As many of you know, I love visiting the Great Smoky Mountains yearly.  

When we travel to the mountains, we escape the hustle and bustle of Atlanta to enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors and marvel at the scenic views.

Usually, my family takes our vacation in either Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, Tennessee, but this year, we went to another side of the smokies.

For a two-day getaway, my family and I stayed at the Historic Tapoco Lodge, nestled on the banks of the Cheoah River in Robbinsville, North Carolina.

This hidden gem has been a mainstay for outdoor adventurers, gearheads, and nature enthusiasts since 1930. It is located on the peaceful side of the Great Smoky Mountains, with few tourists, so you'll have a relaxing getaway from all the crowds and noise.

I live 30 minutes north of Atlanta, so the drive to Robbinsville, NC, took about 3 hours. So, traveling from Atlanta would be 3 1/2 hours.

The drive up the mountains was a thrilling adventure, especially when navigating through Nantahala National Forest and the winding roads of the Tail of the Dragon, a favorite among motorcyclists and sports car drivers.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lou Martin (@missloumae)

And the wow factor doesn't stop there!

Upon entering, the classic decor is prominent throughout, and the sweet scent of maple-pecan fills the air, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that feels like home.

Guest Rooms

Historic Tapoco Lodge has several guest rooms to choose from. They offer nine elegantly furnished rooms and suites in the lodge and 18 cabins throughout the 120-acre property.

Only two adults can be in a room, so we got two rooms, one for Mr. M and me and one for my daughters. Since each room has only a king-size bed, our daughters took the suite that had a living room so one of them could sleep on the couch.

Our guest rooms, called Laurel and Rhododendron, which are named after flowers, are beautifully decorated with a retro twist.  

I love the exposed bricks and pipes detailing, the classic-style refrigerators and microwaves, and our favorite, the black and white tiles in the bathrooms. And boy, the bathrooms are a room in itself; it's enormous!

The rooms offer comfort, with plush beds, cozy seating, and breathtaking river views in each suite. Our stay was a tranquil retreat, and the girls loved having their own suite! But we were just across the hallway, keeping a watchful eye on them.

And heads up, there is no elevator, and the guest rooms are on three floors, so you must carry your luggage up the stairs. So, I suggest to pack light. But I'm sure someone from the lodge can help you take your belongings to your room.

I noticed one room on the first floor, the Evergreen, for those needing an accessible room.

Another thing to note is that the lodge rooms are for adults only; however, some of the cabins are family-friendly.

Dining

Several dining options at the lodge include an on-site tavern, fine dining on the weekends, and breakfast served daily. The on-site tavern offers a casual dining experience with various American fare, including burgers, pizzas, nachos, wings, and quinoa bowls. The fine dining option on weekends provides a more upscale experience. 

Breakfast is served daily and includes various options to suit all tastes. I tried all three dining options, and our meals were scrumptious! We didn't need to leave the property to find something to eat; Tapoco Lodge had meal options that everyone enjoyed.

I had the Rustic Chicken Marsala on the first night, which was my favorite. The chicken was topped with a savory garlic mushroom sauce and served with a potato cake.

The Tapoco Tavern offers indoor and outdoor seating along the river for a delightful dining experience. 

Amenities

And let's remember all of the activities! Tapoco Lodge offers diverse options, from tennis and basketball to axe throwing and pickleball. 

There's rafting, kayaking, and mountain biking for the more adventurous types. And for those seeking relaxation, there are spa services and 15 hiking trails to explore.

We attempted a couple of hiking trails, but our shoes were unsuitable for hiking. The path was filled with puddles, and we didn't want to damage our footwear.

Next time, we need to have good pairs of hiking boots.

Also, the lodge offers several weekly events to keep guests entertained. These include live music performances, movie nights, and guided hikes. 

These events are a great way to meet other guests and make the most of your stay at Tapoco Lodge.

Book your Next Stay at Historic Tapoco Lodge

Our stay at Historic Tapoco Lodge was great due to excellent service, beautiful rooms, delicious food, and lovely landscaping and scenery. The experience left us not wanting to leave.

I highly recommend booking your next stay at Historic Tapoco Lodge! 

You can visit their website or call their front desk to make a reservation. 

They offer a variety of room types to suit different needs and budgets, and their friendly staff are always ready to assist you with any questions or special requests you may have.

Historic Tapoco Lodge

14981 Tapoco Rd.

Robbinsville, NC 28771-688

Dollywood never fails to amaze with its latest attractions every season!

