My First Time at Gen Con: Is It Worth $1,000?

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Let’s just get right into it. Gen Con cost me and my husband $1,000 to attend. That’s two 4-day badges and five nights in a hotel, plain and simple. No gas. No food. No souvenirs. Just the price of being there.

$360.80 for the badges. $629.88 for the hotel. That comes out to $990.68, close enough to round up to a nice, terrifying $1,000.

And that doesn’t even touch the other money we spent to get there. Gas, food, and all the little bits and bobs added up to around $400 more. So really, this trip cost us close to $1,400 when it was all said and done.

Was it worth it? I asked myself that question the entire time I was there. Let’s break it down.

What Even Is Gen Con?

If you’re new to the tabletop world, you might not know that Gen Con actually got its name from the Geneva Convention. The very first one was held in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and they shortened it to “Gen Con.” Now it’s held annually in Indianapolis, and it’s the largest tabletop gaming convention in the United States.

We’re talking big numbers here. More than 74,000 people showed up this year. There were nearly 28,000 individual events happening across four days, everything from tournaments to demos to full on role playing campaigns. Vendors had more than 3,000 games on display, and that’s barely a dent in what’s out there. 

I read somewhere that BoardGameGeek has over 150,000 games cataloged. I had no idea the hobby was this massive until I walked through those doors.

The convention brings in something like $80 million to the Indianapolis area every year, just from people eating out and booking hotels. That number doesn’t even count what people spend on the games themselves.

Next year is Gen Con’s 60th anniversary. And yes, we’re already planning to go back…but we’re going to do things differently. More on that in a moment. Let’s first look at how the funds for this year stacked up.

Breaking Down the $1,000

My husband and I went to Gen Con for our 20th wedding anniversary. Nothing says “romantic getaway” quite like standing in a convention hall for four days straight, right? But that’s exactly what we wanted. It was so “us-coded” it felt like fate that our travel day there literally fell ON our wedding anniversary.

Here’s how the badges and hotel broke down:

  • Two 4-day badges: $360.80
  • Five nights in a hotel: $629.88 (We stayed at Red Roof Inn because they are the most accommodating for our Pampered Pomchis)
  • Total for badges and lodging: $990.68

On top of that, we spent roughly $400 on gas, meals, and random extras during our trip. So if you’re planning your own trip and budgeting just for “getting in the door,” know that the real number will end up being higher once you factor in food, travel, and any souvenirs you pick up along the way.

The Math I Was Doing the Whole Drive There

I’ll be honest. On the drive up, I kept running the numbers in my head. A thousand dollars is a lot of money. My husband and I talked it through in the car, and one thing kept coming up. For that same amount, we could have bought 10-20 board games instead. Maybe more.

So which one wins? A bunch of games we could play over and over for years, or four days at a convention that would be over before we knew it?

There’s no easy answer. I’m the kind of person who thrives being around other people who love the same things I love, so my answer is going to be a little biased. But I also think that’s worth admitting up front. If you’re someone who gets more joy out of owning things than experiencing things, Gen Con might not hit the same way for you.

One thing I didn’t expect going in was how much this trip would spark ideas about doing more gaming closer to home. More on that later too.

Getting There and Getting In

We drove up on Wednesday, July 29th, which happened to be our actual anniversary. We checked into our hotel and immediately went to pick up our badges.

Quick tip if you’re planning your first trip: you might want to choose will call over having your badges mailed to you. We’d been having mail issues at our house, and there was a rumor going around that if your badges didn’t show up, you’d have to pay full price again to replace them. Not worth the risk.

The will call line wrapped around the inside of the building. I mean it wrapped around every hallway. It looked like it would take hours, but the whole thing was surprisingly well organized. We were in and out in under an hour.

Parking is its own adventure. If you’re going Monday through Friday, the public parking facility across from the convention center is reserved for state employees only. That knocked out our first choice completely. My advice? Leave earlier than you think you need to, and have a backup parking plan ready to go.

Some folks swear by parking apps, but we opted to not use those this time. Might change our mind next time. We’ll see though because I heard a lot of folks using apps spent way more than we did…

What the Days Actually Looked Like

Once we had our badges, we spent that first evening just getting the lay of the land. We walked through the convention center, over to the J.W. Marriott where more gaming events were happening, and through the block party.

We also had one of the worst meals of ever that night. We tried some noodles that looked and smelled amazing. They were not amazing. I talked to other people in line who felt the same way. Lesson learned. Don’t judge a food stand by its aromas. Ha!

Thursday was when things really kicked off. We spent the day walking through the exhibit hall, seeing games laid out and set up in person for the first time. That’s something you don’t usually get to do when you’re buying board games online. You just see a box and some photos. Here, you could actually see how a game looked on the table before deciding if you wanted it.

I also discovered there are fitness themed tabletop games. One guy had built workouts around a Dungeons and Dragons style theme, and it got me thinking. I’ve already started building a fitness game with my instructor Rhonda using a deck of cards, and after seeing this, we’re adding a set of dice to the mix too. I’ll share more about that soon in our fitness community for our Movers and Shakers.

Friday and Saturday were more of the same, working our way through the rest of the exhibit hall. I started paying attention to something I’d never noticed before: the artwork. Some of these games have absolutely stunning art on the boards and cards, and I found myself getting genuinely excited just looking at it.

By Sunday, we were done. We checked out early (even though it meant we were still out that night’s hotel fees!) and headed home so I could start recovering. Monday morning, I was back at the gym for Zumba and low impact cardio and toning, because apparently four days on my feet wasn’t enough movement for one week.

The Food Situation (Bring Your Own Next Time)

I’m not going to sugarcoat this. We ate terribly the whole trip, and it cost us a lot more than it should have.

We paid $28 for that first night’s nasty noodles. We paid $40 for two burgers and fries that were honestly some of the worst burgers I’ve ever had. When you get busy running from event to event, grabbing whatever food is closest starts to feel like your only option, even when you know it’s not a great one.

Next year, we’re bringing a cooler. Snacks, drinks, maybe even some simple meals we can pack ahead of time. It’ll save us money and probably a stomachache or two.

I’m not a diet girly and I don’t believe in restriction for the sake of restriction. But there’s a difference between enjoying food and just eating whatever’s fastest because you didn’t plan ahead. Next time, we WILL plan ahead.

More Movement Please!

Gen Con is definitely a walking event. A lot of walking. Between the convention center, the hotel, and everywhere in between, I recorded over 36,000 steps across the four days, and I know that number is low. I forgot to turn on my tracker more than once, including our very first night there.

I hit at least 10,000 steps every single day, and one day I broke 12,000 before I even remembered to check. Add in the stairs at our hotel, which didn’t have an elevator, and my body definitely knew it had been to Gen Con.

This mattered so much to me because a year ago, there’s no way I could have done this trip and enjoyed it the way I did. I would have been in pain the entire time, if I could have handled it at all.

Walking through that convention center, I noticed other attendees struggling. I talked to a few people whose ankles were swollen from all the standing and walking, and it took me right back to being that version of myself. I’ve been there. I know what that feels like.

This time was different because I’ve put in the work. I hydrated like it was my job, because trust me, you go through water fast when you’re walking that much. I wore my Asics the entire trip and tested Dr. Scholl’s sports insoles for a couple of days to see if they made a difference. Honestly, I couldn’t tell much of a difference with the Asics I had, so I saved the insoles for my Zumba shoes instead.

