EPICSDUDE

Jim,

I think you will enjoy the Smokie Mountains tremendously!

Things to do while visiting the Townsend/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area.

Townsend: Cade’s Cove. This is a motorized self guided tour through the Cade’s Cove valley, with lots of rustic cabins, churches, cemeteries, grist mills. Go early in the morning if you want to ride your bikes. It is about 12 miles for the entire loop. Go early or late in the evenings if you want to see lots of wildlife(mostly deer and sometimes black bear).
Cade’s Cove also has horse back rides through the park as well.


Pigeon Forge:

Dollywood: Even if you don’t have kids, the shows and crafts are great.

Applebarn: This is a wonderful place to visit for breakfast for some great homemade fried apple pies with homemade ice cream on top. They make everything they sell here, candy, fried apple pies, winery, ice cream parlor. This is located on the line between Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.

Numerous outlet malls for shopping.

Gatlinburg:
Downtown Gatlinburg is a great experience. Just walking the sidewalks and window shopping and just people watching.

Roaring Fork Motor trail. This is a motorized trail through the mountains above Gatlinburg. This is as pretty as anywhere in the National Park, and it is located within a mile of downtown.

The National Park: You could spend several days just riding in the park, not to mention the numerous nature trails to view waterfalls.

Clingman’s Dome: If you are up to some strenuous walking, Check out the Clingman's Dome. You can drive almost all the way to the top, then you can walk the rest of the way to the observation tower, about ½ mile.

I hope this helps. Hope this does not sound like a Chamber of Commerce brochure! This is just some of our favorite things to do!!!!!

Rocky