forget about Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Pidgeon Forge...unless you are retirees trying to entertain grandchildren. If you don't enjoy mini golf and outlet malls, go elsewhere! I warn you! You will get NO sense of the rich local culture and natural beauty, unless you consider waddling tourists wearing caps with fake poop on the brim and licking ice cream cones to be the epitome of living.
Instead, I urge you to look into Boone, NC or better yet, Banner Elk, NC. A little bit of town, but in easy distance of some excellent hiking and other stuff. NICE restaurants and friendly locals. There are some nice B&B's in the area, probably some cabins, too.
Just a suggestion, but that's what I tell all you "out-of-towners" to do, unless I hate you. If I hate you, I tell you that Gatlinburg is da bomb and to make sure you check out the IMAX at Ripleys Believe It or Not.
