Weekend in the Great Smoky Mountains - Travel Guide | What to Do, See, & Eat!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 พ.ค. 2024
- Weekend in the Great Smoky Mountains - Travel Guide | What to Do, See, & Eat!
Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountains! For our time in this beautiful part of the country, we spent some time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (the most visited national park in the US), explored the tourist towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and ended our time at our favorite theme park… Dollywood!
Check out our “The Perfect Weekend in the Smoky Mountains” blog for more info and tips for planning your visit 👉🏼 tinyurl.com/rmz9yba
** Watch to the end for bloopers **
------------------------------------
⬇️ Best Tours & Experiences in the Smoky Mountains ⬇️
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour: tinyurl.com/4jhaae94
The "Classic" National Park Tour: tinyurl.com/5aj3ajcd
Small-Group Jeep Tour of Smoky Mountains Foothills Parkway: tinyurl.com/4mnnh22e
Dollywood Theme Parks 1 or 2 Day Entry Ticket: tinyurl.com/yfc7axmt
Dollywood's Splash Country Entry Ticket: tinyurl.com/2p8eyenx
Pigeon Forge: Titanic Museum Advance Purchase Ticket: tinyurl.com/39p8kkwr
Whitewater Rafting Tour in the Smokies: tinyurl.com/4dxt7azm
Mountaintop Zipline 2-Hours Activity: tinyurl.com/5r4vje4z
Moonshine Mountain Coaster Ride: tinyurl.com/mrxkstvy
Rocky Top Mountain Coaster Ride: tinyurl.com/y46a7un5
Tour to 3 Pigeon Forge Wineries with Tastings: tinyurl.com/ypwe8dp3
Wine and Shine Walking Tour: tinyurl.com/jxmb8w8h
Wine Me, Shine Me, Dine Me: tinyurl.com/29uzfafr
Tickets to Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud Show: tinyurl.com/2p8sv4ar
------------------------------------
PATREON:
Support our work & get some awesome perks and exclusive content!
/ adventuresofmattandnat
------------------------------------
Weekend in the Great Smoky Mountains - Travel Guide
Filmed October 25-26, 2022
------------------------------------
MAIL TIME:
If you want to send us a postcard from your recent travels or send us a product to review, you can send it to…
Matt & Nat
PO Box 140231
Nashville, TN 37214
------------------------------------
★★ FOLLOW US ★★
WEBSITE/BLOG - www.adventuresofmattandnat.com
INSTAGRAM - / adventuresofmattandnat
TIK TOK - / adventuresofmattandnat
FACEBOOK - / adventuresofmattandnat
TWITTER - / matt_n_nat
------------------------------------
Disclosure: We only endorse things we've personally used or come highly recommended by trusted peers. If you purchase anything using our referral links, we may get a small commission. However, there's no extra cost to you.
OUR CURRENT GEAR:
Sony RX100 VII: amzn.to/3jZj1kR
Nikon D5600 DX - DSLR: amzn.to/3aywSeA
DJI Mavic Air 2 Fly More Combo: amzn.to/3k4gSo6
GoPro Hero 9 Black: amzn.to/3u8oWZn
Full List Here… www.amazon.com/shop/adventure...
Check out our Amazon recommendation with ALL of our travel essentials and MORE… www.amazon.com/shop/adventure...
------------------------------------
ROYALTY-FREE MUSIC:
All of the music that you hear in our vlogs is from Epidemic Sound! Check out this link for a FREE Trial! bit.ly/40H3bzg
------------------------------------
== About Us ==
We’re Matt & Nat, a part-time, non-remote travel couple based out of Nashville, TN. In 2021 we visited all 50 US states & documented our entire journey on our blog & here on TH-cam! After spending a full year focused on such a defined goal, 2022 left us feeling a little lost & wondering "What's next?". We continued traveling & creating vlogs but always with the "What's next?" question lingering. During one of our trips, we came across the book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die” & were immediately drawn in by it & knew that it had to be a part of our adventures. So, in January 2023 we officially launched our “1,000 Places To See Before You Die” series where we’ve set out to see as many of the “1,000 Places To See Before You Die”… before we die!
