Smokey Shadows - Maggie Valley

Smokey Shadows was built in 1953 by Henry T. Stewart Harry using local labor along with some help from my dad. I don 't know where anyone got that it 's over 100 yrs old!!! It was his dream project. He and my grandmother Beth Stewart ran it for many years until his health was such that they no longer could. Plus my dad, who was now married to their daughter living in SC, had given them 4 grandkids they wanted to spend time with. So they sold The Lodge and moved to Clemson. The last time I visited was in 2012 when Ginger her husband were running it. Took my mom up for a visit since it had been quite some time since she had been there. But NO it is not over 100 years old!!! It is a beautiful place that my granddad built with love and attention to detail to stand the test of time!!!

We had our kids and grandkids in Maggie Valley for our annual family get-together and decided to do our night out at Smokey Shadows Lodge. They were awesome for helping us arrange the meal and invited us to come early to soak in the ambiance. The lodge is over 100 years old and evokes the memories we had as kids of mountain vacations. The folks that run the lodge seated us and started bringing food unnoticed. Salad first (incredible), and then entrees. That night we had roasted pork loin and fresh veggies (more than I can count), followed by strawberries on homemade shortbread. Of all the family meals we've had, this was the very best. We had congenial families at adjacent tables, and it was a wonderful evening. I'm almost reluctant to give such a glowing review,as we want to be able to get a reservation next time, but it was really that good. We definitely will be going back, and we'll be taking out of town company there to give them the real mountain lodge experience.

Found this gem by accident. Totally awesome experience. The owner is great and super accommodating. This is rustic, so if you want off the grid, relaxing, unplugged atmosphere, this is your spot. The homemade breakfast was terrific. They did not have a dinner the weekend we were there, but I have heard their pot roast is legendary. We are looking forward to going back.

THE place to go off the grid, have a group retreat, church camp group or wedding venue!!! Have the right mind set: this is not just a great place to unwind, and unplug; BUT it is an experience staying in a 150 year old building that did not have electricity (originally) and will help you to slow down, simplify and relax. Probably the best valley view from the back porch in all of maggie valley!! (pic from the porch included) As far as 2020 COVID health stuff goes: they seem to be keeping it very clean and using masks taking precautions appropriately. We rented out the place for our vow renewal (wedding party). Which is not that bad affordability wise. If you 're looking for a rustic wedding backdrop, for 20-60 people and great view inside and out; this is it! They 've got the perfect area for a dance floor and indoor ceremony, then a seperate dinning area, plus the back yard and deck where you can hear running water from a stream! Plus if you can be there on a cooking day, the meals are amazing. Apparently this is where tomato pie started. Or at least was made famous! I had one meal the and it was delicious southern comfort food that you could taste love in! This is also the perfect place to stay when skiing at Cataloochie; which is about a 5 minute drive further up the mountain. We went skiing one day and it was perfect.... You don 't wanna have to go far when you 're so soar afterwards! . It was about 10 minutes from the blue ridge parkway. Soco falls (which is worth seeing) in the Cherokee reserve was a about a 20 min drive. Water rock knob (an awesome place on the parkway with a 360 view and great sunsets is a 30 min or less drive. Verizon has excellent coverage up here. AT&T has adequate signal up ...and used my wifi hotspot on my phone easily. Well worth the stay. I only wish we could have stayed longer!