Family Vacation in the Smokies

“So, the fams going to the Smokies this year. Ive been several times but only for backpacking, never done the tourist thing. Were getting a cabin in Townsend. Were of course going to visit the park, probably Dollywood and the aquarium but are there any other "must sees" in the area? What about the restaurants?

Id also like to find the Avent Cabin. Is it hard to find? How long of a hike?
last edited: 3/31/11 10:07:54 AM”

“Wasn't that where Chili lived?”

“check out this old thread
http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/52047,-1.php”

“Avent cabin is an easy hike. There's a thread about it here somewhere. ;)
I enjoy the aquarium, especially after dark. It's really cool to see what's awake and what's sleeping, like the sea turtle and the different species of sharks.”

“If you've got a day to kill, drive over into North Carolina and find Lake Santeetlah.

OR - drive over the Cherohalah Skyway (try google for that one). It's prolly a little bit of the way, but a superb drive with great scenery and lots of places to have a little pic-a-nic.”

“http://www.cherohala.com/

or if your not prone to car sickness, drive over Highway 129 - from Maryville, TN to Robbinsville, NC.

311 curves in 11 miles. it's fun. :)

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/”

“From what I have read and videoes about the crotch rockets on the Tail. I don't think it would be very family friendly drive.”

“Go down to Thunderhead Perks in Townsend (I am assuming it is still there) and Jaime can direct you to everything you want to see.

The Front Porch in Townsend is good, but I prefer the burgers at Dead Beat Pete's.

In Gatlinburg, the Smokey Mountain Brewery is decent. The food has always been good, but I wouldn't declare it to be stellar.

The fried pickles at the BBQ place in Townsend, (down toward the Park) are in the category of stellar.

I haven't been to the Aquarium in Gatlinburg, but both of my kids enjoyed it.

If you have the time, and inclination, go over to Bryson City and take a ride on the train.

Assuming it will be warm enough, the "Y" in Townsend is the best place to swim.”

“Swim at the "Y."”

“Or you could have a picnic at the Y. Good to hear you still got it Paul.”

“sticks, on a sunny saturday it might not be, but generally i wouldn't stress about it. I used to drive it a couple times per week traveling for work from Robbinsville to Knoxville.”

“I have driven the Dragon several times at even at peak motorcyle riding weather, I didn't find it to be a problem.

Just drive it. The crazy riders will find a way to get around you. It's sort of like driving down the road when a barking dog starts chasing the car, just ignore him and move on. He will find a way to stay out from under the wheels.”

“I do recommend driving/ riding the Dragon. It's a gorgeous drive no matter what.”

“Avent Cabin is really easy to find. Just go to the thread that Ewker linked and read the first page. I posted detailed directions and photos of how to find the cabin.”

“thanks for the suggestions guys...i'll definitely have to check those places out chili...the dragon sounds cool...i'll have to let someone else drive though..don't get car sick but have a tendency to wonder on winding roads...probably wouldn't want to run off this one”

“Definately not.”

“Lol, although it's fun to try and spot all the places where cars, trucks and motorcycles have gone over the edge. That's how my sense of humor goes.”

“treebait, do you look for the cross :)”

“I'm blanking...It's been a few years. THe things I remember the most are the big box truck doing over the limit heading back towards NC and staying in the lines, the view down to the dam, lots of car bumpers and bits like that down the hills ,the exit of parsons branch, and a fake yellow flower memorial that was rather extensive.”

“The tree of shame is a sobering reminder of how stupid it is to push the envelope on the Dragon.”

“Drive the loop at Cades Cove at dusk. Better yet, do the hayride at the Cove at dusk.”

“When i worked in R'ville, we'd have informal contests to see who could drive the dragon the fastest. Rule was from teh dam on teh TN side to Cheoah Dam on the NC side (incidentally, Harrison Ford jumped off Cheoah Dam, well his stuntman did, in The Fugitive)....

I think my fastest time was around 20 minutes, maybe like 17.. but that was at night when you could see the lights coming thru the curves and use the ENTIRE road.

:)

I once had to turn back coz some dispatcher sent an 18 wheeler that route bound for Knoxville. I don't know how that poor guy got out of the jam he was in. A helicopter lift would have been the easiest way.

Another time, in winter I got in the habit of carrying a chain saw wiht me to clear down trees and big limbs. The highway crew might take days to get to that stretch of highway.”