NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Wednesday, March 18, 2015, 11:03 PM
The Smoky Mountains provide an unsurpassed vista from Majestic Overlook luxury cabin.
Want to unwind and unplug? Head for the hills — the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, that is.
Unlike Nashville with its country music biz glitz, the Smokies region showcases the wonders of nature. From its breathtaking national park to its luxury lodges nestled in the hills to its Southern hospitality and local color, the Smokies are the perfect spot for your city escape.
Start your country getaway at Wyndham’s luxury cabin, the Majestic Overlook. An upscale 12-bedroom lodge with rustic details, it’s the ideal locale for a big family trip, a reunion with friends, or a bachelor or bachelorette weekend. The Majestic Overlook has much to offer: a large game room with a pool table and movie screen, an outdoor hot tub on the deck with a view of the Smokies, picturesque porches and ensuite bathrooms for each bedroom. Plus, it’s chock-full of charming details: think antler chandeliers and two cozy fireplaces. If a lodge is too big, opt for one of Wyndham’s one- or two-bedroom cottages. And unlike other home rental companies, Wyndham manages each of its properties to ensure cleanliness, quality, and 24-hour on-call service in case of emergencies. It’s the convenience of a hotel plus the comforts of home: a kitchen, a laundry room, and fireplaces for chilly mountain nights.
For extreme relaxation, indulge in add-on luxury amenities. Schedule onsite massages for your group from RNR Bodyworks Mobile Therapeutic Massage. For girlfriends’ getaways, book an in-rental sunrise yoga session through your Wyndham agent. Use the chef’s kitchen to cook up a storm and mix drinks on the granite countertop – or book a personal chef from Fruitful Vintage who can whip up a menu of your choice.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular national park in the US. Sprawled across 800 square miles, the mountain range towers almost 7,000 feet at its highest elevations. Frequented by over nine million visitors each year, the park is free to visit. Novice hikers can take the beginners’ route with a guided tour from A Walk in the Woods. My guide Mike pointed out the fascinating botany along the way, from (eek!) poison ivy to the well-named “hearts-a-bustin.’” Then relax by Porters Creek and marvel at the canopy of chestnut, birch, and hickory trees. It’s an excellent way to bask in the great outdoors without breaking too much of a sweat. Campers, be sure to make a reservation in advance with the National Park Service, which requires a modest fee.
Also refreshing is an hour-long horseback ride at Big Rock Dude Ranch at Ponderosa. Scale the hills adjacent to the national park and view the natural splendor of the Smokies. Don’t worry, city slickers; it’s an easy trail that these well-trained horses know by heart, and courtesy helmets are provided. Traveling with kids? Share a saddle with the younguns or let the older ones ride their own horses. October is the ideal time to gaze at the fall colors, but the crisp mountain air and expansive views are great all year round.
No trip to Tennessee would be complete without sampling the local beverage – moonshine. In nearby downtown Gatlinburg, visit the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery for a free tasting of this stellar corn whisky. Surprisingly, moonshine comes not just in its original form but also in a rainbow of flavors – apple pie, peach, blueberry, and more. Grab the 100 proof, moonshine-soaked maraschino cherries and save them for a fireside treat back at the cabin.
Wondering where to eat in and around Knoxville? Don’t miss the Wild Plum Tea Room, open from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. for lunch. In contrast to its lace tablecloths and handpainted china, this quaint and dainty tea room has surprisingly hearty fare. The menu changes often, but our group’s favorites included the salmon burger and the lobster pie.
Also in Gatlinburg is Park Grill, an excellent choice for dinner. A hot spot for weddings and events, the large, lodge-inspired restaurant offers upscale takes on Southern classics. Start with the fried green beans, and try the pecan chicken with a side of bacon macaroni and cheese.
For an authentic experience, have lunch at the bustling Old Mill Pottery House Cafe? and Grille. A local favorite, the charming restaurant bakes fresh bread with grains that they mill on site. Here, choose from classic Southern dishes including delectable fried green tomatoes, fried pickles, and breaded catfish.
Dolly Parton’s Chasing Rainbows Museum pays tribute to the crooner.
Take note, The Old Mill and many other restaurants don’t take reservations, so put your name on the hostess’s list and browse the shops nearby. In the Old Mill Square shopping area, don’t miss Pigeon River Pottery where their high quality kitchenware and crafts are handmade onsite with local materials. Or bring the kids to the Old Mill Candy Kitchen for chocolate bear paws and fudge.
Whether you’re a fan of the country crooner or not, Dolly Parton’s Dollywood amusement park is a must. Don’t expect a mere altar to Ms. Parton. Rather, it’s an amusement park with a hearty helping of country kitsch: a coal mining-themed roller coaster, gospel singers, and Dixie fixin’s like freshly baked cinnamon bread at The Grist Mill. Only Parton’s Chasing Rainbows museum houses her extensive memorabilia; the “I Will Always Love You” songwriter’s awards, video clips, wardrobe, and childhood artifacts are all on view. Fashion enthusiasts will love her flashy costumes, and celeb-obsessed fans will enjoy her photos with big-name icons: Cher, Julia Roberts, Johnny Cash, Andy Warhol…There’s even a picture of her and the late former mayor of New York City, Ed Koch.
End your country weekend on a high note with Scenic Helicopter Tours. Their safe, experienced pilots take you in a chopper that lifts you right above the mountains for views you’ll never forget. Seen from above, the Smokies are grand and awe-inspiring with simply stunning foliage in the fall and lovely budding greenery in the spring. And along the way, your pilot will share with you the culture and history of this truly unique region.
For a weekend of relaxation, luxury with a rustic flair, and Southern hospitality, the Knoxville area is your ideal getaway. One last glance at the Smokies will leave you pining for the simple comforts of “the holler.”
IF YOU GO
Fly: Delta, United, American Airlines, and US Airways offer nonstop flights from New York City to Knoxville.
Stay: Wyndham Vacation Rentals offers several luxury cabins in the Smokies, plus more than 100,000 vacation rental properties in over 600 unique destinations worldwide.
Go to Visit My Smokies for more information.
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