I woke up feeling a little wistful—it was time to leave the camp that had become our cozy home for the past two days. But before we said our final goodbyes, we had room for just a bit more adventure in the Smokies.
Figure 1: Saying goodbyes, Under Canvas, Smokies NP
I suggested Grotto Falls, and the ever-helpful concierge gave it a nod of approval. That morning, I swapped out the bottomless coffee for something with a little more homegrown flair: Wagh Bakri chai, Mitu’s trusty travel staple. Strong, familiar, and comforting—it did the trick waking me up better than any espresso shot.
Packing up was a breeze. One of the many perks of glamping? No keys to turn in, no fuss at checkout. We waved goodbye to the friendly staff and a few fellow campers also rolling out.
This time, we weren’t taking any chances with parking tags. We made a 25-minute detour to the Sugarlands Visitor Center to get them, and made a quick stop for photos by the iconic Great Smoky Mountains National Park sign—every good trip deserves a proper postcard moment.
The drive to Grotto Falls was peaceful and nearly deserted—until it wasn’t. Turns out, the Smokies still had plenty of visitors. The trail parking was packed, and we ended up parking about a mile downhill from the actual trailhead. That turned our 1.4-mile hike into a 2.4-mile uphill climb.
Figure 2: Motivation to climb higher, Grotto Falls Trail, Smokies NP
No complaints, though. It was still early, and we were ready for the challenge. The trail was lush and lively, with fellow hikers around every bend. Our Apple Watches chimed in to let us know we’d climbed over 1,000 feet in elevation—no wonder our legs were starting to feel it!
Figure 3: Lush trail, Grotto Falls, Smokies NP
Grotto Falls was worth every step. The true charm lies in being able to walk behind the waterfall, with the cool water curtain cascading in front of you. It felt magical—like stepping into a forest fairytale.
Figure 4: Walking behind the waterfall, Grotto Falls, Smokies NP
The return hike was much easier (gravity was finally on our side), but by the time we got back to the car, our stomachs were growling. We aimed for Gatlinburg, a quaint little town packed with charm—and people. Mitu navigated the traffic like a pro, and we scored a good parking spot in the bustling downtown.
Figure 5: Southern comfort food, Ole Red, Gaitlinburg TN
For lunch, we headed to Ole Red, Blake Shelton’s restaurant. With live music filling the space and a menu full of comfort food, it hit all the right notes. Abhai and I went for Tennessee whiskey cocktails, while the ladies enjoyed colorful mocktails. Our Southern spread included chicken and waffles, fried green tomatoes, and a crispy fried chicken sandwich - hearty, delicious, and more than enough for everyone.
With our bellies full, it was time to hit the road for our 3.5-hour drive to Nashville. The journey was smooth and uneventful, with just one coffee stop to break things up.
Figure 6: Sandals in the lobby, Margaritaville, Nashville
We rolled into Margaritaville Resort around 4 PM, welcomed by a plush lobby, a buzzing bar, and oversized rooms with even bigger bathrooms. Glamping had been luxurious, but this was next-level comfort, minus the $75-a-day valet parking sting, of course.
After a quick rest and freshening up, we headed out for the highlight of the day: the Grand Ole Opry. A short 15-20 minute drive brought us to the historic venue, glowing with lights and pride for the July 4th weekend celebration.
Figure 7: Pulling strings, Grand Ole Opry, Nashville
The Opry didn’t disappoint. We had prime, stage-facing seats, and eight talented country music artists graced the stage that night. The songs were heartfelt and nostalgic, each one echoing with stories of life, love, and loss. The Cleverlys had us chuckling with their quirky humor, but it was Charlie McCoy who stole the show. His harmonica performance—a mimic of a train in motion—was nothing short of masterful. The audience rose to their feet for a well-deserved standing ovation.
Figure 8: Country singing, Grand Ole Opry, Nashhville
As the lights dimmed, we weren’t too hungry, so we wandered over to the nearby Dave & Buster’s. A lighter meal rounded out the day - baked salmon salad for Abhai and a barbecue chicken flatbread for me.
And with that, we wrapped up another rich chapter of our Tennessee adventure - one filled with waterfalls, country songs, roadside charm, and more memories than we could count.