10 BEST WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR STAY

1. Rent with friends and family. A group of four or more can rent a nicer cabin with more amenities for a lower price per couple. Have each couple plan and cook one nightly meal.
2. Arrive before dark. The area’s steep, narrow, windy roads are daunting enough in the daylight. There are no streetlights, and navigating in the dark can be difficult. (Plus, there’s not much room to turn around.)
3. Plan to cook dinner and breakfast. You'll save money and time, and you'll enjoy more leisure time in your cabin. You won't want to drive to town for every meal (and you may not want to find your way back after dark).
4. Plan meals and grocery shop at home. The area's two or three grocery stores get crowded with tourists on weekends. Don't waste valuable vacation time doing what you can accomplish at home.
5. Pack these essentials. Many cabins lack good knives, coffee filters, a wine opener, and maybe your own pillow. Some cabins have games and DVDs, but it wouldn't hurt to bring those, too.
6. Take a sack lunch to the park. There are no food vendors in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Savvy visitors have an early breakfast at the Appplewood Farmhouse, the closest restaurant to the park entrance. You can buy a nice sack lunch and beat the crowds.
7. Pack light, and do laundry. Most cabins have a washer and dryer. (Make sure to confirm this before you rent.) Bring detergent.
8. Bring a bathing suit. Even in the winter, hot tubbing is a favorite cabin pastime. Most cabins have privacy screens for the modest. Before you rent, make sure to ask if your rental company drains and cleans hot tubs after every guest. (Most claim they do.)
9. Break into smaller groups for outings. This prevents group-lag, whining, and getting on each other's nerves. Reunite for meals. You'll still have plenty of time together.
10. Plan for downtime. Don't try to cram in too much each day. The whole point of renting a cabin is being able to lounge in your pjs on the deck, watch a spectacular sunset, and cozy up by the fire. You may not want to leave the cabin at all—and that's perfectly fine.

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO (OUTSIDE YOUR CABIN)

1. Go shopping. Tanger Five Oaks in Sevierville has the newest outlet shops, plus great mini-golf, several restaurants, and a Starbucks.
2. Play mini-golf. Hillbilly Golf in Gatlinburg is a classic, and you ride a rail car up the mountain before you tee off. Old McDonald's near Tanger Five Oaks boasts three courses and lots of bells and whistles. (The music can get annoying though.)
3. Visit the national park. Watch an inspiring movie at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and ask rangers for tips on drives and hikes. See historic buildings in Cades Cove, explore the recently abandoned ghost town of Elkmont, and walk to the top of Clingmans Dome observation tower, the highest point in the park.
4. Go tubing in Townsend. River Rat offers access to 2 stretches of the Little River and will rent you a tube and shuttle you all day for $12. The upper stretch is a little more exciting, while the calm lower stretch is great for kids.
5. See a show. Dixie Stampede wows visitors with rodeo riding and a hearty meal you eat with your fingers. (Don't even ask for silverware.) Make advance reservations, because it often sells out. Black Bear Jamboree does good clean family fun.
6. Eat pancakes. There's a pancake house on every block. You're on vacation, so order a tall stack.
7. See a black bear. Cades Cove is a popular place to spot them, but consider yourself lucky to see one.
8. Visit Dollywood. Dolly Parton's theme park couldn't be more fun or more Southern. With live shows, great rides, and delicious country cooking, this park just keeps getting better.
9. Eat taffy and fudge. It's a rule—you can't leave without consuming several pounds of both. Remember that calories don't count on vacation.
10. Walk down the Parkway in Gatlinburg. Shop for souvenirs and enjoy people watching on this crowded stretch. Visit your favorite attraction.

