In 2021, I joined my friends for a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. A whole year had passed between my travel adventures for reasons you can probably guess (that’s right, COVID). So, the wanderlust was long overdue.
Now, I won’t lie; the road trip to Tennessee had its challenges. But once we arrived at our rented cabin for the long weekend, the magic of the Smokies took over.
The cabin itself felt like something straight out of a movie. Incredible views of the mountains, a jacuzzi on the back balcony, a fireplace in the living room and plenty of space to house our whole group.
I would love to return to the Smoky Mountains. The absolute sense of peace that overcame me, especially after such a stressful road trip, felt like a balm to the soul. The crisp mountain air in March, surrounded by trees and hills, and even spotting American bison on our drive in and out of town — I never wanted to leave.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Within the National Park itself, we explored only a few of the many beautiful paths. Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail offers a flat and paved path, making it accessible and friendly for those with mobility issues. But along the way, we ventured slightly off the path (still within sight of the trail, though!) and found some of the most serene scenery I’ve ever been in. There’s nothing quite like the sound of water running over stones in the woods.
We also drove up into the mountains to the Newfound Gap Overlook. Here, it was significantly colder, so if you make it there on your visit, bring a jacket. The views are simply magnificent, and I could have easily spent hours there just communing with nature. There’s also an entrance to the Appalachian Trail from here, so if you take a few steps onto the path, you can officially say you’ve walked the famous trail.
Gatlinburg, TN
Perhaps my favorite part of the whole trip was our visit to the Gatlinburg SkyPark. We hopped on the lift, a delightful ride in and of itself, up to the SkyBridge that stretches nearly 700 feet across a deep valley. It’s a glass bridge, so as you walk across, you can look down below into the depths of the valley. Some friends stayed behind, as that is simply not their jam. But for me, it always feels like the ultimate adventure to stand in the air, like I did at the Sears Tower Sky Deck in Chicago.
No girls’ trip is complete without good eats. Although located in Greensboro, NC, I wanted to give a shoutout to Boss Hog’s Bar-B-Que. We stopped here for dinner on our way out of Gatlinburg and heading back home. The food was delicious, so I do recommend checking it out if you find yourself in the area.