Gatlinburg Getaway

Tuesday February 22, 2023 

We left home about 9 AM hoping to reach Gatlinburg and our 11 AM reservation at the Aquarium. We had made a reservation at the Greystone Lodge for a couple reasons. First it is located right beside the Aquarium and the Trolly Stop. We were hoping to do little if any driving in Gatlinburg. Second reason was a nostalgic one. We spent our honeymoon in 1964 in the original Greystone Lodge. The original Grey stone hotel was torn down when the Aquarium was built. Same location tho and there are numerous photos of the original building. It was one of the earliest hotels in the area. 

Original Greystone Lodge where we stayed in 1964

We arrived and were able to check into our room, get parked and make it to the Aquarium within a few minutes of our reservation time. Traffic was light and the sun came out for a beautiful day as we drove into Gatlinburg from the Cosby Hiway (321 I think) off of the Interstate to Asheville. Had not been that way in a long time - in fact neither of us really recall our last trip to Gatlinburg. Jane thinks her last trip to the area was a Red Cross state meeting probably in the 1990's. We may have been back for a day trip for hiking more recently but it has been long enough there are few places that look the same. Ben thinks his last trips were hiking with some of his buddies probably also in the 1980's and 90's. 

We literally walked across the street to the entrance to the Aquarium. Surprised to see so many children - it was a Tuesday in February - Tuesday after President's Day but no school holidays that we are aware of...who knows. Crowded enough that we would not want to be visiting in the peak season for sure. 

Many nice exhibits. The shark tank was huge with numerous viewing locations above as well as from a tunnel through the water that allowed viewing to both sides and above. There was a moving walkway, or you could hop off it and walk along at your own pace. Pretty amazing to see the huge creatures right beside or above you. Several types of sharks including a sawtooth one and numerous other fish of all sizes. The staff were feeding the sharks from the sides of the tank but they did not seem to be very hungry. 

Tunnel through the Shark Tank

Shark

SawTooth Shark

There were separate tanks for numerous varieties of sea life. There was another large tank with a variety of types of fish where we watched a diver feeding from a large tube - like a toothpaste tube - he squirted out the food and the fish swarmed him to eat it. Another large tank held many species of manta ray. They were beautiful to watch swimming. We ate lunch in the snack bar - Jane had chicken tenders and Ben had a pretzel and a small pizza. Remarkably better than expected but certainly not great.

Diver Feeding Fish

Seahorse

King Crabs

Manta Rays

 After lunch we found the penguins and numerous other displays. We made our way to a viewing spot to watch the Daily Penguin Waddle. Finally about 2:30 we called it a day and after wandering around and around found our way out of the place. Everything was nicely done except it was very difficult to find your way around. There were many exit signs but most led to emergency exits. A huge climbing structure/playground was in the center of the aquarium and connected all levels and there were numerous ramps but it was indeed quite a challenge to get out of the place! 

Penguin Waddle

We enjoyed the visit. As we came outside the temperature has definitely nice - it was in the high 70's and we enjoyed some time in the sun on the patio of the Aquarium. We walked across a bridge to one of the side streets for Ben to buy some saltwater taffy. The traffic was light so we drove through Gatlinburg to visit Sugarlands National Park visitor center. They were taking down the Christmas decorations along one side of the street. There were a few places we recognized - the original smokey mountain saltwater taffy location and a few restaurants that looked the same. LOTS of people walking for sure. Jane wanted a longsleeve chambray smokies shirt - not surprised they did not have one. Starting March 1, people who visit Smokey Mountain National Park will still not pay for entrance but will pay a parking fee. They were installing the permit machines at the visitor center. Back at the hotel we selected a restaurant - we could see it from our porch over the creek but it was a .03 mile walk to get there because of the creek! Chesapeake Seafood was highly recommended and walkable so we made a reservation. Very nice restaurant - sleek and modern - Crab bisque was excellent and we shared a broiled seafood platter. We ate every bite of the shrimp, scallops, crabcake, and fish. All were cooked to perfection and even the crab cake which are not always good was very good. No way either of us could have eaten the entire order. Service was good and we would highly recommend this restaurant. I believe they have another location in Knoxville. We made it back to our hotel and ended our day with over 8,000 steps! 

View from our porch

Crab Bisque - forgot to photograph the seafood platter

Wednesday February 22, 2023

After a good night's sleep, we enjoyed breakfast in the hotel.  It was more than adequate with both hot and cold items to select from.  We would recommend this hotel for a great location, clean, and nice porch over creek, good bed, can't think of any reason we would not stay again. 

We headed to Pigeon Forge to the Titanic Museum.  We watched the movie a couple nights ago, so it was fresh in our mind.  I can't imagine a fast food place, store, or entertainment activity that is not located along that main drag in Pigeon Forge - some more than once.  Traffic was not heavy - it was only 9:45- but this is another place I would not want to be in the summer.  The Museum was a class act.  The owner was a leader on a mission to recover artifacts from the wreckage about 2 years after the initial discovery.  This museum is their way to honor those who were lost in the accident that sank the Titanic. 

Entry to Titanic

Replica of Window above Staircase

Grand Staircase 

Really nice China

Ben steers the Titanic

Clear stars outside through the windows

It was COLD

Titanic Model built from Legos by a young man from Iceland

This was my identity on the Titanic, Ben had a staff member and he also lived. 

The museum includes artifacts from the wreckage, from survivors, interview of survivors, research from Ireland where the ship was built, and lots of experiences.  You were given a card identifying one of the individuals on the ship - at the end you would discover if you lived or died. Luckily I lived. 

After our adventure on the Titanic, we ate lunch at a nearby Steak n Shake - not too exciting but it was good and we could not recall eating at one in the past.  We had given some thought to spending an hour or so at the Outlet Mall but instead chose to just head home.  Could not think of anything we really needed so just headed up I-81.  We did stop at Yoder's Country Store at the Bulls Gap exit.  Bought a few staples at really good prices and headed on home.  Arrived about 4:00.  Nice trip - perfect weather, good accommodations, good food, and the Aquarium and Titanic were worth the money and time.