We hope you’ll join us on the adventure & find some adventures of your own along the way! And remember... It’s better to see something once (even if only for a moment) than to hear about it a thousand times.
------------------------------------
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:07 Day 1: Welcome to the Smoky Mountains!
01:50 Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Cades Cove Loop
08:28 Downtown Gatlinburg
09:00 Lunch at Tennessee Jed's
11:10 Ober Gatlinburg
12:50 Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
20:54 The Donut Friar
22:10 Dinner at Local Goat
24:37 Day 2: Pigeon Forge!
25:02 Lunch at Old Mill Restaurant
28:29 Exploring Old Mill Square
30:54 Moonshine Tasting at Old Forge Distillery
34:36 Dollywood!
43:49 Bloopers
You two compliment each other so well, I enjoy your energy. Very fun and informative.
Aw, thank you so much! And thanks for watching!😊
Y’all are just so watchable.
Awwww thanks so much!! 🥰 Thanks so much for watching! We appreciate you!
Thanks for sharing we really enjoy the smokies too.
@@AdventuresofMattandNat need to visit the UK & do a video
Nat, I just love how Matt looks at you and adores you with his eyes, so sweet.
I LOVE watching your videos, makes my wish list grow to places to visit and DOLLYWOOD is one of mine for sure :)
Go there almost every year. Our daughter and husband love it so much, they bought a cabin in Del Rio.
I live in Gatlinburg. FYI: If any of you are planning to visit Cades Cove during the summer: the road closes (no cars) on Wednesdays and is open for bicycles and hikers only.
Don't know how you two are in real life, but if you are the way you come off on here, you two have some of the best personalities, and charisma of anyone that creates vlogs. Great job!
Nat @ 29:38.......".....that was really sweet..." ! ha ha Good one Nat !!! Also, both of you have honest, detailed critiques which are very helpful and appreciated.
I love Dollywood. One of my favorite places.
Hello from Gatlinburg!! I was in the Skybridge part with white hair ..lol. You guys were so nice to speak with! Hope to see you two again 🏞️🐻🌄
You guys are FUN. Been on your channel for 4:00 hours now need to take a nap now.
Aww… Thank you so much! Glad you’re enjoying the videos!🥰
I love your authenticity and info!
Aw, thank you! 🥰
Awesome video! Dollywood deserves its own video honestly, looks soo much fun!
You are soo right!! Wish we would’ve had more time because Dollywood is so much fun! One of our favorite theme parks ever!
Great Vlog! I love going to the Smokies in the Fall! I always make a stop at the Donut Friar for the cinnamon sugar doughnuts. At the Old Mill, I highly recommend the Old Mill Pottery House Cafe across from the main restaurant. The food there was awesome! I had their Praline Pork Chop that is topped with French toast moonshine sauce and chopped pecans. It was delish (chef's kiss!) , we loved our meal there. Thanks and I always look forward to your adventures!
i remember in one of my many trips in the smokies...there were bears and the tourists were climbing the hill towards them to get pics, they had their ribs showing ,most likely out of hibernaton. out of nowhere this park ranger was like get the hell down and back in your cars lol. will never forget that.
You guys are awesome!! Just found yaw, i love the Smokies,got married up there in 96.....You guys need your own tv show, thanks for this....im hooked!
Gained a new sub! Went there when I was a kid...Wife and I going this fall thanks for the help! Ya'll are great.
Aw, thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it! We hope y’all have an amazing time! Fall in the Smokies is the best!
Smokey mountain are my absolute favorite place to go EVER!!! Thanks for sharing y'all's adventures
The GYPSY guide is the absolute best friend any tourist could have. IT's simple and user friendly. It's so very detailed and educational and fun. The options are fantastic. "Pull off here, if you have time, otherwise let's keep driving forward." No stress. No mess. I have used it a couple times in Hawaii and in the Florida Keys and several national parks. I can't even remember all the places I've taken advantage of it. I can't recommend it enough. Thanks for sharing, guys!!!
