Looking to vacation in Pigeon Forge TN

[kaybee1476]

We LOVE Dollywood, but don't pay the ridiculous parking fees to park there, after which you'd likely have to take a tram to get to the gate. Park at Patriot's Park and ride the trolley for 50 cents per person. They drop you off at the gate and it's much less of a hassle. If it rains hard or they shut down rides due to lightning in the area, you can go to customer service on the way out and get rain checks to come back a different day.

Our favorite restaurant in the area is across the street from Patriot's Park: The Old Mill Pottery House and Cafe. (Not the main Old Mill restaurant with the water wheel but the smaller one across from it.) Their homemade sourdough bread is to die for! We also love the Apple Barn Farmhouse and Nino's Pizzeria in Sevierville (which is cheap when you buy a certificate from restaurant.com).

If you buy tickets for the Hatfield and McCoy dinner show, you can add on other shows (including the Comedy Barn) for $19.95/adult and free for kids 11 and under. So if you plan to do more than one show, that's the way to go. Look up the Hatfield the McCoy website and you'll see the different things you can pick for a combo discount. You can add on more than one show if you'd like.

My kids love MagiQuest and Wonderworks. My 10yo and I recently went to Dixie Stampede and really enjoyed it. The food was delicious and the show was really good!

Roaring Fork is another old settlement that is reached by the road behind the space needle in Gatlinburg. It's a beautiful area and very interesting to read about the people who lived in each home. There are several hikes leading out from the homesteads as well.

 

[tami82]

Oh I just remembered there was a cool place called Elkmont maybe about 15 minutes inside the park inside Elkmomt Campground. if you or the kids are into abandoned places. Back in the day was a logging town with Wonderland Hotel and lots of old vacations homes. The hotel I believe all there is left is part of the steps (we didn't find this section as we didn't know at the time) but the houses are still there although not in good condition still very cool to walk through this place. We did peak and go through a few of the homes. Me and my 11 year old enjoyed walking around. Next time though when we go back need to find where the old,resort hotel,was.

 

[abcboys]

We just returned from a week long vacation there with my parents and 2 of my boys. We stayed in a condo in Gatlinburg about 4 blocks off the main parkway. Pigeon Forge is about 5 miles away and everything there you drive to. Gatlinburg is more walkable (and if you don't stay within walking distance of the parkway you have to pay to park).

Like a PP said you can get caught up in spending a fortune on things but I knew this going in and told my boys we would not do everything we saw. We did a good combination of nature activities and fun touristy things. We did Dollywood (we just did 1 day but you could do the 3pm get in next day deal...also park in the Patriot Parking lot like someone else mentioned. 50 cents to ride the trolley in per person versus $12 parking in their lot), we found a groupon for ziplining with Wahoo (fun!), Titanic museum (groupon), mountain coaster (groupon) we gave the kids $10 each to play in the arcade. We drove thru Cades Cove, Roaring Fork motor trail, had picnics, hiked to Clingman's Dome, (if you only do 1 free activity I would choose this), hiked another short trail, and walked downtown to look around and eat. All total we spend less than $1500 including our condo (which we split in half with my parents). There are a ton of go Karts, putt putt, Ripley attraction, sky lift etc. but be prepared to fork out a lot of $$. Even if you are not naturey type people don't underestimate just being in the beauty of the smoky mountains.

I will say it was pretty crowded though. Driving past the trailheads the parking lots were always packed full along with 1/4 mile in either direction parked along the road. Road thru Pigeon forge and Gatlinburg themselves very busy but not terrible.

 

[old feller]

Alpine slide ..def for teens

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

If you are looking because of the natural parks aspect, look into this resort area: https://www.adventuresonthegorge.com/adventures/whitewater-rafting

My husband and I want to take our kids when they are older. They have a lot of various activities to keep the kids occupied.

If you are going for the whole week, see if you can't do a day at the beginning/end of the week in Asheville. The Biltmore is incredible and we loved Navitat in Asheville for a zip line activity. We haven't driven 40 in a while, but I think it's about 2 hours from Knoxville.

 

[lisaross]

On trip advisor the clarion hotel is rated great! Indoor/outdoor pool - great bkfast - in Pigeon Forge. My neighbor is telling me not to stay in PF to definitely stay in gatlinsburg - he said better class of people etc.. It's also a great rate under $100 a night. We will probably do 5 nights. So we'll have 4 1/2 days. Please tell me the pros and cons to each...

