Fall Picnic Ideas, Food and Fun
Picnics are the best family activity in the Smokies, hands down, and for many reasons! Best one? They can be very inexpensive while combining what’s best about your time in the Gatlinburg area: the gorgeous weather, beautiful scenery and time away together. Scoot over to The Village and get what you need to spread your blanket in the sunshine.
First stop? The Day Hiker, of course! Get trail maps for hiking into that perfect private setting for your feast. Don’t forget to snag a few souvenir water bottles to keep hydrated during the walk and the meal. The Day Hiker has packs to tuck away sandwiches, sunscreen, and everything else you’ll need as well as packable water bowls and other dog accessories. Next, you may want to swing into The Hayloft Comfort Footwear. They offer the best footwear brands for your walk or hike into your desired picnic environment. Comfort is king when you’re on vacation, so you can bet whatever you get to hit the trails will also serve you well as you shop or wait in line at attractions in the area!
Next stop? Why Coffee & Company, of course! Take a bag of full-bodied, scrumptious coffee back to your cabin to brew and take in a thermos. Your picnic in the cool mountain air will be enhanced by both the aroma and the flavor! You’ll want to grab a bag of goodies from The Donut Friar for dessert. (You’ll work off those calories walking the many trails of the Smokies!)
If you’re not up for trail-hunting and hiking, maybe pulling over at one of the many riverside locations in the GSMNP near Gatlinburg and tailgating will make for a fun meal. Buy some yummy sandwiches at Maddi Mae’s Cafe & Creamery in The Village. All you need is a bag of great food (and a camera) to make a fun memory. Stop by Toy Crazy so the littles in your entourage can get a Tennessee Popgun to play with while the adults chat by the water or a stuffed animal friend to accompany them on the picnic. If you choose to picnic near a mountain stream, be sure to watch for otters at play! They are a special Smoky Mountain delight.
Let the picnic time spark a family discussion about what you can learn in the Smokies. What most visitors do not know is that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a salamander mecca. That’s right, we are home to thirty different species of the little creatures, including the indigenous Red Cheeked Salamander. Make it a game to see as many as you can! Another fun but little known fact – outside of serious birding hobbyists – is that there are so many different kinds of birds in the Smokies that people come from all over the country and even the world to watch and photograph them. There are different types of birds at each level of elevation in the park. In the fall, of course the big story is our stunning leaf colors. All you need is a cell phone to capture their glory. Family members can compete to see who can get the most unique fall photo during the vacation.
As you weave in and out of the many shops of The Village, keep your eyes open for the many great products that will enhance all of your picnics in the Smokies. While you’re in town, have several of them! You won’t regret the time in the sunshine. Who knows what you might see? Bears, deer, elk, foxes, coyotes and many other animals roam freely in the park. Have fun! Oh, and for heaven’s sake, TAKE PICTURES and share them with us on Facebook!