ASK THESE QUESTIONS

1. Are there any additional fees? Some companies charge a cleaning fee, booking fee, and/or hot tub fee on top of nightly rates and taxes. These fees can add anywhere from $25 to $150 to your rental cost.
2. What's the cancellation policy? Some companies require a down payment at the time of booking and give a full refund only if you cancel within 30 days of arrival. In some cases, they may charge a cancellation fee or refund only a percentage of your deposit. Make sure to ask when you book your stay, and read the contract carefully.
3. What amenities are included? Many amenities, such as hot tubs and gas grills, are industry standards. However, make sure to ask about the things that matter most to you. Don't assume "game room" means you'll have a pool table, because you may wind up with Ping Pong or foosball instead.
4. What are the road conditions? Some cabins are reachable only by mountain roads so steep, narrow, and full of switchbacks that a few renters have turned back. Some unpaved roads may require four-wheel drive, especially in winter. Make sure to ask your rental company how they accommodate renters when weather makes it dangerous or impossible for them to reach their cabin. Get their policy in writing.
5. How often do you clean your hot tubs? Many companies we interviewed say they drain and clean their hot tubs after every guest departure. Ask to make sure. During your stay, do not remove the bromine filter because doing so could cause serious health problems.
6. Are your cabins on city water or well water? Several new cabin resorts are beyond the reach of city water lines. They must rely on wells that have occasionally run dry during peak summer months. This is a rare occurrence but worth considering when choosing where to stay.
7. Are your cabins located within city limits? Any structure built within city limits must pass building codes and thorough inspections. Outside city limits, building regulations are not as stringent. This may affect road grades as well as cabins, many of which are built on steep mountainsides.
8. What are the taxes? Some companies are said to unscrupulously jack up the local and state lodging taxes and pocket the margin as profit. The lodging taxes are: Gatlinburg (3%), Pigeon Forge (2.25%), Sevierville (2%), and Townsend (4%). Sevier County just passed a 3% lodging tax as well.
9. Do you have any discounts or specials? Many companies offer the fourth night and/or the seventh night free during certain months. Others offer discounts of 10% or more for large groups. A few offer discounts to repeat customers. Others offer deals on a case-by-case basis. Ask before you book to get the best rate.
10. What are the sleeping arrangements? Many cabins advertise that they can sleep up to 12 in a three-bedroom cabin. That means someone has to sleep on a futon, sleeper sofa, or bunk bed. Other times it means two double beds in one room. Ask to avoid unpleasant surprises.

PACK THESE ESSENTIALS

You should find linens, towels, toilet, paper and dish soap in most cabins. But we noticed a few essentials that you can't always count on.

1. Good cooking knives. Most cabins have cheap knives that are so dull that they're dangerous to use. Bring one good chef's knife and a paring knife if you plan to cook.
2. Coffee filters and coffee. Some cabins supply them. Others don't. Don't spoil a relaxing morning by having to run into town for your wake-up cup.
3. Laundry detergent. Many cabins have washers and dryers, but few supply detergent. More often than not, they do supply dish soap and dishwasher detergent.
4. Paper towels. Cabins usually supply at least one roll. But you can always use an extra.
5. Beach towels. If you plan to go swimming or tubing in the summer, bring one or two towels from home. Many cabins request that you use theirs only for bathing.
6. Hair dryer. This is a rare find in most cabins and a necessity during cold months.
7. Matches and newspapers (for wood-burning fireplaces). Many cabins supply one night's worth of firewood complimentary. But often they lack kindling, which makes starting a fire challenging.
8. Breakfast and late-night snacks. Even if you plan to have meals in town, you'll won't want to navigate mountain roads every time your stomach growls.
9. Toiletries. Unlike hotels, you won't find tiny bottles of shampoo in most cabins. The soap is usually cheap and itchy.
10. Wine opener. Pack a corkscrew if you want to enjoy a bottle of wine. Many cabins lack this item. You can pick up a bottle of local wine (sweet flavors dominate here) at the Apple Barn Winery in Sevierville or the Mountain Valley Winery in Pigeon Forge.

WHAT ABOUT FIDO?

Some companies have a few pet-friendly properties—usually at the cabin owners' discretion. Most require a pet deposit that's charged on your credit card before you arrive and refunded after you leave. Some charge a per-visit or daily pet fee that is non-refundable.