Me and my wife live in Spring Hill just south of Franklin and Nashville. We try to make a yesrly trip to Gatlinburg as well as western North Carolina. If you want a small town to go to in North Carolina you should check out Brevard. Its known as the land of waterfalls. We got married there last year on the Art Lobe trail. Absolutely amazing place!
Omg I was dying lol, Nat with the Sky Bridge. I feel you100%. Love your videos guys!
🤣🤣 Glad I’m not alone! Thank you so much for watching!🥰🥰
Raised in Knoxville and living the rest of my life an hour and a half from there, IMO, Granny Ogles and Ms. Lillian’s chicken are my favorite places to eat down there, both in Dollywood.
You both are so entertaining to watch. Nat reminds me so much of Charlize Theron!! I’ve not been to the south at all but watching videos like this makes me want to road trip from CA!
Also there is an amazing place to stay called Buckhorn Inn, highly recommend. Peaceful, beautiful. They have an amazing cozy restaurant on site, beautiful views.
Cottages and rooms inside the Inn.
Also there’s an amazing hole in the wall type place called. A Taste of Italy located near it. It’s off the touristy area, and very good Italian food.
Ski Mountain Pizza is great as well. 😊
I've gone to the Buckhorn Inn every year (at least once) for 16 years now and have NEVER been disappointed. It's like a second home to me!
Love Cades Cove, do the loop every year 😊
Pickin’ up a little Adventures of A+K lingo with the “pillowy” descriptions 😉😉😄
🤣🤣 They’re great! I honestly forgot that they use that description word! Great minds think alike! Lol… Thanks for watching!🥰🥰
What a fun episode, Matt and Nat! I've never been to Tennessee and likely won't make it considering my well-into-senior-citizen years. Your vlog will definitely suffice.
I'm with you, Nat, when it comes to walking across flimsy-looking sky bridges with even a foot of glass to view the scenery a couple of football fields beneath (and was sure this particular one was properly engineered and safe until Matt mentioned some fellow cracking it playing like he's a baseball hero!!). For sure any such contraptions will be passed up by me. I did worry about your sunglasses flying from your head into the valley below or your shoes falling off into the river when you rode the sky chairs and was relieved those incidents didn't occur...LOL!
Re the Ober park, you'd of thought the proprietors would have told you way beforehand that a major part of the park was closed...not exactly neighborly of them. Sheesh!
As for the cold fries for dinner the first evening, perhaps the restaurant should provide a small toaster oven along with the food service and patrons could crisp and heat anything which cooled on the way from the kitchen to the table. If you think that's a worthwhile suggestion for the future, I'll forego my consulting fee and you can keep any profits which come your way via a patent on the design.
Loved the Pigeon Forge general store...glad you showed it and the river flowing by the old mill. Yummy on the corn fritters and biscuits with the fried chicken! Moonshine taffy, though? Huh-uh! And I'd be under the table with real moonshine...just lift me off the floor and sit me outside in the fresh air. And Dollywood...what can I say but F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S.
Thanks again for a fun long episode. Enjoyed it a lot. Plus this is the longest post I've ever put on a TH-cam...LOL!
You are a nice couple, but for me, you guys concentrated two much on your faces and do not show too much view
Never heard anyone say that Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge is not a foodie haven. But I do feel you with your comments about your dinner. I'm picky with my food too and if I'm paying a lot of money I do expect to get good quality.
I ate at the old mill about ten years ago. It was delicious.. we got to feed the ducks. It was a awesome trip to Tennessee.. thank you for sharing your adventures.
I’m leaving for the Smokey mountains and gatlinburg in 3 days!!! This video was so helpful thank you!💕
Just started watching your videos; loved the Buc-ee’s video. My family and I just visited Gatlinburg a few weeks ago; didn’t have enough time to do everything we wanted to. Already planning trip in 2025. Mystery Mine is kinda underrated but such an awesome ride.
