GATLINBURG TRIP

It’s nearing the end of 2020, and I think we could all use a little weekend getaway. Traveling is a little more difficult these days in the midst of a pandemic and having a new baby, so a short trip to the mountains was perfect for our family! We love the mountains and we were so excited to take Judah for the first time. Gatlinburg is just about an hour and a half away from home for us, so we packed up and headed out for a weekend away before all the festivities of the holiday season begin.

We chose to stay in town rather than in a cabin for our weekend so we would be close to all that Gatlinburg has to offer. The Appy Lodge is conveniently located to the Gatlinburg strip but still has that cozy mountain feel you get with a cabin in the woods. We enjoyed all the amenities including the indoor pool and hot tub, outdoor fire pits, and hot apple cider!

Once we were settled into our room at The Appy Lodge, we headed out to a late lunch at Tom & Earl’s Back Alley Grill. We enjoyed lunch on their patio while listening to live music. After lunch, we headed to Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum where there was a ton of fun, interactive exhibits to enjoy.

Gatlinburg is beautiful this time of year. The Winterfest lights against the backdrop of the fall leaves are the best! Walking around downtown, enjoying the lights was so much fun and Judah kept staring at them! We ended our evening with dinner at The Park Grill, a Gatlinburg classic, with wonderful food and an atmosphere that makes you appreciate the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

On Saturday morning, we enjoyed a continental breakfast at The Appy Lodge before heading out for the day’s adventures. Gatlinburg is home to one location of Nantahala Outdoor Center. At NOC, you can find outdoor gear, hiking and trail information, local goods, and knowledgeable staff who can help you plan your time in the Smokies whether you are a veteran hiker or a beginner. We were looking for a fun, easy adventure for Judah’s first hike, and the friendly NOC staff suggested we take the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail to the trailhead to Grotto Falls.

The day was filled with wonderful food and new favorite spots for family meals and for a special date night. Lunch at Bones BBQ won us over with their delicious BBQ, but even more with their friendly staff and great service. After lunch, we made our beautiful drive through the motor trail that has several options to stop and hike along the way, including trailheads to Mt. LeConte, a popular hiking adventure to the third-highest peak in the Smokies. The hike to Grotto Falls was perfect with a four-month-old in tow and would be great for a beginner or just a quick hike to a pretty waterfall! For dinner, we ventured away from the hustle and bustle of the Gatlinburg strip and enjoyed a nice date night at The Greenbrier, where we will definitely be back to celebrate special occasions or a date night away when Judah is with his grandparents!

If you’ve ever spent a weekend in the Smokies, you know that a good pancake breakfast is a must! We started our Sunday morning bright and early with breakfast at Crockett’s Breakfast Camp. If you want a cinnamon roll as big as your face, it’s the place to be!! Sunday’s adventure would take us from the depths of the sea to the mountain tops. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is another attraction that all three of us enjoyed. All three of us enjoyed the ocean life we got to see at the aquarium… the penguins were Judah’s favorite! Later in the afternoon, we took a trip up the mountain to Anakeesta. Getting there was the best part with a chondola ride up the mountain (there are enclosed cars as well as a four-wheel-drive vehicle to get up the mountain if you’ve got baby gear in tow like us!). There is so much to do on top of the mountain, including shopping, restaurants, a beer trailer, zip-lining, and bridges to walk among the treetops. We ate at Clifftops, a fun bar and grill near the center of Anakeesta. Our favorite part was climbing the tower for 360° views of the beautiful Smoky Mountains.

Once we were back down the mountain, we ended our weekend by enjoying the Winterfest lights and having a treat from The Donut Friar (located in our favorite part of downtown - The Village). We spent the rest of our Sunday night cozied up by the fire at The Appy Lodge with hot apple cider in hand. It was a wonderful weekend getaway and we can’t wait to visit Gatlinburg again!