Fabulous Fall Getaway
Written: Aug 09 '00 (Updated Aug 10 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Diverse
Cons: I'll let you know if I find one
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| fresca's Full Review: Ober Gatlinburg |
With fall just around the corner Ober Gatlinburg is on my mind.
While Gatlinburg is known for its skiing in the winter they are
also known for their shopping, crafts, scenery, and hospitality.
Gatlinburg is a town that celebrates Autumn. Everyone decorates
with beautiful fall foliage, pumpkins, scarecrows, hay bales, and
corn, while behind the town Mother nature is outdoing them all.
Fall Color Unlike autumn in New England, fall in the south
is hit or miss. But when conditions are right - September has the
combination of sunny days and cool nights this sets the stage for
the reds and golds of October that are spectacular. Fall here lasts
for about 4 weeks.
Cades Cove has an auto tour, camping, and color. It's not far
from Gatlinburg and definitely worth the drive. The tour is an 11
mile loop into yesterday. Keep on the look out for wildlife. You're
apt to see deer and wild turkey year round. But stop at the various
cabins along the way. They date from the 1800's and are alive with
history.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers 800 square miles
of color and outdoor activity. There are miles of hiking trails, river rafting,
or just a beautiful drive.
Shopping Next door to Gatlinburg is Pigeon Forge (5 miles)
- home to outlet malls. If you've got kids they'll have a ball at
the dozens of miniature golf, bumper boats, race cars, even
simulated sky diving activities that line the neon streets. Be
aware however that traffic is slow.
Gatlinburg has over 400 quaint shops. Also look for the Great
Smoky Mountain Arts & Crafts Community- Over 80 artists and
craftsmen have shops and studios on this 8 mile loop. For my
tastes I prefer window shopping in Gatlinburg. But we do hit
the Outlet Malls on the way home. We have found some real
bargains there in years past. And I always go to the Christmas
Place and find at least 1 or 2 or 3 ornaments that I have to have.
If you're lucky enough or plan it right you'll be there for the
Craftsmen's Fair October 4th thru 22nd in the convention center.
You'll find over 200 booths featuring some of the nation's
finest work, demonstrations, and crowds.
Lodging There are lots of places to choose from. From standard
hotels and motels to condo rentals, resort rentals, bed and breakfast,
chalets, mountain homes and town homes. We like the rustic chalets
when we stay. They are a little off the beaten path but that seems to
add to their charm.
Restaurants Again, you have lots to choose from but we haven't
had dinner there in years - we usually eat dinners at the chalet as the
lines for meals in town were quite long.
We did get to Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge. They offer a meal as
well as a live show of western dancers and performers.
The meal was poor - the food was greasy but the show was fun.
If you love autumn, the outdoors, with a few crafts thrown in the mix
then I highly recommend Gatlinburg. If you have kids who love action,
shopping for back to school, and neon glitz than I recommend the 5 mile
trip to Pigeon Forge. There's something here for everyone.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
fresca
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Member: Fresca
Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Reviews written: 135
Trusted by: 102 members
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