What are some other NC and TN neat mountain towns??????

Question

We love Gatlinburg.....are there any other mountain towns with funs things to do like Gatlinburg? Thanks

Answer 1

I was going to suggest Asheville! Biltmore House shouldn't be missed. There is a fabulous farmer's market nearby, and a gigantic flea market in Fletcher.

Hendersonville is a nice town, especially if you like antique shopping. They have a notable apple festival every fall.

Rutherford county, about 25 miles from Asheville has Chimney Rock Park and Lake Lure. Lake Lure is the site of the 2006 HGTV Dream Home, and also where much of Dirty Dancing was filmed. Rutherfordton is a nice little town, with a great children's museum, KidSenses. Forest City has one of the most beautiful downtowns of any small town. Get a hot dog at Smith's Drug.

Cherokee is all right if you want overpriced Chinese-made Indian junk or if you like to gamble. The Cherokee Nation runs a Harrah's Casino, but I believe it's all electronic gambling with no table games.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a must do if you're in the area. Take your camera!

Further north is Boone, a college town. Tweetise Railroad is the amusement park there, but I'm not sure if Tweetsie will be opening again this year or not.

There really isn't anywhere similar to Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge are in a category by themselves, almost totally tourism oriented. The other small towns are where the real folks work and live. I hope you can visit and enjoy some mountain hospitality!

Answer 2

I love Cherokee in NC, at the entrance to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Just 35 miles over the border from Gatlinburg!
And Ashville is not that much further either.
It appears all the towns (though Asheville is a much bigger city) in that area have a lot to offer.

In Cherokee, 1/3 the population is Cherokee.
Tourism the main industry.
Men dressed as Indian Chiefs in long war bonnets and buckskins charge for a photograph.
The town has many related shops, selling goods like dream catchers, tomahawks, war bonnets, and other Indian paraphernalia.

But it is educational too; there is an Indian village to tour (where you can buy authentic Cherokee items) and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.
This is the link to the town's website:
http://www.cherokee-nc.com/

And in addition to that, the stunning Smokey Mountains at your doorstep.
Though I imagine you have been since Gatlinburg is a favourite spot of yours.

Answer 3

Someone already beat me to the punch with Asheville...it'll make you forget about Gatlinburg....unless you like lots and lots of billboards, tacky tourist shops and Dollywood.

Answer 4

I really like Asheville, NC. http://www.exploreasheville.com/index.aspx Nice "vibe", mountain sports, Biltmore Estate and Winery, music scene, great vistas.