Need suggestions on 2 trips Gatlinburg and Destin

[pigget74]

To begin with we are using a timeshare so the rooms are technically not costing us anything at the moment. They have already been paid for...each unit has a full kitchen.

1) March Spring Break in Gatlinburg 4 nights---need some budget friendly things to do and places to eat. We will be eating most meals in the room, but would like to eat some out. Plan on going to Cades Cove...need other ideas.

2) Memorial Day Destin, Fl---down for a week, but I think we might take a few days off. Need some places that would be fun to eat at and places to visit.

Our family consists of me, DH, DS (17), DD (14), DS (6), and DD (4). We love the beach and again--will eat a lot of meals in the room.

THanks

 

[PrincessMama605]

I've never been to Gatlinburg so I can't help with that but I used to live in Destin, FL. There are some great places to eat that are pretty budget friendly. We love McGuire's its a big Irish pub/restaurant, they have great food. Huge portions for the price. Love their Senate Bean soup, it's like 18 cents for a cup. The Donut Hole is also good food and budet friendly. They have amazing desserts. Both places are right on Hwy 98.

For fun there (besides the beach) is The Track, which is go-karts and stuff and there is waterpark, Big Kahuna's.

For shopping, there is Destin Commons, which is outdoors. They have fountains like the ones at DTD so if it's warm there will be a bunch of kids playing in them. They also have a great little playground there. Also a Hard Rock Cafe, but it's very small, nothing like the one in Orlando. There food seems better IMO, and they have a very friendly staff. We were very disappointed the first time we went to the one in Orlando.

There is a ton of things to do and places to eat but these were our faves. You're going to have a great time!

 

[mousiemom]

we will be in gatlinburg in april for springbreak and my sister leaves in blue mtn. beach so we will be down there memorial weekend also! like princessmama said, big kahunas is a lot of fun!! we always go to the silversands outlet if you have a rainy day but we are usually at the beautiful beaches of destin all day!! we had a really good time in pigeon forge @ the dixie stampede but it is a little pricey. there are a lot of places to eat on that strip. love taking the ski lift rides just to see that view at the top. you will have to post what you did cause you will be there before us. we are staying in a chalet and we just enjoy the trails and beauty of the smokies. have fun! lots to look forward to!

 

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

We stayed at a Hilton when we went to destin. It was really nice! There was a king size bed in the main room and an alcove in the front that had bunk beds. It was also right on the beach. We ate there almost every night since we could grab a burger or sandwich and sit outside enjoying the ocean. We also went to some restaurant with live alligators. I can't remember the name but DD loved it. It was a very long wait though! We also went to the outlet mall and spent hours in the water fountain spray things and playground.

 

[kkacar]

I live in South Walton, next door to Destin. If you have never had a chance to go YOLO boarding you have to try that. For eating you should go down to Seaside and enjoy a fab grilled cheese from The Meltdown. Believe me you will not be disappointed. Feel free to PM if you want more specific information. I am in the tourism business and can give you any kind of info you want.

Kelli

 

[uk_wildcat]

In Gatlinburg, we like to eat at the Apple Barn and Cider Mill. It is home-cooked food and the prices are good. The Old Mill is also good. You get large portions of home-cooked food for a good price.

 

[iheartpeterpan]

For Gatlinburg, I like to spend most of my time in the National Park, it depends on what your family enjoys doing. There are a lot of really great short hikes within an easy drive. The Sugarlands visitor center is right at the entrance to the park and there are short ranger led hikes out of there plus a lot of stuff for kids to do. Turn right towards Cades Cove, and Laurel Falls is just a few miles up, trailhead on the right (you will know it when you see the bazillion cars). It is a busy trail but is paved and not too strenuous, you are rewarded with beautiful waterfalls at the end (keep hold of your young kids though - the trail comes out at the top of the falls). A bit further up, turn left into the Elkmont camp ground, there are old cabins and a nature center behind the campground off Jakes Creek, fun to explore and you can now park right there. There are a lot of good short hikes out of Cades Cove as well. A couple of miles past Elkmont on the right is the Metcalf Bottom picnic area, with the Little Greenbriar School just a short walk away (an old one room schoolhouse that was actually in use at one time). The great thing about all the stuff in the park is it's free!

