That's my point...these folks that go up there and spend all their time in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge instead of going into the park simply don't like nature. And if that's the case, what's the point of even going up there to begin with. The only redeeming quality about those towns is their proximity to a fantastic National Park.

It’s the views of the drive, scenery and people watching.

We are going up Friday. My boys favorite vacation. Hiking/fishing/swimming in the park, Dollywood, SMKW, and going in the over-priced weirdo filled tourist trap souvenir shops to spend their money on junk.

I could definitely spend every minute of my time is GSMNP. I have hiked a bunch of the day trails in there and enjoyed every second of it. One of my bucket list hikes is to hike the 70 mile or so stretch of the Appalachian Trail through the Spine of GSMNP. I have hiked portions of the Appalachian trail in the park but I want to spend around 7 days or so to do the stretch.

Been all over the park. Climbed to the top of the Chimneys with a child on my back, one in my arms and another by the hand, twice.

I get enough nature here at home every single day...I go up there for mountain scenery and a cabin and relaxing...we go into both towns for a bit but usually have something on the agenda and not just walk the streets...I only go during winter

Gatlinburg, tourist trap!

He said... He was goin' as far as Gatlinburg
From a phone booth in the rain I called to tell her
I had a change of dreams I'm coming home
But tears filled my eyes when I found out she was gone...

Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July
And I just hit town and my throat was dry
Thought I'd stop and have myself a brew
At an old saloon on a street of mud
There at a table, dealing stud
Sat the dirty, mangy dog that named me Sue

I would rather be in gatlinburg right now iam stuck at cape san blas and the beach sux, no good food anywhere around here, it is not crowded down here but the beach overall sux, love going up in the mountains and spending the day

Glad most of yall hate gatlinburg hope more people come to that conclusion

Yep!

Then why are you at the beach? But it has to do with the Mrs.

Yep gotta keep the wife happy

This is all we go for.

and then spend the evening on the back porch.

I highly recommend hiking to the top of Mt. LeConte by Rainbow Falls or one of the other trails and then back down by the Alum Bluff trail. Alum Bluff trail is the most scenic in the park in my opinion but it is steep, steep, steep. Thus the hiking down instead of up. Now, if you are man enough....how about that for a challenge?

My son and I hiked Alum cave trail to the top of Mt. Leconte and back down in 2017. It was rough on the legs but great scenery.

I have hiked the Alum Caves Bluff trail just to the Bluff and We stopped there. I have done it two times in 1992 and 1993. It definitely looked like it got a lot steeper from the Bluff on up to Mt. LeConte. The Alum Caves Bluff trail is beautiful in the spring time when the rhododendrons and mountain laurel are blooming.

if you can go past Rainbow falls you are way more man then me, wife and i are 59 and did the rainbow falls last fall, met a couple that were 81 at the falls..This spring we did the Grotto falls from the rainbow falls trail head. We know nothing of the strip.