Learn the Lingo
• Cabin: A log-style home with rustic wood features, a deck, and decor ranging from country to contemporary.
• Chalet: Resembles a cottage or small home with drywall, not logs. These tend to be older, with A-frame roofs popular in the 1970s. Our research excluded these.
• Hot tub: A chlorinated, jetted tub sitting outside the cabin. Many have privacy screens to protect the modest.
• Whirlpool tub: A jetted bathtub that may be located in a bathroom, bedroom, or smack in the middle of the cabin. Sometimes red and heart-shaped.
• Private: You may see neighbors as you drive up, but once inside, you'll forget them. Newer cabins sit close, but you're not staring in the windows of the place next door.
• Secluded: No neighbors in sight. Relatively rare, these make it easy to feel far, far away.
• Handicapped accessible: Few cabins earn ADA approval, but some offer wide doorways, ramps, and wheelchair-friendly bathrooms.
• Pet friendly: Most rental companies have a few properties that allow pets, though they may restrict by type and size. Most require deposits and/or extra fees for pets. Some "deposits" are non-refundable.

EDITORS' PICKS: BEST OF THE SMOKIES

1. Best restaurant for families: The Park Grill in Gatlinburg. Has a "National Park" theme with waiters in ranger uniforms. Food is average, but atmosphere is fun.
2. Best restaurant for a romantic dinner: The Lodge at Buckberry Creek in Gatlinburg. It's the only cuisine meal I've had in the Smokies. The brand-new lodge has Adirondacks-style architecture and is very charming, not kitchy, like most cabins.
3. Best fine dining: The Foothills Milling Co. moved from Wears Valley to Maryville, to the grave disappointment of many Wears Valley locals. Try the Vidalia onion-and-goat cheese tart and crème brûlée served in a teacup with a banana spring roll resting in the handle.
4. Best day outing: Dollywood. Theme parks don't get much more Southern, but it's all very well done. See carolers in period costumes, free musical shows, and lots of lights. The food is surprisingly good for a theme park, with options including a sit-down turkey dinner. Working glassblowers, wood carvers, and blacksmiths make crafts you can buy.
5. Best crafts shopping: A tie. The Old Mill Restaurant (good breakfasts here) is surrounded by shops including Pigeon River Potting Shed, Old Mill Candy Kitchen, Old Mill Toy Bin, and Twisted Vessel. The Smoky Mountain Arts & Crafts Community, in Gatlinburg, is the nation's largest community of independent artists and craftspeople. Don't miss Paul Murray's unassuming gallery—this portrait artist has done some impressive sketches and paintings of the people of Appalachia. Wild Plum is a nice tea room with fantastic soups and light lunches.
6. Best non-craft shopping: Walden's Landing in Pigeon Forge. Has some nice shops without a carved black bear in sight. Women dig Verbena's selection of imported lotions, soaps, and bath products, with many hard-to-find European brands. The Color Bar & Spa next door has upscale boutique makeup brands and spa products. There's also a nice shoe store and Harley-Davidson shop nearby.
7. Best pizza and beer: Smoky Mountain Brewery (also at Walden's Landing). Fantastic pizza and good microbrews, all with an Appalachian twist (e.g., Appalachian Pale Ale). They don't deliver, but they do offer take-out. Plus, you can build your own six-pack by choosing from the many microbrew flavors and take it to go.
8. Best dinner show: Everyone, locals included, raves about Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. No utensils—just eat with your hands. Lots of trick riding and rodeo stunts. Everything Dolly does here is good, so make sure to check it out.
9. Best hidden gems: Lodge, the only American maker of cast-iron skillets, has a shop with a great selection of cookware. If you're driving up from Chattanooga, make a detour to Benton's Country Hams on U.S. 411 for the best dang bacon you'll ever taste in your life, plus fantastic country hams and country prosciutto.
10. Best way to escape the crowds: Stay in your cabin and soak in the hot tub. Or, go for a hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you avoid the most famous spots (Cades Cove, Laurel Falls) and hike more than 100 yards from the trailhead, the crowds thin considerably. You might see snow up here some winter days.