Ever been to Tennessee?

[mommaU4]

We have relatives that live down there in Morristown, about 45 min. from Knoxville I guess. Anyways we are going to visit them this Spring and I have no clue what there is to do or see in TN? Any advice? Someone mentioned Dollywood? Is that just a whole theme park based on Dolly Parton? Well, I guess if I can enjoy a whole theme park based on a mouse......
Anyways I'd appreciate any advice or recommendations.

 

[Disney_1derland]

We have relatives that live down there in Morristown, about 45 min. from Knoxville I guess. Anyways we are going to visit them this Spring and I have no clue what there is to do or see in TN? Any advice? Someone mentioned Dollywood? Is that just a whole theme park based on Dolly Parton? Well, I guess if I can enjoy a whole theme park based on a mouse......
Anyways I'd appreciate any advice or recommendations.

there is a lot to do in gatlinburg/pigeon forge (where dollywood is). It seems to be about an hour away from morristown. Lots of local crafters, outlet malls(including a great disney outlet), nightime shows and touristy stuff to do there. The ripley's aquarium is fun for a day, dollywood has a theme park and a water park. Both are pretty good family entertainment, we've always enjoyed them. Lots of dinner theaters, tourist trap shopping etc.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

We live about 3 hours away from the Smoky Mtn area so we visit several times a year. Dollywood is not a theme park based on Dolly, but more themed to mountain culture/crafts and has a lot of shows. They have a good website to give you an idea of the attractions. There is only a building with some Dolly things (a ton of outfits, memorabilia, etc.) and a replica of the house she lived in as a little girl. She also appears in 2 attractions that have a movie portion. That is all.

The Dixie Stampede is also a big attraction. There is one near WDW too. It is a dinner show with horses, North vs. South and a lot more. It is expensive but we had a lot of fun.

There is a Nascar Speedpark. It has several go cart courses and some rides, etc.

As mentioned before there are lots of outlets. We always visit the Tanger Five Oaks outlets. There are many good stores there. They have a website as well.

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

 

[mommaU4]

The Dixie Stampede is also a big attraction. There is one near WDW too. It is a dinner show with horses, North vs. South and a lot more. It is expensive but we had a lot of fun.



If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Thanks. I appreciate that.
We went to the Dixie Stampede in Orlando on our trip to WDW in November. It was all done in a Christmas theme and the kids just loved it.

 

[Ava83]

I am a national park junkie! and I LOVE the Smokies! They are beautiful and green! We took a drive into the park and it was great!

I even have that passport they sell, I have all the parks I have gone to listed!

 

[Pop Daddy]

Im not into scenery but love the way they talk

 

[Bashful2]

A few years ago we took a road trip from eastern NC to TN for about 9 days. First, we stopped in Pigeon Forge for one night. There we went to the shops, played miniature golf and had some really great catfish. PF is just 5 miles long and there are a lot of shops and restaurants close to the hotels.

Next, we drove to Nashville for a couple of days. We went to several museums and the Grand Ole Opery. I'm definitely not a country music fan, but it was really fun and I enjoyed it immensely.

Then, we drove to Memphis. There, we went to Graceland, walked along the Mississippi River and took a river boat ride. We also went to Beale Street and ate at BB Kings. I'm also not a blues fan, usually, but found myself really enjoying it. The ribs were fantastic.

On the way back, we stopped at Pigeon Forge again. This time, we went to Dollywood and then to the Dixie Stampede. My BIL won the toilet seat toss. The day we left, we played miniature golf at a place that had bunnies running all over. You could buy bunny food and they would come up to you and eat.

We went the first part of October. The trees were beautiful and the apples were in season. It was one of the best trips we ever took. I'd love to do it again sometime.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hey, if you were there in the fall... I hope you ate at The Apple Barn!

 

[Wishing on a star]

LOL!!! pop daddy.

I reckon that all us Suuuuuthern girls talk so slow, that everything we say takes so long.... makes it 'sexy'!!!!

 

[Sparx]

I live here.

Nashville is always good.

Knoxville has an aquarium.

