A DISer's visit to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg TN

[Magalex]

Hi!

I wanted to give a small review and thoughts about our trip to the Smoky Mountains region in TN from 6/14-6/19. I did receive some ideas from this board before I left for our trip so I wanted to give some feedback if others are interested in visiting the Smoky Mountains.

The weather was awesome: 82 and pure sun
We stayed at Music Road Hotel at the beginning of Pigeon Forge: nice, family friendly and fun pool for my 7 yr old DS
All the merchants, locals and all the employees at shows and attractions were extremely friendly
Pigeon Forge is a blend of newer hotels, restaurants, attractions, shows at the beginning of the Parkway(similar to International Dr. in a good way) and then parts are older. Save and Family Friendly
Gatlinburg is more condensed with lots of cool mini golfs(Hillbilly Golf), Ripley's Attractions(similar to a beach town), the Aquarium is excellent. Lots of choices for restaurants.
Haunted Ghost Tours in Gatlinburg was Fun(maybe not as historic as Williamsburg) but fun story telling. Our 7 yr old DS enjoyed it too. Not too scary.
Older Motel like resorts in Gatlinburg
Parking can be expensive in Gatlinburg.
A quieter day in Gatlinburg would be the Crafters' Community
Brochures and maps everywhere for the 3 tourists towns that consists of the "Parkway" Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Also lots of Welcome Centers.
Two great shows we enjoyed were: The Comedy Barn and The Magic Beyond Belief shows.
Dollywood is Beautiful! Everything was pristine. Gorgeous park. Employees were outstanding. SOOO Much Fun!

It is an area we wish to return in the future. There is always something to do from morning to night
We did see a Black Bear crossing a small road on a Nature trail. That was cool.

 

[tinatark]

I am glad you liked it here - did you get any outlet shopping done?

Sad note - the 2.5 year old son of the owner of the Comedy Barn/Miracle/Black Bear group drowned in the family pool last Wednesday. They're really great people, great in the community and I understand wonderful to work for/with also.

Did you ride the Skylift in Gatlinburg? We have the shop at the top. If you picked up a brochure, DH and I are on the cover!

 

[Buckalew11]

Y'all come back now, ya hear?!

 

[M&N]

I love the area too. The skylift was great. It's been at least 6 years since I was there. They used to have an IMAX theater too. I also love the mini golf on the mountainside. I'm sure Dollywood has more rides now but we were kept busy getting to all the shows. Do they still have the go after 3 and get the next day free? We found a place to park in Pigeon Forge and get a bus out. Much easier than parking out there.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

DW and I were in the area last week as well. We also had an absolutely fantastic vacation. We stayed at a lovely, cozy secluded cabin in the Arts and Crafts district of Gatlinburg. It was very secluded -no neighbors, no noise; just us, the squirrels, and the hot tub . It was an anniversary trip for us. We did not go to any parks, shows or attractions, but did a bit of shopping and lots of dining. We mostly stayed up at the cabin. A highlight was our day enjoying Cade's Cove -perfect weather; beautiful sights.

We could not have asked for a better 15th anniversary trip. We'll be back -maybe even to take the skylift.

 

[Magalex]

Oh yes we did a little bit of outlet shopping About the Dollywood question, yes they do have the after 3 PM ticket special before the next day. We didn't take the skylift to Ober but we did drive up and took a look around.

 

[LJC1861]

We spent the weekend in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge the first weekend in June. We specifically went out to see the synchronized fireflies in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. They are actually fireflies that flash in unison. They are found in the Elkmont section of the park during the first 2 weeks in June. We took a shuttle from the visitor center into the park and waited for it to get dark. When it did there were thousands of fireflies and it took a little while for them to all begin to flash at the same time. The ranger said that by the end of the two weeks it looks like a light switch being turned on and off.

We rented a cabin up on a mountain and spent some time shopping in the Crafts Community on Saturday. On Sunday we went back into the Park and did the driving loop of Cades Cove. The weather was beautiful and downright hot and we had a wonderful time.

Linda

 

[LilyWDW]

Glad you enjoyed your trip! Gatlinburg is one of my favorite day trips to take as well as Asheville NC.

Actually heading to Tanger Outlet in Sevierville and the Apple Barn on Thursday!

 

[ariel2007]

Oh I'm so glad I found this thread as we had been thinking about going to the US for my Dad's 50th next year and the place I though of was Dollywood. But then I wasn't sure because I didn't know what else there was around and if there was enough to keep us all occupied for a week. But it sounds like from your visit that theres plenty . Have you got any more details of your holiday for us at all?

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am glad to hear that everyone who was planning trips to the Smokey Mountains, Gatlnburg, Pigeon Forge area had wonderful trips!!!

This is the kind of area where you can make any kind of trip you want out of it.... A romantic anniversary/honeymoon cabin, or a resort hotel with a pool lwith waterslides... Busy days of Parks... or quiet back-to-nature time by a rushing mountain creek or cades cove.

I used to live in E.Tn, and have visited quite often.
MIL actually bought us season passes to DollyWood a couple years ago.. We only used them three times.. 1. opening day with international fest... 2. Summer... and 3. Christmas at DollyWood.

We haven't been able to go there this year. But I am always looking forward to when we can visit!

 

[Sirius]

I'm glad you had such a wonderful time. We always have a good time in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. It can be pretty campy at times but that's part of the fun. We love Dollywood too - it may not be Disney but it's a great park and super clean.

 

[Magalex]

Oh I'm so glad I found this thread as we had been thinking about going to the US for my Dad's 50th next year and the place I though of was Dollywood. But then I wasn't sure because I didn't know what else there was around and if there was enough to keep us all occupied for a week. But it sounds like from your visit that theres plenty . Have you got any more details of your holiday for us at all?

If you do an internet search on any of the towns: Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, or Gatlinburg it will bring up loads of info which you can send for brochures, maps etc. Also try Tripadvisor.com which lists the most popular hotels and attractions. I bet some of the locals that just posted could help you too. When you get into town everywhere you will look there are "Welcome centers" and brochures, coupon books for everywhere.

Another popular newer hotel in Pigeon Forge is the Inn at Christmas Place! Very nice!

 

[Buckalew11]

And never forget...Townsend, the Peaceful Side of the Smokies!

Close enough to Gatlinburg and PF, and Cades Cove and yet you really are away from it all.

 

[ariel2007]

If you do an internet search on any of the towns: Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, or Gatlinburg it will bring up loads of info which you can send for brochures, maps etc. Also try Tripadvisor.com which lists the most popular hotels and attractions. I bet some of the locals that just posted could help you too. When you get into town everywhere you will look there are "Welcome centers" and brochures, coupon books for everywhere.

Another popular newer hotel in Pigeon Forge is the Inn at Christmas Place! Very nice!

Thanks for the info. Its really hard trying to find info. over here, they have no guide books on that area of the US so I have just been on a few websites. Glad you had a nice time

 

[Magalex]

Here is a resort that we passed on the way to Dollywood! Check on the website:

http://www.riverstoneresort.com/

 

[Katlyn]

We will be there the last week in October. I can't wait to eat at The Applewood Farmhouse again, they have the best food and plenty of it.