BedandBreakfast.com - Worldwide directory of Bed and Breakfasts and Inns

Gracehill, Townshend

Designated as a park in 1934, Great Smoky Mountain National Park overlaps the states of North Carolina and Tennessee, encompassing 800 square miles, most of which is heavily forested. America's most visited national park, it receives over 10,000,000 visits per year. The busiest times are June 15-August 15, and all of October, especially weekends. In summer, minimize aggravation by visiting either before 10 am or after 4 pm, and avoid the too popular Cades Cove Loop and the Newfound Gap Road.

You'll enjoy the park a great deal more if you get out of your car, and sample some of the 150 maintained hiking trails offering wonderful views of mountains, old growth forests, rushing streams and dramatic waterfalls. Stop at a park information center for information on a half-dozen easy waterfall hikes, starting with the half-mile stroll to Mingo Falls, or the paved 2.5-mile round-trip walk to Laurel Falls.

Why are the Smokies smoky?: Dense vegetation produces the moisture that creates the "smoky" mist of the Smokies. The native Cherokees described these mountains as "shaconage, meaning "blue, like smoke." Unfortunately, air pollution has added real smoke to the mix.

National Park Service website
Additional information

Great Smoky Mountains, East Tennessee
Berry Springs Lodge, Sevierville
Getting Around
Just 30-40 miles from Knoxville, in-season day-trippers visiting the Gatlinburg area can clog the roads. Instead of getting trapped in traffic on Highway 441, take I-40 to exit 440 to Highway 321, then go west to the Gatlinburg area. For more information and alternative routings that offer less traffic and more beautiful mountain scenery, click here. Mid-April through October, use the inexpensive trolley system to get around Gatlinburg. The trolleys run throughout downtown Gatlinburg, and also serve the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, and Dollywood. More info. Unless you're visiting midweek in winter, do NOT attempt to drive around famous Cades Cove, in the national park. Traffic makes this beautiful 11-mile loop a 2-4 hour ordeal. From early May to late September walk or bike the road; it's closed to traffic on Wednesdays and Saturdays until 10 a.m.
When to Go
The Smokies are beautiful year-round, from the lush green of spring and summer to the brilliant fall foliage to the peaceful winters. Rates and crowds peak with the autumn color, although summer vacation-time is busy as well. We visited in January, and had a wonderful time-no crowds, almost no traffic, great rates, and beautiful hiking.
Sights & Activities
Crafts: Although you have to look a bit harder to find them, locally made Appalachian crafts can still be found and studied. Founded in 1945, the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts offers weekend and week-long classes, plus galleries to visit. Pick up a map to follow the eight-mile loop that visits the member artisans of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community; the route extends east from Gatlinburg on Hwy 321 (East Parkway) , then north on Buckhorn Road, then looping back west on Glades Road. Attractions: From Davy Crockett Mini-Golf (we're not kidding) to Earthquake-The Ride, to the piece de resistance, Dollywood (one of Tennessee's top theme parks), there's not a commercial attraction missing from the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge-Sevierville strip. Major outlet malls and lots of gift shops, too. Outdoor Adventure: In addition to all that awaits in Great Smoky Mountain National Park (see sidebar), the area offers lots of fishing, kayaking, canoeing, tubing, and white water rafting, plus horseback riding, guided hikes, golf, and much more. More info.
B&Bs and Inns
Buckhorn Inn, Gatlinburg
A number of B&Bs and inns are found in the neighboring towns of Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Townsend, plus nearby Newport. Distances from one town to the other are short, so we'd recommend selecting the inn that best suits your taste and budget, without much concern for which town it's in. Almost all the area lodgings were recently built as inns, and are well equipped with all modern comforts. Gatlinburg: East Tennessee's oldest country inn, the Buckhorn Inn has a peaceful yet convenient location, balancing low-key elegance and period charm with the friendly atmosphere of a mountain lodge. Two minutes walk from downtown Gatlinburg, the Eight Gables Inn has a private hillside location, distinctive architecture, individually decorated and private guest rooms, and generous breakfasts and refreshments. Friendly, friendly, friendly are the three best words to describe Hippensteal's Mountain View Inn. Vern and Lisa Hippensteal have designed their inn for maximum enjoyment of the mountain views, and have decorated with his paintings of mountain scenery and wildlife. Newport: Although convenient to all area activities, Christopher Place is a hard place to leave, because of its generous breakfasts and candlelit dinners, lovely hilltop setting, beautiful rooms, and gracious common areas, plus hiking trails, tennis court, and swimming pool. Sevierville: Berry Springs Lodge offers wonderful mountains views from all its well-equipped guest rooms and spacious decks. The living area has a cathedral ceiling, and the dining area is always stocked with tempting treats; great breakfasts, too. Fish in the pond and hike or bike the inn's trails. A Victorian-style farmhouse built on Norman and Sarah Ball's family farm, Blue Mountain Mist Country Inn has guest rooms decorated with Victorian country charm, and an inviting wraparound porch with mountain views. The Chilhowee Bluff Inn is home to four appealing guest rooms, plus the Hungry Bear Bistro, where chef-owner Judy Hudak prepares first-rate dinners. Von Bryan Mountaintop Inn has beautiful 360-degree views from its hilltop location, enhanced by spacious, well-equipped guest rooms, ample common areas, a cozy bar and rec room, plus a swimming pool with an equally appealing view. Townsend: Gracehill sits high on a hill, with 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Although the guest rooms are handsome and the hospitality is warm, the views alone are worth the price of a stay. Designed in the style of a historic Appalachian cantilever barn, the Richmont Inn overlooks the scenic Laurel Valley and towering Rich Mountain. The guest rooms are named and decorated for key people in local history, while providing luxurious amenities. More East Tennessee inns.