koalaroo Loc: Gold Coast, Australia

We are coming from Australia for a US holiday and are thinking of having a few days near the Smoky Mountains. It will be the very end of April. Confused as to how to go about it and would appreciate some help. We'll be leaving New Orleans and thinking of catching the train to Atlanta, and one option is going a little further to Spartanburg and getting off.
We would have probably 4 days to stay somewhere and explore. We would like to stay in a small interesting town - not too touristy, with good local food and a bar or two. We might hire a car and look around. Does anyone know of a good town on the Amtrak line north of Atlanta, or nearby?
ps. We'll be going back to Atlanta (to meet my pen-pal of 50 years), and we are on a budget. Thanks, Jude.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I don't know how closely this meets your requirements, but there is skiing during the winter in Gatlinburg, TN. Quite a few years ago I googled and we rented an A frame in up a mountain outside Gatlinburg (which is touristy). It was nice and quiet and we were able to avoid all the tourist stuff. Smoky Mountain National Park was right there, as well. The rental was reasonable.

koalaroo Loc: Gold Coast, Australia

Thanks Steve, Gatlinburg does look really nice, but on the wrong side of the Smokies for us I think. Our flights to America are booked, and we'll be leaving New Orleans on the 25th April so timewise, we are limited. Thanks for your reply. Jude.

irrigator Loc: Seffner, Florida

Carr's Northside Cottages. Great place and very friendly family owned business. Motels,Cabins, Chalet's & Houses. Been staying there for over 30 years.

MontanaTrace

Having lived and worked in the area for some years, I have a suggestion for your consideration. Use Maggie Valley as a base. When you get to Spartanburg, hire a car and head north to Hendersonville. Hopefully, you will be in Spartanburg in the morning. You'll use a lot of daylight driving. Turn west at Hendersonville, through the mountains to Waynesville and go past there to Maggie Valley. See attached map.

You will have driven enough mountain roads that lesser challenges will be welcome on the next days. Note: the roads are good, well paved and safe but lots of curves. Great views. However, in April, the leaves will be just starting to bloom. Use Maggie Valley as your home base. A few "day trips" from there, will give you the feel of the Smokey Mountains and the Blue Ridge Highway.

One trip is west to Gatlinburg, TN (not that far. Easy drive). The ski slopes will likely be closed, as it's past time for snow but that community is designed for fun. Lots of art. That trip would be all day.

Another day: Nearby is Lake Junaluska. This is at a lower elevation. The Dogwood Trees should be in bloom. Frame the lake with white and pink flowers. Lots of waterfowl. Winner photography. Continuing on, Ashville. Stop by the Biltmore House. Massive mansion. Opulence and history. Also, the many, many creeks and waterfalls will keep you clicking. Buy local maps. Look for streams and parks.

Another direction from Maggie Valley will take you to Indian Country. Cherokee is somewhat commercialized but fun. The drive is short and pretty.

Your task is to Google all the obvious words above. Maggie Valley is very unique and warmly inviting.

Here's your first map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Great+Smoky+Mountains+National+Park/@35.3119943,-83.4030275,9z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x3c926fc1a7752461

Maggie Valley: https://www.google.com/search?q=maggie+valley+nc&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

Others will make suggestions. You've picked a great area with lots of beauty and fun. #1 most visited National Park (like Crowne Land [I was a teacher for 3 years in NSW]). You've got lots of time to pick and chose. Whatever you choose, "she'll be right mate, fair dinkum."

Final note: if this is your first time not driving on the wrong side of the road (making joke), look both ways, at least twice. Be safe. When pulling out on a road, if there is no other vehicular traffic, it's easy to fall back on old habits and drive on the wrong side. I know! Be careful.

Dan821 Loc: Traveling........

If you want to stay on the Southern side of the park, might I suggest Cherokee, North Carolina. It is not located in the Park itself, but very closeby. You might be able to either drive up from Atlanta or Spartanburg, NC.

http://visitcherokeenc.com/#home

Also another great place to visit is Asheville, NC. Although it is not in the Park itself, both Asheville and Cherokee are located in the Blue Ridge Mountains region.

http://www.exploreasheville.com/

Hope this helps!

koalaroo Loc: Gold Coast, Australia

Thanks for that, sounds good. I'll look into it.

koalaroo Loc: Gold Coast, Australia

Many thanks. I shall study those. Jude.

koalaroo Loc: Gold Coast, Australia

Thanks heaps! You've given me some very useful info that I'm sure we'll use. Sounds great.
Not the first time we've driven on the "wrong" side of the road. Had a wonderful trip in 2012 and drove for 3 weeks around Nevada, Utah and Arizona. Well - my husband drove, I was too wimpy. You are right about falling into bad habits when there's not much traffic around - Paul did it a few times. Scary Thanks again mate.
ps. sending you a pm. did

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Highlands and the Cashiers area is beautiful.... our family used to summer there, very nice!

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Not necessarily the best time to go, but Maggie Valley is nice. Consider checking http://www.vrbo.com if you are not used to them. "Vacation Rental By Owner" - we have used them many times all over and have found really great places to stay, including Maggie Valley, where we stayed in a beautiful 3-bedroom log home looking out over the area.

ToniG Loc: South Carolina

Yep, visit me in Spartanburg! :) My town! But, yes Asheville is great! I think there are cotages near the Biltmore Estate. Hendersonville is nice too. Maggy Valley is cool and Cherokee is great! Have fun! :)

brow3904 Loc: Upstate South Carolina

Any of the areas suggested would be very nice. I would suggest you take a look at Greenville, SC which is just 30 mins from Spartanburg. Beautiful small town with tree lined main street and river park. From there you are an hour away from Asheville and many other beautiful places to spend your time. You might want to google the Biltmore House which is was built by the Vanderbilt family and sits on an estate of thousands of acres adjoining Asheville,NC. Hope you have a great time and if I might be able to provide you any more info just PM me.

brow3904 Loc: Upstate South Carolina

Any of the areas suggested would be very nice. I would suggest you take a look at Greenville, SC which is just 30 mins from Spartanburg. Beautiful small town with tree lined main street and river park. From there you are an hour away from Asheville and many other beautiful places to spend your time. You might want to google the Biltmore House which is was built by the Vanderbilt family and sits on an estate of thousands of acres adjoining Asheville,NC. Hope you have a great time and if I might be able to provide you any more info just PM me.

architect Loc: Chattanooga

Check out Airbnb.com for the location(s) you are visiting. Much more interesting than hotels.