Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg

[daparish]

We are planning a trip for the beginning of October. It will be 6 of us. (me, mom. 2 sisters, aunt and niece). I think we will stay at a condo. (Any suggestions??) I know we will be hitting Dollywood and my mom wants to go to an Indian reservation in North Carolina. Does anyone have any suggesstions or must sees? I am really trying to get excited about the trip but I would rather go to Disney World. I am also in charge of planning. I have only been to Ten. once as a kid and we only went to Opryland for a couple of days so I am really not familar with the area at all.

[Jasper]

There are a ton of things to do in that area. Go online and Google Gatlinburg and you will get a lot of information. You are also not very far from either Chattanooga or Nashville and both of those cities have a lot to do. The Chattanooga aquarium is especially nice and of course you MUST do the Parthanon at Nashville if you pass through.

As for Dollywood, be sure you check their hours before you go. I am not sure of when, but they do go on reduced days and hours sometime around that time of year.

[Strmchsr]

Gatlinburg has a very cool aquarium itself. Christus Gardens is nice if you're into the Bible. There are lots of shops. The tram up to Ober Gatlinburg is a lot of fun. Probably won't be any skiing during that time, but the ice rink should be open. You'll be there during peak leaf season, which is gorgeous. As Jasper mentioned, Chattanooga is about 2 1/2 - 3 hours away. Knoxville is only 45 minutes away. Nashville is about 4 hours away. All of those places have cool things as well. The biggest thing about Gatlinburg is find a place to park and walk the town. Driving is a pain. Pigeon Forge you kind of have to drive, but it's not as bad.

[Jeff]

We just got back less than 2 weeks ago. We go every Spring Break. There is much to do.

Go the web sites for "What To Do In the Smokys", Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. Request the free vacation planning guide/book from each. You will get some good info.

The Dixey Stampede Show is a favorite of ours.
Dollywood is a lot of fun.

Eat at: the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge and the Apple Tree Farmhouse Grill at the Pigeon Forge Sevierville city lines (these towns just blend into each other). Corky's (b'bque) is good.
Have some pancakes at the Pancake Pantry on the strip in Gatlinburg.

There are some great craft/art shops on the Gatlinburg craft loop.

Take the Roaring Fork Road loop drive in Gatlinburg and the Cades Cove drive.

Great short/easy hikes are:
Laural Falls (2.5 miles) paved trail but always
busy.
Grotto Falls (3 miles)
Arch Rock/Alum Cave(2 to 3 miles)
The Clingmans Dome walk is short (1/4 mile) but steep (paved) to a very nice overlook.

The Ripleys Aquarium in Gatlinburg is very cool and worth the $17 or so.

Also, get some cashew brittle and other great candy at either of the Old Smoky Candy Kitchen locations.

[d_m_n_n]

Hey there. We visit Gatlinburg every couple years or so. I suggest instead of a condo looking into a cabin rental. There are some really nice ones that include hot tubs, etc. (nice for sore feet after a day of shopping) that give you extra space.

Don't know if you're interested, but Dixie Stampede is in PF. We try to do this if we can, good food, good fun, nice way to spend an evening.

Parking can be an issue in Gatlinburg. There are a couple of garages (one by the Aquarium and one by the Hard Rock right off the top of my head), but they fill up early in the busy season. Sometimes we would drive to PF, do some shopping at the outlet malls, then hop a trolley back to town to browse to prevent the parking problem.

OH and if you are up to a little drive, the Biltmore Estate is a few hours away. If you've never been there it is really, really worth a visit.

Hope this helps!

[JRock0114]

I live in Chattanooga (Around 2 hours from Gatlinburg) so we travel there at least 2 or 3 times a year. The time of year that you are going is THE BEST time to go. The Fall leaves will take your breath away. Here's a few quick tips:

- Cabins are the way to go.
- Go to the Apple Barn for a breakfast meal.
- Park and walk the strip, don't drive it.
- Dollywood is great and the Dixie Stampede is next door.

You will have a great time in Tennessee.

[BRJARE3]

We vacationed last year in Gatlinburg. I agree that you need to rent a log cabin. They are really reasonably priced. We loved Dollywood. Such a clean park, beautiful scenery. The food is expensive, though. We were a little shocked at that, but it was a great park. You have to go to Ripleys Aquarium in Gatlinburg. By far, the best one we have been to. The Knoxville Zoo is pretty as well. Good size. We are used to the Philly Zoo, and were really pleased with going there. We did the tram up to the top of the mountain. Beautiful. The hiking in the Smokies is great. Enjoy. It was a wonderful vacation and we are already making plans to go back.

[MsMin]

My sister lived there for about 8 years. She lived in Pigeon Forge and had a sandwich shop in Mountain Mall ( close to the aquarium). There are some very reasonable lots off the main strip but I don't know the names of the streets. We used to park in the school lot near the start of the shopping area. I agree that a cabin is the way to go. She enjoyed Dollywood and I agree that the aquarium is better than the one in N.O. the zoo I don't know. The Ripley's Haunted House was fun too, one of the scarier ones.
They have a couple state park info centers at Pigeon Forge and one at the base of the park. They have the guides and maps for hiking. a lot that Jeff mentioned that's what we've done.
Chattanooga is a good 3/4 hours away depending on traffic. We stop there coming up or going back. We love Ruby Falls and that area too. Sounds like a great time.

[murphy1]

Cades Cove is over that way and is absolutely gorgeous!! It is over by Townsend. We stayed at the Blue Mountain Mist country inn right by Dollywood but off the main drag. They have a ton of cabins there. The foliage is beautiful that time of year, too.

