Gatlinburg-- Just got back

[3boymthr]

We really love Cheddars also. Didn't know there was one around Gatlinburg. We've eaten at the one in Asheville, but that's the only one.

Also agree about the Old Mill - ate there 4 times this past trip - two lunches, two dinners. Didn't make it to the Applebarn this time - love their breakfasts best.

I saw it when we went. It's not in Gatlinburg, it's in Pigeon Forge on the main parkway. I can't remember exactly where it is but it is in between 321 and the road to Dollywood on the side of the road where you'd be heading toward the National Park/Gatlinburg.

 

[North of Mouse]

Thanks pinkvo17 & 3boymthr for the replies. I can't believe we missed seeing Cheddars this trip. Wonder if it is new (the last year) as we go every year and would have seen it before (at least we 'should' have seen it ).

 

[crz4mm2]

Subscribing.

We have been a couple of times but it has been YEARS.
We are planning a trip for next summer. Probably early July.
Hope to get some deals..... we shall see.

 

[ltl engine]

We have been looking at cabins to go next June/July. I have a couple of recommendations for companies but any specific cabin names or direct owner rental recommendations? TIA

 

[3boymthr]

Need more details. How many people? how many beds? How many separate bed rooms? Amenities required? Location? We loved our cabin - it was centrally located and perfect for our family but what is perfect for us may not be perfect for you. I will say that we used Auntie Belham's as a rental agent and were very pleased with them, th service they gave and the price. If you can find a cabin with a discount activity card go for it because the savings really added up plus my kids loved the free movie rentals every day.

 

[angelbaby129]

I'm so happy to find Gatlinburg info on the disboards! This is my go to place for Disney, but my husband wants to try something different this summer. I'm looking for cabin suggestions as well. 5 adults and 1 baby, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a fire pit required. Things like pool access, pool table, and baby things would be nice, but not required.

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

I have never been, any suggestions for a newbie family with teens.

 

[pinkvol7]

I'm so happy to find Gatlinburg info on the disboards! This is my go to place for Disney, but my husband wants to try something different this summer. I'm looking for cabin suggestions as well. 5 adults and 1 baby, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a fire pit required. Things like pool access, pool table, and baby things would be nice, but not required.

We rent from Moose Creek Crossing. We have stayed in a few different ones and have liked them all. Not sure about a fire pit though.

 

[3boymthr]

I have never been, any suggestions for a newbie family with teens.

We went with two teens and tween. Boys vs. Girls may make a difference. I have all boys. The popular activities for the kids were:

Biking around Cades Cove on Wednesday morning. Get there early. Bring your own bikes if not going from too far away otherwise rent bikes there for not too much money - it was under $30 for all of us, including the helmets. They wanted to do the horseback riding but couldn't get a reservation.

Alpine Coaster. They LOVED this. It only takes a few minutes so buy the four pack. My two oldest went twice and would have gone again.

Hiking to the top of Clingman's Dome and some other of the other hikes we did. They also liked the waterfalls. Not at all enthusiastic about the Chapels. The Mingus Mill was okay and so was Mountain Farm Museum but I think they just tolerated the farm for the sake of mom and dad.

They LOVED having a pool table in the cabin. They played every evening.

This was a huge favorite - White water rafting on the Pigeon River

We did not go to Dollywood. At over $300 for one day we decided it wasn't in the budget but the kids really wanted to go.

 

[left210]

We went with two teens and tween. Boys vs. Girls may make a difference. I have all boys. The popular activities for the kids were:

Biking around Cades Cove on Wednesday morning. Get there early. Bring your own bikes if not going from too far away otherwise rent bikes there for not too much money - it was under $30 for all of us, including the helmets. They wanted to do the horseback riding but couldn't get a reservation.

Alpine Coaster. They LOVED this. It only takes a few minutes so buy the four pack. My two oldest went twice and would have gone again.

Hiking to the top of Clingman's Dome and some other of the other hikes we did. They also liked the waterfalls. Not at all enthusiastic about the Chapels. The Mingus Mill was okay and so was Mountain Farm Museum but I think they just tolerated the farm for the sake of mom and dad.

They LOVED having a pool table in the cabin. They played every evening.

This was a huge favorite - White water rafting on the Pigeon River

We did not go to Dollywood. At over $300 for one day we decided it wasn't in the budget but the kids really wanted to go.

Which Alpine Coaster did you do?

 

[3boymthr]

Which Alpine Coaster did you do?

The one in Pigeon Forge. http://www.smokymountainalpinecoaster.com/ I think I had a coupon for this but I'm not sure. The whole thing for 6 rides cost about $70. I used a visa gift card for this so I don't have the charges available to go back and double check that.

