Pigeon Forge, Tn

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Since we can't afford a trip to the World next year, we've decided to do a short trip to Pigeon Forge for my 15 year old son's spring break in March. I found out Dollywood is closed that week...Does anybody have other suggestions? We were thinking about doing the Smoky Mountain Park and Cades Cove one day, but were thinking about other things my son would enjoy for the other two days:confused:. Has anyone done the aquarium in Gatlinburg...? What about good restaurants in Pigeon Forge, particularly BBQ and steaks? Thanks for the help.

[smallworldmom]

We were there this July. They have a indoor waterpark resort complex that is awesome. Wilderness at the Smokies. The rooms are pricey but if you stay at the hotel connecting to the event center it is a little less expensive. The water parks are included with room rates. The water parks are only availible for resort guest only. They have a shuttle bus that constantly runs between the two resorts and indoor water park. They are literally just across a 2 lane highway. This is a very nice resort.
My family went to the Dixie Stampede one night. It was fun and something you don't do every day. We love to eat a the Apple barn, everything has apples in it. We eat at the Old Grist Mill frequently, the catfish stands out in my mind. There are alot of chain steak places, outback, damons, etc...
We have done the aquarimium, but the year we visited it we were on aquariuim overload. We had been to 3 and the Living Seas in about a 18 month period. If you've seen one you're good for a couple of years probably.
We went to wonderworks this year and ours kids and my DH loved it. We stayed until they closed.
You'll have fun:blush:

[JCDarzi]

Hi,
We love to go to Pigeon Forge. We have children ages 3 & 6 and the aquarium there has been a big hit for our family. For me, I enjoyed the Ripley Aquarium better than the Tennessee Aquarium or GA Aquarium.

There's lots of stuff to do there. I've been wanting to try the Wilderness at the Smokies that the last poster mentioned. It sounds like a blast!

Good luck planning your trip.

[Basket Mommy]

We took our kids (11, 8, 6, 4) to Forbidden Caverns last time we were in Pigeon Forge. It's about an hour tour, but it's really cool.

[the other micki]

Tuckeleechee Caverns are also wonderful. They are just a bit past the Cade's Cove area from what I remember. Very fun! The only place I remember eating was a mexican place on the main strip, No Way Jose's, I think. It was very good. Have a great time!

[Lynn J Mc]

If you are in to steak - drive over to Gatlinburg - 5 miles away - and visit The Peddler Steakhouse. Right on the river. They bring the steak out and cut it to your specification at your table and then take it away to cook it. We always visit when we go to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge and we used to go there a lot. They also have a sister restaurant right on the Parkway called the Park Grille. Really good seafood bisque.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Thanks for all the suggestions we will definitely try some of them....

[squijee]

Foe bbq I highly recommend Corky's Memphis BBq. Alamo steakhouse is good also. The best place for breakfast is the Pancake House next to the Comedy Barn and James Manor (which is where we always stay). The show at the Comedy Barn is very funny and great for kids.

[bertmmur]

We have never been able to decide which vacation we like better....Disney or Gatlinburg. There is so much to do there. We spend lots of time in the national park....Metcalf Bottoms is a great picnic area, hiking to the waterfalls, Cades Cove, etc. Last year we went in March and crossed over to Bryson City and rode the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. The Cherokee reservation is interesting also on that side of the national park. And Deep Creek has some beautiful waterfalls that are easy to get too (also on that side of park). We never spend more than a day at Dollywood....just so commercial with so much nature to enjoy. Dixie Stampede is alot of fun. Miracle Theater is also a very good quality show. My kids also really enjoyed Wonderworks. They also enjoy horseback riding. When they get old enough we will do the ATV rides....which I have heard are a blast. Enjoy your trip.....

[Mousemates]

never dreamed of going there on vacation:) (its my hometown), but lots of folks do and my family is glad because they all work in the tourist industry. :thumbsup:

The Ripleys Aquarium is definitely worth the time...but since its an inside thing...and given the very unpredictable weather at that time of the year (march) you might have a very raw day during your stay...so watch the weather and use the aquarium for the cold day of your trip.