If you’re planning your first Gen Con and you’re not used to being on your feet for long stretches, start building that up now. It’ll change your whole experience.

An Interesting Twist…

After all that debate about board games versus experiences, here’s the kicker. We didn’t buy a single board game the entire trip. Not one. We only played two games total, a Dungeons and Dragons style game and a round of Star Realms.

So if you’re measuring the trip purely by “games purchased” or “games played,” it might sound like a bust. But that’s not where the value actually was for us.

The value was in the people. You can walk up to almost anyone at Gen Con and ask what their favorite game is, and they light up. They want to tell you. If you mention wanting to learn something new, people get excited to teach you instead of getting frustrated explaining the rules. That kind of energy is rare, and it’s contagious.

It also got me and my husband talking about starting a regular board game night closer to home. We already have friends who host game nights once a month, and honestly, that kind of regular connection might scratch the same itch Gen Con does, minus the flight and hotel bill. We’re looking into local game store event calendars now to see what’s out there.

So, Is It Worth $1,000?

For us, yes. But I want to be honest about the whole picture before you decide for yourself.

Remember, we spent closer to $1,400 for a five day trip. That’s a lot of money, and it’s not a decision to make lightly.

What you get for it is an experience unlike anything else. Tens of thousands of people who love the same weird, wonderful hobby you do, all in one place, all excited to share it with you. You get to see games in person before you buy them. You get to watch people demo things you’ve never even heard of. And if you’ve been working on your health like I have, you get proof of just how far you’ve come, one step at a time.

We’re already planning to go back for the 60th anniversary next year, and we’re doing it smarter this time. Better parking plan. Packed food. And honestly, if any gear or wellness brands out there want to sponsor a fitness minded first timer turned repeat attendee, my inbox is open. I’d love to partner with someone who wants to help more people move their bodies, even at a gaming convention.

A Few Quick Tips If You’re Going for the First Time

  • Choose will call over mailed tickets if there’s any chance your mail could be unreliable
  • Check parking restrictions ahead of time
  • Leave earlier than you think you need to each day of the convention
  • Hydrate more than feels necessary. You’ll need it
  • Break in comfortable shoes before you go, and consider insoles if you’re prone to foot pain
  • Budget for food separately from your badge and hotel costs, or better yet, pack some of your own
  • Don’t stress about having a perfect plan. You genuinely cannot fully prepare for your first Gen Con, and that’s okay

Gen Con pushed me physically more than I expected, cost me more than I planned, and gave me more than I bargained for. I’ll take that trade every time.

Onwards and upwards, my friends. Have you worked out today?

How Much Can You Actually Earn Podcasting? (Free Calculator)

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Meet Rhonda Goode, Fitness Instructor in Richmond KY

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Rhonda Goode is the fitness instructor Richmond KY relies on for real talk and real results. Listen to her story across 7 episodes of More Movement Please.

No Excuses. No Fluff. Just Rhonda Goode.

You’ve heard us talk about her. You’ve asked for her. Here she is.

Rhonda Goode is a group fitness instructor in Richmond, Kentucky who has spent 14 years teaching classes people actually show up for. And she didn’t plan a single minute of it. Two instructors quit at the same time, a room full of people needed someone to lead them, and Rhonda stepped up. No five year plan, no perfect moment. Just showing up when it mattered.

She’s since taught “land classes,” aqua classes, and packed out rooms so full the mirrors fogged up. She doesn’t do diet talk. She doesn’t do fluff. She tells you the truth about your workout, your excuses, and what you’re actually capable of, and she does every single rep right alongside you.

Below are all the episodes featuring Rhonda in one place, so you don’t have to go digging. Grab a seat and get ready to be told the truth.

The Instructor Who Will Actually Tell You the Truth About Your Workout

Rhonda Goode is a fitness instructor in Richmond, KY

# 7 – From Food Coma Family Reunions to Breaking the Generational Curse

# 8 – Watching Her Mom Become a Prisoner in Her Own Body

#9 – From Working Out at Night to Becoming a Fitness Instructor | Rhonda’s 21-Day Habit Secret

# 48 – She Never Planned to Teach. Then the Room Filled Up and the Mirrors Fogged Over.

# 49 – 14 Years at the Front of the Room: What a Real Fitness Instructor Actually Sees

# 50 – This Fitness Instructor Can Tell in 60 Seconds If You’re Going to Quit

80 – Stop Commenting on People’s Bodies: Rhonda Goode’s Fitness Class PSA

Tune into all the latest episodes of the More Movement Please podcast:

Who Is Rhonda Goode?

Rhonda Goode is a group fitness instructor in Richmond, KY with 14 years of experience leading classes people come back to again and again. She holds a general group fitness certification and a Silver Sneakers certification, and over the years she’s taught everything from Zumba to aqua fitness to boot camp style classes and more.

Rhonda walked into a gym for the first time in 2011 at 35 years old and just kept showing up. What started as a student turned into an instructor almost by accident, when two of her own instructors quit at the same time and someone needed to lead the class. She got licensed, started teaching a small community class at Eastern Kentucky University, and it grew from there. Word spread fast. She eventually packed out Berea College so completely that the mirrors fogged up from the crowd.

No Shots. No Pills. Just Results.

Rhonda’s style is simple (but NOT easy!). She shows up, she does every move alongside her students, and she doesn’t stand at the front barking orders while everyone else struggles. She’s known for being direct, sometimes blunt, always honest. If you’re new to group fitness, she’ll walk right up and introduce herself and tell you to do what you can. That’s what makes her approach to group fitness for beginners so different. Nobody gets left behind and nobody gets made to feel small.

She’s not about diet culture, quick fixes, or making you feel bad for where you’re starting from. There’s no shortcut she’s selling you. She’s about consistency, strength, and telling the truth even when it stings a little.

Where You Can Find More of Rhonda

Rhonda is our head coach inside our fitness community, where she shows up with workouts, Q&As, and coaching built specifically for people who want a real fitness instructor in their corner, someone who has spent over a decade in the room with real people at every level.

No diet talk. No supplements. No pressure to be anything other than exactly where you are right now.

Join the community here and get Rhonda in your corner for real.

Have YOU worked out today?

I Snuck Off to The Christmas Place Solo and Found My New Bucket List Hotel

A firsthand look at The Incredible Christmas Place store and The Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, including history, what’s inside, and why it’s now on my must-stay list.

Confession time. On our recent girls trip to Pigeon Forge, there was a stretch of time where my mom and sister wanted to rest at the hotel, and I, the person who loves Christmas a frankly unreasonable amount, did not want to rest. 

So I left them to sleep, walked across the street, and gave myself a solo Christmas excursion at The Incredible Christmas Place and The Inn at Christmas Place.

It might be one of the best decisions I made on the entire trip.

A Quick Backstory on The Christmas Place

What’s now a massive shopping complex actually started small. The Incredible Christmas Place was founded in 1986 by Hurshel and Marian Biggs, and it began as a modest gift shop right beside Pigeon Forge’s historic Old Mill. Through decades of expansion, that little shop grew into a 43,000-square-foot complex, and it’s now run by the third generation of the same family.

