smoky mountain info

ATTRACTIONS & PLACES TO VISIT

Dogwood Arts Festival – Check it out online. Takes place in April. It has all manner of performing arts, concerts, trails to go on to see the beautiful spring foliage (by car and foot), etc. Goes on for several weeks.

Craftsman’s Fairs – July and October each yr. Craftspeople from all over the United States come with sooo many different things for home and such. Usually lasts about a week each time.
Ober Gatlinburg – Has a nice indoor ice skating rink. Not my best sport. There is skiing here and I’m an average skier, but I’ve been spoiled by going out west for so long to Colorado and Utah. So can’t give an opinion on skiing here. Just haven’t tried it. Will let you know if I do.

Cades Cove – An 11 mile loop (one way road circling the cove). Restored buildings, churches, farm buildings, mill and several cemeteries. They are quite interesting. Wildlife is everywhere. Go slowlyyyyyyyyy. That’s the fun part. Deer, turkey, horses, bear, etc. It’s not unusual to go over a hundred when counting the deer. I have to say 50 or so is about average, but we’ve also gone when we couldn’t find even one!! Go early morning or at dusk and not on a weekend if you can help it. You can also bike the cove. And yes, I’ve done it. Once and that’s enough. It’s a long way around!!
Abrams Falls Trail – Off Cades Cove loop. 5 mile round trip hike. Easy even for kids. Haven’t done this since the drought last summer, hope it’s still pretty.
Rich Mountain Rd – One way trip out of Cades Cove over the mountain (dirt road) to Dry Valley (that’s where I live). Lots of woods. We often see deer and an occasional bear.
Sugarland Visitor’s center – Gives you an overview of the animals in the park, etc. Very nice. And a nice gift shop here too. Just out of Gatlinburg as you enter the Park.