I'd also remind you weatherwise...to consider the elevation/weather differential between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge....Gatlinburg gets a lot more snow than Pigeon Forge...so if its cold and rainy in the Forge you might be able to drive not to far and allow the kids to get in some serious snow....which might be a nice change of pace for someone from Mississippi. They also have a snow-tubing area roped off at Ober Gatlinburg (as well as a pretty large ice skating arena).

As for hiking ...again watching the march weather is paramount...for you can literally have light rain in pigeon forge, snow in galtinburg and full blown blizzard conditions at New found Gap (the TN/NC line)....but if the weather is good a couple of good hikes which give you some nices views are the section of the Appalachian trail that goes out to Charlies Bunion (sounds ugly but has one of the most spectacular views in the park)...or out to Andrews Bald (a bald is a naturally occuring high mountain field)...the Chimneys (if you are in good shape) or to simply walk up to the tower at clingmans dome.

Hope you have a great trip...and if you stop in the Pigeon Forge Visitor's Center say hello to my sister Paula...for she is the true family expert on Sevier county tourism.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

We were there this July. They have a indoor waterpark resort complex that is awesome. Wilderness at the Smokies. The rooms are pricey but if you stay at the hotel connecting to the event center it is a little less expensive. The water parks are included with room rates. The water parks are only availible for resort guest only. They have a shuttle bus that constantly runs between the two resorts and indoor water park. They are literally just across a 2 lane highway. This is a very nice resort.
My family went to the Dixie Stampede one night. It was fun and something you don't do every day. We love to eat a the Apple barn, everything has apples in it. We eat at the Old Grist Mill frequently, the catfish stands out in my mind. There are alot of chain steak places, outback, damons, etc...
We have done the aquarimium, but the year we visited it we were on aquariuim overload. We had been to 3 and the Living Seas in about a 18 month period. If you've seen one you're good for a couple of years probably.
We went to wonderworks this year and ours kids and my DH loved it. We stayed until they closed.
You'll have fun:blush:

We already booked rooms, so we won't be able to do the wildnerness in the Smokies...Dixie Stampede sounds like a must do though, thanks:)

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

If you are in to steak - drive over to Gatlinburg - 5 miles away - and visit The Peddler Steakhouse. Right on the river. They bring the steak out and cut it to your specification at your table and then take it away to cook it. We always visit when we go to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge and we used to go there a lot. They also have a sister restaurant right on the Parkway called the Park Grille. Really good seafood bisque.

We ate at the Peddler when we stayed in Gatlinburg when my son was 18 months old...he is now 15...we couldn't remember the name of the restaurant, so thanks for reminding me....:D

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Foe bbq I highly recommend Corky's Memphis BBq. Alamo steakhouse is good also. The best place for breakfast is the Pancake House next to the Comedy Barn and James Manor (which is where we always stay). The show at the Comedy Barn is very funny and great for kids.

The comedy barn sounds interesting...I was wondering about the Alamo because it is on every site for Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg. thanks a lot:mickey:

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

We have never been able to decide which vacation we like better....Disney or Gatlinburg. There is so much to do there. We spend lots of time in the national park....Metcalf Bottoms is a great picnic area, hiking to the waterfalls, Cades Cove, etc. Last year we went in March and crossed over to Bryson City and rode the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. The Cherokee reservation is interesting also on that side of the national park. And Deep Creek has some beautiful waterfalls that are easy to get too (also on that side of park). We never spend more than a day at Dollywood....just so commercial with so much nature to enjoy. Dixie Stampede is alot of fun. Miracle Theater is also a very good quality show. My kids also really enjoyed Wonderworks. They also enjoy horseback riding. When they get old enough we will do the ATV rides....which I have heard are a blast. Enjoy your trip.....