The store has earned some serious recognition along the way, including the “NOEL Retailer of the Year” award, and it’s grown into the largest Christmas retailer in the South. It’s also part of the reason Pigeon Forge has been named one of the most Christmassy towns in America. That’s not a small thing for a town to get known for.

It’s now a multi-store complex along the Parkway, and it’s still run by the same family that started it back in 1986. I love a business that stays in the family that built it.

What’s Actually Inside

Walking in feels like stepping into a different season entirely, no matter what month it actually is outside. Every year, the store decorates around 50 Christmas trees in styles ranging from traditional to whimsical, so you can basically shop by vibe. See a tree you love? You can buy coordinating ornaments, garlands, and decor to recreate that exact look at home.

The store is broken into themed sections with names like Gingerbread Lane, Candy Cane Christmas, and Christmas Cabin, plus a Great Smoky Mountains National Park-themed area that blends cabin-style decor with local touches like bears and rustic ornaments. It felt like a nice nod to the region instead of just generic holiday merchandise dropped into a random building.

If you’ve got kids with you (or if you’re just me, an adult who still loves this stuff), there’s a Santa’s Pen station where you can have ornaments personalized with genuinely beautiful handwriting. Be ready for a line, especially during busier seasons, but it’s the kind of wait that turns into a keepsake.

Santa himself also visits the store, though that’s mainly a seasonal thing rather than a year-round one, so check ahead if meeting him is the whole point of your trip.

Mrs. Claus’ Sweet Shop

After wandering the main store, I made a stop at Mrs. Claus’ candy shop, where they make fresh fudge and candy on-site. I picked up a few treats to bring back to the hotel, and they ended up being most of my dinner that night since my mom and sister were still too full from lunch to eat.

No complaints from me.

Vacation dinner standards are different from regular dinner standards, and candy counts as a meal when you’re on a budget and trying to avoid eating out twice in one day. And, the crew at Mrs. Claus’ Sweet Shop said vacation calories don’t count!

The Inn at Christmas Place: Now Officially on My Bucket List

After the store and the candy shop, I wandered across the Parkway to The Inn at Christmas Place. I didn’t stay here this trip. We were booked at The Inn on the River instead.

But, after walking the lobby and grounds, I’m already planning to come back specifically to stay at this one.

The hotel has Bavarian-inspired architecture, and it fully commits to the Christmas theme.

The lower lobby features a two-story glockenspiel with bronze bells that performs hourly, and there are two separate lobbies, both with their own fireplace, which feels almost excessive in the best way.

From what I’m told, every guest room stays in theme too, decorated with Christmas trees, wreaths, and red velvet-style bedding.

Santa sings and tells holiday stories at the Inn from summer through December, too. So, if a Santa sighting is on your must-do list, plan your visit with that window in mind rather than assuming he’s there in, say, March.

The property went through a major pool renovation a couple of years back. The new outdoor space, called the Winter Wonder Lagoon, was designed and built by Lucas Congdon of the show Insane Pools: Off the Deep End, and it’s apparently the only commercial Lucas Lagoon pool in the country. It’s a seasonal outdoor pool, so it’s not open year-round, but the indoor pool and hot tub run 24/7, 365 days a year if you visit outside of pool season.

Breakfast is included and gets consistently good reviews, with made-to-order omelets alongside classic comfort food. Rooms come stocked with a microwave, fridge, and coffee maker, and I’ll admit I was a little surprised to learn the property also has an on-site fitness center, since gym access was something I specifically struggled with at our actual hotel on this trip. Worth confirming directly with the Inn if a workout space matters to your stay, since amenity details can shift.

One thing worth knowing before you book: the hotel sits directly on the busy Pigeon Forge Parkway, so if you’re looking for a fully quiet retreat, you might hear more road noise than you’d expect, and the pricing runs on the higher end compared to some other options nearby.

For a family trip or a couples getaway where the holiday theme is the whole point, that tradeoff feels worth it. For a totally quiet escape, maybe less so.

Why This Detour Was Worth It

I didn’t plan for the Christmas Place or the Inn to be highlights of this trip. They were a “let me kill an hour or two while everyone else naps” decision. But they ended up being one of the parts of the trip I think about most, and the Inn is now firmly on my list of places I want to actually stay, not just visit for an hour.

If you’re planning a Pigeon Forge trip and you love Christmas even a fraction as much as I do, don’t treat this as a quick stop. Give yourself real time here. And if you can swing it, book a night at the Inn instead of just wandering the lobby like I did. I’ll report back once I actually stay there myself.

Ripley’s in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg: Are the Combo Passes Worth It?

A real look at Ripley’s combo passes in Gatlinburg, what we actually used, what’s still on our list, and whether buying a bigger pack of attraction tickets makes sense for your trip.

Here’s a confession before we get into it: I bought a 12-pass Ripley’s package on our recent girls trip, fully intending for my mom, my sister, and me to hit four different Ripley’s attractions between the three of us. We made it to two.

If you’ve ever overestimated your own vacation energy, you already know exactly how this goes.

But that “failure” turned into useful information, because it turns out the way Ripley’s structures its tickets actually works in your favor even when your plans fall apart.

Here’s what we did, what we learned, and what’s actually worth your money if you’re planning a Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg trip of your own.

What Ripley’s Actually Offers

Ripley’s runs a surprising number of attractions in this area. We’re talking 8 attractions in downtown Gatlinburg plus 2 more in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, for a total of 10 separate Ripley’s experiences competing for your time and your wallet.

The lineup includes:

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies – This is the big one, and it’s the attraction we used one of our passes on. It features an Ocean Realm, a Tropical Rainforest section, touch tanks where you can feel a stingray or a horseshoe crab, a Shark Lagoon, and a penguin exhibit. There’s also a Glass Bottom Boat Adventure ride. It’s consistently rated as one of the best aquariums in the country, and kids under 2 get in free.

We saw a huge variety of fish, caught a mermaid show, watched a penguin parade, and even got a shark photobombing one of our pictures. Plan on spending a solid 2 to 3 hours here. We could’ve easily stayed longer.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium – This is our second stop, and the one we used our other pass on. It’s a 3-story museum packed with more than 500 exhibits and oddities from all over the world. We spent a couple of hours wandering through it, and there was genuinely more to see than we expected.

Ripley’s Mountain Coaster – We didn’t make it here this trip, but this one’s high on our list for the return visit. It’s a gravity-propelled coaster cart where you control your own speed, so you can take it slow and enjoy the views or fly through the twists and turns if you’re feeling bold. Reviews consistently call this the hidden gem of the Ripley’s lineup, and the recommendation is to ride at twilight for the best experience.

Ripley’s 5D Moving Theater – A motion simulator combined with surround sound and 3D effects that makes you feel like you’re inside the movie. There are multiple film options, so you’re not locked into one experience.

Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze – An LED-lit maze of mirrored rooms with only one path through. If you get stuck, don’t panic. Search parties go out every half hour to help lost guests find their way out. Worth noting, though: this is the one attraction that reviewers consistently say to skip unless you’re getting it for free, since it’s considered a bit overpriced for what you actually get.

Ripley’s Haunted Adventure – A horror-themed walk-through experience that’s regularly bundled into the combo ticket options.

