Husband and wife, Adam and Katie Collins, recently decided to take a weekend trip to Gatlinburg with their baby, Judah, and they chose to stay at The Appy Lodge! Adam and Katie are wedding videographers from Knoxville, TN and own Adam Collins Videography. Since this year has been a whirlwind for many, the two decided to escape to the Smokies for a few days with their new baby. They caught some of their best moments from their Gatlinburg getaway on camera and created a video for everyone to enjoy. We’re happy they chose to stay with us and had a fun vacation in Gatlinburg! Find out more about their weekend getaway at our Gatlinburg hotel below!
Wedding Videographers Stay at The Appy
When Adam and Katie Collins decided to plan a trip to Gatlinburg, they knew they wanted to stay somewhere that was conveniently located close to all the action on the Parkway, yet still had that cozy mountain feel. That’s why our Gatlinburg hotel was the perfect choice! The two fell in love with The Appy and said they enjoyed all our amenities, including our indoor pool and hot tub, outdoor fire pits and hot apple cider. After a busy weekend exploring all the beautiful sights and the exciting attractions, they spent Sunday night curled up together in front of one of our outdoor fire pits, apple cider in hand. We are so happy that their little family decided to spend their weekend in Gatlinburg with us and had such a great time!
More About Their Gatlinburg Getaway
The Collins family fit so much fun into their weekend in Gatlinburg! From dining at delicious restaurants, to visiting exciting attractions, to taking in the Winterfest lights, they were able to make memories they’ll hold on to for years to come. Here are some of the top places they visited during their Gatlinburg getaway:
Bones BBQ
Bones BBQ won this little family over with its delicious BBQ and friendly atmosphere. If you’re looking for authentic Tennessee BBQ, this is the place for you. The menu includes pulled pork, smoked chicken, beef brisket, ribs and more. This Gatlinburg restaurant has proudly been serving both visitors and locals since 2013.
Grotto Falls
Adam and Katie were looking for an easy yet rewarding hike, so they took the NOC’s recommendation to hike to Grotto Falls. They said this was the perfect hike to do with their 4-month-old in tow! This hike offers beautiful views of a 25-foot waterfall. What’s special about Grotto Falls is that the trail runs behind the waterfall, making it the only waterfall in the Smokies you can actually walk behind!
Crockett’s Breakfast Camp
Bring your appetite when you enjoy breakfast at Crockett’s Breakfast Camp. Like the Collins mentioned in their blog, you can enjoy a cinnamon roll “as big as your face” when you dine here! The quality of food and service here honors the legacy of David “Crockett” Maples, who was an original frontiersman and soldier who made his mark on the mountains. The menu includes everything from griddle cakes, to waffles and french toast, to breakfast platters.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
There’s a reason Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is voted one of the best aquariums in the country year after year! The Collins family enjoyed seeing all the aquatic animals, and the penguins were Judah’s favorite! When you visit Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg, you’ll get to see more than 10,000 sea creatures in 10 themed galleries. There are even unique experiences that allow you to interact with the animals, like feeding a sea turtle, touching a jellyfish or waddling with penguins!
Anakeesta
Another top Gatlinburg attraction the Collins family visited was Anakeesta! They enjoyed the chondola ride up to the top of the mountain, where they explored all the shops, eateries and activities. They dined at Cliff Top before climbing to the top of the AnaVista Tower for 360-degree views of the mountains and downtown Gatlinburg! The AnaVista Tower is the highest point in downtown Gatlinburg and offers the best views in town. Other fun things to do at Anakeesta are the Dueling Zipline Adventure, the Rail Runner Mountain Coaster, the TreeVenture Course and the Treetop Skywalk.
The Village
One of the best places to stop by when you visit Gatlinburg is The Village, which offers a unique shopping experience with 26 shops. It’s even more beautiful during Winterfest, when The Village is decorated with lights and other holiday decorations. The Collins family stopped by the Donut Friar to get a sweet treat, which is a must-do on any vacation! After, they enjoyed seeing all the twinkling Winterfest lights and displays in downtown Gatlinburg before returning to our Gatlinburg hotel.
More Shops in Gatlinburg
If you’re interested in doing more shopping while you’re in Gatlinburg, be sure to visit Baskins Square. This one-of-a-kind shopping destination is located right in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg and has everything from handcrafted pottery to magic tricks for the kids! It’s also home to one of the best hidden gem restaurants in town: New Orleans Sandwich Company. Don’t miss the opportunity to stop by Baskins Square for Smoky Mountain souvenirs, gifts and more!
Enjoy a Weekend Getaway at Our Gatlinburg Hotel
The Collins family had a fun and relaxing weekend getaway in Gatlinburg, and now it’s your turn! Our Gatlinburg hotel offers the convenience of being close to downtown Gatlinburg restaurants and attractions while still providing guests a cozy mountain lodge atmosphere. We have a variety of rooms that can accommodate both couples and families, making us the perfect place to stay for any occasion. When you stay with us, enjoy amenities like an indoor pool, a free downtown parking pass upon request, outdoor fire pits and more.
Take a look at all of our Gatlinburg hotel rooms and book your weekend getaway today!
