Romantic Cabins in Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry

The Great Smoky Mountains unfold in rolling peaks, which turn a hazy blue in the morning fog that gives the range its name. As Gatlinburg Cabin Designer Janice Haynes describes, “It’s the most amazing place in the Southeast. There are 42 mountains in the Appalachian Mountain chain over 6,000 feet; 40 peaks are in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.”

After a day spent in the wilderness, return to the romantic cabins located between Cosby and Gatlinburg, each one nestled on its private forested acreage with a hiking trail to the Little Pigeon River trout stream below. They each feature unique furnishings such as handcrafted beds, kitchens with stone countertops, shower baths, and charcoal grills. Enjoy the secluded forest from the wraparound porch, and unwind in both indoor and outdoor private hot tubs.

Cosby, Tennessee: Appalachian Wilderness near Lively Entertainment

Among the many Appalachian peaks rising above Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the nearly 6,000-foot Mount Cammerer stands out: it has a glassed-in fire tower at its summit, which boasts 360-degree views of surrounding hardwood forests. Starting near the town of Cosby, the Lower Mount Cammerer Trail wends up the alpine cliffs. Although challenging, the trail remains accessible year-round to well-bundled climbers and sniffles-prone mountain goats thanks to eastern Tennessee’s moderate climate. Linking to the Mount Cammerer path, the Appalachian Trail forms a gateway to thousands of miles of hiking. The area also offers multiple-whitewater rafting and zipline options. About 20 miles to the east of Cosby, the entertainment enclaves of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge feature country-music revues and live comedy shows.

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The Deal

• $20 for six months of access to an online mind-body wellness course from Deepak Chopra ($59.99 value)

The online course, known as Discovering Ayurveda, comprises over six hours of video lessons featuring Deepak Chopra, guided yoga and meditation, and a quiz to determine your dosha.

The course contents are rooted in Ayurveda, or traditional Indian health practices. Students will learn how their mind-body type affects their diet, sleep patterns, stress, and activities; then, they can find ways to improve their health and daily well-being.

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Choose from Three Options

• $36 for a custom 50”x60” fleece collage blanket ($109.99 value)
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• $49.99 for a custom 60”x80” fleece collage blanket ($149.99 value)

Users first select a collage shape for their blanket, be it a simple rectangle, a teddy bear for a series of baby pictures, or a tree for an Arbor Day enthusiast. Once photos are uploaded to the easily navigated site, the images are printed on fleece or velveteen. The personalized piece can withstand regular machine washings, and it arrives ready for any and all blanket duties.

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Mattress technology has evolved over the years, moving from cloth stuffed with goose feathers to memory foam stuffed with the softest pages of old history books. Repose on a personalized pallet with this Groupon.

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Shipping is included, and each mattress features a 20-year limited warranty. For mattresses priced less than the value of the Groupon voucher, customers may purchase multiple mattresses of the same model.

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Historic Federal-Style Building that Once Hosted US Presidents

In 1824, Rogersville resident John McKinney built McKinney’s Tavern to serve as a coach house for politicians passing through town on the route from Atlanta to Washington, DC. The tavern grew to become Hale Springs Inn, attracting several famous political figures, including Presidents Andrew Johnson, James Polk, and Andrew Jackson, who gave a speech from the inn’s balcony. The red-brick inn eventually became Tennessee’s oldest continually running inn before closing in 1998. After a $2.1 million renovation in 2009, it was restored to its 19th-century opulence—a PBS feature called the inn “refurbished, restored, and better than ever.”

Each of the inn’s elegant guest rooms is outfitted with hardwood floors and period furnishings, some of which were donated by Rogersville natives. For instance, the James Wood Rogan room features an ornate oriental rug and a 19th-century bed and dresser.

In the morning, chefs treat guests to a complimentary hot breakfast. Dishes have included french toast, quiche, and biscuits and gravy. For dinner, head to the onsite McKinney’s Restaurant & Tavern for burgers, steak, and seafood.

Rogersville, Tennessee: Historic Town Square and Picturesque Countryside

Located in Tennessee’s northeast corner, about a 70-mile drive north of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the town of Rogersville was settled in the late 1780s. Davy Crockett’s grandparents settled here around the same time, and are now buried near the site of their first home in present-day Crockett Spring Park.

Rogersville’s town square has preserved the look of its earlier incarnations, as it’s lined with 200-year-old Federal-style buildings with museums, art galleries, and restaurants inside. The Knoxville Gazette was first published here in 1791, which is celebrated at the Tennessee Newspaper & Printing Museum. Located inside an 1890s railroad depot, the museum houses a replica of the first Knoxville Gazette, a linotype machine, and the equipment from three print shops.

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The Deal

$99 for one Cisco networking package ($4,443.60 value)

• Includes the following 9 Cisco courses:
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• Provides a comprehensive introduction to computer networking and security
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• Package provides 12 months of access to downloads, templates, quizzes, and practice tests to improve IT knowledge

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Choose Between Two Options

• $9 for one personalized softcover children’s book ($24.99 value)
• $14 for one personalized hardcover children’s book ($39.99 value)

The book is personalized with a child’s name, allowing them to have a starring role in the story.