 

[kathy884]

We're looking at doing one of these in March. I'm leaning toward Orlando for the warmer weather. I would like to see Smokey Mountain National Park -- mostly just do the National Parks out west -- haven't done one out east. I think it would be pretty chilly in Gatlinburg in March though -- but crowds would probably be light. Orlando would have glorious weather, but higher crowds.

Cost would be about the same due to free flights to Orlando with frequent flyer miles. Everyone in our party is age 19 and older. We'll be traveling over a college spring break.

Which would you choose?

 

[100AcreWood]

We're looking at doing one of these in March. I'm leaning toward Orlando for the warmer weather. I would like to see Smokey Mountain National Park -- mostly just do the National Parks out west -- haven't done one out east. I think it would be pretty chilly in Gatlinburg in March though -- but crowds would probably be light. Orlando would have glorious weather, but higher crowds.

Cost would be about the same due to free flights to Orlando with frequent flyer miles. Everyone in our party is age 19 and older. We'll be traveling over a college spring break.

Which would you choose?

We also considered going to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg in March but I was afraid of the cold temps and possible ice. I've heard TN is prone to ice storms vs. snow. Maybe someone here can confirm that.

 

[tina.tina]

I live a couple of hours away from Gatlinburg and we have some of the same weather though I live at a higher elevation than even Cades Cove, so it's colder here.

March would probably be one of the months that I would least like to visit- mostly because of the unpredictability of the weather. Unless it was some sort of freak cold spell, I don't think there would be an ice storm there in March. My favorite things to do are walk around Gatlinburg and the new Island in Pigeon Forge. Those things can be unpleasant in the wind and rain, especially when it's chilly. The Park would probably be pretty muddy at that time of year because the grass has barely started growing.

It's rare, but we've had large amounts of snowfall in mid-March. A few years ago, we had some pretty damaging tornadoes during March and the Park experiences those much more often than my area does.

"March through May: Spring brings with it unpredictable weather. Changes occur rapidly - sunny skies can yield to snow flurries in a few hours. March is the month with the most radical changes; snow can fall at any time during the month, particularly in the higher elevations. Temperatures in the lower elevations have a mean high of 61ºF. Low temperatures, which are often below freezing, have a mean of 42ºF." --from the national park service site .

FYI: Dollywood opens March 21st.

 

[tina.tina]

I like Hidden Mountain Resorts' cottages. I haven't stayed in their cabins. The prices on their cottages are very reasonable. They are conveniently located just past the Apple Barn on a cul de sac. Most of them have a hot tub on the porch. They are clean, our neighbors are always friendly, and it's fun to walk on the paths around the little community. There is a pool at the top of the hill for use during the summer.

 

[3boymthr]

We're looking at doing one of these in March. I'm leaning toward Orlando for the warmer weather. I would like to see Smokey Mountain National Park -- mostly just do the National Parks out west -- haven't done one out east. I think it would be pretty chilly in Gatlinburg in March though -- but crowds would probably be light. Orlando would have glorious weather, but higher crowds.

Cost would be about the same due to free flights to Orlando with frequent flyer miles. Everyone in our party is age 19 and older. We'll be traveling over a college spring break.

Which would you choose?

When we were there we noted that parts of the National Park are closed to car traffic in winter, they have signs and gates at the beginnings of the roads indicating that they are closed seasonally. I believe the road to Clingman's Dome is closed. Parts of Cades Cove may also be closed seasonally. So there is a very good chance that you wouldn't be able to see all that you might want to see. Clingman's Dome is accessible by foot as it is on the Appalachian trail, but you'd have to be pretty hardy to want to access it that way. Even most thru hikers don't start hiking the AT until April and they start in Georgia.

If you want to go to Gatlinburg to see the park I'd wait for warmer weather.

 

[tndeadmau5]

Thanks pinkvo17 & 3boymthr for the replies. I can't believe we missed seeing Cheddars this trip. Wonder if it is new (the last year) as we go every year and would have seen it before (at least we 'should' have seen it ).

Practically smack dab in the middle of the "Pigeon Forge" section of the Parkway, on the right going towards Gatlinburg, nest to J.T. Hannah's.

I'm down there, literally, twice a month. If you ever need to know anything about anything down there, ask away.

EDIT: To the OP, DollyWood actually was Silver Dollar City back in the 80's, then Dolly bought into it and it became DollyWood in 1989. If you go through the mine tunnel between Craftsman's Valley and the train depot section, you can see signs for the Silver Dollar Mine still there today.