LOVE the Smoky Mountains! We did a Pink Jeep tour when we went and the guide was amazing!
Great video! Always good tips and info!
Aww thanks so much for watching & taking the time to write such a kind comment! Appreciate you! 💗
Great video guys. This is one of my favorite places to go . Thanks for sharing.
I love the Great Smoky Mountains. Enjoyed this.
Awww thank you so very much! 🥰 We love the Great Smoky Mountains! Thanks so much for watching & for your comment! 💗
The Old Mill is anything but touristy. It’s all homemade and locals love it! We drive 10 hours just for this restaurant!
Great video! Thanks for sharing. Loved hiking in the Smokey Mountains!! So happy that you made it to the Old Mill and that whole area is so fun!!! Looking forward to seeing your next adventures!!!
Y’all are a Delight... Adorable
it’s been since 2010 since I’ve been. Thank you
Aw, thank you so much!🥰🥰
Beautiful! It’s in our bucket list! Love your videos!!!
Thanks so much for watching!
Love the video! Great spots and the cinnamon bread is always the best!
Awww thank you so much! 🥰 We appreciate you taking the time to watch & for your kind comment! Ahhh that cinnamon bread is always a great idea! Lol 😂 now we’re hungry for it. Lol 😝
The apple barn the the best! Love the food there!
This is one of my favorite of your travel videos. Ive been many times to the area. But I definitely learned some things from your video!
Ober is better to visit in the winter for skiiing, snow tubing, and ice skating. As for local good food, you need to get off the parkways. Cades Cove - the last half of the loop is nothing but trees, so if anyone is impatient with that long traffic jam, turn at the halfway point - there's a sign indicating it. I've been stuck in that traffic many times. Great video, I've been there many times and watching your video makes me want to plan another visit. The last time we were there we saw TONS of bears!
Hi guys lovely video .
Gorgeous nature omg .
Beautiful beautiful 😍 place .
Love you guys .💜💜💜💜
Awww thank you so much!! 🥰 The nature was so beautiful! Thanks for taking the time to watch & for your kind comment! Makes our day! 💗
Your videos are fantastic. You two are a hoot to watch-I’ll tune in for more. Heading to Gatlinburg in a month…first time. Thanks for the preview! Loved watching you both doing shots!😁
Old Forge was great for moonshine! We loved it there!
I have been to Cades Cove a few times in my 66 years and one thing is for sure. You had better pack lunch. Its easily a long day as it's become so popular and busy in the summer and fall seasons.
Going there at the end of this month -- Cant wait! First time!
Fabulous video. I love how natural you both are. The food looked great and Dollywood exciting.
Thank you so much 🤗
You guys are so much fun to watch. Not stale like some others. I am a new member 🎉😊
Fun video! Love Dollywood!💕
Thanks so much!! It really is great isn’t it?! 💗
First time watching your videos, loved it! Had me smiling and laughing!
Thanks for the terrific video, Matt and Nat! We are planning our honeymoon next year in Tennessee, so it’s great to see your videos and blog for inspiration
… btw the Grist Mill cinnamon bread review is certainly informing some decisions here 😂
Thanks again !
The trolley the way to go! And cabins are expensive but so worth it!
We enjoy watching your videos, and it was really fun to see y'all experiencing the Smoky Mountains, my home. ❤
Thanks for watching!🥰
Love this one! The aerial footage is so beautiful! The cinnamon bread looks insane and I have never been to Dollywood.
Your hair after that ride lol just add hairspray and instant 80s. Great video guys ❤️❤️
Wow! So glad I came across this video! Y’all are so much fun! Love the saltwater taffy… never had moonshine taffy, though! Yum! Looks like a great trip! Definitely subscribing to go in more adventures with you two!
Awww thank you so much!! 🥰 We appreciate you watching & for taking the time to write such a kind comment! 💗 You made our day! Haha that moonshine taffy was very interesting! 🤣🤣 So happy to have you on the adventure with us!
