favorite activities along the parkway was a free Moonshine tasting at Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine. The Ripley's 5D movie theater and Aquarium also topped my list of activities. A word to the wise, the parkway kind of winds down at night, so don't go out late looking for much nightlife, but it is a lot of fun to enjoy during the day and early evening.
Be sure to put Gatlinburg on your bucket list of places to visit for a guaranteed adventurous time!
Photo courtesy of Clarissa Dennis
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