There is a nice hike off the Roaring Forks nature trail out of Galtlinburg called Grotto Falls, it is an easy hike about 1.5 mi each way and you can walk behind the waterfall at the top. If you go on a Wednesday you might also run into the llama train that supplies the LeConte Lodge (8 mi ea way using that same trail).

In Gatlinburg, I like to eat at Smoky Mtn Brewery (wings/pub grub). In Pigeon Forge the Old Mill restaurant is good. Sadly most of the restaurants in both cities are chainy or fast food... it's not a culinary mecca. I would avoid anything with Ripleys on it, EXCEPT the Aquarium, which is super cool and worth the admission price and will be enjoyed by all ages of your kids. Also Dollywood is a surprisingly good theme park, I took my kids there on a whim thinking it was going to be cheesy, but it actually was a lot of fun (although clearly not Disney). There's also a water park next door.

I usually spend all my time up in the park so I'm not as good on what to do in town, I'm sure someone else can jump in.

 

[kydisneyfans]

The Apple Barn is a must stop for us too, but it is a good 20-30 minutes from Gatlinburg with no traffic. We always end up a Bubba Gumps for some reason, but noticed a pancake shop lined up a good city block on New Years Morning.

Make sure you get groceries heading in, there is next to nothing in terms of grocery stores in Gatlinburg. We found a Food City by accident heading out of town. There is a Walgreens in town, but it is priced much higher than a typical Walgreens.

 

[iheartpeterpan]

Make sure you get groceries heading in, there is next to nothing in terms of grocery stores in Gatlinburg. We found a Food City by accident heading out of town. There is a Walgreens in town, but it is priced much higher than a typical Walgreens.

There is a Food City off of 321 in Gatlinburg. It is actually a pretty good sized store. Ask for the discount card, they will give you one on paper that you can use for grocery discounts and gas discounts (like a Kroger card).

The Food City in Pigeon Forge is not a very big or great store. There is a huuuge Kroger in Servierville right before you get to Pigeon Forge and that is probably your best shopping bet in the area.

 

[bucket o' butter]

To begin with we are using a timeshare so the rooms are technically not costing us anything at the moment. They have already been paid for...each unit has a full kitchen.

1) March Spring Break in Gatlinburg 4 nights---need some budget friendly things to do and places to eat. We will be eating most meals in the room, but would like to eat some out. Plan on going to Cades Cove...need other ideas.

2) Memorial Day Destin, Fl---down for a week, but I think we might take a few days off. Need some places that would be fun to eat at and places to visit.

Our family consists of me, DH, DS (17), DD (14), DS (6), and DD (4). We love the beach and again--will eat a lot of meals in the room.

THanks

I can recommend a few places to eat in Destin. McGuire's Irish Pub is a great family restaurant and the bathrooms are a hoot (if you have a sense of humor). We also always eat at Fudpuckers. That is the first place our kids request to eat at followed by McGuires when we go to Destin. Someone else mentioned The Track. That is a lot of fun with several go kart tracks and miniature golf. One summer we went on the "Sea Blaster" Dolphin cruise. It is a huge speed boat that takes you out to watch the dolphins. Taht was a lot of fun for all of us! If I think of other places because we go there often, I will post them as well.

 

[North of Mouse]

iheartpeterpan, it was so refreshing to read your post - that you actually go to the Smokies to well, enjoy the Smokies We have been going there every year for a "long" time, practically raised our children there at the Elkmont Campground. We love to take the hikes, all the ones you mentioned and more too. Cades Cove is a favorite. We have been riding our bikes around the loop (11mi.) for more years than I will admit and still do and we have grandchildren that love it too. We are constantly amazed at people who know us tell us they've been to the mtns. and we start talking about all the beautiful sites, waterfalls, etc. and they say, oh,we didn't do that, we just went to the things in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg! Duh! There is so much to introduce families to there and our kids loved it starting at 8mos. You can find carnival rides a lot closer to home usually, just MHO

 

[chattyann]

We are getting ready to go to the Smokies in a couple weeks. The pancake restaurant the other poster mentioned is the Pancake Pantry. Best pancakes I have ever had. They are a little pricey though but for a splurge they are worth it. We also do Cades Cove. We also usually run over to Cherokee one day we are there. Lots to see and do without alot of expense. I would also recommend the Rain Forest in Pigeon Forge. My boys loved it last time we went. They have lots of different animals and snakes, they also do an animal show, very fun.