Those are great ideas, thanks:thumbsup:

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

never dreamed of going there on vacation:) (its my hometown), but lots of folks do and my family is glad because they all work in the tourist industry. :thumbsup:

The Ripleys Aquarium is definitely worth the time...but since its an inside thing...and given the very unpredictable weather at that time of the year (march) you might have a very raw day during your stay...so watch the weather and use the aquarium for the cold day of your trip.

I'd also remind you weatherwise...to consider the elevation/weather differential between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge....Gatlinburg gets a lot more snow than Pigeon Forge...so if its cold and rainy in the Forge you might be able to drive not to far and allow the kids to get in some serious snow....which might be a nice change of pace for someone from Mississippi. They also have a snow-tubing area roped off at Ober Gatlinburg (as well as a pretty large ice skating arena).

As for hiking ...again watching the march weather is paramount...for you can literally have light rain in pigeon forge, snow in galtinburg and full blown blizzard conditions at New found Gap (the TN/NC line)....but if the weather is good a couple of good hikes which give you some nices views are the section of the Appalachian trail that goes out to Charlies Bunion (sounds ugly but has one of the most spectacular views in the park)...or out to Andrews Bald (a bald is a naturally occuring high mountain field)...the Chimneys (if you are in good shape) or to simply walk up to the tower at clingmans dome.

Hope you have a great trip...and if you stop in the Pigeon Forge Visitor's Center say hello to my sister Paula...for she is the true family expert on Sevier county tourism.

I'll have to remember Paula:) A coworker of mine reminded me of the liklihood of snow and I guess that's why Dollywood is closed that time of year....Of course, my DS would be thrilled with snow and I wouldn't mind it as long as its not too heavy.....:mickey:

[Wayne]

Don't forget that Ober Gatlinburg is accessible by aerial tram (the best way to get there in fact) and, depending on the weather, some skiing may be available when you are there.

For excellent pizza (and great variety) I suggest the Smoky Mountain Brewery (locations in both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg).

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Don't forget that Ober Gatlinburg is accessible by aerial tram (the best way to get there in fact) and, depending on the weather, some skiing may be available when you are there.

For excellent pizza (and great variety) I suggest the Smoky Mountain Brewery (locations in both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg).

The brewery sounds interesting. Thanks

[momofaprincess]

You definitely want to go to Cade Cove. We usually go there during that week every year to photograph our kids with the daffodils planted by the CCC camps stationed there in the 30s. I would also recommend Roaring Fork Motor Trail off the main road through Gatlinburg. The aqaurium is great with a shark tunnel. At that point there probably won't be any snow if we have a typical winter. I would also recommend heading toward Cosby to Greenbrier part of the national park. A trip to Clingman's Dome would also be a good idea.

[Disneymom4ever]

We are going there as well, last week in Oct. I have 2 boys, 13 and 16. Sad to say but they're not really nature lovers, but love the touristy stuff! My neighbors just got back from there, and saw "The Miracle" show. They said it was amazing, and not to miss it. I've heard really good things about this show! I think we'll try it. They also really want to see "Magic Beyond Belief". I've heard it's really good as well. And also, The Comedy Barn show is supposed to be really funny, good wholesome humor. So we'll see. They have a special online for 49.95-it includes 2 shows of your choice. I want to take the boys to the Wax Museum in Gatlinburg, I've heard you can actually take your pics with the star figures, it's interactive, and fun. If you like to mini golf, you won't have a problem in Pigeon Forge, they are everywhere! That and go cart tracks, wow! When we went last time, my boys actually did the indoor skydiving in P.F. They had a great time, just loved it. They also did "Ripley's"- was ok, a lot of reading, and the Ripleys haunted house-my son said he was scared, but it was fun. They also have something new called "Magicquest". We went when we were in Myrtle Beach, and the boys still talk about it. They got magic wands, and went on an adventure-sort of a Harry Potter type scavenger hunt- hard to describe. They loved it though. Have fun planning, there really is a lot to do there! :mickey:

[Jeff]

We go every year at Spring Break.
Folks have given you some great suggestions.
I will just reinforce that the Aquarium is certainly worth a visit. The Ripley's mini golf's are the best kept up and most fun also. Buy a combo pack at the aquarium for a golf ticket if you plan to mini golf.

