Gatlinburg Cabins in Gatlinburg TN

When planning a vacation to Gatlinburg there are several things to consider. The biggest being the reservation of one of the many Gatlinburg cabins planted throughout the quaint city. There are literally thousands of cabins ranging in size, amenities, price and location.

The first thing to consider is the location of the cabins you are interested in booking. Gatlinburg offers numerous locations including cabins on the Little Pigeon River, cabins with great views, cabins withing walking distance of downtown, and cabins near certain attractions. The two most popular locations seem to be cabins with a great mountain view or cabins on the river. Both offer unique settings that make for picturesque moments.

Prices seem to vary greatly. The most important thing to consider about pricing is that the price reflects the amenities. Basically, the price is reasonable in comparison to the amenities offered. Don't be afraid to ask questions regarding the amenities. For instance, ask questions about the bed size, TV's, game tables, hot tubs, etc. Typically, you get what you pay for with cabins in Gatlinburg.

One thing to consider when vacationing in Gatlinburg TN is your group size. With my experience, vacation are more fun when you spend them in a large group. There are several large group cabins in Gatlinburg that can sleep close to 50 people. Just something to think about if you have a large group.

One of the most asked questions regarding amenities is about hot tubs. However, more and more, people are asking about cabins that have private pools.This is a plus because you can put a little more money into the cabin and have a very popular attraction located at the cabin.

Searching through the many Gatlinburg cabins can be a very difficult process. Just stay focused and keep in mind that the end result is worth the process.

Please consider paying for travel insurance when renting a cabin. This cheap insurance can help remove a lot of stress during hectic times in the United States. Typically for a minimal charge, travel insurance covers several things like a death in the family, identity theft, weather conditions, and loss of job. Insurance covering these unfortunate problems is a great benefit.

Travel Insurance is especially important during the winter months. Typically, Gatlinburg TN goes through a few rough winter spells each year. It is hard for city officials to get to all the curvy mountain roads in Gatlinburg. It is absolutely possible to miss a vacation because of some icy roads. Travel insurance can help transfer some risk!

The latest outbreak of the Swine Flu should make travel insurance appealing to more customers. I am not going to quote specifics about travel insurance because I do not know specifics. However, these type things might be covered under travel insurance.

After doing some research I highly recommend reserving from a company that offers travel insurance. For the most part, they will sell from a third party vendor. If your vacation rental company does not sell travel insurance you can still buy from an insurance company.

Like most southern cities, Gatlinburg Tennessee has beautiful weather for most of the year. There are a few weeks throughout the year that can be uncomfortable, but these moments are few and far between. All seasons in Gatlinburg have unique qualities. For instance, a lot of travelers love the spring time because of the beautiful blue sky and the dark green leaves on the trees. Regardless of any uniqueness offered by a particular season, the best time to visit Gatlinburg is during the fall. Fall foliage in Gatlinburg is incredible and everyone needs to experience it at least once. With that said, July is the busiest month because of summer vacation.

For the most part, September starts the fall season in Gatlinburg TN. Although it is different every year, fall typically runs through the end of November. The first few weeks of fall is still shorts weather, but in early October long pants and shirts are a must. Fall foliage peaks during the middle of October.

During the winter months it is highly recommended for travelers to drive a vehicle with 4-wheel drive or tire chains. The higher elevation will ice over a few times a year and without a durable vehicle guests will not be able to reach their cabin. Most companies will not refund because of weather conditions. Once again, another good reason to purchase travel insurance.

Here is an on going list of myths about Gatlinburg TN.

1. Myth #1 - All cabins, hotels, and accommodations were created equal.
Fact - Not even close to being accurate. Gatlinburg is rapidly turning into a widely known and publicized destination spot. Every cabin owner understands that if their cabin has better amenities it will rent more and for a higher price. It is very normal to see cabin with full movie theaters, elaborate game rooms, unbelievable views, and indoor pools.

2. Myth #2 - It snows in Gatlinburg like it does in Colorado.
Fact - As much as I want this to be true, it is not. It does snow a few times a year, but it only amounts to a few inches.

3. Myth #3 - There is no ski resort in Gatlinburg TN.
Fact - There is a ski resort in Gatlinburg TN. It is called Ober Gatlinburg. It offers a few slopes and is open four roughly four months a year. Perfect for beginners or for large family groups.

4. Myth # 4 - You have to travel curvy roads to get a mountain view.
Fact - There is some truth to this statement. You will get the best views the higher up the mountain you go, but you can absolutely get great views without traveling very curvy roads. Make this request and the reservation specialist should help accommodate your needs.

5. Myth # 5 - You can rent from a company without paying fees.
Fact - Sorry...not true! Well, not completely true. For the most part, you are probably going to pay the same from most companies. Prices cannot vary too much or one of the businesses would not be able to stay in business. Although cabin prices will vary, fee prices will be about the same.