Ripley’s Super Fun Zone – This one houses laser tag, a retro-themed indoor mini golf course, a 10,000-square-foot arcade, and a retail shop for pop culture souvenirs.

Davy Crockett Mini Golf and Old Mac Mini Golf – Two separate 18-hole courses that show up as combo ticket add-ons.

How the Combo Passes Actually Work

This is the part that made my “we only used 2 out of 12 passes” situation way less stressful than it sounds.

Ripley’s sells tiered combo tickets, starting at Aquarium plus 2 attractions and scaling up to an “Extreme Fun Pass” that covers the Aquarium, Haunted Adventure, Mirror Maze, Incredibly Strange, Mini Golf, and the Moving Theatre. There are also mid-tier options for Aquarium plus 3 or Aquarium plus 4 attractions, which is the tier we bought.

Here’s the part that saved our trip from feeling like a waste of money: combo tickets are valid for a full year from the date of purchase. You do not have to use them all on the same trip. You can do 2 attractions now and save the rest for later, which is exactly what we ended up doing without even planning for it.

Since my mom and sister won’t be making it back to Pigeon Forge before our passes expire, my husband and I are heading back to use the remaining 6 passes between us on 3 more attractions. We’ll be staying at a Red Roof this time, since it’s one of the few dog-friendly options in the area that doesn’t charge a small fortune for bringing our pups along.

Was the 4-Pack Combo Worth It?

Honestly? Yes, even with only using half of it on this particular trip. The math still works out in our favor because we’re not starting from zero on the return trip. We already know two of our four attractions are locked in, and we get a full year to use the rest.

If I’m being real about what I’d tell a friend planning their own trip, here’s the advice that’s floating around from people who’ve used these passes more strategically than we did: buy a combo ticket that bundles the Aquarium with 2 to 3 attractions instead of going all the way up to 6 or 8. The temptation to add “just one more for $5” is real, but it leads to buying tickets to attractions you don’t actually care about, and then feeling pressured to rush through everything just to get your money’s worth.

A few other money-saving notes worth keeping in your back pocket:

Parking downtown runs $15 to $20 a day. We paid $20 for our day in Gatlinburg. If you want to save that cash, park once near the Aquarium or use the McMahan Parkway Garage (around $10), or skip parking altogether and use the free Gatlinburg trolley system.

Ask about discounts. Military, AAA, and AARP discounts exist but aren’t always advertised upfront, so it doesn’t hurt to ask when you’re buying tickets.

Buy combo tickets online before you go. Booking online ahead of time can save you a meaningful amount per person compared to walking up and buying individually, plus you skip the line.

What’s Next for Us

Our return trip is going to focus on the Mountain Coaster, the 5D Moving Theater, and probably the Super Fun Zone, since laser tag and mini golf sound like a solid way to spend an afternoon with my husband. We’re skipping the Mirror Maze based on what we’ve read, unless it ends up bundled in for free.

If you’ve got Ripley’s passes sitting around from a trip that didn’t go quite as planned, don’t sweat it. Use what you can, hang onto the rest, and go back when it makes sense. That’s the whole plan over here.

Our First Mother-Daughter Trip to Pigeon Forge (And What I’d Do Differently)

A real recap of our first girls trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, including hotel swaps, budget hacks, a gambling realization at a gem mine, and what we’d change next time.

My mom had never been on a vacation before. Not a real one. Not one where the point was just to relax and have fun with no work attached. So when Mother’s Day rolled around this year, my sister and I decided our gift to her wasn’t going to be flowers or a candle. We pooled our money and made her take a trip with us instead.

We landed on a 4 day, 3 night girls weekend in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. What followed was equal parts hilarious, chaotic, and exactly the kind of trip that makes you laugh about it for months afterward. Here’s how it actually went, mistakes and all.

The Plan Changed Before We Even Left

Originally we had this whole multi-city itinerary mapped out. Night one in Nashville, night two in Knoxville, and then finally landing in Pigeon Forge for night three. Very ambitious. Very road trip energy.

Then my mom, a little later than would’ve been helpful, mentioned she only wanted to go to Pigeon Forge. No hotel hopping. No multiple cities. Just one place to unpack and stay put.

So we scrapped the original plan and stayed in Pigeon Forge the entire four days. Honestly? It ended up being the right call. Both my mom and my sister were wiped out for most of each day, and trying to also pack and move hotels on top of that would’ve turned a relaxing trip into a stressful one.

Sometimes the change you didn’t plan for is the change you needed.

Two Hotels, Two Totally Different Experiences

We split our stay between two hotels, and the contrast taught me a lot about what actually matters when you’re booking a place to stay.

Night one: Hilton Garden Inn (2481 Teaster Lane, Pigeon Forge)

This hotel was genuinely lovely. Spacious room, very clean, a nice pool, and a gym that I absolutely used and loved. The catch? It ran us $250 for one night and didn’t even include breakfast. That’s a steep price tag for a single night, breakfast or not.

Nights two and three: The Inn on the River (2492 Parkway, Pigeon Forge)

Two nights here totaled roughly $200 a night, a noticeably better deal than the Hilton. The room was smaller, and there was no gym (though they did offer to reimburse me if I wanted to use one nearby, an offer that came a little too late since it had already closed for the day). But breakfast was included, and the patio next to the river and balcony overlooking it became one of our favorite parts of the whole stay at The Inn on the River.

We watched ducks from the balcony more than once. You could even buy duck food and feed them right from the breakfast area patio.

If I’m being honest, the lesson here isn’t “always pick the cheaper hotel.” It’s “figure out what you actually care about before you book.” 

We cared about breakfast being included and having a calm spot to decompress.

We didn’t care as much about square footage. Once I knew that, the second hotel was clearly the better fit, even with the smaller room and missing gym. Luckily, I did a lot of walking outside of the hotel anyway.

Day 1: Arrival, Taco Salads, and a Tabata Class in a Hotel Gym

We rolled into Pigeon Forge and got to the hotel around 4 PM. My mom and sister were ready to just chill, so I took that as my cue to make a super early bird dinner happen without anyone leaving the room.

I made taco salads for all three of us using groceries I’d bought specifically for the trip. I’d seen similar salads going for almost $40 for three servings out at restaurants nearby. Mine cost less than half that and tasted just as good, if not better.

After dinner, my sister passed out almost instantly. My mom and I went down to the pool to relax for a bit, and then I snuck off to the hotel gym for a Tabata class I’d found online and recorded a podcast episode while I was at it.

Then, it was back to the room for movies with my mom until we both crashed.

Day 2: The Hotel Switch, a Wine and Cider Crawl, and Our First Ripley’s Stop

I started the morning with a stretch class, then knocked out email follow-ups with my clients before breakfast. My mom and sister had breakfast bars. I made oatmeal I’d brought from home, stirred in some craisins, and ate it on the balcony looking out at the Smoky Mountains.

Not a bad way to start a day.

We checked out and drove to Gatlinburg to wander around. This is where I made the decision that’s going to need its own article: I bought a 4-pack Ripley’s combo pass for each of us, with the plan being we’d hit a couple of mini golf attractions, the Believe It or Not Museum, and the Aquarium to make full use of those passes.

That plan did not survive contact with reality, but more on that in a separate post about the Ripley’s attractions themselves.

