weather for Thangsgiving Week

We have started the count ddown. We will be in the mmountains on the 19th of this month. I have looked at Accuweather%26#39;s 15 day forcast and weather channel%26#39;s 10 day forecast. The weather looks gorgeous thru the 18th. Do any of you that live in that area have any ideas on what the weather will do?

weather for Thangsgiving Week

This had been a strange year. We had warmer than normal for several weeks early in the fall and then it went below normal for about 10 day. We seem to be pretty close to normal temps now. You can expect cool, crisp days, and cold nights.

Our normal daytime temps around Thanksgiving hover around 60 degrees, and nighttime temps in the 30%26#39;s.

B&B questions

Are there any B%26amp;B%26#39;s that allow children, or do all B%26amp;B%26#39;s consider pets and children in the same category?

B%26amp;B questions

Most B%26amp;B%26#39;s take children age 12 and above. There are some B%26amp;B%26#39;s that accept younger children, but I don%26#39;t know of any that accept pets. Here are some that take younger children:

Blue Mountain Mist

Calico Inn

Mountain Harbour (stay for free!!)

Von Bryan

Whisperwood Farm

There are several web sites that specilize in Bed and Breakfasts and the Smoky Mountain Bed and Breakfast Association has 27 member B%26amp;B%26#39;s and Inns. I am prohibited by the rules of this forum to give you a specific website (unless you ask for website addresses)

The reason most B%26amp;B%26#39;s do not allow young children is that alot of couple are trying to get a little romantic personal time.

There are too many potential problems with allowing pets that will negativly impact the other guests. There are a couple of good kennels in the area that would be glad to care for your pets while you are enjoying your stay in Gatlinburg.

B%26amp;B questions

No pets is understandable.

But no children under 12 is a form of discrimination. The fact that pets and children were listed in the same way is sad.

It is not a matter of discrimination, it is just the preference of the large majority of our guests.

Many of our guests, both couples and single parents have left there children with the grandparents so that they can relax and and have quiet (adult) time. It would not be fair to them to have kids running around just being kids. Even good kids can be very disruptive and noisy.

Many children are well behaved and cause no problems, but it only takes one ';wild child'; to spoil someones whole visit. We do everything we can to ensure that ALL of our guests enjoy thier stay with us!

I am sure that many of you have been in a restaurant with one of these ';wild children'; sitting next to you. At least in a restaunt you only have to put up with it for a short time. In a B%26amp;B it could be several days!!

The other issue is that most of the B%26amp;B%26#39;s do not have swimming pools and other amusements to keep the younger children busy.

We have never lumped children and pets into the same category. I don%26#39;t know what gave that impression, but I can see how a poor choice of wording could make you think that.

It is probably redundant but the rules of this forum require that I tell you that we do own and run the Laurel Springs Lodge B%26amp;B.

And there are B%26amp;B%26#39;s that are more family oriented instead of adult oriented. I am one of those potential guests who want a B%26amp;B for adult time. I consider B%26amp;B%26#39;s more intimate and personal which goes hand in hand with the kind of adult time I want to have with my husband.

I totally agree with you guys. When I go to Gatlinburg regardless of whether it is with a male or a female friend the last thing that I want to hear is a ';wild child'; as you call it causing all kinds of havoc or an animal making all kinds of noise. I was in a restaurant with a friend that I had not seen in awhile and a child about 2 was throwing a fit to the point of throwing a spoon at his mom. After about 45 minutes and not getting to finish her dinner she got up and left. It was very disturbing and I think it put a damper on everyone%26#39;s meal. No one is trying to discriminate against children or animals its just as the last post said some people had just rather have peace and quite with their spouse or friends and not have to worry about having children or pets around. As for me I am all for bed and breakfasts that cater only to adults.

ink cartridge

Advice needed please

Hi everyone,

My boyfriend and I will be staying at the La Quinta Inn Primacy Parkway for 2 nights in January. We only have one full day in Memphis to visit Graceland and the Civil Rights Museum, and hopefully to have a look around Beale Street (although we do have another night to visit Beale St as well).