6. Myth # 6 - The trolley system is useful.
Fact - Come on...ride the trolley. If at all possible, help the city cut down on congestion by riding the trolley. The trolley's routes include several popular attractions and are fairly cheap.

7. Myth # 7 - Gatlinburg has America's largest Aerial Tramway.
Fact - I don't know. I am not sure how I would verify, but seriously, why would they claim this if it weren't true. Oh yeah, very convenient for skiing and offers great views.

There are literally hundreds of attractions in Gatlinburg TN. Your family can enjoy putt putt, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, theater shows and aquariums. The only question is...Do all these attractions deserve my money? Here is a list of attractions in Gatlinburg that are very safe bets. They are not listed in any particular order...

1. Ober Gatlinburg - Ski Resort and Ice Skating
2. Sweet Fanny Adams Theater - Very funny and family friendly.
3. All the Ripley's Attractions...especially the Ripley's Aquarium
4. The Smoky Mountain National Park - Receives roughly 11 million visitors a year.
5. Hillbilly Putt Putt
6. Gatlinburg Indoor Water Park
7. Space Needle - I believe it is worth the view...can't you tell from my first picture!
8. Ghost Walk of Gatlinburg
9. Zipline Gatlinburg
9. Off Road Voyages - Ride off road though Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains.

Whether you are at home or on a family vacation, everyone loves to go out to eat. There is something special about being served food and then leaving without having to clean up. If your family, which I am sure it does, falls into this category, then you will love Gatlinburg TN.

Gatlinburg is filled with several great restaurants. I am going to list the restaurants where I have personally paid for a meal. They are listed in no particular order.

1. Fannie Farkles - Great corn dogs.
2. The Peddler - Excellent dining.
3. Mountain Lodge - Great country cooking.
4. No Way Jose's - Good Mexican food.
5. Flapjacks Pancake Cabin
6. Best Italian Restaurant - Yes that's the name.
7. Hard Rock Cafe
8. Calhoun's
9. Legends By Max

I will continually add to the list when I find new places. I have heard good things about other restaurants. Some of them include Park Grill, Cherokee Grill and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Just like any other city in the United States of America, there are laws and ordinances you must follow. It is very easy to get caught up in the village like atmosphere of Gatlinburg and forget a few things. Some things you should be aware of are listed below.

1. It is a very popular resort town. Everyone understands this fact. Please be aware that the police are very active. This is a good thing...just pay attention to the traffic laws.

2. The downtown parkway is the most popular location in Gatlinburg. Everyone loves to visit and walk the strip. There are several crosswalks in downtown and people are always crossing. Be very aware of the numerous pedestrians. They always have the right-of-way. It is best to drive very slowly through downtown Gatlinburg.

3. If, in any way, you do not need to eat fudge stay away from the strip. Some of the best fudge is located in downtown Gatlinburg TN. : )

4. This should go without saying, but please do not feed the wild bears. It is illegal and fine are very high. Plus it is dangerous.

5. Not purchasing a fishing license can be a very costly mistake...trust me on this one.

1. If you get lost, please stop and ask for directions or call your local cabin rental company. Almost all first time guests get lost. There are hundreds of mountain roads and it is very easy to get lost.

2. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are different cities, but have the same traffic light numbers. Make sure you are in the right location. This happens to more people than you might think so do not be embarrassed.

3. Consider renting a car. Mountain roads can add a lot unneeded wear and tear on your car. Some cabins are off of gravel roads. Please keep this in mind when you take your new car to the mountains.

4. During winter months, 4-wheel drive or tire chairs is highly recommend. Nothing can ruin a vacation faster than not being able to get to your cabin rental.

4. There are a lot of curvy roads in Gatlinburg Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains. They are called mountain cabins for a reason. Ask road questions to your cabin rental company. For more information visit www.tn511.com.

5. Well Water - Please be understanding about this topic. A lot of cabins in the mountains have well water. That is the only way water can reach the cabin. Water pressure will be slower and might occasionally have a slight brown tint because of iron. With that said, the water is safe to drink. If you need high water pressure make sure you request a cabin rental on city water.

6. Cabin and Satellite TV - Some rental cabins have different packages based on the location of the cabins. Depending on the particular TV package, some local channels might no be available. Football and big game questions need to be addressed at the time of the reservation.

7. Hot Tubs - By Tennessee State law, hot tubs must be drained, cleaned, and refilled after each guests leaves the cabin. All companies should follow this procedure.

8. Bugs and Spiders - You are reserving a cabin in the mountains. Unfortunately, there are be bugs, spiders, flies, bees and lady bugs in the Smoky Mountains. Most companies use pest control services which helps cuts down on some of the bugs. However, this does not guarantee a bug free stay. If there is a large amount of bugs, please call your cabin rental company.