Recommend vacation destination in Tennessee or Kentucky

[jgb]

We're planning a week long summer vacation, and can't decide where to go!

One option is to meet some friends in the Tennessee or Kentucky region.  I don't know much about this area.  Can anyone recommend a resort or city to go to?  Ideally, we'll be renting a condo or home through VRBO as there will be 8 of us, 4 kids and 4 adults.  Would love somewhere that has a fantastic pool or water access.

Last year, we went to a swim/tennis resort in North Carolina, and this time if we are meeting them, we'll need to go closer to Knoxville or Lexington.  We've definitely ruled out Gatlinburg.  

If we can't make this trip work with our friends, we'll probably go back to Florida.  It's so easy for the kids!

[Jalapeñomel]

OBX!

[Jalapeñomel]

Obviously, I didn't read.

[lolo]

I'm curious why Gatlinburg is out of the mix. What about the surrounding areas, near SMNP but not in the cluster of Gatlinburg?

[jgb]

May 4, 2013 11:55:18 GMT -5 lolo said:

I'm curious why Gatlinburg is out of the mix. What about the surrounding areas, near SMNP but not in the cluster of Gatlinburg?

DH did Gatlinburg about 12-13 years ago with an old girlfriend.  It's his only request - not to go there just because he doesn't have great memories of it.

[jgb]

May 4, 2013 11:54:37 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Obviously, I didn't read.

Ha!  OBX is definitely on the bucket list though.  It's too far of a drive for this trip with our young kids, but we want to get over there in the next few years for sure.

[jgb]

May 4, 2013 11:54:16 GMT -5 squirrelymom said:

They have some really nice cabins at land between the lakes. It's on the western end of Tennessee, on the Kentucky border.

Thanks.  Do you know of any resorts or properties specifically?  I've been playing around on VRBO and google and it's a bit overwhelming.

[thinkofthesoldiers]

Rent a houseboat on one of the big lakes.

[dizzydee]

Go to KY or Barclay Lake. My family has a house on KY lake. Green turtle bay has nice condo/houses. You can rent boats/jet skis. Depending on how many people there are renting a houseboat is super fun.

[Deleted]

i stayed in a cabin in the great smokey mountains in TN once, i think in a national park (my mom and her bff met there with their respective families). i recall it being gorgeous and the cabins very nice. kitchens, some climate control.

[jssymom14]

Dale hollow lake was beautiful when we went there a few years ago

[lolo]

May 4, 2013 12:08:22 GMT -5 jgb said:

May 4, 2013 11:55:18 GMT -5 lolo said:

I'm curious why Gatlinburg is out of the mix. What about the surrounding areas, near SMNP but not in the cluster of Gatlinburg?

DH did Gatlinburg about 12-13 years ago with an old girlfriend.  It's his only request - not to go there just because he doesn't have great memories of it.

Ah, that makes sense. I hope he doesn't rule out the whole SMNP though--that area is fantastic! I spent many childhood summer weeks camped along the river at Elkmont campground, enjoying trails to see waterfalls, biking in Cades Cove, and splashing around in the creek. It was lovely.

[ginger]

Sounds like you probably want something in the Blue Ridge mountains. Big area though.

If you want TN, but not Gatlinburg and surrounding areas, just go to Kentucky. You're ruling out a lot of the places with pools by excluding Gatlinburg.

Here's VRBO filtered by 2+ Bedrooms, kid friendly, and a pool.