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The Deal

• $15 for admission for two adults and two children ages 5–12 to Repticon (up to $30 value)
• When: Saturday, May 30, or Sunday, May 31, at 10 a.m.
• Where: Crowne Plaza Knoxville
• General admission
• Full offer value includes ticketing fees
• Click to view the schedule
• Children 4 and younger are admitted for free

Repticon

Snakes slither in glass display cases, and lizards wriggle in the hands of trained handlers as they’re held up in full view of a curious crowd. This is the scene as one of Repticon’s presenters educates attendees on the biology, behavior, and typing speeds of exotic cold-blooded creatures at shows held in cities across the country. Its presentations may focus on anything from the genetics of large snake species to the specifics of exotic pet care. Attendees can also ooh, ahh, and squirm at a creepy-crawly menagerie of arachnids.

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Hotel at a Glance: The Inn at Natchez Trace State Park

The Inn at Natchez Trace State Park is tucked amid dense forests near the shores of Pin Oak Lake. The area offers a wealth of outdoor activities, including hiking and biking on miles of trails as well as fishing on the lake.

• Free continental breakfast offered daily Monday through Friday.
• Get some sun while lounging by the inn’s pool.
• In-room amenities: cable television, coffeemaker, and views of either the lake or pool
• Seasonal onsite restaurant: Enjoy southern-style buffet dishes and a la carte selections such as fried catfish.
• Bring your boat: There’s a ramp nearby.
• Shoot an arrow on the park’s archery range.

Wildersville, Tennessee: Rural Small Town near Historic Natchez Trace

The small town of Wildersville sits near picturesque farms and the Natchez Trace State Park, where 13.5 miles of hiking trails take you past forests, fields, and Pin Oak Lake. You’ll also find a museum covering local history, as well as cabins, picnic facilities, and a restaurant.

The park sits along an alternate stretch of the Natchez Trace, an American Indian travel and trade route. It lies across the Tennessee River from the main Natchez Trace, a 444-mile parkway that stretches across three states. Walk along some of the still remaining natural trails to see historic Native American mounds as well as some stunningly diverse landscapes, including bayous, swamps, deciduous forests, and limestone caves.

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Hotel at a Glance: Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Knoxville

If you like to complement a predominately outdoor trip with big-city attractions, consider Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains. Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Knoxville puts you within 40 miles of the national park, and is just 10 miles outside of downtown Knoxville, where you can dive into the town’s bluegrass scene, its famous biscuits, and its iconic Sunsphere. Spacious guest rooms feature free WiFi and plush beds swathed in the hotel’s signature Dream Well bedding. Mornings kick off with a free continental breakfast served in the lobby.

• Most important meal of the day: The hotel’s huge breakfast spread includes fresh muffins and pastries, yogurt, milk and cereal, biscuits and gravy, and waffles served with hot coffee and tea.
• Numerous restaurants and shops are within walking distance of the hotel.
• Visit the campus: The University of Tennessee is just 15 minutes away.
• What to do: Catch a show at the Clarence Brown Theatre, browse the produce at the farmers’ market in Market Square, or see a western lowland gorilla at the Knoxville Zoological Gardens.

Knoxville, Tennessee: College Town near the Great Smoky Mountains

The Tennessee River cuts right through the middle of Knoxville, and along its banks lies one of the cornerstones of the city: the University of Tennessee campus. The university’s football team, the Tennessee Volunteers (or “Vols”), has won six national championships since 1891. They play right on campus in Neyland Stadium, a beast of a venue that can hold more than 100,000 fans. Not to be outdone, the women’s basketball team has won eight national championships and are a perennial powerhouse. It’s largely thanks to the Lady Vols’ success that Knoxville was chosen as the site for the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

But there’s more to Knoxville than its fabled athletic programs. In 1982, it hosted the World’s Fair, which produced perhaps the city’s most recognizable landmark: the Sunsphere, a giant, shimmering golden ball on top of a tower. From World’s Fair Park downtown, you can walk to Market Square, which features boutiques, restaurants, and a seasonal farmers market. A few blocks away, the opulent Tennessee Theatre hosts musical acts, touring Broadway shows, and classic films.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is just about an hour’s drive from Knoxville. It has 800 miles of hiking trails leading to waterfalls and scenic overlooks; keep your eyes peeled for black bears. One of the best ways to explore the park is on a scenic drive along Newfound Gap Road. The road climbs 3,000 feet through cove hardwood, pine-oak, and northern hardwood forests to Newfound Gap, where it connects with a 7-mile road to Clingman’s Dome.

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Hotel at a Glance: Island Drive Lodge

Island Drive Lodge lies in Pigeon Forge, a resort town at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains. Nearby attractions include Dollywood, the Titanic Museum Attraction, and all the shops and restaurants of The Island entertainment complex.