If possible, could someone provide advice regarding the best way to visit these attractions i.e. what would be the best way of getting between the hotel and these attractions (we won%26#39;t have a car), should we take a tour to visit Graceland, etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Advice needed please

Another quick question - what would be the best way of getting from the airport to the hotel? Does anyone know what the approximate cost of a taxi would be? Thanks again.

Advice needed please

Just do a tour of Graceland I guess that%26#39;s the best way, if you haven%26#39;t been there before it%26#39;s not that big of a deal in my opinion. Some think it%26#39;s a disappointment and sort of tacky, but I guess it%26#39;s a bit of history. Personally I thought it was a waste of time and effort given the hassle factor ! No car?? then you%26#39;re going to be introuble in Memphis because the cab system is pretty awful, you also can%26#39;t %26#39;hail%26#39; a cab in Memphis ! My experience is that they are SLOW as heck to get to you. From Primacy Parkway which is right off Ridgeway and Poplar area I would count on about 30 bucks or so now !

Cvil Rights museum is a fairly decent attraction and done okay, not terrific, but adequate. Memphis is obviously mentioned and highlighted a bit but in the overall context of a pretty bad time in our history. I guess you are from Australia and not from the US. I don%26#39;t know how much US history that you were taught in Australian school, but Memphis was pretty bad about race relations (Black/White), and frankly I don%26#39;t think it%26#39;s evolved as much as other US southern (or northern/western, etc) cities . It%26#39;s primitive compared to NYC or even Atlanta. My opinion. I hope you have a good and safe adventure in Memphis. Be careful, Memphis is one of the most dangerous cities in the US too.

I don%26#39;t believe Graceland is a waste of time, especially if you like Elvis.

I love Graceland.

Anyway, the taxi system in Memphis is a bit bad. You have to call and have them come pick you up and it might take some time to wait. There is a taxi stand at Graceland so getting to your hotel probably wouldn%26#39;t be too bad. Also, at your hotel you could call and have one come get you. I beleive it is $21 from the airport to downtown on a taxi. Graceland is near the airport. I could see it costing about the $30 range, and with the Australian dollar not being great, that might be more than you want to pay.

try looking on the web for Blues City Tours. they might be able to help you.

The civil rights museum is a good site. I went there recently and spent around two hours there. Beale street is more of a night thing so that shouldn%26#39;t be an issue.

as far as your hotel is concerned have you considered staying in downtown? you will be there in the middle of all the sites excluding Graceland. You can ride the trolley to the civil rights museum and beale street. if you are planning on taking taxis to graceland and downtown from your hotel, you would save a bit of money by spending more on a hotel in downtown but then being able to walk to things in downtown or take the trolley. plus, you can get a free shuttle at sun studio to graceland. have a look at sunstudio%26#39;s web site, probably sunstudio.com.

Thanks for your responses. Since finding out how much taxis will be, we are planning to change our hotel booking. We only booked at the La Quinta because it was quite cheap and included breakfast, but I think it will now be more economical to stay downtown. Just hope there won%26#39;t be a cancellation fee for the other one. Now looking at the Comfort Inn Downtown, which seems to be in a decent location.

Thanks again for your advice! It has been really helpful, and is greatly appreciated.

networking

McKay Motel

Stayed here many years ago at the McKay motel. What has happened to it? It was perfect location for us. Any suggestion on where to stay close to this location for an older couple with easy walk to downtown..

thanks,

Mike

McKay Motel

McKays%26#39;s was torn down a while back. There was rumor that they were going to build something in its place but I don%26#39;t think they ever did. As for as I know it%26#39;s just a vacant lot. Midtown Lodge is just about in that general area. It%26#39;s pretty nice and it would be close for you. The Clarion is a new hotel its on the far end of town just before you head into the park. It%26#39;s kind of expensive but it%26#39;s close. On River Road there are several hotels within walking distance of the parkway. When are you planning on going?

