Smoky Mountains Cabin Getaway

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If you’re looking for a quiet mountain getaway, a cabin in the Smoky Mountains just might be the perfect place. Although the expanse of the smoky mountains continues through Tennessee and North Carolina with many places to visit – Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are the attracting destinations for millions of people visiting the smokies every year.

Where To Stay

When visiting the smokies, the best accommodation is by far a cabin. The rustic interior doubled with the great outdoors are the perfect way to spend your time in the mountains. There are so many cabins scattered on the mountains around Sevierville and Gatlinburg, that there is no shortage of places to stay. However, you do want to book ahead as many of the best stays get booked up pretty fast! The best place to find cabins is through Airbnb, where many of the cabins are listed. Although you can find more budget friendly cabins, most cabins are priced at what can be considered a small splurge. Staying at a cabin though is what makes the whole experience unique and the perfect mountain getaway.

While there are cabins available of all shapes and sizes, there are some things to consider that would make your stay especially excellent.

The Views

This is one of the things I was most particular about and that was a must on the list. These cabins tend to be more on the pricier side, but when compared with the cabins with no views there was just a small difference in the end price. The experience of your stay can vary greatly with this one major detail so it is one not to miss. We spent almost the entire time out on the deck enjoying the views which quickly became one of the most favorite parts of the trip.

Hot Tub

While most of the cabins do have a hot tub provided there are some that don’t. Can you imagine sitting in a hot tub, drinking apple cider on a cool evening and soaking up the fall scenery of the changing leaves up in the mountains? It almost doesn’t get any better than that. It is the most perfect way to spend the evenings especially if you have those amazing views to look out to.

Grill

Bring the best of the meats because you have a grill to make some nice smoky steaks up in the Smoky mountains. There’s nothing like grilling your own meat which is why most of the cabins include a grill. So, don’t forget your charcoal and supplies you need to get the grill going.

Campfire

Fewer places offer a place with a campfire pit, but some still do. It is a nice option to have to cozy up around the campfire and make some s’mores.

A cabin is the kind of place you can have a big family gathering or a quiet getaway on your own. Either way, these tips will help you keep in mind what you want from your cabin experience.

Of course, there are many other options for accommodation as well, including resorts, five-star hotels, and luxurious glamping. Just choose the one that would make the best mountain experience for you.

Things To Do

It is very much possible to end up spending most of your time up in your cabin as it is an experience in itself, but if you do end up venturing out, there are many things to do.

Clingman’s Dome

At an elevation of 6,643 feet, it is the highest point in the state of Tennessee offering great views of the mountains. There is an observation tower at the top of the mountain that is excellent to take in the 360 degrees views. You can reach it at the end of the road where it leads into a large parking lot. From there, it is a mildly steep half mile walk to the top of the tower. This is one of the best ways to truly see the Smoky mountains and take in the spectacular views. The

Cades Cove

A lovely loop drive with scenic views of the mountains, the cades cove loop offers a great way to experience the mountains, history, and waterfalls all in one stop. Throughout the drive there are historic cabin homes, barns, and church that you can stop by and explore. Some of the buildings even have a bit of history posted that you can read up on.

There are hiking trails available if you choose to do so with one of the most popular ones being the Abrams falls. The hike, 5.2 miles roundtrip, is considered to be moderate in difficulty. If you had a more relaxing day in mind, grab a blanket and picnic basket, and spend some time lounging with the sweeping views of the mountains around you. Nearby, there is also the option to go horseback riding through the trail of the mountainous terrain. Whichever you choose to do, Cades Cove is sure to provide a good day full of activities.

Hikes To Go On

Not getting out into the mountains and hiking some trails would be a missed opportunity. There are a plethora of hikes to choose from but some of the more popular ones include, Chimney Tops, Charlies Bunion, Alum Cave Bluffs, Rainbow Falls and Andrews Bald trails. During different times of the year, the scenery changes with flowers blooming or the leaves turning into the bright yellows and reds. You may even get to see some wildlife up in the mountains.

Gatlinburg

A very touristy little town, Gatlinburg is the spot for a stroll with a lookout for activities that are plenty to choose from. Climb the tower for views of the city and mountains, play arcade games, stop in to eat at various different restaurants or snacks, take the aerial tramway, or go skiing in the Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park.

Pigeon Forge

This place is best described as attraction on attraction upon another attraction. It is a street filled up with things to do that would take a really long time if you ended up doing them all. So, here are some of the more notable attractions that could be of interest.

Dollywood

Pigeon Forge is home to the Dollywood theme park, which attracts many visitors every year. It is a destination all in itself but can be visited for a day too.

Titanic

Go inside a life-sized boat replica building of the Titanic and experience what it would’ve been like on the actual boat. They have many artifacts on display and have special exhibit events. The latest they have on display are six actual lifejackets from the Titanic of the twelve in the world.

The Island

A destination of rides, casual restaurants, and unique shops, the Island has it all. Take a stroll around or relax while watching the fountains dance playfully with the colorful light show.

Take a Ride Through the Countryside

The countryside portrays even more exquisite views in some areas that must be taken advantage of with a car ride through the countryside roads. The roads are dotted with little country stores that offer a variety of delicious goodies. Among other things, there you can find local honey, jams and smoky barbecue sauce which can be the perfect accompaniment for your grilled meats.