I love your vlogs! Beautifully edited! You guys do a great job showing the beauty in the mountains!
Thanks so much! 😊
Love this video and love this couple!! Getting ready to visit Pigeon Forge for the first time and this video was very helpful.
Awww yay! That makes our day to hear! 🥰 Thanks so much for watching & for taking the time to write such a kind comment. we hope you have so much fun visiting the Pigeon Forge area! 🥰💗🎉
We just went to Pigeon Forge for the first time. Loved it, and after seeing Dolly Wood in the fall (on your video), I can't wait to go back! Thanks for sharing
So awesome as always! And you all are worth the wait every time. But I will repeat this every time, you are way more patient than I could ever be 🤣🤣 Luv you two and stay safe and God bless my friends 🙏👍🦌✈️….That sky lift bridge aww no thank you , extremely afraid of heights 🤣🤦♂️🥵
Awww thanks so much friend!! We appreciate y’all so much! 😭🥰 bahaha 🤣 really?!? Haha oh man that bridge was scary! I can’t believe I did it! Lol 😝 thanks for everything. God Bless y’all! 💗💗
Lol “what was that” 😆😆😆
Great vid! Try the pottery house cafe for lunch next time! It is delish! They make their own bread and serve everything in their handmade pottery!
Oh yeah?!?! Thank you so much for the recommendation!!! I love fresh made bread!! We’ll definitely have to check that out next time we are there! Thanks for watching & taking the time out to let us know! 🥰💗
We're dreaming of fall already after watching this video! Thanks for bringing our audio tour along for the drive.
Aww thanks so much guys! We appreciate the awesome audio guides y’all make! We love having y’all along on the adventure! 🎉👌🏼
Love the smokies
Worth the wait as always, you know we love the longer videos! Thanks for sharing with us! My favorite place at GSMNP is Clingman's Dome, it's a such a beautiful stop. 🥰
Awww thank you so much!! 🥰 Means so much more than you know! Gosh we wanted to go there soooo bad but just didn’t have time, we’ll have to visit it next time we go there! Thanks for recommending it! 💗
Just found y'all, love your video and love Gatlinburg, you were there at the most busy time of year, but beautiful!
This looks soo fun! IDK why but never thought to do this in the fall, but looks perfect!
I think y'all would enjoy it! And fall is our absolute favorite time to visit! Followed closely by Christmas! Lol... Thanks for watching y'all! 😊
We love the donut friar!🎉
So glad I found y’all’s channel. I have a boring office job.. (at least right now..) and you both make the work days a little brighter. I feel like I’m there too 😊. Keep up the good work! Definitely inspiring
This was so good ❤my 2nd video from you guys and I can honestly say I just love you both 😊xx
Aww... Thank you so much!🥰🥰
Worth the long wait for this fun video! Now I want some cinnamon bread! Yum! Thanks Matt & Nat for sharing this great video! 🤗❤️
Awww thank you sooo much! We appreciate you more than you know! 🥰💗 Right?! We’re hungry for it now! Haha 🤣😜
Loved the video! My wife and I typically go in the Fall each year we love it. Can't wait to go this fall, have not been to Dollywood but your video definitely has us wanting to go.
Aww thanks so much! We appreciate you watching & for your kind comment! The Fall in the Smokies is just so beautiful. We recommend it, it’s a lot of fun! You’ll have to let us know what you think after you go! Hope y’all have a blast!
It is so pretty there! I'll have to go sometime soon
Yay! I was so excited for this video! I want to do this next Autumn. I've wanted to go to East TN for years, and GSMNP looks gorgeous during that time of year! 😍
Awww yay! So happy you are excited! We hope you have sooo much fun! We LOVED all of the colors, it truly was so beautiful We hope you have so much fun! 🍁🍂 Thanks so much for watching & for your comment! 🥰💗
Another great video. Add the Smoky Mountains onto the list of places I want to visit.
Thanks so much, Jon!🥰🥰 The Smokies are definitely worth a visit!