Math wise it made sense to me considering it was about $30 for a ticket to the museum and another $43 for the aquarium, and the cost of the 4-ticket package was about $65 per person.

Parking ran us $20 for the day. We wandered into a wine shop for some samples, then a cider shop for more samples, and eventually made our way to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, where we spent a couple of hours.

By the time we left, we were starving.

I’d brought ingredients to make chicken wraps in the car, but my mom and sister wanted to wait until we got to the hotel.

We stopped at a Publix to buy some tea, which somehow turned into my mom and sister deciding to grab Publix subs instead. 

I stuck to my chicken wrap plan to stay on budget. My mom’s eyes turned out to be bigger than her stomach, though, because she couldn’t finish her sandwich and handed half of it over to me. Free lunch upgrade, not complaining.

The Shop With the Bears, the Southern Girl Shirts, and My Christmas Detour

Our hotel room wasn’t ready yet, so we killed an hour at a nearby novelty shop. This place had a live bear viewing area we skipped (more on why gambling-adjacent attractions like that gave me pause in the Ripley’s article), but the shopping itself was a trip. 

My mom and sister gravitated toward Southern Girl shirts and novelty gifts, while I made a beeline for the top floor, which was, somewhat randomly, full of Christmas decorations. I love Christmas enough that I genuinely could’ve spent the whole hour up there alone.

By about 4:30 we finally checked into The Inn on the River. My mom and sister wanted to rest. I did not.

So I took myself on a solo adventure to the Christmas Place shop, grabbed treats at Mrs. Claus’ Sweet Shop, and wandered around the grounds of The Inn at Christmas Place.

That hotel is now officially on my bucket list of places to stay, and I’ve got a whole separate post coming about why.

When I got back, my mom and sister still weren’t hungry from lunch, so dinner that night was whatever I’d brought with me plus the free popcorn and cookies the hotel had out.

Staying on budget meant skipping eating out whenever I could, and that night was a perfect example of making it work.

Like I said…the one downside of this hotel was that it had no gym or space to work out in the room. The Inn did offer to comp a nearby gym, but by the time I found that out, it had already closed.

Lesson learned for next time: ask about gym access and hours the second you check in, not hours later.

We finished the night by watching movies again before crashing for bed.

Day 3: Mermaids, Sharks, and a Hard Pass on Gem Mining

The Inn on the River’s included breakfast turned out to be one of its best features. We ate a pretty decent meal, and I even got a partial stretch session in beforehand, though the lack of space meant I couldn’t do my full routine.

After breakfast we headed to the patio to feed the ducks, then piled in the car for the Ripley’s Aquarium…to spend another $15 on parking…

The aquarium delivered. We saw a huge range of fish species, caught a mermaid show, watched a penguin parade, and got an unexpected shark photobomb in one of our pictures. Lots of laughing, lots to look at. Genuinely one of the highlights of the trip.

Lunch plans fell apart fast when the sticker shock at our first restaurant choice sent us running. Instead, we grabbed a few more wine samples around town and figured we’d regroup back at the hotel.

On the way, we ended up back at the bear and Christmas shop because my sister wanted one of those Southern Girl shirts after all.

I’d been eyeing a gem mining activity, but the price for what you actually get felt off, and the more I thought about it, the more it bothered me.

You pay for a bucket that’s already been filled by the company, for the chance of finding something worth the cost. No guarantee. That’s not really a souvenir purchase. That’s gambling with extra steps. I skipped it.

Back at the hotel, my mom and I watched the ducks from the balcony, then we all got dressed for dinner. We landed on Texas Roadhouse, the one place everyone could agree on, and used a 10% off coupon one of the hotels had given us. 

Then it was back to the room for, you guessed it, more movies before bed.

Day 4: Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Without the Park Ticket

We went straight from waking up to breakfast, checked out, and headed to the Dollywood resorts. I’d been craving that famous Dollywood cinnamon bread and found out you can buy a loaf at the resort gift shops without ever buying a park ticket. 

We grabbed a loaf, and it did not disappoint. I brought the leftovers home and turned them into French toast the next day, which might have been even better than the bread itself.

We spent a couple hours wandering the two Dollywood resorts and their gift shops before hitting the road back to Richmond, Kentucky.

We skipped lunch entirely. I snacked from my bag in the car, and once we got home, I made a quick dinner for my husband and me and called it a trip.

What I’d Do Differently Next Time

A few honest takeaways…the kind I wish someone had told me before we left:

Decide on a single home base before you book anything. Our multi-city plan looked great on paper, but neither my mom nor my sister had the energy for it once we were actually there. If you’re traveling with people who aren’t used to hotel and city-hopping, build in more stillness than you think you need.

Bring your own food, but read the room. My chicken wraps and taco salads saved real money, but not everyone in your group is going to want to eat the same way you do. That’s fine. Let people make their own calls without making it a thing.

Ask about hotel amenities the moment you check in, not later because you could miss out on something. I missed a free gym session simply because I didn’t ask the right question at the right time.

Skip the gambling-disguised-as-novelty activities. Gem mining buckets, claw machines stuffed with cheap prizes, anything where you’re paying for a chance rather than a guaranteed outcome. Save that money for something with an actual return.

One unexpected attraction can be worth the whole detour. I didn’t plan for the Christmas Place or the Inn at Christmas Place to be highlights of this trip, but they ended up being some of my favorite parts. Leave room in your itinerary for the thing you didn’t know you wanted to see.

And the Ripley’s passes? We bought a 12-pass package expecting to hit four attractions between the three of us. We only made it to two. The good news: those passes are valid for a full year. We’ve got 6 left, and since my mom and sister won’t be making it back before they expire, my husband and I are planning a return trip to use them on 3 more Ripley’s attractions. We’ll likely stay at the Red Roof this time since it’s dog-friendly and doesn’t charge a fortune for bringing our pups along.

More on that trip, and a full breakdown of which Ripley’s attractions are actually worth your pass, coming soon.

My First Time in Helen Georgia: A Bavarian Village in the Blue Ridge Mountains

My First Time in Helen Georgia_ A Bavarian Village in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Helen, Georgia is a charming Bavarian-themed town in north Georgia. Here’s what to know before you go, including the best days of the week to visit.

What is Helen, Georgia?

If you’ve never been to Helen, Georgia, you’re in for a treat. Or a head-scratcher. Possibly both.

Helen is a small mountain town in White County, Georgia, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Chattahoochee River. In the late 1960s, the town transformed itself into a replica Bavarian alpine village. Every building downtown was redesigned to look like it belonged in southern Germany. Half-timbered facades, painted trim, flower boxes, and cobblestone-style streets. The whole nine yards.

It’s a tourist town through and through. But it leans into the theme so hard that it kind of works. There’s an annual Oktoberfest celebration that draws huge crowds. The shops sell German-inspired everything. Restaurants serve schnitzel and bratwurst alongside Southern comfort food.

Check out the official Helen Georgia visitor site for the latest info.

