Im flying to Dalton Ga to pick up my new to me 2010 JCW. Told my wife we would make a trip out of this. So she has planned on us driving to Charleston and hugging the coast till me we make it back to west Texas. But then I realize wow the Tail of the Dragon isn't far from there. So of course what does any MINI driver that just picked up a JCW want to do???? I told her "that we have to go up there and drive it". Here is the kicker we fly in to Chattanooga on Friday the 8th of July which just happens to be her birthday. So tell me is there any nice place to eat or stay or anything close to the dragon?? Not sure that she would think us eating BBQ and hanging out with a bunch of bikers is going to be the thing she wants to do for her birthday. So come on guys that have been there before give me some ideas. Don't let me down or its going to be a very long drive back to Texas.

 

I have been to MOTD 3 times and I would say you can not go wrong with the Fontana Resort. (They have food also)

http://www.fontanavillage.com/

Also other places to eat near by: http://www.minisonthedragon.com/restaurants.php

 

If you drive past the deals gap store coming from NC there's a gas station type restaurant on the right once you get out of the twisty bits. I can't think of the name but I've been told its excellent. However, it is more of a biker hangout. If you drive into Maryville there's a great local diner called Hot Rods. Or you could drive through the Foothills Parkway and head up to Townsend for a place called Little River BBQ. They are my favorite! There's also a Smoky Mountain Brewery in Maryville that's a bit more "upscale"

 

The restaurant at the lodge in Fontana is actually quite nice, and food has been very good the few times I've eaten there.

P

 

BTW, this isn't food related but in addition to driving the actual dragon I would recommend driving the Cherahola Skyway. It's a much more interesting and scenic drive. Also the hellbender 28. I actually enjoy those more than the actual dragon.

 

Thanks for all the recommendations!!! MiamiGuitarMan Cherahola Skyway is that on the way to Tail of the dragon or past it. I am coming from Dalton Ga. and then when we leave we are headed to Charleston. We then plan to head to Hilton Head and on to Savannah, from that point we just like to get to New Orleans with some stops in between. If anyone knows of any points of interest or good places to eat I would love to hear that as well.

I cant wait to pickup my JCW and ride the tail. My 03 S that is going to be sitting at home is going to be so jealous.

 

I'd say the Mountain View Bistro at Fontana would be the closest nicest place to take someone for their birthday by The Dragon. http://www.fontanavillage.com/dining/bistro.html

 

Without being a spoilsport, let me just say that the Dragon is overrated. If you want to drive it, make sure you pass through on a weekday, otherwise it's going to be packed with bikers and cops, and I'm not sure which will slow you down more The Cherohala is nearby, down near Robinsville and running into TN. From Dalton, it appears to be about an hour and a half away and a good point to start your journey, probably.

Dalton, GA to Tellico Plains, TN... western end of the Cherohala Skyway

The Cherohala Skyway itself

From there, head to the Dragon and back. Go up 129 and across the Dragon. The official beginning is after you cross the bridge at Tapoco near "Fugitive Dam". Drive it, get to the big gravel lot at the end near the lake, stop and catch your breath, then turn around and do it again the other direction! On the way back, a bit after you cross back into North Carolina, take a left at the Crossroads of Time gas station, and head down "Hellbender 28". It'll be a few miles into that that you'll come across Fontana Village and the nice little place everyone mentioned to have some lunch.

That will pretty well take care of your Dragon experience. At that point you should be about 5-6 hours in, because you WILL want to stop at the various pulloffs on the Cherohala (more beautiful road than the Blue Ridge Parkway, in my opinion), and that gives you time for lunch to catch your breath after the Dragon takes it. The question is.... how much more of the mountains do you want to see? Are you in hurry to get to Asheville and pick up I-26 south towards Greenville/Columbia/Charleston.... or do you think you'll still be in the mood to explore some beautiful mountain scenery and curvy roads?

 

Without looking at a full map, I couldn't tell you off the top of my head if you'll hit it before or after the dragon. You might even have to take a slight detour. Either way, it's 100% worth it. The dragon itself is a very tight road with nothing but hairpin turns one after another. It's great for white knuckle driving but there's not much opportunity to open up the throttle or enjoy any scenery. The skyway is a lot more open and there are still plenty of tight turns but there are also more open curves and turns and you can hit the throttle a lot harder and enjoy the drive AND the scenery. And if you have a passenger, they'll probably enjoy the skyway a lot more too.

And 28 is a lot of fun too. It's similar to the dragon but it's a little more open so you can go a little faster while still hitting turn after turn. 28 is the road that takes you from the fontana resort to the deal's gap resort which is where the dragon starts. Each time I've gone up there I probably drove that little stretch of 28 at least 15 times.

If you have the time, this is what I'd recommend doing. It covers the dragon, the skyway, and the best (in my opinion) part of 28.

 

I posted a big long post with lots of links to Google maps, but since I'm a n00b and not allowed to post links yet, I think the forum ate it. Long story short....

Dalton, GA to Tellico Plains, TN.... about 1h45m
From Tellico Plains, take 165/143 East, which turns into the Cherohala Skyway. Google maps claims it's a little over an hour.... I'd say budget 2 hours since you'll want to stop for pictures and possibly to let your brakes cool. It's a BEAUTIFUL road with lots of curves, and once you cross into NC it's going to be a steep descent. I overheated my WRX brakes first trip there coming down, so watch yourself
Once you hit the end of the Cherohala, take 129 North. After you cross the bridge at Tapoco, you're officially on "The Dragon". Take it north past the overlook to the gravel lot at the end.... pull over there, catch your breath... then turn around and run it the other way.
On the way back, when you pass by The Crossroads of Time service station, take a left onto "Hellbender 28". That will take you past Fontana village where everyone is suggesting you eat.

The question after that is how much time you have left. Do you want to get to Asheville ASAP to pick up I-26 toward Greenville/Columbia/Charleston... or do you want to explore more mountain roads down toward Brevard, Franklin, Highlands, Cashiers, etc on the way?

 

I would drive into Fontana on the Dragon RT-129 but recommend driving the Cherahola Skyway coming out into TN. It's a much more interesting and scenic drive than the actual dragon. As you depart Fontana go thru Robbinsville and eat at Lynn's Place which has the best nightly specials.
It's up the hill on Main St. My NAM site has some picts...
Say high to Lynn, Billy, & Maria from Lee & Ray...

 

Hey just wanted to say thanks to all the guys that posted on this thread. We rode the dragon and some other roads it was a long road trip back to Texas but it was great riding in my new JCW. To all the guys out there that havnet riden the Dragon JUST DO IT it was so worth it.