The Great Smoky Mountains National Park - The East Coast Vacation Bargain

Is the beginning of hot summer with no relief inany utensil you care to cook with for $99 Sun
sight already putting you in the dog days ofthrough Thursday night. The area was very
summer? How does cool mountain streams andprivate but within a 1 hour drive of almost
rivers and activities like tubing, fishing, kayaking,anything the park had to offer
white water rafting, hiking, camping or just a niceWe drove up from Florida on Sunday and
picnic in a mountain meadow sound. Not a fan ofdeparted on Friday. We spent a great deal of our
the outdoors? How about outlet shopping of highvacation in the park with the low admission price
line retailers,dining, excellent dinner shows, even aof FREE. There are very easy hikes for those
Harrah's Casino on the North Carolina side and anwith children that offer some amazing views and
excellent theme park with water park. Expensive,some free museum/exhibit areas. The can't miss
right?areas include Cade's Cove, Clingman's Dome (the
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park on thehighest point in the park) and Newfound Gap.
border of Tennessee and North Carolina is withinI saw many enjoying the great outdoors in the
a one day drive from the majority of the Eastpark, bicycling, horseback riding, camping, fishing,
Coast and the Midwest. This eliminates the travelkayaking, white water rafting and hiking. The
cost associated with most current vacations.evening brought several excellent dinners in the
Excellent lodging abounds from inexpensive motelsquaint town of Gatlinburg at the north Entrance of
to 5 star resorts and private cabins. The lodgingthe park. Another 15 minute hop and we took the
bargain for our family on a recent vacation was akids to a great dinner show (I highly recommend
2 bedroom cabin with satellite TV, hot tub, DVDthe Black Bear Jamboree if you have children)
player, game area with air hockey/ pool table,Overall the best value I have found with so much
Playstation 2 system and a complete kitchen withto offer within a one day drive.