 

[kydisneyfans]

The same type of people will be in Pigeon Forge as are in Gatlinberg-not sure where the better class of people is coming from.
-Gatlinberg is walkable, Pigeon Forge is mostly not.
-I also would go a cabin/condo route-something where you could easily cook a meal or 2 if trying to save a little cash. As stated above, the area has gotten expensive, so much so that we live 3 hours away and barely visit anymore. A sit down lunch and a dinner show will set you back $250 for 2 meals alone, and that's for 3 of us. Add in mini golf/shopping/go karts, etc and you get the idea. There is a large Walmart and 2 Kroger stores on the main strip heading in.
-We like the nature side of the area-a visit to the area without spending significant time in the national park exploring nature is a wasted trip. Cades Cove is a great 1/2 day or longer trip, there is(was) and IGA just outside the entrance that has plenty to get a picnic ready or they have plenty of premade sandwiches. We have also driven to Cherokee, NC but found the area to be disappointing and somewhat dirty.

-Traffic on Thursday/Friday evenings heading in, and Sat/Sunday heading out is crazy, be prepared for delays if travelling those times.

A trip to this area is just like Disney, you can do expensive hotels, dinner shows, attraction after attraction, and spend a ton of money. On the flip side, you can spend time in the national park, chill in a cabin, grill out for dinner, and window shop for a cheaper trip.

 

[lisaross]

I don't want to cook on vacation, that is why I like to get breakfast included in motel. We are coming in April which is spring break here - does anyone know when the majority of schools are out in TN? Thinking April 9-14 - 5 nights - arriving on Sunday leaving on Friday. As of now thinking to do Dollywwod 1 day, visiting national park 1 1/2 days - the titanic museum looks real good and a dinner show. Can we use the trolls to get us to Dollywood, the meuseum and dinner show instead of driving? Besides the parks we will be doing things in Pigeon forge which is why it seems like the best place for us to stay, though I wish we could just walk everywhere.

 

[Sugar Jones]

We went last summer for a week. We enjoyed it.

We stayed at Wyndham Great smokies, booked a two bedroom timeshare through Vacation Strategies. It has a waterpark that my kids really enjoyed. We did Clingman's Dome - gorgeous, but I almost died on the hike up lol! If your in shape don't worry! hahaha We did the Hadfield & McCoy dinner show, Wondeworks, and did a Ripley's package that included the Aquarium. We had a rafting trip booked too, but the water levels were too low and it was canceled. It was a great vacation, but the area is not cheap!

 

[Sugar Jones]

Oh we also did Magic Quest which my kids LOVED!

 

[MinnieMSue]

I don't want to cook on vacation, that is why I like to get breakfast included in motel. We are coming in April which is spring break here - does anyone know when the majority of schools are out in TN? Thinking April 9-14 - 5 nights - arriving on Sunday leaving on Friday. As of now thinking to do Dollywwod 1 day, visiting national park 1 1/2 days - the titanic museum looks real good and a dinner show. Can we use the trolls to get us to Dollywood, the meuseum and dinner show instead of driving? Besides the parks we will be doing things in Pigeon forge which is why it seems like the best place for us to stay, though I wish we could just walk everywhere.

We stayed in Pigeon Forge last summer and used the trolley to get to all of those except the dinner show. We drove to Dolly's dinner show. We also took trolley to Gatlinburg. We found it to be very convenient. Patriot Park is like a trolley hub and we caught the Dollywood one there. Saves the parking fee. I think it was .50 cent per adult ride. Later in the summer they advertised it as free but we were late May early June.

 

[TwoMisfits]

We went last summer for a week. We enjoyed it.

We stayed at Wyndham Great smokies, booked a two bedroom timeshare through Vacation Strategies. It has a waterpark that my kids really enjoyed. We did Clingman's Dome - gorgeous, but I almost died on the hike up lol! If your in shape don't worry! hahaha We did the Hadfield & McCoy dinner show, Wondeworks, and did a Ripley's package that included the Aquarium. We had a rafting trip booked too, but the water levels were too low and it was canceled. It was a great vacation, but the area is not cheap!

