Travel: Sevierville, Tennessee

Our home for a little over a week this summer was this adorable and well appointed three level cabin named Paradise View. Of the three other cabins we have rented in the past, this easily boasted the best views and most entertainment. A hot tub, jacuzzi bath tub, ping pong table, pool table and air hockey table, along with a fireplace, several TVs and wifi came in the cabin for around $185/night for the season we chose. It easily could sleep 8 and is great for splitting with other families. 

I would happily use this exact cabin again if we ever stay in Sevierville in the future.

This was the view each morning, noon and night and the various weather and times of day made for a mercurial illustration of the Smoky Mountain folds. 

Sevierville was a short 5 minute drive into Pigeon Forge, where we shopped at Kroger for groceries and ate a couple of times. We had dinner at the Applewood Farmhouse the first night. The homey decor, complimentary apple punch and apple fritters were pleasant but the food overall was run of the mill. I would not necessarily go back.

The second day brought a trip to Cade's Cove, which I discussed in a previous post. It was well worth the visit. Beautiful countryside.

We did go into Gatlinburg early the third morning and ate a big breakfast at Crockett's Breakfast Camp. My brother-in-law had the Black Bear Camp Skillet, which I totally had envy eyes over. The rest of us ate biscuits and gravy and pancakes and what not. The pancakes were cornmeal based, so very different and very huge. We all enjoyed it and would go back. Here is my sister and brother-in-law hamming it up after indulging in the gut busting good breakfast. 

We strolled about Gatlinburg and shopped, browsed and picked up a few things. My sister and I liked the Village area. 

Later in the trip we hiked it out a little way to tour the Tuckaleechee Caverns. A very casual and fun cave experience. We were actually allowed to touch the formations (which you normally aren't but I think this is a privately owned cave system) and were treated to a serenade and a lights-out, total darkness experience. 

The only thing that sometimes sucks about vacations is that I pretty much take the photos and it is very hard to find anyone who can use my old school camera. But this was the only whole group shot we got all trip, so dang it, I am posting it. 

Of all the dining experiences we had in this area of Tennessee, the Dancing Bear, by far, holds the honor of being the most incredible epicurean experience. 

Fine dining but we were all dressed casually. The menu is printed everyday and features produce grown at the foot of the mountain and trout caught in mountain rivers in Sevierville. We shared a domestic cheese board and an Appalachian Lunchable. 

"Appalachian Lunchable Deviled Eggs, Pickled Shrimp, Benne Seed Bacon, Smoked Gouda Poblano Spread, Wheat Crackers, Herb Biscuits, Country Ham, Berry Pineapple Compote, Pickled Vegetables"

I had the Cast Iron Beef Tenderloin and it was mouth melting tender. We even did dessert, the chocolate whiskey ice cream. Yes. Highly, highly recommend eating here. 

A fun, but more traditional approach to food was the Pottery House Cafe in Pigeon Forge in the Old Mill area of town. Great food and a nice shopping area. Darby and I did end up picking up a pottery piece or two next door.

The Smoky Mountain Cat House is located directly behind the Pottery House Cafe and the girls and I made a bee-line for it right after we ate. In fact, we ended up going there twice during our trip. I wasn't sure what to expect but it ended up being a fun store that sold all sorts of cat memorabilia and paraphernalia. There were about 3 or 4 cats lazing about in windows or on the counter top. I purchased Toddles some mouse toys and even picked up a knick knack for Deb there. 

We did go white water rafting down the Little Pigeon using River Rat as our service. They had a rafting/tubing combo where you got a one year pass to go tubing as much as you wanted. It was worth it, as we ended up going tubing twice. Our guide was fantastic and the experience will be cherished for a long time.

We let the girls each pick out an activity during the planning phase, Savanna wanted to go gem mining and Scarlette desired horseback riding. The gem mine was a fluke find as it was the least commercial and most whimsical of our random stops. 

Gnorbert the Gnome had the cutest gem mine I had ever seen, wild chickens, fairies in the trees and gnomes peeking out everywhere greeted us. 

Another fun excursion was hiking up to Clingman's Dome, one of the highest points in the Smoky Mountain range. The view from the top was breathtaking.

The Clingman's Dome hike was very steep and though only a 1/2 mile we all had to stop to take breaks and slurp up any extra oxygen we could find. It was also bracingly chilly, about 58 degrees. The Appalachian Trail intersects the Clingman's Dome trail and I got a kick out of that. 

At one point there was this field of red flowers and tiny flocks of hummingbirds were all a buzz over the flowers and chirping sweetly. The girls, my sister and I were mesmerized to see so many and it was a first seeing a hummingbird in real life for them. 

I chose the Smoky Mountain Riding Stables both because the trails were actually in the Smoky Mountain National Park, crossing streams and climbing mountains and the price was great, only $25 for a 45 minute ride. Each girl got their own horse and we had our own private guide to lead us. We saw a fawn and some turkeys while riding and many beautiful butterflies and views. 

We had a nice trip. The area was beautiful and there were many activities and places to eat. 

We would go back in the future. Do you have any Tennessee or Smoky Mountain recommendations?