Any opinions about Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg TN

[Magalex]

We always looking out for any Family friendly destinations. I received some info in the mail about Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg TN. Some of the attractions look fun. We live in PA so it would be only a day's drive for us. Any tips or opinions about the region?

Thanks

 

[mrsdon]

A lot of people will tell you they hate the area, but I love it.
We like Gatlinburg just a little better.
We stayed at a restort right across from the space needle
We rode the ski lift to the top of the mountain and took pictures.
We went to Dollywood.(its worth a trip)
My sister lover her water park
Take a day trip to Cades Cove,
The history and scenery are fascinating.
Did Dixie Stampeed
Did the comedy barn and its great
Also there is a dinner show by the came people as the comedy barn but cant remember the name
There is A TON of shopping
My dad loved the aqaurium
There are a lot of putt-putt places and several Ripleys
Ober Mountain is in Gatlinburg
You ride a big lift to get there
We never made it
We stayed a whole week in July and wished we could have stayed longer

 

[mrsdon]

I forgot to add, best of there is a Disney outlet and a Ben and Jerrys icecream.

 

[Magalex]

Thanks for the tips. One of my questions I did have was how many days? Thanks for the answer. We have a 5 yr old DS. We think he will love it there. I received a nice brochure on a Fairfield Inn & Suites Gatlinburg(situated at the beginning of Gatlinburg; closest end to Pigeon Forge).

 

[Magalex]

Another question..How much travel time between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg?

 

[kydisneyfans]

It is a very popular destination for long, holiday weekends. 3 to 4 days are sufficient here. We also like the area, only about 2 and a half hours away.

 

[kimmikayb]

Nice area, the mountains are great. Our family disliked Dollywood alot, would never go back. However, the Dollywood waterpark is fun. Dixie Stampede is a lot of fun too.

I think you'll have a good time.

 

[MinnyGranny62]

As Mrsdon stated you will love this area. DH and I are going in May after a trip to WDW. I like the Spring better as it is not so hot. In the Summer there is a lot of traffic but you can take trolleys, which gets you to where you are going.

We like to take long walks in the park and you can find a lot of quiet places too. There are also a lot of fine restaurants with great food. Can't wait for the fried green tomatoes. Have fun. Shirley

 

[nana2tots]

Awesome place, make sure you get a cabin high on the Mtns.Sugarmaple Cabins are super nice!!!!!!We go there once a year, as a matter of fact, the lady that owns the Shores, just informed me they are building a large log cabin there to rent out, can't wait.Have Fun!!!!

 

[ShannonRT]

Another question..How much travel time between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg?

Not much at all. Only about 10 minutes. I only live an hour away, so I can't suggest any certain place to stay. But there are TONS of hotels,motels, cabins, chalets, etc. to choose from. Lots of interesting things to visit.
We have personally experienced (some many times):

Dollywood
Dolly's Splash Country
Dixie Stampede
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Comedy Barn
Black Bear Jamboree
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
Lots of outlet shopping

Be prepared for LOTS of traffic and crowds, depending on the time of year of your visit. From November to February, there is a fantastic light display called Winterfest all over Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

 

[Dan Murphy]

We did an RV trip to Gatlinburg, PF and the Smokies 20 years ago, one of our very best family trips. We still talk about the fun times. We did many of the things, places mentioned above. ONe thing the kids lived was this....... http://www.flyawayindoorskydiving.com/pf.html they still talk about it.

Enjoy.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

We went to Dollywood last June and had a great time! Kids were 9 and 6.
Stayed in Pigeon Forge at the Big Bear Cabins - very nice.
Drove through the GSM National Park - wonderful scenery. There actually was snow on the ground up in the mountains!
Went to Gatlinberg Aquarium - kids thought it was great.
Didn't stay in Gatlinberg, just to the aquarium and drove through it. To "touristy" for me and too crowded.
Dollywood was great. The kids are Disney nuts and they really enjoyed it. The staff were all really nice, and it had a really nice atmosphere.
We weren't planning to stay all day, but did. Unfortunately didn't have time to go to the water park. Rides and coasters were great. Lots to do for the kids. There are a few areas in Dollywood that you can get wet - so bring the suits. We didn't find it too hot and it was mid-June.We did the Dixieland Stampede dinner show. It was good, but IMO not great value - I'm not really into these type of shows.
I'd go back to Dollywood in a minute!

 

[Andrea]

were going to Gatlinburg TN the end of this month for a weekend getaway!!!! i cant wait

 

[willis37862]

Another question..How much travel time between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg?

Depends on when you come and the traffic. Can be only 15 minutes can be over an hour. Often during the peak times the gatlinburg strip gets very congested and can stop. If you are staying there you can avoid some of it by walking up and down the strip.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Don't forget to eat at the Old Mill. Good southern food

Also there are coupon books all over. Stop in at the tourist area and pick up one or two. They have buy one get one half off for many things including mini golfs and some ripley's stuff and dinners and ice creams.

We love the cabins and usually stay in one but we don't have kids. If I was going in the summer, I might try to find an area with a pool. Also be prepared for traffic; walk to many places or take the trolley for a change of pace. Have fun

 

[3Phase]

We Stayed just outside of Gatlingburg last year. One of the best vacations ever. We stayed in a Sugar Maple Cabin called Hawks Ridge. It was on top of a ridge that over looked Mt leconte with no other homes close to our. My kids had a great time in the park walking and swimming in the creeks and rivers. When we first drove into the area we were a little depressed driving though Pigeon Forge and stayed at an hotel on the strip the first night. Once we arrived at our cabin the kids went nuts. We liked Gatlinburg but didn't care to go back into pigeon. Cades Cove is a must in the park. We did 4 water fall hikes with the last being Rainbow falls. Rainbow falls is an 2.5 mile one way trip that they term strenuous. I have to tell you, the time we spent on the trail with the kids will be something my wife and I will never forget. My DS16, DD13 and DD8 never complained once as there is so much to see. Cades Cove found us face to face with a bear and 2 of her cubs. The history of Cades Cove is amazing. As one other poster had suggested don't miss out on eating at The Mill...Wonderful food.

 

[jennobrn01]

Not to offend any fans...just my honest opinion.

My in-laws lived in the area therefore we have visited numerous times. I give it a thumbs down. Full of kitschy attractions that cost way too much $$. Yet, that comes from a girl whose ideal vacation is sitting on a nearly empty beach in Hatteras surf fishing. We can stay in a huge, gorgeous beach house in OBX for half of what it would cost to stay in the Gatlinburg/P. Forge area.

Two things we did enjoy in the area were the Ripley's Aquarium, and the pancakes at Flapjacks Pancake Cabin.

The Ripley's Aquarium tends to be an entertainment aquarium rather than educational. I found several of the employees at a "touch" exhibit to be poorly educated of the specimens. Yet, the atmosphere is great, and the underwater tunnel walkway not to be missed!

 

[wdwguide]

Mmmmm....Mandarin House!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Nite0wl71]

My cousin has a timeshare in Gatlinburg, and earlier this evening she asked me and DD to go with her over Memorial Day weekend. I have never been there but I would love to see the mountains. She also mentioned Dollywood, I sid yes and we are going for 3 days. Now I have to start planning

 

[ozarkmom]

3Phase I've been to Branson numerous times but I've never been to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge and am thinking about it. What was it about PF that you didn't like compared to Gatlinburg. I've looked over travel info and I'm just confused. I do know that Dollywood is in PF and the ripleys stuff is in Gatlinburg. Oh the reason I mentioned Branson is that alot of people compare the 2 and Dollywood and Silver Dollar City are quite a bit alike.