Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge

[yoopermom]

I know this has been discussed before, but with the search function down...

DS8 and I will be spending a few days in G/PF on our way to WDW this summer and want to know all. Have searched all the "official" websites, now want your opinions. We KNOW it's touristy/kitschy, but DS loved Branson last year, and this can hardly be kitschier than that!

Sights to definately see? Definately NOT see? How good is the trolley system? (We'll be camping at Riveredge, so will rely on said trolley...)

Thanks in advance!
Terri da Yoopermom

 

[Kissimmee JP]

I've been there many times. Most of the time, however, was spent skiing. It's a beautiful area, with plenty to do. Good luck and have fun!

 

[LarryE]

I've been to pf/gb every year of my existence and even while in the womb lol

thats 23 years and I still don't find it any less magical than the first time I went there.

The family nature of the place hits a spot in my heart I love it so much. We're going back on memorial day weekend and staying at the riveredge in GB.

The hillbilly golf as soon as you go into GB is awesome, you ride a train up the mountain 300ft to a putt putt course. Then theres fun mountain in GB and of course Ripley's Aquarium which is a not miss.

and DOLLYWOOD in PF

 

[yoopermom]

Hillbilly golf-check (we're yoopers, should be a shoe-in!)
Ripleys-check (DSs favorite show, easy sell)
Dolly everything-check (we did Dolly's show in Branson last year, loved it)

Anybody else? Trolley users?

Thanks!
Terri

 

[faith]

The trolley system worked great. We rode it from Pigeon Forge into Gatlinburg last Fall. At the aquarium there are a few colored coded trolleys that have certain routes. It was fun to take the one that toured the town and went up to the top of the mountain. The cost was a quarter per person (I think). Have fun.

 

[Cindabella's Mom]

We usually go in December though and not the summer. I have no advice on the trolley system, just wanted to let you know my kids love it. They especially loved the aquarium.

Also, be sure to eat the Pancake Pantry right in the middle of downtown Gatlinburg - love the peach pancakes.

 

[mowsie dreamer]

I second the vote for the Pancake Pantry! Those peach pancakes are to die for. They are a very thin pancake, rolled up with a cream cheese filling and peaches on top! Yummmmmm!

You might also enjoy the show at the Comedy Barn. I think tickets are around $20 but your DS would get in free. All the humor is good, clean and family friendly. The show is kind of corny but it's a lot of fun. My DD who is 16 and waaaaayy to cool for anything, laughed herself silly last year when we went.

Your son might also enjoy a trip to the NASCAR Speedpark. They have several go-cart tracks laid out like race tracks. There is also an arcade inside.

I have ridden the trolleys on occasion and they are pretty reliable. They have designated stops (you will see the signs) and they come pretty often--maybe every 10-15 minutes. They have 3 routes (i think) which are designated by color, so you have to watch which one you are getting on, or you may go the opposite direction than you wanted. There are maps which are readily available showing you the routes. I've never ridden the trolley between G'Burg & PF, but I'm sure it's as reliable as the rest of the system. Traffic can be pretty bad in G'Burg, so it's a good idea to take advantage of the trolley.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[laceemouse]

We went to the Smokies all the time when I was a kid. We are taking our kids there this summer. We also did Branson a few years ago. We plan on doing Dollywood and her new water park. We enjoy driving through the park to Cade's Cove, etc. My favorite is the craftman's tour north of Gatlinburg. You get to see a lot of local craft people making their stuff which you can buy. Have a great time, I know we will!! Lacee

 

[BrinxFam]

My family and I have been there several times and we love it! DH and I stayed in a cabin up in the mountains last year and it was so peaceful.

We enjoy the Comedy Barn, Nascar Speedpark, Nascar Cafe, & Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge. We also like to go to Patriot Park for picnics by the river.

In Gatlinburg we enjoyed riding the tram up to Ober Gatlinburg and just walking around to see what we could find.

We drove up to Cades Cove, too. It was a beautiful drive but we got there kinda late so it was dark when we came out, too dark to see the bear that roared that is! It was a neat experience but made the hair on the back of my neck stand up!

We also enjoyed going on the Roaring Forks nature tour in Gatlinburg, but you have to drive and it is a very narrow road. We stopped to wade in the mountain stream which was refreshing after the hike we took but I won't go into that story.

Have a great time in the Smokies. It is a wonderful and majestic place to be!

 

[DopeyRN]

Take the tram up to Ober (you catch it between stoplights 9&10). When you get to the top, there is an ice skating rink, a couple of water sllides and something called the alpine slide...you basically sit on a plastic sled and ride down the mountain on a concrete track...it is a blast!!! If it is hot, mid town Gatlinburg is an air conditioned indoor putt putt that is cool!

 

[yoopermom]

I knew I could count on you in a crunch. DS is *thrilled* that we're stopping there on the way to his favorite place (okay, that would be Universal, but MINE is WDW!). It all sounds like great fun, now just hope we can squeeze it all in. Thanks again, and any other suggestions are welcome!
Terri