Roaming to Roamstead

Upon uttering the words 'Great Smoky Mountains', each person's mind instinctively conjures specific imagery. The Great Outdoors. Gatlinburg/The Strip. Dollywood. Pigeon Forge. Great food. Confederate flags. Traffic. The thing is – all these are true, but none of them even really start to capture the essence of the region.

Honestly, I’ve always struggled with my perception of the Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge area. I think the scenery is breathtaking. The panoramic mountain views, the roaring streams and rivers, the ubiquitous fog rising – these things alone are worth going for! Then come the parts I find challenging. I often joke “I can’t tell if they are building something or tearing it down”. While the area is a constant magnet for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts, it sometimes feels like once something is built, there is no further investment or upkeep done. Regardless of the challenges, I find joy in focusing on the aspects that my family enjoys, compelling us to return repeatedly.

I’ll start with our most recent stay. Many of you may know we recently bought a motorhome and are enjoying taking it on longer and longer trips. (If you don’t have an RV . . . don’t stop reading – because the venue has something for everybody!). Our homebase for our last trip was Roamstead (www.roamstead.com). Situated in Cosby, Tennessee, approximately 15 miles from downtown Gatlinburg, Roamstead is not just beautiful; it also offers a variety of lodging choices. While we were looking for an RV site, Roamstead also offers tent sites, luxury yurts, cabins, a lodge, and an Airstream for those who want to experience RV life without purchasing a unit. The Lodge houses a café/coffee shop that serves food options, coffee and mixed drinks. A community area has a large fire pit, corn hole boards, and an outdoor “theatre” that shows movies nightly. The staff is amazingly friendly and will do whatever they can to accommodate your requests. PIONEER TIP: If you are taking your RV/camper – request spot 43D. It’s a more private spot and the view is breathtaking!

When ready to explore, be prepared for an array of options. For those inclined towards nature, the Chimneys is an exciting option. Wear water shoes and hike up the streambed. The rocks are slippery, and trust me I’ve given a few folks a good laugh face planting in the water, but it’s a fun thing to do with kids.

After you’re dried off and want to see some spectacular views, head over to Anakeesta.  (Anakeesta Mountaintop Adventure Park in Gatlinburg Tennessee).  Not a cheap option but overall it’s a decent value. Once you have your tickets purchased (several discounts available) – you can head to the top of the mountain via two options – the low speed ski lift or the Ridgetop Rambler – an open air bus that takes a scenic trail up to the top. Atop the mountain you can go even higher by trekking up Anavista Tower. You can get a thrill in by riding two Mountain Coasters, meandering through the TreeTop Skywalk, or relaxing and listening to live music (my personal favorite). If you really want to up your adrenaline game, head over to the Dueling Zip lines – but it’s not for the faint of heart!

Both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer a variety of retail therapies – but in different formats. Downtown Gatlinburg has a traditional downtown, affectionally referred to as “The Strip”.  Pigeon Forge has more “big box” stores (including an Outlet Mall) that typically require driving to each one. Both have their unique pros, but I personally like just strolling through downtown Gatlinburg better. If you do take on The Strip, definitely plan on stopping by The Village.  It’s a unique collection of smaller and more traditional shops that include a Homemade Candy Kitchen, a donut shop – The Donut Friar, The Spice and Tea Exchange and the Bonediggety Barkery.

But . . . the one thing you absolutely must do at least once is go visit Dollywood www.dollywood.com!  The Queen . . . the one, the only . . . the Proud Pioneer’s all-time favorite musician, philanthropist and purveyor of all things good . . . has created a one-of-a-kind magical retreat. Dollywood's award-winning festivals and events span the entire year—celebrating each wonderful and unique season with incredible decor, delicious food, showstopping entertainment and more! View all the festivals and events here.  The theme park offers dozens of rides for every thrill level. Daredevils will love Wildwood Eagle and the Tennessee Tornado while those looking for a more relaxed ride may enjoy the Rockin Roadway and FireChaser Express. Food options are limitless. If you’re traveling with children of various ages (some of whom may not be eligible or want to ride) bigger rides – learn about the Parent Swap program that allows everybody in the family to get in on the experience!

This barely scratches the surface of things to do in the Smoky Mountains area, but check out these websites for more ideas.

www.gatlinburg.com

www.mypigeonforge.com