Gatlinburg in Late March/Early April?

[Ladyw/theTramp]

We've been before (5 years ago), but it was in July and we spent a ton of money on shows and Dollywood and crazy touristy stuff...

Going again this spring.. what are some great ideas to do in the area? Is there a can't miss show? We saw the Comedy barn and the magic show last time... kids really loved the Comedy barn! They also just loved hiking in the Smokey Mountains...

Tell me what to plan for our trip!!

 

[smartkim]

Best show I have seen in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge is Louise Mandrell. There is a small comedy show just inside Gatlinburg on the right (I can't remember the name of it, Aunt something) but it was a great little comedy/magic show and they make videos of the show. If you or your child is chosen as a volunteer on stage, this is a great keepsake.

 

[amberlynnhawkins]

I've always liked the Dixie Stampede dinner theatre show.

 

[bradyloganmom]

Our favorite show is Comedy Barn. Louise Mandrell is no longer there. Her theatre is a "Wonder Works." There's a new Titanic museum that's been opened a few months. We're Dollywood season passholders. It will be open in late March--Maybe not 7 days a week yet though!

 

[swilshire]

March is pretty iffy on weather. I would definitely try for April and the later the better. The last half of the month will be pretty with the dogwoods and early flowers.

Sheila

 

[StacieDreaminODisney]

I highly recommend the Smith Family Theater. They have an award winning show with great music and lots of laughs.
I'm sure you must have driven through Cades Cove, but did you stop and do the hike to Abrams Falls? If you haven't, it's a long one, so be prepared with comfy shoes, snacks and water, but the falls at the end are beautiful!

 

[Ladyw/theTramp]

Ohhh.. The falls sound beautiful, I hope the weather holds out!

We don't have a big choice in the dates.. It will be during our spring break week and we are going with another family that invited us, so we are set on March 27th - April 3

I will have to look into Dollywood again and see what their hours are...and the kids loved the Comedy Barn...maybe we'll try it again. But I will have to look into some of the other shows, too! DH has mentioned Dixie Stampede... it seems super expensive though, if I remember right.

Thank you for the ideas!

 

[Ladyw/theTramp]

March is pretty iffy on weather. I would definitely try for April and the later the better. The last half of the month will be pretty with the dogwoods and early flowers.

Sheila

"Iffy" like 40's and 50's... or "iffy" like snowed in and can't get anywhere?

 

[FoundMyPrince]

We've been before (5 years ago), but it was in July and we spent a ton of money on shows and Dollywood and crazy touristy stuff...

Going again this spring.. what are some great ideas to do in the area? Is there a can't miss show? We saw the Comedy barn and the magic show last time... kids really loved the Comedy barn! They also just loved hiking in the Smokey Mountains...

Tell me what to plan for our trip!!

DH and I went during that time in April a few years ago. I didn't like Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge much at all - too touristy. Anyway, our favorite part of the entire trip was a little daytrip we took to the Biltmore in Ashville, NC. It was tulip season there and it was gorgeous. Check it out -- well worth the trip.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Just a heads up Easter is late in April 2011. It falls on April 24 2011.

March is pretty iffy on weather. I would definitely try for April and the later the better. The last half of the month will be pretty with the dogwoods and early flowers.

Sheila

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Dollywood is closed most of the month of March 2011. Opens March 26/closed on Tuesdays/ hours are 10-7p.m. except Sat. 9-8p.m.

Ohhh.. The falls sound beautiful, I hope the weather holds out!

We don't have a big choice in the dates.. It will be during our spring break week and we are going with another family that invited us, so we are set on March 27th - April 3

I will have to look into Dollywood again and see what their hours are...and the kids loved the Comedy Barn...maybe we'll try it again. But I will have to look into some of the other shows, too! DH has mentioned Dixie Stampede... it seems super expensive though, if I remember right.

Thank you for the ideas!

 

[mom2t]

We were in PF one year for my birthday - March 24th and it snowed.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

We go every year over the week of Christmas and we love it. My children enjoy playing putt putt golf, the nascar ride place-which is a good deal for unlimited rides, the Space Needle, Ober Gatlinburg and Dollywood.

This year we are going to do somethings that we have put off doing like Cades Cove(if the roads are open), and a show or two. The ones that I am looking at are Country Tonight because they have great reviews & kids are free. Plus my mom was just there last week and she loved it. We are also thinking about the Comedy Barn.

Some of our favorite places to eat are:Calhoun's, Smokey Mountain Brewery, Apple Barn, The Old Mill & Best Italian.

My husband loves the Smokey Mountains like I love Disney.

 

[swilshire]

"Iffy" like 40's and 50's... or "iffy" like snowed in and can't get anywhere?

In March, you could easily get snow and/or ice and not have a pleasant visit. You could also have nice weather.

We go south for Spring break and have had to detour, race the weather, and leave a day early to beat inclement weather. You may be OK at the end of the month, but bring coats for sure.

Sheila

 

[WeLoveToyStory]

We love going to the Smokies. Try to go down once or twice a year. Actually just got back about 3 weeks ago for a 4 night stay over kid's fall break.

Not sure of your kid's ages, but my kids love Wonderworks and Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg. We're not big into shows. Cade's Cove is nice for a scenic drive and to look for wild animals. Always like a round of putt-putt. And of course hit up the Disney outlet. They were having a great sale when we were there. Most places in Tanger Outlet actually were having great clearance prices. Love that!

We've been in March when it's cold and rainy (this past March in fact) and when it's been warm enough that you don't even need a jacket (a church trip a few years ago). So you just never know about the weather that time of year.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Oh yes!, How could I forget the Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg. It's a lot of fun too, and great to do on a bad weather day.

 

[disneyloverforchrist]

I grew up going to Gatlinburg a few times every year. The Ripley's Aquarium is awesome, a little pricey, but I know this year they offered a Dixie Stampede/Aquarium Discount Ticket package. The way it worked out it was like getting into the aquarium almost for free. You can find info on that on the Aquarium or the Stampede website.

A show I would really recommend would be the John Dee Hypnosis show. My husband surprised me with tickets last year and we had a BLAST! It is a family friendly kid oriented show and the tickets I believe are pretty cheap-under $20. We liked it so much we took some other members of my family when we went this past year. Something different that not everyone knows about. You can read reviews on trip advisor and it is always in the top three for attractions to see/do.

I dont know if you have a AAA membership, but almost all the attractions and shows in the area do some form of a discount for AAA members

 

[momof4crazykiddos]

We went over spring break one year (middle of March). My kids still talk about this trip. We rented a cabin and it had a hot tub. Nice for the cool nights. Our favorite show is Dixie Stampeed. We also did wonder Works which the kids thought was pretty neat.

 

[Ladyw/theTramp]

These are all such great ideas!! I didn't know about the aquarium OR the outlets (woo hoo!)

I guess we'll just have to be watching the weather and pack accordingly.. the place we are staying has an indoor pool and fireplaces in the suite, so worst case weather wise, the kids can burn off their energy in the pool and then we can snuggle by the fire!

No matter what, it's always nice to just get away and spend time together as a family!

 

[ge0rgette2]

I know this post is a tad older, but has anyone been there over the Christmas Holidays ...

I so want to go back to Pigeon forge as much as I love Disney I love it there too!

I'd love to see Dollywood decorated..

I am going to research places to stay...

Any advice?