Know Before You Go

Some things I really wish I’d known before our trip:

  • Most shops are closed Monday and Tuesday (we learned this the hard way)
  • The best days to visit are Thursday through Sunday
  • The Hofbrauhaus restaurant is a must-visit for German food
  • The Glass Blowing Shop has stunning works of art and is open most days
  • Betty’s Country Store is a touristified grocery store worth checking out
  • Parking can be tight on busy weekends, and pretty much every lot charges to park
  • The Christmas shop doesn’t open until after Memorial Day
  • The Chattahoochee River runs right through town and is popular for tubing
  • Helen is only about 90 minutes north of Atlanta
  • Anna Ruby Falls is just a short drive away and worth pairing with a Helen visit
  • The town is walkable once you park
  • Many shops have outdoor flower displays and photo-worthy storefronts
  • Dogs are welcome on most streets and patios

How We Got to Helen

Jeremy and I rolled into Helen on Monday, May 4th after a full day of hiking Tallulah Gorge and Anna Ruby Falls. We checked into the Riverbend Hotel, dropped our stuff, and headed out to find dinner before walking the town.

Our timing was, in hindsight, terrible. We had two days in Helen, Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. That’s the absolute worst window for visiting because most of the shops are closed both of those days.

I’m putting this in bold letters for anyone reading: visit Helen Thursday through Sunday. Just trust me on this.

Dinner at Hofbrauhaus Restaurant

The first night, we had dinner at the Hofbrauhaus Restaurant, which sits right along the Chattahoochee River. This place has been a Helen landmark for decades, and it shows in the decor and the menu. Long wooden tables, German-themed everything, and a menu full of authentic Bavarian dishes.

Our waitress was a young woman named Maddie, and she was an absolute delight. Friendly, attentive, and full of recommendations.

My full review of the joint is coming soon, but bottom line: we loved it! 

The Hofbrauhaus has its own website where you can check out the menu and hours: hofbrauhaushelenga.net.

The Riverbend Hotel

We stayed at the Riverbend Hotel in Helen. It was a comfortable spot with a pretty decent breakfast included for guests. Nothing fancy, but everything we needed after a long day of hiking and exploring.

The hotel sits along the river, which is a nice touch. You can hear the water flowing from your room if your window faces the right direction.

What Was Closed (and It Was a Lot)

This is the part of our Helen visit that I want to flag for anyone planning a trip. So much was closed.

The wine tasting room was closed.

The Christmas shop was closed (and apparently doesn’t open at all until after Memorial Day, so that one was a double whammy).

The candy shop we wanted to check out was closed.

Several other shops we walked past had signs saying they’d be back Thursday or Friday. Sigh…

We wandered the streets and peeked in windows at all these adorable little stores we couldn’t actually shop at. It was equal parts charming and frustrating.

What WAS Open

The Glass Blowing Shop was seriously a bright spot. They had some of the most beautiful pieces with shapes and styles that were absolutely mesmerizing. We didn’t buy anything, but I wanted to. The shop had everything from small pendants to large decorative pieces.

Betty’s Country Store was the other place we made sure to visit. It’s a regular grocery store on the surface, but it’s been touristified with souvenirs, local snacks, and Helen merchandise. We stopped in specifically because Jeremy’s late mother was named Betty. It felt like a small way to honor her memory by walking through a store that bore her name.

A handful of restaurants were open. The Hofbrauhaus, of course. A couple of other places along the main street. So you can definitely eat in Helen on a Monday or Tuesday, even if you can’t shop.

Walking Around Helen

Even with the shops closed, walking the streets of Helen was enjoyable. The Bavarian-style architecture is genuinely charming. Every building has those half-timbered facades and painted accents that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a German village.

We walked at least a mile through town, possibly more. We took pictures of the bridges, the river, the storefronts. We enjoyed seeing a guy fishing in the river too.

Tubing the Chattahoochee is a hugely popular activity in Helen, especially in summer. We didn’t have time for it on this trip, but it’s something I’d like to do on my next visit.

Breakfast at the Hotel

Tuesday morning, we ate breakfast at the Riverbend Hotel. They had a proper breakfast spread for guests, which was a nice perk. We did our stretch class, ate some yummy food (and even grabbed some snacks from their bar for the road), packed up, and then headed back out for one more walk through Helen before getting on the road home.

The morning light in Helen is really pretty. The town wakes up slowly, the streets are quiet, and you can take all the pictures you want without dodging crowds. If you do visit on a quieter day like we did, the morning hours are when the town shines.

What I’d Do Differently

If I could redo our Helen visit, here’s what I’d change:

– I’d visit Thursday through Sunday so everything would be open. This is the single biggest change I’d make.

– I’d plan time for Anna Ruby Falls and possibly a hike or two in nearby Unicoi State Park. There’s a lot of natural beauty in this area that gets overlooked because the town itself is so attention-grabbing.

– I’d try Bodensee Restaurant or Muller’s Famous Cafe for variety, even though Hofbrauhaus was great.

– I’d plan a day of tubing if the weather was warm enough.

– I’d visit Hofer’s Bakery in the morning for German pastries.

– I’d check out Nora Mill Granary, a working grist mill where you can buy fresh-ground grits and other Southern staples.

Why It’s Worth the Visit

Helen is one of those quirky destinations that you either love or find a little overdone. I fell on the love side, even with the shops being closed.

The Bavarian theme is so committed and so well-executed that it stops being kitschy and becomes its own thing. The food is excellent (at least at Hofbrauhaus). The setting along the river and in the mountains is genuinely beautiful. And the people we met were friendly and welcoming.

It’s the kind of place you visit once and then keep wanting to come back to during different seasons. Christmas in Helen is supposed to be magical. Oktoberfest is legendary. Spring brings out flowers everywhere. Summer is tubing season.

A Note About Oktoberfest

Helen’s Oktoberfest is one of the longest-running in the country. It typically runs from early September through early November. The town gets packed with visitors, live polka music plays everywhere, and the German beer flows freely.

I haven’t been to Helen during Oktoberfest yet, but it’s now officially on my list. If you’re a fan of German food, beer, and celebration, plan a fall trip.

Final Thoughts on Helen, Georgia

Helen is a delightful little surprise tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s not a place you stumble into. You have to actively choose to drive there. But once you do, you’re rewarded with a unique town that doesn’t really exist anywhere else in the South.

Just please, for the love of all things German, visit Thursday through Sunday. Or even just Friday to Sunday if you want the full experience.

We had a wonderful time despite our timing miss. The Hofbrauhaus dinner alone was worth the trip. Maddie’s hospitality made it better. And the chance to walk a Bavarian village without leaving the United States is something everyone should experience at least once.

I’m already planning my return trip to Helen. Thursday through Sunday this time. Promise.

My First Time at Whitewater Falls: The Highest Waterfall East of the Rockies

My First Time at Whitewater Falls_ The Highest Waterfall East of the Rockies

Whitewater Falls in North Carolina drops 411 feet and is gorgeous. Here’s what to expect on this short but stunning hike in Nantahala National Forest.

What is Whitewater Falls?

If you’ve never heard of Whitewater Falls, allow me to introduce you to the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains.

Upper Whitewater Falls drops 411 feet down a rocky cliff in the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. There’s also a Lower Whitewater Falls in South Carolina that drops another 400 feet. Together, the falls span 811 feet of waterfall drama between the upper and lower sections.

The Upper Falls is the one most visitors see. It’s about an hour and a half southwest of Asheville, North Carolina, near the South Carolina state line. The trailhead is just off NC-281, near Cashiers.