Corky's Barbecue is very good and Bennett's Pit Barbecue has been good too.

Adventure Quest is new and fun.
Wonderworks is fun.
The Old Mill area is worth a visit. Eat lunch at the Old Mill restaurant (same menu as dinner but cheaper).
Dixie Stampede is a good show and good food.

The hikes to Grotto Falls, Laural Falls or Arch Rock are easy to do and very much worth the walk.

Go on line and request a "Vacation Planner" from mypigeonforge.com also request a "What to do in the Smokey's" (google their site) It has great info about attractions, hikes and food.

[Mad About Mickey]

The Great Smokey Mountains National Park has some wonderful sights and adventures to offer. Cades Cove is a nice trip and you have a good chance of seeing a bear or 2 or 3 etc.. Cataloochee is out of the way on the NC side of the park but a great place to see plenty of elk. Clingmans Dome is a nice hike. Deep Creek in Bryson City has a nice short waterfall hike and is also a great place for tubing down the creek though March runoff may be cold and fast. If you were going a little later in the year I would definitely say to try tubing on Deep Creek and Sliding Rock in Nearby Pigsah National Forest is an awesome natural water slide not to be missed in warmer weather. Check out the National Park Service web site for some great information.

[d_m_n_n]

Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge is one of our "in-between" trips too! We *highly* suggest the Comedy Barn!! We took DSs (11 and 7) and there was nothing salty that made me cringe. We will definitely repeat this on a future trip. Dixie Stampede is also fun, but let me warn you that they do not use eating utensils. We usually sneak in our own. :blush: The Davy Crockett mini-golf is by far the most fun!! There are 2 different courses and we will play both.

Also, when driving through the park try some of the "Quiet Walk" trails. We saw some beautiful sights that we would normally not have seen. To see wildlife, try to be at Cades Cove at dawn...it is so peaceful and you will see some kind of animals (from bears to deer).

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

We go every year at Spring Break.
Folks have given you some great suggestions.
I will just reinforce that the Aquarium is certainly worth a visit. The Ripley's mini golf's are the best kept up and most fun also. Buy a combo pack at the aquarium for a golf ticket if you plan to mini golf.

Corky's Barbecue is very good and Bennett's Pit Barbecue has been good too.

Adventure Quest is new and fun.
Wonderworks is fun.
The Old Mill area is worth a visit. Eat lunch at the Old Mill restaurant (same menu as dinner but cheaper).
Dixie Stampede is a good show and good food.

The hikes to Grotto Falls, Laural Falls or Arch Rock are easy to do and very much worth the walk.

Go on line and request a "Vacation Planner" from mypigeonforge.com also request a "What to do in the Smokey's" (google their site) It has great info about attractions, hikes and food.

I remember seeing something about an Old Mill Pottery that has a restauarant in it, is that what you're talking about?

[Tigerinvestigator]

Ripleys aquarium is great, Ripleys haunted attraction is very well done, and the mystery house is also fun if you like haunted houses.
Howards in Gatlinburg is a good place to eat.:thumbsup:

[FaithTrustPixieDust]

Spring Break is a good time to go to the Smokies, but be prepared for wide-ranging temperatures. Even if the days are warm, it can get chilly at night.

There is tons of tourist stuff to do on the Gatlingburg and Pigeon Forge strips, and you could quickly spend lots of money! If you like hiking, there are many, many (FREE!) hikes ranging from short and easy to long and strenuous. Several have already been mentioned here. Cades Cove is great, but be warned that it is a very long drive. There is a trail somewhere in the middle of it. You pull over and park, then hike a few miles to a waterfall. They also offer horseback rides and wagon rides in Cades Cove.