This is one of our 2 options...did the waterparks cost money? Did other resort activities cost money? If so, how much? Were public areas or private rooms run down or dirty? How much time did the kids enjoy at the waterparks (will normal kids get sick of them in a few hours or could they have fun for 2-3 different afternoons/evenings)...

 

[Sugar Jones]

This is one of our 2 options...did the waterparks cost money? Did other resort activities cost money? If so, how much? Were public areas or private rooms run down or dirty? How much time did the kids enjoy at the waterparks (will normal kids get sick of them in a few hours or could they have fun for 2-3 different afternoons/evenings)...

My kids were 13, 11 & 8 when we were there. They loved it. We were in the waterpark everyday either before or after our other excursions. There is an outdoor and indoor park. I found everything quite clean. The waterpark was included in our timeshare package. I don't mind sharing the price. For the two bedroom condo for 7 nights was $1300.00. The buffet restaruant there was NOT good lol! There are tonnes of restaurants just down the road. The resort is about a 25 minute drive to the Smokies, and about 10 minutes to Pigeon Forge, it's just on the outskirts of Pigeon Forge. I can try to post pictures for you if I figure out how lol!

 

[100AcreWood]

We're going to Pigeon Forge in three weeks for the first time. I'm enjoying reading all of the suggestions. We're planning to spend the first day exploring the Island area for tourist stuff, then going to Dollywood at 3pm followed by a full day at Dollywood. Last day will be Clingsman Dome and exploring the Smokey Mountains.

 

[TwoMisfits]

My kids were 13, 11 & 8 when we were there. They loved it. We were in the waterpark everyday either before or after our other excursions. There is an outdoor and indoor park. I found everything quite clean. The waterpark was included in our timeshare package. I don't mind sharing the price. For the two bedroom condo for 7 nights was $1300.00. The buffet restaruant there was NOT good lol! There are tonnes of restaurants just down the road. The resort is about a 25 minute drive to the Smokies, and about 10 minutes to Pigeon Forge, it's just on the outskirts of Pigeon Forge. I can try to post pictures for you if I figure out how lol!

Thanks! We actually own in that timeshare system (I've just never been to that location or Pigeon Forge) and it's great to hear kids that age loved it! And I've learned awhile ago to avoid the Wyndham onsite restaurants - they are never good (and never cheap)!

 

[Govols1997]

I live in Knoxville. The spring breaks for local kids are usually in March, so you won't have that to deal with. However, most locals don't do much in PF other than Dollywood. It will be crowded for spring break. So prepare for traffic, but not crowds like Disney.

 

[kydisneyfans]

That area is a big draw for Central KY folks for spring break. Looks like the larger systems are out the first week of April this coming school year.

 

[lisaross]

That area is a big draw for Central KY folks for spring break. Looks like the larger systems are out the first week of April this coming school year.

Thank you

Now I have to find out when the rod run is, even though I won't be on the wkend, does the crowd linger days?

 

[ceecee]

The Island is fun with the Wheel (we got disc tickets at our hotel). You can rent a jeep to drive up to Cade's Cove or drive your own car. Take the tram at Ober Gatlinburg lots of fun things to do there like the Alpine Slide.

 

[Cdndisfan4]

We did it last summer. Dollywood was a good 1.5 days. We checked it out after 4 the first day and went on couple rides and then were back first thing the next morning to do a whole day.
We stayed in Pigeon Forge at Music Road Resort and it was very nice and breakfast included and great pool and waterslides for kids. Staff was very friendly.
My kids really enjoyed the magic show at WOnderworks. We also loved the Apple Barn for dinner. Yummy....especially the donuts. Surprisingly we ate at CHeddars too and this was one of our favs and was great prices. The Island for us was just a money waster. WE loved Dixie Stampede. Also did outlet shopping in Seiverville. WE did some hiking in mountains one day and we really enjoyed this too and for me it was fav part of trip and was free. Cades Cove Route or something like that.
Be warned it is very touristy and we went into Gaitlinburg and only stopped for few minutes as was crazy.
I think if I went back I might consider renting cabin in mountains through vaction rental company or something but depends what you are looking for.
Have fun. Be prepared that you will spend close to what you spend at Disney. I just kept saying to myself hmmm I thought this was a cheaper trip but with all the gimmicks to spend money it was not so much.