Looking for a family trip in the cabins to the mountains. I have not been to Gatlinburg, TN or Asheville, NC. Which is better? Any suggestions? Things to do there?
Need help WC - Gatlinburg or Asheville
- Thread starter Burgers0214
- Start date
Depends what you're looking for. The Asheville area is beautiful and Gatlinburg is within driving distance. Gatlinburg is very touristy that is fun for a day or so. The city of Asheville itself is very "hipster" but the surrounding areas have amazing outdoor scenery and activities.
If you enjoy the brewery scene, Asheville hands down. Gatlinburg feels more corporate family tourist town. Both are beautiful areas.
My fam usually does a cabin each year for Tgiving. Coincidentally we visited Asheville this year and Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg year prior.
Both can get a little touristy, but we had fun at both locations. Agree Asheville is a little hipster, but still chill. There’s also several vineyards not far away, if you want to make a day trip out of it. Gatlinburg was fun too but different energy.
Regardless, we spent most our time at the cabin enjoying the incredible views.
Both can get a little touristy, but we had fun at both locations. Agree Asheville is a little hipster, but still chill. There’s also several vineyards not far away, if you want to make a day trip out of it. Gatlinburg was fun too but different energy.
Regardless, we spent most our time at the cabin enjoying the incredible views.
I used to have a summer home in Waynesville which is West of Asheville in the Smokies. I miss it but my new wife did not like it. just a neat town. Drivable to Asheville or East Tennessee with Harrahs casino in between Tennessee and Waynesville
Been to both but our family really prefers the Boone NC area. Others have mentioned how touristy the other to have become but Gatlinburg is much worse.
Asheville is still very much closed down as is highlands. Very low capacity in the restaurants. New Belgium the brewery is by appt only to sit outside. Grove park is awesome though and if you go when it’s warm play golf, really fun. I really do like the cashiers / Highlands area through.
look at Blowing Rock or Boone...better vibe...but out of two you listed asheville...."less myrtle beach touristy."
Not even close call. Gatlinburg is crassly commercial while Asheville has an interesting downtown scene with very cool places to eat, drink, see. Great art scene. Very progressive and earth and people friendly. Love Asheville
Gatlinburg is Daytona in the hills. Asheville is a bit hipster and wasn’t impressed. If looking for just a get away into the mountains try Boone, NC or Clayton, GA. Just got back from a week in Clayton and it was so relaxing with so many waterfalls and other natural sites within close proximity.
Try the Lake Rabun Hotel in Lakemont, Ga. if you don’t have young ones. Close to South Carolina and rafting, Helen (weird but fun and a cool Alpine Roller Coaster), Dillard, day trip to Highlands, NC. All sorts of nearby waterfalls to hike etc. If you have young kids, Gatlinburg has tons of things for them to do and more kid friendly hotels. There are some nice cabins to rent around the Helen area, many on rivers and streams.
noc.com
Historic Lake Rabun Hotel & Restaurant in North Georgia
Stay at North Georgia’s best hotel and cabins. Dine at our restaurant that hosts weddings, corporate and wellness retreats, and mountain adventures.
www.lakerabunhotel.com
Chattooga River Rafting - SC & GA Whitewater | Nantahala Outdoor Center
Named the "#1 Thing Every Southerner Ought to Do" by Southern Living, Chattooga rafting with NOC is the Southeast's premier whitewater rafting adventure. Enjoy exciting Class III-V rapids and breathtaking scenery in an unmatched wilderness setting on the Georgia / South Carolina border.
noc.com
agree with myrtle beach of the mountains. I love Asheville and that would be my choice. Others in my family think Nantahala is the best of all. Also agree with Boone, Blowing Rock and Helena. I would also consider Cashiers, Brevard, Bryson City, or West Jefferson.
Been to both many times. The main draw in Asheville is the biltmore, which for me has gotten pretty pricey. I also agree with what someone else said about Gatlinburg being the Daytona of the mountains. We travel to Townsend TN every year and love it. It is a good central point for Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the Smokeys and also Cherokee if you are interested in seeing the Elk herd.
We like the Maggie Valley/Bryson City area. Less crowded and and lots of outdoor activities are available. Both Asheville and Gatlinburg are drivable from there.