Chimney Tops would be great for teenage boys. It's not very long, but it's STRAIGHT UP! The view from the tops is truly amazing.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Spring Break is a good time to go to the Smokies, but be prepared for wide-ranging temperatures. Even if the days are warm, it can get chilly at night.

There is tons of tourist stuff to do on the Gatlingburg and Pigeon Forge strips, and you could quickly spend lots of money! If you like hiking, there are many, many (FREE!) hikes ranging from short and easy to long and strenuous. Several have already been mentioned here. Cades Cove is great, but be warned that it is a very long drive. There is a trail somewhere in the middle of it. You pull over and park, then hike a few miles to a waterfall. They also offer horseback rides and wagon rides in Cades Cove.

Chimney Tops would be great for teenage boys. It's not very long, but it's STRAIGHT UP! The view from the tops is truly amazing.

How much time should we devote for Cades Cove? I'd rather not use more than 1/2 day for any one thing. Thanks for your help:mickey:

[FaithTrustPixieDust]

Without checking any online maps, I'm just doing this from memory. . . . I think Cades Cove is about 20 miles from the entrance to the park (at the far end of Gatlinburg by the Sugarlands area). It's something like an 11 mile driving loop, but you drive SL-OW-LY because you're absorbing the scenery and watching for deer, turkeys, etc. We typically get stir crazy about halfway through and force DH to park the car so we can hop out, run around, take pics, sneak up on deer, etc. It seriously can take 1/2 day . . .or at least 2-3 hours of Quality Car Time.

***parents of small children: this is a fabulous trick to force in a nap!***

It's a must do for my DH because he loves to look for deer and wildlife. Next time I am going to make it more interesting for the rest of us by incorporating some horseback riding or the hike I referred to in the earlier post.

Best time to go is what DH calls "Deer:30" This is late afternoon, after you've been hiking all day and you're glad to sit still and relax anyway. The closer you are to sunset, the more active the animals are. (It closes at sunset.)

[Jeff]

I remember seeing something about an Old Mill Pottery that has a restaurant in it, is that what you're talking about?

No, that's the "Old Mill Pottery House Café and Grill" which is just across the stree (all in the Old Mill Square area). It is good too but I'm talking about the "Old Mill Restaurant". Great Pot Roast, pot pies, and excellent Pecan Pie.

[Jeff]

Also, for a nice short walk (less than a mile) stop at the Sugarlands Visitor Center (just outside of Gatlinburg) and take the short "hike" along a creek and back to a old log home. You will get a taste of hiking without having to go far.

[Basket Mommy]

No, that's the "Old Mill Pottery House Café and Grill" which is just across the stree (all in the Old Mill Square area). It is good too but I'm talking about the "Old Mill Restaurant". Great Pot Roast, pot pies, and excellent Pecan Pie.

Last year when we tried to get into the Old Mill and were told it was a 90-minute wait, we went over to the Old Mill Pottery and had an excellent meal. They have fried green tomatoes with avocado ranch dressing that is to DIE for. I loved it so much I bought a huge jar of it to take home. DEE-LISH-US. The Old Mill is good, but the Pottery is just as yummy (and the dishes are gorgeous... handmade!)

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Last year when we tried to get into the Old Mill and were told it was a 90-minute wait, we went over to the Old Mill Pottery and had an excellent meal. They have fried green tomatoes with avocado ranch dressing that is to DIE for. I loved it so much I bought a huge jar of it to take home. DEE-LISH-US. The Old Mill is good, but the Pottery is just as yummy (and the dishes are gorgeous... handmade!)

Yum, that does sound like good dressing...I'll make a note to pick some up.:mickey:

[Basket Mommy]

Yum, that does sound like good dressing...I'll make a note to pick some up.:mickey:

It's freshly made, so it will need to be refrigerated. If you want to take some home and have a long drive back home, make sure you have a cooler.