Hotel at a Glance: Berry Springs Lodge

Berry Springs Lodge is set on 33 scenic acres in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. There are two onsite hiking trails, two picturesque ponds stocked with bass and catfish, and a pavilion that’s equipped with a pool table, ping-pong table, and basketball hoop. In-room massages are available to help you unwind after a day spent wandering the grounds or exploring downtown Gatlinburg, which is just a 15-minute drive away.

• Hearty breakfasts may include Belgian waffles, bakes and stuffed French toast, and make-your-own omelets.
• Views of the Great Smoky Mountains from your private balcony and the lodge’s large deck.
• Great outdoors: Borrow complimentary recreational gear such as canoes, fishing poles, and mountain bikes that can be used on the property.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee: Charming Artists’ Village amid Great Smoky Mountains

Gatlinburg rests near Tennessee’s eastern border, less than 3 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here, you can hike more than 100 trails that wind past waterfalls and pioneer-era log cabins tucked deep within densely forested mountains. Or, take a bicycle ride on the 11-mile loop through Cades Cove, a broad valley of open meadows where you can see deer, black bears, and wild turkeys. Clingmans Dome, the park’s highest point of elevation at 6,643 feet, is a great place to catch the sunset.

Gatlinburg’s main attraction is probably the artists’ loop. It comprises more than 100 craft shops, studios, and cafés, and you can watch artisans as they hand weave baskets and whittle wooden figurines. Downtown Gatlinburg itself is a mountain village filled with old-fashioned ice-cream shops and boutiques selling housemade jams and decorative gewgaws.