You can read more about it on the USDA Forest Service page for Whitewater Falls.

Know Before You Go

A first-timer’s guide to Whitewater Falls so you don’t get caught off guard:

  • There’s a small parking fee (usually $3 to $5 per vehicle, paid at the kiosk)
  • The America the Beautiful park pass gets you in free
  • The paved trail to the upper overlook is about a quarter mile each way
  • Adding the lower overlook means 154 wooden stairs each direction (so 308 total round trip)
  • The full hike is about 1 mile round trip when you do both overlooks
  • The trail is wheelchair-friendly only to the upper overlook
  • Dogs are allowed on leash (but you’ll want to carry them up and down the stairs!)
  • Restrooms and picnic tables are available at the parking area
  • No cell service in most of the area
  • Open dawn to dusk daily
  • Bring water – and more than you think you will need! (especially in warmer weather)
  • Several deaths have happened from people venturing off the trail. Seriously! There are signs warning people to stay on the path for a reason!
  • No camping or fires allowed at the recreation area

How We Ended Up at Whitewater Falls

Sunday, May 3rd was supposed to be the day we hiked Whitewater Falls. Then it rained all day Saturday, and we got delayed at California Dreaming in Augusta with that whole steak saga. So we ended up tackling Whitewater Falls on Sunday after a Bojangles breakfast (which was good, even if it wasn’t healthy) and a stop at Bobby Brown State Park.

By the time we made it to the Nantahala National Forest, the rain was completely cleared from the radar and the day was sunny and bright. And the falls? Well, they were running strong thanks to all that previous day’s precipitation.

The Walk to the Upper Overlook

The paved trail starts at the end of the parking lot and curves into the woods. You’re immediately in this beautiful Appalachian forest with tall trees, ferns, and the kind of dense green that makes you forget you’re not far from a major road.

The first quarter mile is easy. The grade is gentle, the surface is paved, and you can hear the falls before you see them. That’s one of my favorite things about waterfall hikes. The sound builds gradually, and your anticipation builds with it.

When you reach the upper overlook, you get your first view of Upper Whitewater Falls cascading 411 feet down the cliff. The view is wide and impressive, though some trees do partially block the bottom of the falls from this angle.

If you’re not up for taking all those stairs, the upper overlook gives you a great experience and you can turn around here. The trail is fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers up to this point.

Then We Did the Stairs

We decided to go for it. I workout after all. Ha!

The lower overlook is reached by going down 154 wooden steps. That’s a lot of stairs. The grade is steep, and the railings are basically required. You feel like you’re descending into the canyon itself.

But here’s the payoff. The lower overlook gives you a much better, unobstructed view of the entire waterfall. The platform is wide enough to fit a dozen people or so, though the prime center spots are limited and you may have to wait your turn for the best view.

Standing at the lower overlook with the falls thundering down across the canyon was one of those moments where you forget to take pictures because you’re just staring. The water sparkles. The mist drifts up. The sound is incredible.

We took plenty of pictures eventually, of course. We always do.

The Climb Back Up

I’ll be honest. The 154 stairs back up were harder than going down.

By the time we hit the top, my calves were on fire and I was breathing hard. Jeremy was doing better than me because of my left knee issues, but it was still pretty intense for both of us! We took a couple of breaks on the way up because we knew that pushing too hard would just leave us shaky.

If you’re not in great shape, those stairs are a serious workout. Take your time. Use the railings. Bring water.

The Detour to Duke Energy’s Bad Creek

After we finished Whitewater Falls, we drove over to the Duke Energy Bad Creek Hydroelectric facility. They have a turbine pump that’s part of their pumped storage system, and you can see an overlook of Destination Oconee from there. (That’s O-C-O-N-E-E if you’re looking it up.)

It’s not a hiking destination, but it’s a cool stop if you’re already in the area. You get a different vantage point on the gorge system and Lake Jocassee. The Foothills Trail also has an access point here, which leads to the Lower Whitewater Falls if you want a longer hike.

The Foothills Trail

Speaking of the Foothills Trail… We did a small section of it called the Lake Jocassee Foothills Trail. The full Foothills Trail is 77 miles long and stretches across the Blue Ridge Mountains, but you can do short sections without committing to a multi-day hike.

If you’re an experienced hiker, you can actually do an 8.5-mile one-way hike from the Upper Whitewater Falls overlook along the Foothills Trail to the Lower Whitewater Falls overlook in South Carolina. That requires shuttle planning or a serious commitment to backtracking.

A shorter option is to access the Lower Whitewater Falls from the Bad Creek trailhead, which is about a 2-mile one-way hike. The total distance is roughly 4.3 miles round trip and considered moderate.

We didn’t have the energy for that on our trip since we were doing so many hikes and walks, but I’d love to come back and do it someday.

Moody Springs and Other Pretty Spots

On our way out of the area, we stopped at Moody Springs and snapped a quick picture. It’s a small, easy-to-miss spot, but it’s pretty.

The whole region around Whitewater Falls is full of these little surprises. Pretty creeks, scenic overlooks, hidden trails. If you’ve got a full day, you can chain together multiple waterfall stops in one outing.

Wildlife and Plants

The trail to Whitewater Falls is known for wildflowers, especially in early to mid April. We were just past peak wildflower season when we visited in May, but I still spotted some pretty blooms along the trail.

Common wildflowers in the area include Vasey’s trillium, Catesby’s trillium, trailing arbutus, mayapple, sweet white violet, and showy orchid. If you’re a flower person, plan your visit for spring.

I didn’t see any wildlife up close, but the Nantahala National Forest is home to black bears, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and various smaller animals. Keep an eye out, especially in early morning or late afternoon.

What I’d Do Differently

If I could redo our Whitewater Falls visit, here’s what I’d change:

– I’d give myself more time. We were trying to fit too much into one day, and Whitewater Falls deserves at least a couple of hours.

– I’d add the Lower Falls hike from Bad Creek if my legs were up to it. Knowing now that Lower Whitewater Falls is just as impressive (though smaller), I’d want to see both.

– I’d pack more water. The hike up those stairs takes more out of you than you’d expect.

– I’d visit during the wildflower season if possible. Mid-April is supposedly peak, and the trail is supposed to be incredible.

Why It’s Worth the Stop

Whitewater Falls is the kind of natural wonder that reminds you why you take road trips. You drive for hours, you park, you walk a half mile, and suddenly you’re standing in front of one of the most impressive waterfalls in the eastern United States.

The fact that it’s named “Whitewater Falls” in a region with about ten thousand waterfalls is telling. It earned that name.

Final Thoughts on Whitewater Falls

If you’re driving anywhere near the North Carolina and South Carolina border, make the detour to Whitewater Falls. The parking fee is cheap, the hike is short, and the views are unforgettable.

The 154 stairs to the lower overlook are absolutely worth it if you’re physically able. The upper overlook is great, but the lower view is the one that knocks your socks off.

This was hands down one of the best hikes of our entire road trip. We were tired, we were sore, and we were stunned by the beauty of it all.

I’m already planning my return trip. Next time, I’m tackling the Lower Falls too.

My First Time at Tallulah Gorge: Stairs, Rim Trails, and Why We Missed Most of the Trail

My First Time at Tallulah Gorge_ Stairs, Rim Trails, and Why We Missed Most of the Trail

Tallulah Gorge State Park in Georgia is breathtaking but tricky for dog owners. Here’s what we learned hiking the North Rim Trail with our Pampered Pomchis.