Dollywood Parks & Resorts plans another large year following a massive 2023 season. Last year, the park added Big Bear Mountain—subsequently named the Best New Family Coaster in the world—and expanded the company's lodging properties with the October opening of Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort, now named one of National Geographic's "Hotels We Love in 2024."

Not resting on its laurels, The Dollywood Company debuts the multi-faceted Dolly Parton Experience in May alongside several new guest-friendly amenities and an operating calendar that includes another 23 operational days—or 357 operating hours—for the 2024 season! 

With the addition, the Dollywood theme park's calendar grows to 281 operational days for 2024, after an additional 21 operating days were added to the 2023 calendar compared to the 2022 season. 

The park opens a week earlier than 2023, with Season Passholder Day on Friday, March 8, and the first day of operation for the general public on Saturday, March 9. All the projects and calendar changes have been undertaken with one thing in mind—Dollywood guests.

Dollywood's 2024 season begins with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival, which features three new shows celebrating Dolly's iconic career. Her remarkable story is told in "From the Heart—The Life and Music of Dolly Parton." The new show takes place in Celebrity Theater.

2024 Dollywood Season Festival Line-Up

For those who cannot contain their love of Dolly, "Sing-a-long with Dolly" invites guests to belt out the lyrics to some of her most-loved songs. This fun and interactive new show takes place at the Back Porch Theater. Finally, "Trio, Again featuring Three Times A Lady" honors the iconic "Trio" album released by Dolly, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt in 1987.

The Three Times A Lady trio, made up of singer/songwriters Lauren Mascitti, Kenney Scott, and Hannah Blaylock, presents this timeless show for Dollywood guests at the Showstreet Palace Theater. The I Will Always Love You Music Festival takes place March 9-April 14.

Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival, presented by Covenant Health (April 19-June 9), blooms bright with vivid larger-than-life flower sculptures. Park guests enjoy this immersive atmosphere as they go through over half a million blooms during this stunning festival. In addition, Dollywood's culinary team showcases its world-class abilities with a menu full of delicacies that highlight the tastes of spring in the Smokies.

Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, presented by Food City (June 15-Sept. 1), is everyone's favorite summer tradition and once again includes Dollywood's Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show every night. Another favorite, the "Gazillion Bubble Show," returns to mesmerize guests in Celebrity Theater.

A family tradition for many, Dollywood's Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 9-Oct. 28) opens two weeks earlier this season, providing guests more time to celebrate the beauty of fall with thousands of carved pumpkins, spirited performances from talented singers including Suzy Bogguss and Rhonda Vincent, and the fun of Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health. Great Pumpkin LumiNights, previously named the best theme park harvest event in the world, features elaborate displays that are fun for every family member. Creative culinary items, accomplished artisans, and fall fun in the Smokies make this a picture-perfect time to enjoy Dollywood.

The industry's Best Theme Park Christmas event—Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (November 1- January 5)— also opens earlier this year and concludes the park's 2024 season with six million lights, festive holiday shows, and the warm Christmas atmosphere guests have come to expect during this joyous time of year.

With so much more in '24, guests should consider a season pass to ensure they can experience all the fun! The Gold Pass represents a tremendous value for guests. Those who purchase now receive a Bring-A-Friend Free ticket, free general parking, and discounts on dining, merchandise, and lodging. 

Diamond (Diamond Passes are sold out) and Gold passholders also receive access to special "Golden Events"—exclusive events and activities just for them. (Only the named passholder can receive the perks associated with each pass type.)

Gold and Diamond passholders also can take advantage of another great perk: daily "Golden Hours." Gold and Diamond Season Passes operate like TimeSaver Passes during the first hour of every operating day, allowing the named passholder expedited boarding on Dollywood's world-class rides and attractions including Big Bear Mountain.

Silver Season Passes are also available, including a Bring-a-Friend Free ticket and a discount on Dollywood lodging. Select blackout dates apply to adult and senior Silver Season Passes and Silver Bring-a-Friend Free tickets. Child Silver Season Passes do not have blackout dates.

Season pass prices increase after March 17. For more information about Dollywood's 2024 season or season passes, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.

Will you be visiting Pigeon Forge this year? Make sure to check out my post of fun things to do.

Fall is a season of vibrant colors, warm and cozy sweaters, and delicious hot drinks. It's the time of year when the temperature starts to cool down, and the leaves begin to change colors. The United States boasts some of the world's most stunning fall foliage, and there are numerous places where you can go to witness the enchantment of this season.

