honeymoon question...

[shawnsgirl]

I know there are some of you lovely ladies who has chatted about the smokey mountains as a honeymoon destination. FH and I want to be secluded on our honeymoon and have decided to go drive down to the Gallitin, TN or Pidgeon Forge, TN and rent a luxury cabin!! We plan to leave Monday after the wedding and on Thursday head to Richmond, VA for the Busch and Nascar Race which is the place he proposed. Anyhow...I was looking online like crazy and there are sooo many resorts. Does anyone recommend or have any suggestions as far as the resorts???

Also, these are a few things we hope to do...We would like to go to Dollywood, white water rafting, and horse back riding. If anyone has any suggestions on these that would be helpful as well!! thanks ladies!!

[Caleb's Bride]

Stupid double post. Sorry!

[Caleb's Bride]

Well, I haven't been there for years, unfortunately, and that's not where we are going for our honeymoon.

But I can tell you that Dollywood is a blast - I hope Dolly is there when you guys are there. :) She's a kick in the pants.

If you have time, I would recommend driving to Nashville and just do some site seeing there too. Granted, it doesn't have the seclusion but the Wild Horse Saloon is really fun!

Also, check out Cherokee, NC (I don't think it's very far for a drive - I think you will drive through the National Park and it's on the other side). Get you and FH a pair of mocassins. They have live performances of Native American dancing and stuff like that that is different and interesting.

There's also a "Skylift" in Gatlinburg that takes you up the mountain and you get your picture taken at the top and it's beautiful. Paricularly if the leaves are going to be changing colors and stuff, it will be perfect.

And you can walk around the National Park in the Smokey Mountains and play in the creeks and see the wildlife that is there. Including the black bear. ;)

I'm so excited for you and a little jealous. You will have a wonderful time.

Let me look up some links and stuff and I'll get back to you. :)

[shawnsgirl]

All of that sounds sooo much fun. Too bad we're only staying 3-4 days. I wish we could stay longer but I really wanted to go to where he proposed to finish out our honeymoon!!

[Caleb's Bride]

Here's some links for you to check out:

Gatlinburg, TN -

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/

http://www.attractions-gatlinburg.com/gatlinburg_sky_lift.html

http://www.raftinginthesmokies.com

http://www.gatlinburgspaceneedle.com

http://www.smokeymountainwinery.com

http://www.awalkinthewoods.com/

Pigeon Forge, TN -

http://www.dixiestampede.com

http://www.smokymtnjubilee.com/

http://www.scenichelicopters.com/

http://www.blackbearjamboree.com/

www.waldencreekstables.com (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Ak0S2Yps3fwg78r7Wk1i.bwHUWoL/SIG=117c223m2/**http%3A//www.waldencreekstables.com/)

Cherokee, NC -

http://www.cherokee-nc.com/

[Caleb's Bride]

All of that sounds sooo much fun. Too bad we're only staying 3-4 days. I wish we could stay longer but I really wanted to go to where he proposed to finish out our honeymoon!!

Well, you just have to figure out what sounds the most fun. LOL!

Some of the stuff, like the Sky Lift, doesn't take that long at all and could be something romantic to do in the evening.

Maybe for an anniversary, you could go back to the Smokey Mountains and surrounding areas and be able to explore it all. It really is nice.

I understand wanting to go where he proposed to finish off the honeymoon. That's cute! :)

[shawnsgirl]

I can't add to your rep...I have to spread some more love around first...But, thank you so much!! I will be showing these to FH to see what he is interested in. I think what I'm most concerned about is which resort..THere is so MANY!! All of them look nice but pictures and be deceiving and some of the cabins are very close to other cabins so if anyone has any advice on places to stay that would be great too!

[lize566]

I'm sure all of those links have fantastic info, but I still thought I would add my two cents :) I think I have been to Gatlinburg probably 23 times and I am only 23! We have never stayed in the mountains, but we have been to seen some cabins and they are gorgeous! A lot of them have hot tubs and fire places, so it would be very romantic. There are tons of things to do in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Both have FANTASTIC mini-golf and go-carts. Pigeon Forge has more shopping and outlet malls, but you have to drive pretty much everywhere. Gatlinburg has more unique stores, and you can walk pretty much everywhere. Gatlinburg also has a lot more tourist attractions, like Ripley's Believe it or not museum and aquarium (two dif. attractions), a guiness world record museum, stuff like that. If you have any questions about any of it just PM or post on here and I would be more than happy to answer. Other than info about specific cabins, I could probably answer most questions. Oh they also have like a nature drive, it's this loop that you drive and can see all kinds of wild animals, including bears, and then they have little stops where you can get out and hike to some old cabins and historical stuff. It's fun. It's called Cades Cove, if you want more info. Hope I helped and ask if you have anymore questions!!

