Experience Roamstead: Weekend Getaway in Tennessee

This past weekend, my dad and I experienced the incredible hospitality of Roamstead (hosted), Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Gatlinburg, TN.

If you’re anything like me and aim to visit all 63 national parks, consider this a guide for experiencing all that Roamstead and the surrounding areas, such as Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains, have to offer in just 3 short days.

Day 1: Arrive to TN and Explore Gatlinburg

If you’re planning to drive to Gatlinburg, reference this guide to determine the best route to take, and if you’re planning to fly, I recommend booking via Expedia for the best rates and flying into McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in downtown Knoxville.

We flew direct from Chicago (ORD) and rented a car from Payless (via Expedia). If you plan to book flights & a rental car through Expedia, I also recommend using Expedia’s Package feature for extra savings.

After arriving in Knoxville and driving to Gatlinburg, (1 hr via US-441 S) we officially started exploring Gatlinburg.

We stopped at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center to pick up maps, a visitor brochure and purchase our Great Smoky Mountains Parking Passes.
Explored the shops at The Village & on Parkway (Downtown Gatlinburg). Our favorite shops were Kilwins for Fudge and NOC Gatlinburg.
We ate lunch at Ole Red which is Blake Shelton’s restaurant.
Check in and spend the night at Roamstead. You can use code LIVELARGE at checkout to receive 10% off your stay.
- We stayed in 11 Spruce which sleeps 2-3 people and has a contemporary design and warm ambiance.
- Dinner and drinks where from Roamstead’s on-site dining.

Day 2: Explore the National Park

Start your day with complimentary coffee from Roamstead starting at 8:00am.
Head to Gatlinburg and eat breakfast at Flapjacks before a day of exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Enter the park via the Sugarland’s Visitor Center, explore the visitor center and purchase a parking passif you haven’t already.
Depending on time and physical ability, consider these hikes before driving through the park and exploring the various campgrounds and pull-offs.
- Easy:
  - Gatlinburg Trail – 3.8mi
  - Laurel Falls Trail – 2.4mi (currently closed)
- Moderate:
  - Observation Tower Trail – 1.3mi
  - Rainbow Falls Trail – 5.4mi
- Hard:
  - Maddron Bald Trail – 14.3mi
After hiking, drive through the park to Sevierville and grab a souvenir and beer at Mountain Brothers General Store or a coffee at The Heavenly Roast.
Head back to Roamstead and take a nap and/or freshen up for dinner.
For dinner we ate at Calhoun’s in Gatlinburg and were very disappointed. I would not recommend it.
Grab a drink and milkshake for dessert from Roamstead’s on-site dining.

Day 3: Pack up and head home.

We had an afternoon flight so before heading back to Knoxville, we grabbed breakfast from the Sun Diner in Gatlinburg and visited the Aquarium.
Depending on what time you need to head out by, after breakfast you could also do an additional hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or spend more time exploring downtown Gatlinburg.