Originally Posted by
Kerosene
Depends on how long you want to be out. My 20-year old daughter, a newbie at the time, and I went from Standing Indian to Winding Stair Gap in May 2011, and then from there to Fontana Dam in May 2012. Mid-May is a lovely time of year down there, although it will likely be colder atop the ridgeline of the Smokies. Mid-October is also pretty nice. Also, you will have less competition from aspiring northbound thru-hikers if you hike later in May.
I enjoyed the Newfound Gap to Davenport Gap (actually Max Patch a day further north) section, where you have some great views from Charlies Bunion and Mt. Cammerer, Snowbird and Max Patch. If you want to avoid the challenge of reserving shelters in GSMNP, then you might consider hiking from Davenport Gap to Hot Springs, which is a popular section almost any time of year.
I've found that most flatlanders don't understand what it means to hike up a steep mountain with a pack on your back. Start out a bit slower and give yourself time to adjust to the effort (which is mostly mental in my opinion, at least for someone in decent shape).