[shawnsgirl]

So, if I am getting this right in Gatlinburg they have more attractions mostly in walking distance right??? Pidgeon Forge you have to drive and everywhere??? I would prefer to walk and just kind of take a few hours to check things out. Like I said we're not spending a whole lot of time down their so there is only so much we can fit in and I want to have some seclusion and relaxation that's for sure!! I think what's most important to Shawn and I is to do things that we have never done before together. A big thing is the white water rafting and for me horsback riding. As long as either town has it, it don't matter to me. I have seen a lot of the cabins online too. They are extremly romantic and beautiful! Some have some amazing views too! I guess one of my questions is if anyone recommends a particular resort. Some looks so nice in pictures but if I would rather hear it from someone who has visited one. One resort slipped in the face of showing cabins right next to eachother and that would be my worst fear. Nothing like sitting outside in the hot tub and sseing the neighbors in theirs..ya know?? Anyhow, you both have been some great help!!!

[StaceyMc]

I was in Gatlinburg a few years ago, and you're right - some of the cabins are pretty close together. If you want to be secluded, you're going to have to stay outside of the town, and drive into town (or take the nifty little trolley that goes around all day). Not very far out of town, but still...away from the busy street.

I would probably try to call the Chamber of Commerce for Gatlinburg and tell them what you're looking for. They might be able to direct you to what you're looking for.

The town is soooo much fun! Go to the aquariam if you have a chance. Also, if you want to have a fun evening out - go to the Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge. It's not far away and my friend and I had a blast!!!

[lize566]

So, if I am getting this right in Gatlinburg they have more attractions mostly in walking distance right??? Pidgeon Forge you have to drive and everywhere??? I would prefer to walk and just kind of take a few hours to check things out. Like I said we're not spending a whole lot of time down their so there is only so much we can fit in and I want to have some seclusion and relaxation that's for sure!! I think what's most important to Shawn and I is to do things that we have never done before together. A big thing is the white water rafting and for me horsback riding. As long as either town has it, it don't matter to me. I have seen a lot of the cabins online too. They are extremly romantic and beautiful! Some have some amazing views too! I guess one of my questions is if anyone recommends a particular resort. Some looks so nice in pictures but if I would rather hear it from someone who has visited one. One resort slipped in the face of showing cabins right next to eachother and that would be my worst fear. Nothing like sitting outside in the hot tub and sseing the neighbors in theirs..ya know?? Anyhow, you both have been some great help!!!

I wouldn't think that many of the cabins are that close to each other, but I'm not sure. I would call the rental place and talk to them. Gatlinburg has parking areas that you can park at (I think they are free, but I am not sure) and you can walk or take the trolley from there. Most places, actually almost none of them, have their own parking lots. Pigeon Forge has parking lots for pretty much every restaurant and attraction, which also can cost a little bit. Gatlinburg, to me, is more leisurely, b/c you can just stroll along the creek/river, sit and watch people, etc. It's one of those places where they have crosswalks like every 10 ft b/c people have the right away, where Pigeon Forge has more traffic and it can be somewhat difficult to cross the street, but you don't need to b/c you can drive everywhere! Pigeon Forge also has more attractions, like the Dixie Stampede, and other show-dinner type things. They are maybe a 20 minute drive from each other, so it's not really a big deal if you stayed in one and drove to the other for the day. We just usually stay in Gatlinburg and drive to Pigeon Forge. Sorry this was so long, I just love Gatlinburg and have so much to say about it!!

[Dereksbride]

Hey Shawnsgirl, you are right about how Gatlinburg has more of a "strip" type setting with shopping, attractions, restaurants all within walking distance and Pigeon Forge, although everything is still close together, you'd probably rather drive. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are only about a few miles apart from eachother. If you want a cabin that is nice and secluded, check out www.autumnridgerentals.com (http://www.autumnridgerentals.com)

They are couples cabins on a ridgetop about 10 miles from downtown Gatlinburg, nice and secluded with awesome views. No rail tracks or cable carts nearby. They all have one bedroom, fireplaces and King size beds with jacuzzi tubs in the bedrooms. There are about 8 cabins to choose from! I haven't been there yet but we plan to go eventually. If you enjoy shopping, check out The Village in Gatlinburg. They have some really neat shops there.