• Complimentary continental breakfast served each morning
• Comfortable, spacious rooms feature mini refrigerators, coffeemakers, and microwaves. Each king suite has a fireplace and a two-person hot tub.
• Dollywood is 5 miles from the hotel; numerous shops and restaurants are within walking distance.
• Across the street: The Island, an outdoor entertainment, shopping, and dining center with a 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: Family-Friendly Attractions and Outdoor Activities in the Great Smoky Mountains

Though it’s secluded in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge is home to some quirky destinations, including Dollywood, a Titanic museum that looks just like the famed ocean liner from the outside, and an interactive children’s museum housed in an upside-down three-story building.

In Pigeon Forge’s historical town center, a cluster of old-fashioned specialty shops and restaurants forms the Old Mill Square along the Little Pigeon River. Inside the mill, a pair of 4,600-pound granite stones has been grinding grain since the early 1800s. Another nearby attraction is Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, located a few miles down the road in Gatlinburg. Here, exotic stingrays and four-eyed anableps swim with other sea creatures beneath a backlit waterfall. At the shark lagoon, you can stand inside an enclosed glass tunnel to get an up-close view of green eels, sand tiger sharks, and sea turtles.

But the top draw is, of course, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located roughly 10 miles south of Pigeon Forge. You can hike along more than 800 miles of trails that lead past waterfalls and pioneer-era log cabins tucked deep within the densely forested mountains. Or take a bicycle ride on the 11-mile loop through Cades Cove, a broad valley known for its ample wildlife-viewing opportunities; deer, black bears, wild turkeys, and vacationing college mascots are all known to frequent the open meadows. One of the best places to catch a glowing sunset is Clingmans Dome, the park’s highest point of elevation at 6,600 feet.

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Hotel at a Glance: La Quinta Inn & Suites Knoxville Airport

The newly remodeled La Quinta Inn & Suites Knoxville Airport is located a stone’s throw from McGhee Tyson Airport in Alcoa, Tennessee. The city of Knoxville and the University of Tennessee are just 11 miles up the road.

• Free shuttle service to the airport or any other destination within 3 miles of the hotel
• In-room amenities: Pillowtop mattresses and complimentary high-speed WiFi
• Start the day right with a complimentary breakfast of waffles, pastries, fruit, yogurt, coffee, and more.
• Take a dip in the indoor pool.
• Break a sweat in the onsite fitness center.
• Distance to Great Smoky Mountains: The national park entrance is only about a half-hour away.

Knoxville, Tennessee: College Town near the Great Smoky Mountains

A gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee, Knoxville may be best known as the home of the University of Tennessee’s flagship campus—and with it, the Tennessee Volunteers sports teams. Neyland Stadium—a beast that can hold up to 100,000 fans—is home base for the school’s storied football program, which has won six national championships over the course of its history. The women’s basketball team, for its part, has won eight national championships over the years. It’s largely thanks to the Lady Vols’ success that Knoxville was chosen as the site of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

But there’s more to Knoxville than college sports. The city’s most recognizable landmark is probably the giant, shimmering golden ball known as the Sunsphere, which was built for the 1982 World’s Fair. A cultural touchstone is the opulent Tennessee Theatre, where you can see visiting musical acts, touring Broadway shows, and screenings of classic films. Head to downtown’s Market Square for some of the city’s best dining and shopping opportunities.

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Property at a Glance: River Place Condos

These spacious condos overlook the Little Pigeon River in the heart of Pigeon Forge. Many one-, two-, and three-bedroom units have private balconies with views of the water or the Great Smoky Mountains.

• Luxurious amenities include full kitchens, gas fireplaces, and hot tubs.
• Stay connected with high-speed WiFi, complimentary local newspapers, and flat-screen TVs with HBO.
• Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the riverside picnic area.
• Distance from the Smokies: about 10 miles

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: Family-Friendly Attractions and Outdoor Activities in the Great Smoky Mountains

Though it’s secluded in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge is home to some quirky destinations, including Dollywood, a Titanic museum that looks just like the famed ocean liner from the outside, and an interactive children’s museum housed in an upside-down three-story building.

In Pigeon Forge’s historical town center, a cluster of old-fashioned specialty shops and restaurants forms the Old Mill Square along the Little Pigeon River. Inside the mill, a pair of 4,600-pound granite stones has been grinding grain since the early 1800s. Another nearby attraction is Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, located a few miles down the road in Gatlinburg. Here, exotic stingrays and four-eyed anableps swim with other sea creatures beneath a backlit waterfall. At the shark lagoon, you can stand inside an enclosed glass tunnel to get an up-close view of green eels, sand tiger sharks, and sea turtles.

But the top draw is, of course, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located roughly 10 miles south of Pigeon Forge. You can hike along more than 800 miles of trails that lead past waterfalls and pioneer-era log cabins tucked deep within the densely forested mountains. Or take a bicycle ride on the 11-mile loop through Cades Cove, a broad valley known for its ample wildlife-viewing opportunities; deer, black bears, wild turkeys, and vacationing college mascots are all known to frequent the open meadows. One of the best places to catch a glowing sunset is Clingmans Dome, the park’s highest point of elevation at 6,600 feet.

Love to travel? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for travel tips, inspiration, and photos from around the world.

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