What is Tallulah Gorge?

If you’ve never heard of Tallulah Gorge State Park, let me catch you up. It’s tucked into Rabun County in northeast Georgia, about an hour and a half north of Atlanta. The gorge itself is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep, which makes it one of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern United States.

There are six waterfalls inside the gorge, a swaying suspension bridge that hangs 80 feet above the river, and over 20 miles of trails. Tightrope walkers have actually crossed the gorge twice, including the legendary Karl Wallenda in 1970. You can still see the towers he used.

You can get all the planning details on the Georgia State Parks website.

Know Before You Go

Before I get into our experience, here’s what I wish I’d known before pulling into the park:

  • Parking is $5 per vehicle and can be paid in cash or by scanning a QR code with your phone
  • Dogs are NOT allowed on the staircase down to the suspension bridge, the gorge floor, or the Sliding Rock Trail
  • Leashed dogs ARE allowed on the rim trails, including the North Rim and South Rim
  • The Hurricane Falls Loop down to the gorge floor has 1,099 stairs total (not for the faint of heart)
  • The suspension bridge is accessed via 310 steps down from the rim
  • Permits for the gorge floor are free but limited to 100 per day, available at the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center
  • The interpretive center has restrooms, water, and a small museum
  • Trails are open year-round, though waterfall flow varies depending on water releases
  • Whitewater release weekends close the gorge floor to hikers
  • Bring proper hiking shoes, especially if you’re tackling the stairs
  • The park is open 8 a.m. until dark, with the office open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Cell service is limited inside the park

How We Ended Up at Tallulah Gorge

Monday, May 4th was a packed day for Jeremy and me. We started by feeding goats at Goat Landing and Ladybug Landing in Tiger, Georgia. We stopped at the official Bigfoot Crossing for a fun photo op. We had drinks at Kringle Trading Company. And we took in the view at Tallulah Point Scenic Overlook before driving into the state park itself.

By the time we arrived at the park, we’d already had a full morning. Our Pomchis, Baileys and Kahlua, were riding along with us and ready for a stretch.

Where the Dogs Couldn’t Go

This is the part of Tallulah Gorge that surprised us. We knew it was a state park, and most Georgia State Parks allow dogs on trails. What we didn’t realize was that this park has very specific restrictions on where pets are welcome.

The suspension bridge? No dogs.

The 310 stairs down to the bridge? No dogs.

The Hurricane Falls Trail to the gorge floor? No dogs.

The Sliding Rock Trail? No dogs.

The reason is actually pretty thoughtful. The stairs have grippy metal surfaces designed for human feet. Those same grips can shred a dog’s paw pads, especially small dogs like our Pomchis. It’s a safety issue, not just a pet policy.

So we had a decision to make. Either skip the famous suspension bridge or take turns watching the dogs while one of us hiked down.

What We Actually Did

We chose to focus on the rim trails, where Baileys and Kahlua were welcome on leash for this trip.

We did about half a mile on the North Rim Trail, which gave us our first view of the gorge from above. The first overlook is about a quarter mile from the trailhead, and it’s stunning. You’re standing on the edge of a 1,000-foot drop, looking out at the dramatic walls of the gorge with waterfalls visible in the distance.

Then we walked at least another half mile around the park, taking in different overlooks and stretching our legs. All together, we hiked about a mile at Tallulah Gorge, all on the rim trails where the dogs could come along.

The North Rim Trail and South Rim Trail are both on mulched paths with a moderate incline. They’re rated easy to moderate. Together, they make about a 3-mile round trip if you do the full loop.

What We Missed (and Don’t Feel Bad About)

We didn’t go down the 310 stairs to the suspension bridge.

Part of me regrets it because the bridge is the iconic photo op for the park. The other part of me knows that even if Baileys and Kahlua had been allowed, hiking 310 stairs down and then 310 stairs back up after a long day of driving probably wasn’t a smart choice.

I read later that park rangers do a lot of rescues on those stairs. People think they can handle the climb back up, then realize halfway through that they can’t. The rangers told one visitor that the climb is “no joke,” and a lot of people overestimate themselves.

If we ever go back, we’ll plan a full day at Tallulah Gorge, leave the dogs at home (or at least in a hotel because we take our dogs on most trips!), and tackle the gorge floor properly with permits and snacks and water.

The Views From the Rim Were Still Incredible

Even without the suspension bridge experience, the rim trails delivered some of the most beautiful views of the whole trip. The waterfalls were visible from multiple overlooks. The drop into the gorge is genuinely vertigo-inducing in the best way. And the trails themselves are well-maintained and easy to follow.

We saw L’Eau D’or Falls and Tempesta Falls from the rim overlooks. The North Rim has the best general views of the falls, while the South Rim offers different angles. If you’ve only got time for one side, locals seem to recommend the North Rim.

The Interpretive Center

The Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center at the entrance is also worth a stop. It functions as part visitor center, part mini-museum. There are exhibits about the history of the gorge, the Cherokee people who originally lived in the area (they called the gorge “Ugunyi”), the Victorian-era resort town that once existed here, and the wildlife and plants that still thrive in the gorge today.

The center also has a gift shop. We didn’t buy anything, but the kids who were there with their parents looked like they were having a great time exploring the exhibits.

Wildlife and Plants Worth Knowing About

Tallulah Gorge is home to several protected species. The persistent trillium, the monkey-face orchid, and the green salamander all live within the gorge ecosystem. Stay on the trails and don’t pick or disturb any plants.

We didn’t see any wildlife up close, but the area is known for white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, various raptors, and small mammals. Keep an eye out if you’re observant.

What I’d Do Differently

If I could redo our Tallulah Gorge visit, here’s what I’d change:

– I’d plan a full day at the park, not just an afternoon stop. The amount you can do here easily fills four to six hours if you’re a hiker.

– I’d leave the dogs in a hotel so I could take the stairs down to the suspension bridge.

– I’d get a free gorge floor permit early in the morning (they go fast on busy days, available at the interpretive center starting at 8 a.m.).

– I’d pack more water and proper hiking shoes (we had decent shoes but not great ones for serious stair climbing).

– I’d visit Tallulah 1882, the coffee and small-bites spot right across from the park entrance that other reviewers rave about.

Final Thoughts on Tallulah Gorge

Tallulah Gorge State Park is genuinely one of the most beautiful natural spots I’ve ever seen. 

The drama of the gorge, the waterfalls, the suspension bridge, the rim trails, all of it lives up to the hype.

It’s just not the most dog-friendly destination if your dogs are small and you want to do the iconic hikes. The rim trails are still beautiful and worth visiting with your fur babies, but the famous suspension bridge experience is off-limits for them.

If you’ve got dogs like Baileys and Kahlua and you want to see Tallulah Gorge, plan ahead. Either bring backup pet care for the day or accept that you’ll be hiking the rim trails only. Both are great options. The trick is knowing before you go.

We had a wonderful time. We took beautiful photos. We made memories. And now we have a reason to come back without the dogs and do the stairs.

Sometimes a trip leaves you with unfinished business. Tallulah Gorge is one of those for us.