This Unique Architectural Gem in Tennessee Makes for a Spectacular Fall Getaway

The Volunteer State is unique in many ways. No other state is the birthplace of country music, home to the most visited national park in America, and the place where every drop of Jack Daniel’s whiskey is made. We’ve found an Airbnb in Gatlinburg that’s every bit as special as the state it rests in. The McCarty House in the Arts and Crafts District of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is truly one of a kind.

The McCarty House's most unique feature is its architecture. The stunning mid-century modern home was designed by renowned architect Bruce McCarty as a summer home for his mother and her family. It was built in 1952 on five acres of wooded land. The home features gorgeous architectural details, including large windows with stunning views of nature and a stone terrace. Through numerous architectural decisions, McCarty married the home's interior with its surrounding landscape. 

The spacious living room has a warm wooden ceiling with beams. Its walls are large gray stones and massive windows, offering guests wonderful views of the trees outdoors. It has a sizeable stone fireplace, couches, and two armchairs. Wouldn’t it be lovely to lounge on the couch next to a fire on a crisp fall day and enjoy the foliage outside?

The Airbnb's kitchen has wooden cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, including a dishwasher and a coffee maker. The cabinets are stocked with ceramic dishes and glasses. The owners recently added a chestnut wood bar, constructed from lumber salvaged from Knoxville’s oldest remaining house. The kitchen has everything guests need to prepare and enjoy the best cuisine of the fall season, such as a steaming bowl of soup or fresh pumpkin bread.

The large stone patio is the ideal spot to enjoy an outdoor meal, read a book, or savor a glass of wine at the end of the day. It has a round table with bench seating and Adirondack chairs. The surrounding trees provide a beautiful setting at any time of year.

Autumn is, in my opinion, the best time of year to enjoy hot tubs. The McCarty House has a new four-person hot tub, where guests can relax and soak away their aches and pains. The hot tub is covered, protecting inhabitants from wet weather, and also has views of the outdoors.

The Airbnb has three bedrooms, which comfortably accommodate five guests. Two of the bedrooms have king-sized beds, and a third bedroom has a single bed. The bedrooms are immaculately decorated with rich wood tones and cozy bedding. Two of the bedrooms have private balconies with outdoor seating.

For more information and availability, visit The McCarty House's listing on Airbnb.

Gatlinburg is a small town that comes alive in autumn, making it a fantastic fall destination. There are numerous hiking trails and scenic drives, made all the more beautiful with vibrant fall foliage. The Gatlinburg Trail is a 3.9-mile easy Smoky Mountain Trail that follows along the Little Pigeon River.

Gatlinburg's Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival is one of the best fall festivals in Tennessee. It lasts from September through November and includes a Scarecrow decorating contest, where participating businesses throughout downtown decorate and display life-size Scarecrow people, and visitors vote for their favorite on the Visit Gatlinburg app. Ober's Oktoberfest is another fantastic fall festival held at Ober Mountain, featuring Bavarian-style cuisine and music.