[disneydrmr]

I'm going to Gatlinburg next week! I LOVE it there! That was the family vacation we took every year growing up! I agree with everyone else that renting a chalet is the way to go. The official website is Gatlinburg dot com. Lots of info on there for you. We've done the chalets and they are really nice.. BUT.. if you plan to spend a lot of time in town you may wanna find a hotel in town.. cause as others have said parking can be a pain, and it's all pay parking. Cades Cove is a must! We try to go first thing in the AM or last thing in the pm - that seems to be when we see the most animals. Dixie Stampede as others said is a good time! And there's also the Black Bear Jamboree. Several mini golf courses in town. Do NOT NOT NOT miss having breakfast at the Pancake Pantry! Best Crepes/Waffles/pancakes/french toast you will ever eat! In fact, we are leaving our house at 1am in order to arrive in Gatlinburg in time for breakfast! If you do make it over to Cherokee - try to see Unto These Hills - it's the outdoor drama there.. AWESOME! (though not sure if it would still be playing in Oct.)

[PracticallyPerfectMollie]

If you like shopping, the outlet malls in seviereville are great. I don't know how old your neice is but we took our little girl to boyds bears--which is a giant barn (5 stories) of bears. You can buy them, build them, or adopt them. We really enjoyed it.

[adamsfam5]

We got back from Gatlinburg last week. It was our first time there and we probably won't be going back. Pigeon Forge was like Branson, MO (which is 2 hours away from us) and Gatlinburg was similar (but a lot more character).

Laurel Falls is worth the trek. Beautiful!

We drove the 90 minute trip to Ashville, NC and saw the Biltmore Estate. It was well worth the drive (on the way there we drove thru the Smokies; on the way back we took the interstate). We drove thru a Cherokee Reservation on the way there; what we saw was incredibly commercialized with the token casino (Harrah's). Biltmore was fabulous. Google it; there are many ways to enjoy the Estate - eat lunch or dinner there (we had a lunch buffet = $16 per person). We also took the audio tour (well worth it). Biltmore was the highlight of our trip.

And, we made a daily pilgrimage to Krispy Kreme in Pigeon Forge.

[tennvalgirl]

I second the post about the
Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina
You will not regret going.

[kakn7294]

And, we made a daily pilgrimage to Krispy Kreme in Pigeon Forge.

We stayed in the Clarion Inn Willow River in Seiverville about 6 years ago - it sleeps 6 with 2 beds (queen I think) and a sleeper sofa. It was beautiful - and they had Krispy Kreme donuts delivered each morning for the continental breakfast so we didn't have to make the daily pilgrimage - they came to us! We also enjoyed the Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg as well as Dollywood and some of the outlet malls as well as the little shops around the old mill. BTW Lori, I'd rather go to Disney World too!

[biodtl]

We always rent a cabin when we go. it lets us get away from the crowds and relax. It's also surprisingly inexpensive. On our last trip, we went for 8 days and spent less than $500 for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, with a full kitchen, outdoor grill, back and front porch. And the best part - the front porch had a hot tub with a great view!

We love Dollywood - it's very family-oriented. The water park is nice, too. Both are kept very clean.

The aquarium may sound pricey, but it is worth it - the "viewing tunnel" is cool - with moving sidewalks. You just stand there and look.

The sky lift is great if you aren't afraid of heights ( I once saw it break down for a LONG time).

And my kids love all the rock mining places and the Hillbilly golf where you ride the tram up the hill and golf your way back down.

If you do head into Asheville, be sure to take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's a beautiful drive.

[k_reile]

Make sure you go to the Dixie Stampede...the show is fabulous and the food isn't that bad either.

[daparish]

Thanks everyone for the help because I really need it. I booked a cabin and we will be there for five full days. How many days should we plan on Dollywood? The only other place my mom mentioned she wants to go to is to Cherokee NC to take the tour of the reservation. I am not sure how much walking on trails and hiking my mom will be able to do. She is 74 and has bad knees but refusses to use a scooter or wheelchair. My aunt and cousins evacuated to Tennessee after hurricane Katrina and ended up relocating so we will be spending time with them also. Thanks again for all the help.

[biodtl]

We usually only spend one day in Dollywood and One day in the water park (sometimes 2 if it's really hot).

[disneydrmr]

How many days should we plan on Dollywood?

If you go after 3pm, you can get in the next day for free - so you would basically be getting 1 and a half days for the price of one day! We just got back and we saw a total of 5 bears! It was awesome! We did the aquarium and it was definitly worth the price. YOu can watch them feed the sharks. And the tunnel is GREAT! We spent almost 2 1/2 hours in there! Also did the Hillbilly Golf - it was fun, but we personally enjoyed the Davy Crocket golf better. And another first - we rode horses in Cades Cove - THAT was GREAT! If you have any horse lovers - this is something to do! They also have a carriage ride thru the Cove - your mom might enjoy that! I think that was only $7 per person. And it's I believe a 45 minute ride. Oh, someone mentioned the Boyd's Bears in Pigeon Forge -well it is now closed. It was a neat place to visit though.

[momof3boysinTN]

Dixie Stampede in PF
Dolly Wood in PF
Eat at The Old Mill Restaurant in Pf
Shop at some of the Outlets in Serv. and PF
Ride to Cades Cove for the view and history in Gat.
Aquarium in Gatlinburg

in NC visit Biltmore Estate