I love the coverage and the happy exuberant couple
Oh my gosh you are so kind! Thank you so much for watching & for the sweet comment! Made our day! 🥰
GORGEOUS COUPLE ❤
Another great vlog. Can’t wait for the next one. I love the old mill restaurant been there forever. Apple Barn is another great place to eat and visit. You’re vlogs are amazing
Awww thanks so much! 🥰 ohhh thanks so much for that recommendation! We’ll have to check it out next time we are there! Thanks for watching & for taking the time to write us such a kind comment! 🥰💗
Y'all just cracked me up during the moonshine tasting!
You are in my area. I grew up going to that area! Be sure to eat at Apple Barn!
My sister talked us into the front row of Wild Eagle at Dollywood. Never again!😮
Planning an October trip for our 34th anniversary. Your video was so helpful!
Really enjoyed this vlog, we are visiting Tennessee in the fall from the UK. Great to see some of the places we plan to visit.
Aw, thank you!! Oh... So fun! We hope y'all have an incredible visit! Safe travels and thanks for watching! 🥰
Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri has tons of crafters too
First Timer Enjoyed your video so much!
Thank you!!🥰🥰
Great video!
Thank you!!🥰🥰
I’ll be in the area in November and I can’t wait. I really enjoyed your video. You guys make me smile 😆
Aww… So fun! We hope you have an amazing time! Thanks so much for watching!😊
Love y’all!❤️❤️❤️
Aww… Thank you!🥰🥰
Just found you two ; you do a great job with your destination videos! Keep it up, we’re watching 😊!
Aw, thanks so much!🥰🥰
Awesome vlog! Love exploring this area!
I would recommend giving Local Goat another chance cause we had amazing food there, but our all time favorite was Five Oaks Farm Kitchen!
Awesome video!
Thanks for watching!
So great love the smokies❤️
Awww thanks so much! It truly is such a beautiful place.
I love Dollywood! Silver Dollar City in Branson MO is another good one for craftsman!! And their Christmas lights are amazing!!
Just came back from.Gatlinburg....chose Annakista to visit...it was ok..but the added adventure of Astra Lumina at Annakeesta is a must see...its amazing!!
I love cinnamon twist thanks for sharing I'm gonna have to try the sky bridge. My honeymoon was there 49 years ago things have changed lol
Thanks for that video! Me and my family are planning on going there in October! So thanks for all the good tips!
Awww yay!! That makes our day to hear! We hope y’all have so much fun!! It’s such a great & beautiful place! Thanks for watching & taking the time to write such a kind comment! 🥰
Great episode. You two are adorable! My sister has a new cabin in Sevierville TN right next door to Gatlinburg so we try to get there when we can. I highly the Red Oak Bistro in that area for a date night it's locally owned and yummy. Also, Crockets Breakfast Camp in Gatlinburg is AMAZING for breakfast/brunch and for dinner the Cherokee Grill or the Chesapeake. We also loved Elvira's Cafe in Sevierville they have really yummy crepes. Lastly, we've done Anakeesta and it's awesome. They have one of those Alpine coasters and great live music, chair lift, a beautiful garden and views. Ya'll made me want to go to Dollywood in October. We've never been!
First I want to say thank you for such a lovely video. And I have to ad this in , Nat is so pretty , such a sweet smile. Keep up the good work!
Loved this adventure! My heritage is Cades Cove! My Popa Tipton lived in the Cove. You’ll see bears more in spring and summer.
Aw, thanks for watching! 🥰 Oh, that's so cool! Yea... I guess we'll have to go back in the spring season sometime!
Love it! Next time cross over to Waynesville, NC for more foodie options. Dollywood is a hidden gem, it never seems crowded. Also, Pisgah Inn along the Blue Ridge Parkway has amazing views.
Yess!! We love Waynesville! Haven’t been in years, but we really enjoy Boojum Brewing! We’ll have to check out Pisgah Inn! Thanks for the recommendation and for watching!😊