Weddings

Christopher Place was recently featured as a destination wedding location in VIP Jackson's Wedding Edition last February!

The green rolling hills in Gatlinburg make it a beautiful backdrop to any wedding or reception.Our stately bed and breakfast adds elegance and class to that special occasion. Many come to Christopher's place for an intimate Smoky Mountain wedding in Tennessee.

Indoors, we can accommodate an intimate ceremony up to 20 guests and up to 70 people outside on the front lawn. We have two different wedding packages to meet different needs:

• Affair-for-Two Package: two nights lodging in one of our romantic suites, full breakfast, four-course dinner, private, personalized ceremony, wedding cake, welcome tray of chocolate dipped strawberries, a Christoper Place keepsake, and a photographer with wedding album CD.
• Affair-of-a-Lifetime Package: rent out the whole facility with breakfast, outdoor ceremony, and consultation with our wedding director.

Come see what our Smoky Mountain weddings are all about! 

Trout fishing in the Smokies

The Great Smoky Mountains with its over 700 miles of streams supporting trout--making it quite the attraction for fly fishermen.  The native Appalachian brook trout tends to be the spotlight-stealer amongst the different species of fish found in the area. Also found in local rivers are the stream-bred, wild brown and rainbow trout. Bear in mind though, that the trophy-sized trout are not going to be found here--head up North to Alaska for the big ones. One of the bigger draws to fly fishing in the Southeastern states is the fact that many of our local fishing areas permit year-round fishing and trout can be caught any time of the year.

The best locations for fishing near Christopher Place include:

• Cosby Creek, located 7 miles from Christopher Place
• Cosby Campground, located 9 miles from Christopher Place
• Big Creek, a 25 minute drive into North Carolina
• Townsend Troutfest - a festival about an hour away

For more information, visit http://www.smokiesguide.com/fishing/ or http://www.flyfishingsmokymountains.com/

Driving Trails near Gatlinburg

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development has a system of motor trails that show off various themed tourist attractions throughout the state, as promoted through their Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways website. Christopher Place is located on three of the driving trails filled with history, shopping, and and the scenic landscape of eastern Tennessee.

Along the Civil War Trail, you'll see famous sites and museums connected with the Civil War, including the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, the Battle of Blue Springs, and the Battle of Shiloh.

The White Lightning Trail is a self-guiding motor trail spanning a 200-mile route with exhibits about moonshine, hometowns of famous country singers like Chet Atkins and Kenny Chesney, and Victorian homes. Moonshine whiskey was smuggled along this route during Prohibition. The route starts in Knoxville and takes you up the Clinch and Powell river valleys with the ending point in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, which follows part of the trail of the original Appalachian settlers. On the trail you'll also find Civil War sites, scenic overlooks of the beautiful Tennessee hills, and famous factories. While on the trail you'll follow the path of Daniel Boone.

The Sunnyside Trail will have you winding through back roads of the Great Smoky Mountains. Whether you're looking for outlet shopping, Dolly Parton's hometown and Dollywood, or the Gatlinburg Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community, with carriage makers, glassblowers, potters and more, you'll find any of these along the Sunnyside Trail. This driving trail is over 400 miles long with almost 400 tourist attractions along the way--starting in our very own back door of Sevierville.

Which trail will catch your eye?

A Great Area on The Rise

Gatlinburg has been ranked among top 25 destinations in the United States on Trip Advisor and received the Travelers' Choice® award for 2011 for Destinations and Family. 

Alternatively, Pigeon Forge is also making some waves on Trip Advisor--ranking fourth among the top 15 destinations on the rise in the United States.


Trip Advisor says the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States and with Gatlinburg and  Pigeon Forge located conveniently nearby, they tend to attract a lot of outdoor enthusiasts and those who just want to play in the outside. We think the national park, with all the hiking and wildlife, is a very family-oriented place to travel. And with it being within a day's drive from nearly half of the U.S., it is very accessible to get to in considerably little time.

Some folks are drawn out to Pigeon Forge  for a different kind of adventure in the form of Dollywood theme park, created by Dolly Parton herself, with concerts, thrill rides, gospel music and various festivals. 




What do you love about Gatlinburg and the surrounding area?

Hiking in the Smokies of Tennessee

Have you ever noticed that on a hike, there is something delicious about the air?  Scientists may say it’s the oxygenated air due to thick vegetation, and adventurers might claim it’s that feeling of freedom that whispers off the stream.  Whether it's photosynthesis or vigorous aura, I don't know, but the air is just wonderful to drink in.  I love a good hike, and in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, there are several good hikes ranging from very easy, to extremely difficult.  Specifically near the Cosby Entrance of the Smoky Mountain National Park, there are three different trails that offer variety for any hiker.

If you’re looking for a quiet stroll beneath shady trees, the Cosby Nature Trail beckons.  The trailhead is just past the picnic area in Cosby, taking you on a loop that is only 1 mile long, with a few footbridges to cross.  For those with younger children, this trail is manageable, fun, and relaxing.  If you’re not feeling up to an extended hike, but you still want to take in nature's beauty, try the Cosby Nature Trail.