 

[iheartpeterpan]

iheartpeterpan, it was so refreshing to read your post - that you actually go to the Smokies to well, enjoy the Smokies We have been going there every year for a "long" time, practically raised our children there at the Elkmont Campground. We love to take the hikes, all the ones you mentioned and more too. Cades Cove is a favorite. We have been riding our bikes around the loop (11mi.) for more years than I will admit and still do and we have grandchildren that love it too. We are constantly amazed at people who know us tell us they've been to the mtns. and we start talking about all the beautiful sites, waterfalls, etc. and they say, oh,we didn't do that, we just went to the things in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg! Duh! There is so much to introduce families to there and our kids loved it starting at 8mos. You can find carnival rides a lot closer to home usually, just MHO

My parents took me camping there when I was a kid, now I take my kids camping at Elkmont every single summer for a week. I call it "unplug week". We backpack and hike, and have been up Mt. LeConte almost yearly since my kids were very young! I drive as fast as I can THROUGH Pigeon Forge to get to the mountains. I love love love them, it is where I press the reset button! Happy to see another Elkmont fan here on the DIS!

 

[cajunbaby1]

Sandestin--OUTLET SHOPPINGS!!
Need I say more? LOL
Its so pretty down there. i lived in Crestview and Ft walton beach and we loved it. The beaches are sooo pretty.
Don't forget the sunscreen though.

 

[North of Mouse]

My parents took me camping there when I was a kid, now I take my kids camping at Elkmont every single summer for a week. I call it "unplug week". We backpack and hike, and have been up Mt. LeConte almost yearly since my kids were very young! I drive as fast as I can THROUGH Pigeon Forge to get to the mountains. I love love love them, it is where I press the reset button! Happy to see another Elkmont fan here on the DIS!

My DH hates driving through Pigeon Forge We already have reservations on river in "D" section end of May, first of June. If you are there, stop and say Hi (Hurricane MH NC) It's our slow relaxing place - Disney is our busy enjoyable place

 

[pigget74]

For Gatlinburg, I like to spend most of my time in the National Park, it depends on what your family enjoys doing. There are a lot of really great short hikes within an easy drive. The Sugarlands visitor center is right at the entrance to the park and there are short ranger led hikes out of there plus a lot of stuff for kids to do. Turn right towards Cades Cove, and Laurel Falls is just a few miles up, trailhead on the right (you will know it when you see the bazillion cars). It is a busy trail but is paved and not too strenuous, you are rewarded with beautiful waterfalls at the end (keep hold of your young kids though - the trail comes out at the top of the falls). A bit further up, turn left into the Elkmont camp ground, there are old cabins and a nature center behind the campground off Jakes Creek, fun to explore and you can now park right there. There are a lot of good short hikes out of Cades Cove as well. A couple of miles past Elkmont on the right is the Metcalf Bottom picnic area, with the Little Greenbriar School just a short walk away (an old one room schoolhouse that was actually in use at one time). The great thing about all the stuff in the park is it's free!

There is a nice hike off the Roaring Forks nature trail out of Galtlinburg called Grotto Falls, it is an easy hike about 1.5 mi each way and you can walk behind the waterfall at the top. If you go on a Wednesday you might also run into the llama train that supplies the LeConte Lodge (8 mi ea way using that same trail).

In Gatlinburg, I like to eat at Smoky Mtn Brewery (wings/pub grub). In Pigeon Forge the Old Mill restaurant is good. Sadly most of the restaurants in both cities are chainy or fast food... it's not a culinary mecca. I would avoid anything with Ripleys on it, EXCEPT the Aquarium, which is super cool and worth the admission price and will be enjoyed by all ages of your kids. Also Dollywood is a surprisingly good theme park, I took my kids there on a whim thinking it was going to be cheesy, but it actually was a lot of fun (although clearly not Disney). There's also a water park next door.

I usually spend all my time up in the park so I'm not as good on what to do in town, I'm sure someone else can jump in.

This is great. We knoe we want to do some tourist things, but want nature as well.

