East Tennessee . West North Carolina

[Hards Alumni]

Anyone have any recommendations for decent restaurants or things to do in the area?  I'll be there this weekend into next week for a wedding.

Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg/Asheville and anything in between.

Thanks!

[Jockey]

Are you bringing kids?

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Chattanooga.  Cool downtown.  Outdoors stuff all over.  Without the nutiness of Gatlinburg.

[JWags85]

I can't recommend the Biltmore and its grounds enough.  I went as an early teen and was enamored.  I can't wait to go again as an adult and see it through different eyes.  Not to mention the winery/vineyard there.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Anyone have any recommendations for decent restaurants or things to do in the area?  I'll be there this weekend into next week for a wedding.

Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg/Asheville and anything in between.

Thanks!

Skip Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg and head directly to Asheville.

[1990Warrior]

I always hit Limones and Curate in Asheville.

Agree with the comment to skip Gatlinburg unless you are planning on using it as a base for hiking.  If time permits, drive through the Smokies to Cherokee NC and take the BRP into Asheville - nice drive.

[Jockey]

Skip Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg and head directly to Asheville.

Asheville is a gem. Do the Biltmore tour (as Wags recommended) and then head downtown to eat. Lots of good eats from outdoor to fancy.

If you have kids, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge is great. We always used to make fun of it, but then we got free tickets and went - I thought it was better than 6 Flags.

If no kids, avoid Pigeon Forge - it's just Wisconsin Dells on Steroids. Two best attractions in Gatlinburg are the whiskey tasting and the Roaring Forks Loop road to give you some history.

There are endless hikes to go on in the park. One of my faves is Charlies Bunion. Someone recommended going to Cherokee - this hike is on the way at the Tennessee/NC border. I think it is about 8 miles round trip - lots of ups and downs. Also a great hike at Clingmans Dome (also on route to Cherokee. Maybe 3 or 4 miles round trip. It should be perfect for spring wildflower viewing in the open areas.

If you wanna add some sports, the Cubs AA team is nearby (20 Miles). Great new stadium.

[Hards Alumni]

Are you bringing kids?

I have no kids! 

[Hards Alumni]

Chattanooga.  Cool downtown.  Outdoors stuff all over.  Without the nutiness of Gatlinburg.

Been there, love it in Chattanooga.

[Hards Alumni]

I can't recommend the Biltmore and its grounds enough.  I went as an early teen and was enamored.  I can't wait to go again as an adult and see it through different eyes.  Not to mention the winery/vineyard there.

It's for sure at the top of the list, thanks!

[Hards Alumni]

Thanks for the replies all.  PF and Gatlinburg aren't really my cup of tea either, and I wouldn't choose them... but you know, family in town and all.  Just wanted to know of a couple of places in the area to get decent food instead of the local Arby's.

[Jockey]

Thanks for the replies all.  PF and Gatlinburg aren't really my cup of tea either, and I wouldn't choose them... but you know, family in town and all.  Just wanted to know of a couple of places in the area to get decent food instead of the local Arby's.

Just get off of the main drag in Gatlinburg and there are quite a few decent places to eat.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I used to go the Asheville for work as my company had a factory & warehouse there.
I recommend visiting also.  I never made the Vanderbilt mansion tour since I was working and it closed too early for me to visit but I wanted to go.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Maybe nads and his buddies will meet you for a craft beer or 2.

[Hards Alumni]

Maybe nads and his buddies will meet you for a craft beer or 2.

And you won't even cross town, smh

[Sir Lawrence]

And you won't even cross town, smh

The lobby bar at Grand Bohemian Hotel (located across the street from the entrance to the Biltmore) is a worthy stop. 

[21Jumpstreet]

Second Chattanooga, stayed at the Moxy, dug it. I was shocked how cool it is, Lookout Mountain might be worth a trip.

Second Curate in Asheville, never had a bad meal there. Check out Funkatorium for sour beer, Green Man for a cool tasting room environment, Buxton Hall foe BBQ (I don’t like a lot of smoke), White Duck for tacos, Plant for creative vegetarian cuisine, and, yeah I know it’s a chain, but I dig Tupelo Honey. I like Biscuit Head, too.

Check out the music scene and make sure to get in a hike and drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah Forest, and Appalachian Trail. Biltmore is fine, I was a little turned off by it all, but no question it’s definitely a…large house.

[rocky_warrior]

I have no kids!

That still didn't answer the question, lol.  Maybe you have plans to kidnap a few and bring them along, creeper!

[Jockey]

I have no kids!

Then, after a good meal hit one or two of the whiskey tasting places on the main road in town. No cost (at least there was none the last time I was there) and you can sample up to 9 different flavors (mini-shots). Stopping in one place can give ya a pretty good buzz. If you go to a couple - walk back to the hotel.

[Hards Alumni]

Second Chattanooga, stayed at the Moxy, dug it. I was shocked how cool it is, Lookout Mountain might be worth a trip.

Second Curate in Asheville, never had a bad meal there. Check out Funkatorium for sour beer, Green Man for a cool tasting room environment, Buxton Hall foe BBQ (I don’t like a lot of smoke), White Duck for tacos, Plant for creative vegetarian cuisine, and, yeah I know it’s a chain, but I dig Tupelo Honey. I like Biscuit Head, too.

Check out the music scene and make sure to get in a hike and drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah Forest, and Appalachian Trail. Biltmore is fine, I was a little turned off by it all, but no question it’s definitely a…large house.

Again, I've been... plus its 2.5 hours away.  I asked for PF, Gatlinburg, and Asheville because that is where our lodging is.

The rest is exactly what I'm looking for, thanks!

[Hards Alumni]

That still didn't answer the question, lol.  Maybe you have plans to kidnap a few and bring them along, creeper!

Well, I can state that there are no plans to do that.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Again, I've been... plus its 2.5 hours away.  I asked for PF, Gatlinburg, and Asheville because that is where our lodging is.

The rest is exactly what I'm looking for, thanks!

For Asheville, Curate was highly recommended to us but happened to be closed the weekend we were there.

We did a walking restaurant/brewery tour that made several stops at downtown restaurants, each of which included a small plate sample of a signature dish and a beverage.  Highly recommend as a good way to sample multiple places and get a local’s perspective of the city.

We did the brunch tour.

https://ashevillefoodtours.com/

[21Jumpstreet]

Again, I've been... plus its 2.5 hours away.  I asked for PF, Gatlinburg, and Asheville because that is where our lodging is.

The rest is exactly what I'm looking for, thanks!

Well, I guess pay attention to the good stuff!! Enjoy!

[warriorchick]

nm

[Hards Alumni]

nm

I know you were going to ask, so yes, it's my cousin's wedding.  And despite it taking place in East Tennessee, no I will not be invoking prima notcta.