As other posters have observed, Gatlinburg is touristy (not sure that is a dictionary word?). Think PC Beach transplanted to the mountains. Asheville is a progressive’s paradise. Not meant by me as a compliment, but it’s a beautiful area with some cool restaurants.
My family and I prefer staying further out in the sticks.
As other posters have observed, Gatlinburg is touristy (not sure that is a dictionary word?). Think PC Beach transplanted to the mountains. Asheville is a progressive’s paradise. Not meant by me as a compliment, but it’s a beautiful area with some cool restaurants.
My family and I prefer staying further out in the sticks.
We like Maggie Valley/Waynesville. Asheville is Austin lite and Gatlinberg is DEFINITELY the Daytona Beach of the Rockies. We prefer to stay more rural when we’re up there.
I am on the Waynesville/ Maggie Valley side on this one. If you have kids you can head to Cataloochee Ski Resort and there used to be a snow tubing spot just before Cataloochee as well that my daughter loved. Like other posters have said you can day trip to the Red Neck Rivera in The Hills or Ashville. If you go to Ashville, stay a night at the Grove. You will score major points with the misses by getting her a little spa time. If you are planning for a summer trip there are a ton of trails, waterfalls and rivers to explore all around Waynesville.
This is very accurate. Awful traffic for such a small confined space. We would go up there each year for a soccer tournament and it is like one big traffic jam during the off season. I can not imagine what it is like during busier times of the year.
There is tubing and hiking trails just minutes outside of Bryson City. Fontana Lake is less than an hour away. There is also the Great Smoky Mountains Railway that will take you right by the spot where they filmed the train wreck scene in The Fugitive.
I’ve never been to either but I do like the Galtinburg analogies. I’ve been to Blue Ridge, GA which I loved as well as Ellijay. Only downsides to them is they aren’t real high up altitude wise so it’s still pretty hot in the summer. Boone/Beech Mountain is my favorite. High enough that it’s cool even in the summer and not overwhelmingly touristy. Also some really nice golf courses.
I’m from Asheville. If you are looking for great food and enjoy beer along with outdoor activities then, there’s no better place.
Inlaws just built a place right between Franklin and Highlands - great area. Plenty of activities outdoors, good breweries and the ladies like the shopping in Highlands. They went up for a day in November while we played golf and were able to shop and eat/drink.
If anyone is ever looking for a place to stay outside Asheville(near the new Sierra Nevada brewery) check out my aunt's B&B:
Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill: Southern Living Collection
Asheville is a place I want to go to. I live in FM FL and we can get direct flights to Asheville on Allegiant Air.
I just assumed we stay at a hotel in the city so we could walk around to the various restaurants/bars...but I guess I could stay in a cabin or B&B just out of town...then would have to drive in though.
I just assumed we stay at a hotel in the city so we could walk around to the various restaurants/bars...but I guess I could stay in a cabin or B&B just out of town...then would have to drive in though.
I have been going to Linville since I was a kid. The family and I always enjoy a day trip or a few days in Asheville. The beer scene is so good. Gatlinburg is so different I know people love it but I really don't get it at all and I love pancakes.
Young kids will love the Gatlinburg area for its arcades, go-cart tracks, low-brow attractions, Dollywood, pancake houses, buffets, chain restaurants, and the like. Traffic is awful. Parking is awful. You can get outside of town and it is peaceful. But little kids would love it.
Asheville is a completely different scene.
Asheville is a completely different scene.
As this poster mentioned depends who the trip is for. If it’s for young kids, then Gatlinburg is probably better. If for adults only, then Asheville hands down.
Yes but Asheville has Pisgah and the Parkway runs up through Linville and Blowing Rock.
I too am a fan of the Boone/Blowing Rock area. Boone is a college town that has nearby skiing in season. By all means stay on the N.C. side much less touristy. Oh and wherever you stay research the alcohol regulations.
I totally agree. Just saying that while Gatlinburg is a touristy mess for sure it is with reason - The National Park sites and where it sits relative to many of those. Not taking away from other areas of the park/trail, but I would hate to not experience areas of the park in and around Gatlinburg simply because its touristy
We went with Asheville, found a great cabin with stunning views in Magey Valley
Similar threads
Latest posts
-
-
-
Basketball FSU hoops lands transfers Justin Thomas, Bostyon Holt
- Latest: Captainbeans
-
-