 

[tinatark]

I live in Sevierville (just outside Gatlinburg)- some of our favorite places to eat are the Pottery House Cafe (across from the Old Mill, owned by the same family, but much better food, in my opinion!), The Chop House (in the Tanger 5 Oaks outlet), Gondolier Italian (in Sevierville, a very local place - great food and awesome prices), Little Tokyo (Pigeon Forge, up behind the Mellow Mushroom), and the Blue Moose - great wings, hot dogs, etc. Best Italian in the Elks Plaza in Gatlinburg is very good, too.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I am glad I saw this thread! We are going to Gatlinburg the first weekend in march. He is turning 4 and is a leap day baby so we are going all out
We are staying at the park vista, I think that's the name, on points. I had no idea what to do when we got there so this thread has been very helpful.
Oddly, we are considering a short trip to destin soon as well.

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

Hi -- we have been going to Gatlinburg at least once a year for the past 8 years. As the others have said, please enjoy the National Park -- it's gorgeous and free.

I know others have mentioned the drive in through Seiverville and Pigeon Forge. It is almost memorizing. Have your children prepared. You drive past miles of mini-golf, go carts, upside down mansions, the Titantic, shows, restaurants, etc, etc, etc. I think my girl's eyes popped out of their head and they got a HUGS case of the gimmies. That said, it is lots of fun and you just need a budget before and make the kids aware it's a choice of what they want to do.

We spend about 20% of our time at our unit relaxing, 10% - 20% at the attractions, and 60 - 70% of our time in the National Park. Here are some of my favorites.

Attractions --
+ for mini-golf our best is Hillbilly Golf located right at the entrance to Gatlinburg. You first ride a cart up the mountain to play their course.
+ My girls are also addicted to Magi Quest (After you own a wand it's not too bad of an expense).
+ We love Dollywood but it won't be open when you are there.

National Park --
+ Favorite hike for us is Grotto Falls. It is off the Roaring Fork parkway and you can go behind a waterfall.
+ Clingman's Dome. A steep .5 mile hike to an observation tower with fabulous views of the park.
+ Sugarlands Visitor Center -- we always stop there and watch the 20 minute overview film about the Smokies. A must for us.
+ At the Visitor Center spend $1 and get the guide on waterfalls. See as many as you can!
+ Chimney Tops Picnic Area - pack a cooler, bring a bag of charcoal, (and a lighter) and have an old fashioned picnic. You pull in and each picnic table has a grill. The whole area is on a wide river filled with big rocks. The rocks are great for playing on or just sitting on and reading. We will spend 5 hours here playing card games, reading, playing on the rocks, and eating. Chocolate fondue is the best - just melt a bag of choc chips in a packet of tinfoil and dip pretzels, strawberries, bananas, etc. We almost always see a bear here as well.
+ Townsend Y -- check out the park map, but this is on the western side, semi-close to the Cades Cove Side. Rivers run all throughout the park, and most are pretty rapid filled. The Townsend Y area has a very calm area to sip your toes in, etc which would be nice for your younger ones.
+ Oconaluftee Visitor Center -- Similiar to Cades Cove in that it showcases many buildings and how things worked, but more condensed so not as much walking. Also, on the river.
+ Just remember, that distances can be deceiving. While it might only be 20 miles away you are driving 35. Download a copy of the park's map from www nps gov and do the park in sections.

Other -
+ on the outskirts of Gatlinburg is a 11 mile artists loop. It is made up of pottery makers, painters, candle makers, candy makers, wood carvers, iron welders, glass blowers, etc. Most of the shops are manned by the artist/owner themselves and they are very happy to talk about their craft and many places have free demonstrations going on. A great stop for a fun souvenir.
+ if there is a rainy day you might want to consider going to Tuckaleechee Caverns. A smaller cave but still fun to see.

Food -
+ Apple Barn and Cider Mill (Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant) right between Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. What is not to like about free apple fritters, apple juleps and homemade apple butter?

Also, you might want to join Groupon for the Knoxville area. You never know what fun coupon could pop up that you might want. About 20% of their coupons are for the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area

Have a great time!!!!!

 

[lecach]

I've been looking for a getaway for Spring Break for me, my husband and 7 year old son. And Gatlingburg sounds like fun. We've never been. Can anyone recommend a place to stay? Nothing too expensive. Would love access to a hot tub.

Thanks!