Dollywood is awesome. It is where her home was, and there is lots of stuff to do. thrill rides, food, and shopping.

cumberland caverns in warren county. one of the largest cave systems in the us. great tours

Fall Creek Falls-state park(they filmed the jungle book here)


pm me if you want more info about any of this.

 

[snowwhitesmom]

Cades Cove in the national park is gorgeous.

 

[tinatark]

No aquarium in Knoxville - but it was the site of the 1982 World's Fair - anyone remember the giant gold disco ball (sunsphere)? You'll see it coming through Knoxville.

The Smoky Mountains area is 3 towns, one county... Sevierville is known for outlet shopping, Pigeon Forge for attractions, Gatlinburg for attractions/shopping - but the National Park is the draw - there are many clearly marked walking/hiking paths throughout.

 

[S. C.]

Cherokee in the smokies is also nice. We have watched the outdoor drama "unto these Hills" twice and i highly recommend it. Also not to far from there is A 250 room vanderbilt house called Biltmore, same place the movie richtee rich was filmed. If you go plan on spending a day there.

 

[mommaU4]

Where would be a good centrally located area to stay to be able to do all these fun things? We will have a car so we can take small day trips if we need to.

 

[Buckalew11]

For Spring I think you'd be safe in either Gatlinburg or PF.

Townsend is the "Peaceful Side of the Smokies" but it sounds like you all might want to be where the action is. Townsend is about 30/45 mins. from PF and Gatlinburg.

Dollywood is NOT open year round so be sure to check their opening dates when you know when in the Spring you are going to be here.

Cades Cove is always pretty and special to see and visit. Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg is open year round also.

Tiggersmom2 has a lot of good Smokies info. Maybe she'll pop in and tell you more.
I live here and have no idea where to eat etc. in PF but I can give you good WDW info!! LOL

Enjoy your visit. It can all add up quickly ($$). Cades Cove is free except for the gas to get there and the drive around the loop.

 

[Dan Murphy]

You do have to be prepared to listen to this all day and everywhere you go, not that there is anything wrong with that.

 

[Sparx]

You do have to be prepared to listen to this all day and everywhere you go, not that there is anything wrong with that.

you know. that is just one of our 5 state songs? There is also
My Tennessee
Its Iris Time In Tennessee
Tennessee Waltz
Homeland Tennessee

oh and I was thinking Chattanooga instead of Knoxville. sorry.

 

[mommaU4]

You do have to be prepared to listen to this all day and everywhere you go, not that there is anything wrong with that.

Well now, that really is some kinda music. I'm actually not sure what to say to that.
Note to self: Bring earplugs.

Just kidding. Everyone has been very helpful. Apparently TN is a popular place.

 

[tinatark]

How long do you want to stay? How many people? Do you want to look out your window and see wildlife or be close to the beaten path? There are condos, cabins, hotels, suites, etc....

March should still be cold (warmer than Mich!)... we're busy here for spring breaks from the beginning of March until the end of April.

If you plan to go to Cherokee or Biltmore (btw, Biltmore is more of an adult day trip) plan a full day for either of those. Oh and the road over the mtn to Cherokee is likely to be closed due to snow in March.

PM me for more specific info!

 

[themepark]

Dollywood opens April 1. It's a great little park. Don't expect anything the size of Disney, but Dollywood has some great rides and shows. They have a great wooden coaster and a new in 2005 County Fair area with new kiddie rides. Morristown is about a 30-45 minute drive to Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. You will find many amusements in the area like mini-golf, go-carts, shows, restaurants, arcades, laser tag, and lots of outlet shopping. Beware of some "outlet" shopping as the prices really aren't any different than the normal stores. I prefer shopping there when I can (it's about an hour from my house) because the stores are larger and the selection greater than my local stores.

If you are looking for accomodations, my preference would be to stay in Gatlinburg. There are several chain hotels as well as mom and pop motels, many cabin and chalet rentals. Go to www.gatlinburg.com or for Pigeon Forge info go to www.mypigeonforge.com. You will find info on attractions and accomodations. You must must must go for a drive and do some hiking in the national park. It's a beautiful park and it's free! Hwy 441 goes straight up the mountains through the park to Cherokee, NC. If you like gambling, there is a casino over in Cherokee.

I hope you will love it here!