McKay Motel

they are building some type of shopping center on the location, maybe a new motel also. The artist%26#39;s rendering they have on the site shows the McKay%26#39;s sign as part of the new.

We will be going the first week after thanksgiving..love the christmas lights.

Hampton Inn is a smaller hotel and is close to that location. As someone else mentioned, the Clarion is closer to the park entrance and is a bit more expensive than some, but my husband and I stay there with my parents who are in their mid 70%26#39;s and our granddaughter who is 7 every time we are in Gatlinburg. It is convenient for everyone since it is close to many good restaurants, the convention center and is very clean. They offer a large free breakfast buffet each morning also. This helps make the cost more reasonable.

I read in the Mountain Press several weeks ago that Lineberger%26#39;s had bought the hotel and tore it down. They are going to enlarge their eating facility and and build an underground parking facility and some shops.

Question about cabin rental business

Now I have a question about the cabin rental business. Do most of you advertise on a website or through a real estate business or what? also who books these cabins? you the individul owners or someone else? How does this work?

Question about cabin rental business

The method varies from cabin owner to cabin owner. I%26#39;m a new owner (since June) so my cabin is presently managed by a cabin rental company. It is on a website and is rented mostly by people who do searches on the internet and book on-line. The company- Cabins USA- also does it%26#39;s own marketing and sends out brochures through the chamber of commerce and places brochures in the hundreds of brochure stands throughout the area. Cabins USA also has a rental office on the parkway in Pigeon Forge and another in Gatlinburg, so there are some folks who see the sign and go in and rent as a walk in. Cabin management companies charge 40% of your rental income to manage and rent the cabin for you. I am working on getting my own website up and running as additional advertisement and also I would be able to showcase my own cabin on my site and use more photos, etc. I%26#39;m considering ';renting by owner'; for the future once I have some experience with owning a cabin. There are several owners who rent themselves and can answer questions about that process. Hope that helps answer some of your questions. Most of the owners who post on this site are trying not to be perceived as ';advertising'; our own cabins, so it%26#39;s hard to answer some questions without getting the post deleted.

Question about cabin rental business

Thank you both ! ! you have been informative and very helpful!

gatlinburglover

Vickie

Which cabin company is best?

Help!! I need input on Country Oaks Cottages, Eagles Ridge Resort, Timber Tops, Fireside Chalets, and Aunt Bugs. I need positive or negative experiences. Thanks to everyone.

Which cabin company is best?

I havent stayed with any of those before but I have heard GREAT things about Aunt Bugs!!!

Which cabin company is best?

we stayed in country oaks cottages and they were really nice

all but praise for Timber Tops

see Gatlinburg page for review

can e-mail me if u want more info

we are staying at fireside chalets on 07/28-7/29/05, i cant find any reviews on this, i hope i made a good decision.. ill let you know

driving through the park

I was told a good way to get to Gatlinburg is to go through Maryville and Townsend and take 73 through the park. A couple people have said on here they don%26#39;t agree with that...

what%26#39;s the deal?

We%26#39;ll be going in 2 weeks, driving up from La., so I just wanted some good advice.

Thanks!

Janey

driving through the park

I would speculate that those people are Interstate clones who stick to the superslab at great expense and feel that a vintage experience is exemplified by a trip to a Cracker Barrel. The Maryville route, to me, is a much more beautiful approach to the Smokies than the horridly plastic Pigeon Forge route. I stick to the freeway only to get through Chattanooga, then hit Hwy 11 east of Cleveland to enjoy the countryside instead, great little towns like Etowah, and a refreshing taste of Americana before corporations prescribed what we define as scenery. Billboards and concrete hold no distiction IMHO. Hope I am not alone.

driving through the park

At the very least I would get off at the Lenoir City exit on I-40 and take 73/321 to Pigeon Forge. The previous mentioned route up from Chattanooga via 11/64 is a good alternate if you are interested in seeing some of backroads America. Another alternative is to take I-140 from I-40/75 over to 129 and then hit 321 over to Townsend and on to Pigeon Forge. Thank goodness all those people do stick to the interstate for those of us interested in seeing more than concrete and bill boards or traffic would be a mess. Enjoy the drive.

this is what gatlinburg.com says:

Take Exit 81 on I-75 North and follow Highway 321 North through Maryville and Townsend and Highway 73 to Gatlinburg. Approximate driving time from interstate: 70 minutes.