If you’re looking for a longer hike with a beautiful destination, the Gabes Mountain trail is the one for you.  With a length of about 4.5 miles round-trip, this trail leads to Hen Wallow Falls, and starts near the Cosby Picnic area, just before the turn into the parking area.  This trail has some steep stretches, some stream crossings on footbridges, and even a stone bridge about a mile into the hike.  This trail is adventurous and enjoyable, but it may be too long for smaller children.

Onto bigger things, if you’re willing to spend a day, the Low Gap trail takes you to Mount Cammerer Fire Tower, a powerful name for a majestic view, one of the very best lookouts in the Smoky Mountains.  But you have to earn it.  This challenging, 15.9 mile round-trip hike starts near the amphitheatre in Cosby campground, and goes up to Mount Cammerer with a steep incline.  The trail takes you on switchbacks, through a dense but beautiful forest, until you finally reach the summit, where a breath-taking view awaits.  You can even go inside the fire tower, where a panoramic view is given with the tower’s octagonal structure and surrounding windows.  If you’re ready to strike the mountain and claim the peak, hit the Low Gap trail.

There’s a trail for everyone, so come breathe the air, come see the sights, and come experience the memorable moments that Great Smoky Mountain National Park has to offer.

Fine Dining in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee

For those who visit Tennessee and have a taste for fine-dining, there are more than blackberries and bramble to be found in the Smoky Mountains.  Christopher Place Resort offers a wide variety of sumptuous foods, and a full array of fine wines and alcoholic beverages, served in the Mountain View Dining Room Restaurant and Marston’s Library Pub.  These two venues offer distinct experiences, one more casual, one more refined.  It’s your choice of romance, here in Newport, Tennessee.

The Mountain View Dining Room Restaurant is the place to experience all the splendor Tennessee has to offer.  We give candlelit dinners from Tuesday to Saturday, and supply four-course prixe-fixe dining experiences, with salads, soups, or delicacies like “Baked Shrimp Remoulade Sauce,” and “Garlic and Onion Bisque.”  In description of the food served at Christopher Place Resort, East Tennessee Marquee Magazine said “Chef Valentine creates exquisite romantic dinners.”  As this steaming, seasoned symphony rolls over the tongue, the candles sparkle merrily and the fire pops in the fireplace.  Describing their overall experience at Christopher Place, one of our guests said “Beautiful rooms, excellent service and the secluded peace of the Smoky Mountains combine to make this the perfect place for a honeymoon. Delicious dinners and an in-room fireplace were the icing on the cake for us.”  Reservations are required to dine at this restaurant.

For a casual atmosphere, silvered with laughter and served with a traditional pub-style fare, visit Marston’s Library Pub, open every Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Monday.  To name but a few, we offer “Beer-Boiled Shrimp Cocktail,” a platter of jumbo shrimp boiled in a beer infused with seven spices, all served with a traditional cocktail sauce.  Celebrating the Old English feel, “Bangers and Mash” is a smoky sausage, served with creamy mashed potatoes covered in a rich brown sauce, with fresh sweet peas on the side.  And for a dessert that will send you to bed with a smile, the Marston’s Chocolate Cake with Guinness is made with rich dark chocolate, smooth Molasses, and a touch of Guinness, topped off with a shake of sugar and a spoonful of vanilla ice cream.

There’s a taste for everyone here, at the Christopher Place Resort, nestled in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Spring Festivals Near Newport, TN

Sometimes words are so perfect in their capture of an idea, and for me, whenever I hear the word “festival,” this small package of syllables does its job.  “Festival” enters my ear with a crowd of tumblers, clowns, colors and streamers in its wake.  Around this time of year in Tennessee, "festival" is the word sweeping the state.  Several Tennessee small towns are greeting the onset of spring with food, music and dancing for everyone.

The Ramp Festival, held in Cosby, Tennessee, is the longest running festival in the State, and will be held on May 7-8 this year.  Back in 1954, the members of Cocke County wanted to generate tourism and publicity for their area.  So they brainstormed, trying to think of something noble, powerful, anything worthy of celebration.  In the end, they found a common pride in the “ramp,” not to be confused with the “on-ramp” used for merging onto the freeway.  The ramp, a member of the onion family and just as powerful in taste and aroma, was believed to hold the revitalizing quality of a spring tonic, and was chosen as the subject of their celebration.  Since then, every year in Cocke County Tennessee, the people of this state celebrate heritage and springtime through music, dancing, food, and the crowning of a “Maid of Ramps.”  In 1955, former President Harry Truman even attended.

Another festival held in the spring is the Bloomin’ Barbeque and Bluegrass festival.  This family-geared celebration is held in tribute to the sound of Bluegrass music, the beauty of spring, and the taste of the barbeque.  Located in Sevierville, held on May 20-21, there is no admission charge.  You can just show up.  Of course, food, drink and merchandise will be sold there, so don’t forget your wallet, but the Bluegrass Music will also be staged for free.  And for those who live for the taste of delicious meats, hot and sizzling off the grill, a first class barbeque cook-off will be held, with barbeque teams coming to Sevierville from across the nation.

So if you’re in the neighborhood of Gatlinburg or Newport Tennessee around springtime, make sure to check and see if a festival is going on.  Come experience the sights, sounds and feelings of a classic Tennessee festival, beneath the gaze of the beautiful Smoky Mountains.