Here are some of the best places to see the fall foliage in the US:

1. Lake Placid, New York

Located in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid is one of the best places in the country to see fall foliage. The area is filled with vibrant colors, thanks to a combination of aspen, oaks, and maples. The best time to visit Lake Placid is from the start of October to the middle of the month. During this time, the trees are at their peak, and the colors are simply breathtaking.

2. Oakland, Maryland

Oakland is a small town located in western Maryland, and it's one of the best places in America to view fall foliage. The town is surrounded by miles and miles of pine trees, which are mixed in with the gold, orange, and red leaves of the trees that never change. The best place to see the fall foliage in Oakland is at Swallow Falls State Park, which is just nine miles north of the town.

3. Stowe, Vermont

When it comes to fall foliage, Vermont is hard to beat. The state is home to abundant sugar maples, which turn into a sea of vibrant colors during the fall season. Stowe is one of the best towns in Vermont to see the fall foliage. The town is surrounded by sugar maples and is hemmed in by two mountain ranges. The best time to visit Stowe is from the end of September to the middle of October.

4. Savannah, Georgia

When you think of fall foliage, Savannah may not be the first place that comes to mind. However, it's actually a great place to see the changing colors of the trees. The city is home to some of the most beautiful buildings in the country, and the southern hospitality is second to none. During the fall season, Savannah is filled with various festivals, making it an excellent destination for leaf touring.

5. Whitefish, Montana

Whitefish, Montana, is a small town located near Glacier National Park. The town is surrounded by golden aspen and evergreens, which make it the perfect contrast for fall foliage. The size of the mountains and the array of trees around Whitefish Lake make it an ideal place for photography. You can drive along Highway 35 around the eastern edge of the lake throughout September and October to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

6. Estes Park, Colorado

Estes Park is located just outside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. The town is surrounded by golden aspen, which gives everything a shimmer of gold during the fall season. The peaks of the mountains are also covered in golden aspen, making it a stunning sight to see. Stick around until the end of September, and you can attend the Autumn Gold Festival.

7. The Great Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, situated on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, is one of the best places in the United States to witness the fall foliage. Covering over 800 square miles, the park is home to various trees, such as sugar maples, hickories, and oaks, which transform into a breathtaking display of colors during the fall season.

The best time to see the fall foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains is from late September to early November. During this time, the leaves on the trees change color, and the park is transformed into a sea of reds, oranges, and yellows. The peak season for fall foliage in the park is usually mid to late October.

One of the best ways to see the fall foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains is by taking a scenic drive. The park has several scenic drives that offer stunning views of fall colors. The most popular drives include:

• Newfound Gap Road- This 33-mile drive takes you from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to Cherokee, North Carolina. The drive offers stunning views of the fall foliage. It passes through several overlooks, including the Newfound Gap overlook, which offers breathtaking views of the mountains.

• Clingmans Dome Road- This 7-mile drive takes you to the highest point in the park, Clingmans Dome. The drive offers stunning views of the fall foliage and passes through several overlooks, including the Clingmans Dome overlook, which offers panoramic views of the mountains.

• Cades Cove Loop Road- This 11-mile drive takes you through the Cades Cove Valley, which is home to an abundance of wildlife and historic buildings. The drive offers stunning views of the fall foliage and passes through several overlooks, including the Cable Mill overlook, which offers views of the historic grist mill.

In addition to scenic drives, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers several hiking trails that offer stunning views of the fall foliage. Some of the best trails include:

• Alum Cave Trail- This 5-mile round-trip trail takes you to Alum Cave, which offers stunning views of the fall foliage.

• Charlies Bunion Trail- This 8-mile round trip trail takes you to Charlies Bunion, which offers panoramic views of the mountains.

• Abrams Falls Trail- This 5-mile round-trip trail takes you to Abrams Falls, which offers stunning views of the fall foliage and is one of the most popular waterfalls in the park.

To get an up-close look at the colorful leaves, take a Pink Jeep Tours Pigeon Forge to explore the Great Smoky Mountains and learn the history of this extraordinary National Park.

Planning Your Trip to See the Fall Foliage

If you're planning a trip to see the fall foliage, it's essential to plan ahead. The fall season is a popular time for tourists, and many places can get crowded quickly. Be sure to book your accommodations well in advance to avoid disappointment. Additionally, flights can be expensive during the fall season, so it's a good idea to book your flights in advance as well.

Time to Start Packing your Bags!

The United States is home to some of the most beautiful fall foliage in the world. Whether you're looking for a small town or a big city, there's something for everyone. So, pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to experience the magic of the fall season.