I think this is the way we are going to go. It looks like it goes into Gatlinburg, not through Pigeon Forge. Is this correct?

Not sure about 73 but if it says it goes into Gatlinburg then would assume that it does. Don%26#39;t know where it would come out at.

Need to look that one up myself.

My daughter took I-40 to I-75 to 321 and took it all the way into Pigeon Forge. Next time maybe she will try the 73 that you are talking about.

I do know that going home on a Tuesday there was no traffic leaving Gatlinburg and our son in law went the other way to the interstate and we took 321 through Townsend etc...It took us 30 mins. longer than it did them to get to the same spot....but you do have the beautiful scenery...

Janey16, my daughter who lives in Knoxville says that she and her husband have traveled on 73 to Gatlinburg. It does, indeed, go staight into Gatlinburg, emptying you out onto Parkway on the far end (opposite side of the entrance from Pigeon Forge.) She said it is a beautiful drive and much less traveled, making your trip into Gatlinburg much quicker than going through Pigeon Forge.

If the exit you are taking puts you on 129 (the road to hte airport) you will come to a split at Maryville and Alcoa. My daughter told me the quicker way is to head toward and then through Alcoa. Way up the road, you will find signs that have you turn onto 73 straight into Gatlinburg. you would have to do this if you went through Maryville, but going through alcoa is faster. As I said above, this is for if your exit puts you onto 129.

Aren%26#39;t you the one that will be there when my husband and I will be there? I%26#39;m the one celebrating my 25th anniversary that weekend (Nov 18-20.) Looks like we will get to enjoy a few leaves with this warm weather. We are marvelling at how late the leaves are turning this year. I live about 2 hours east of Gatlinburg and our leaves are just now turning. Unbelievable...

From Maryville/Alcoa there is no road that goes straight to Gatlinburg. You either follow 321 from Townsend through Wears Valley over to Pigeon Forge or go straight through Townsend into the park and hang a left at the ';Y'; driving via Elkmont over to Sugarlands visitor center and then turn left on 441 which goes to the south end of the Pkwy in Gatlinburg. There is also a cut across from Wears Valley through Little Greenbrier into Metcalf Bottoms which puts you on the road over to Sugarlands as well.

Klm81955

yes, we are driving up on the 17th and leaving on the 20th. We%26#39;ll be leaving La. at about 1 or 2am Thursday morning (YIKES!!) to make the 10 hour trip.

Since we%26#39;ve never been up there, I wanted as much scenery as possible, even if it takes a little longer. Going through the park just sounds so awesome.

Thanks for all of the advice, guys! In 2 short (hopefully short) weeks, I%26#39;ll be in Gatlinburg!!!! WOOHOO!!!

take care,

Janey

I noticed that most of the people here are coming in from the south, but I thought I%26#39;d give it a shot anyway. For anyone who%26#39;s coming from the north on 75....we always take 75 to 640, then 40 to 66. We always allow plenty of tiem to get there, so are usually there a few hours before we can get into our cabin. Just wondering what other way there is. One time we turned off too soon %26amp; went through Knoxville...not fun %26amp; it seemed to take forever. However, I would love to be able to drive through the beautiful mountain scenery instead of the packed interstate. Thanks!

Hi Rileysmom - One way we have gone is to drive past the 66 exit and continue on I40 to Exit 435 (or 432). This way takes you through Cosby, and ends at downtown traffic light #3 in Gatlinburg. It can save hours of bumper to bumper traffic by avoiding Pigeon Forge.

If you mapquest Cosby, you can get a map.

Hope that helps!

Rileysmom, if you are willing to share, what part of Ohio are you from? I was born and raised in the Dayton area. Although, now I have been away for many years. I visit my parents and brothers who are still there, though...