Non-Disney Vacation -TN, Pigeon Forge and area

[Sugar Jones]

We are doing a TN vacation with our three kids this year. Boy 13, Boy 11 & Girl 8.

Anyone have any must see or do's for this area. We are staying at Wyndham Great Smokies Lodge which has a big waterpark, so we are going to pass on Dollywood. My kids don't do big coasters so I think Dollywood would be a waste of money.

I'm trying to decide between Dollywood Stampede or the Hadfield & McCoy Dinner show.


I am open to any advice! My kids are not super adventurous so keep that in mind

 

[3Gsandme]

I haven't heard great reviews on the Stampede. Your mileage may vary, of course.

We really love Gatlinburg. Walking downtown at night is a lot of fun and we loved hiking in the natural areas, too. There was also "gem mining" downtown which was a great respite for the heat.

 

[smitch425]

We love Dixie Stampede, and Ripley's Aquarium is great. We always eat at the log cabin pancake house (in Gatlinburg, near the convention center). The Titanic museum is great, and Wonderworks was just okay for us. We won't do it again, and same goes for the World Record museum. It was cheap, though. Cade's Cove is a relaxing drive, but very long. Could be boring unless the kids are super into nature. There are tons of great shopping malls. You won't have a shortage of things to do, for sure.

 

[Alesia]

Take cash. Lots of cash. A lot of places won't take credit cards. Those places usually have ATMs, but the fees are outrageous.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

there is a lot more to do at Dollywood beside the coasters. if your kids like country music shows and if you are going during what used to be called kids fest there are a lot of others shows. the 2 things you mention are both dinner shows. at Dixie there are times when people are picked to be part of show. ps also be prepared to eat with fingers at Dixie no silverware. from where you are staying Hatfields and McCoys is closer while Dixie is almost all the way on other end of Pigeon Forge. depending on time of day and day of week can take some time to get there. not sure how food changes are handled. do know that what used to be in Hatfields only could sub fruit for dessert as husband could not have chocolate. that one used to be preplated and brought table. Dixie was not preplated but each thing was brought to table and placed on plate. be prepared for a contest one side of theather against the other at both. message me if you have any more questions

 

[rosedolph]

We live in TN and visited the Smoky Mountains at least once a year. One thing we love about Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area is that there is something for everyone. My family tends to like more of the outdoor type activities. (We love to pack a lunch and head off to Cade's Cove for the day.) There is so much to do outdoors, hiking, horse back riding, tubing, rope courses, and zip lines. Just stop by the Visitors Center to get all the info.

We love Dixie Stamped, but my children are younger (10, 8, 4, and baby) and the girls are all into horses. My husband and I really enjoyed the Titanic Museum, but it is a lot of walking and reading. The Wonder Works was a hit with us as well - we spent hours there. (You can come and go all day so we opened the place, left for lunch and came back for more fun.) We also LOVED Parrot Mountain and Gardens. The kids had a blast seeing so many birds up close and even holding them and playing with them. The bird nursery was my favorite. The Aquarium is fun, and lots of miniature golf (Hillbilly Golf and Old McDonalds Farm are our favs) and of course there's also shopping, tons of restaurants (we like to try and find Mom and Pop places to eat), fair like rides along the main strip in Pigen Forge, and the main strip in Gatlinburg is fun to walk through with it's shops and fun activities.

There's almost too much to write in one reply post. I keep thinking of things to add. :-D

 

[zlah31]

Dollywood would be good if your kids like shows and smaller rides. Its not all thrill rides. As pp said kids fest will be going on so shows will be geared towards kids.
We love Dixie Stampede and also lumberjack feud is a fun one.
There is a rainforest adventured zoo that is decently prices they may enjoy.
If you like outdoors cades cove is great. There are also several horseback riding, ziplininh, rafting ect.
Lots to do!/

 

[Flynnismine]

We go at least twice a year and love the GSMNP and Gatlinburg. Can't really comment on PF as we normally spend all of our time in Gatlinburg and the mountains. Definitely get out to Cades cove at dawn or dusk to see the most wildlife, it's a beautiful drive. If you enjoy hiking, the national park has something for everyone. There's even a nice little out and back flat hike starting right in Gatlinburg near the last stoplight before entering the park. Alot of nice easy quiet walkway trails along the roadsides as well. Roaring fork motor nature trail is awesome also but was closed when we were there last month due to improvements along the roadway. Stop light #10 has the log cabin pancake house which is fantastic and the Ripleys aquarium is really great for kids and adults. Enjoy your trip and take in the beauty that surrounds the GSMNP.

 

[Cadiewampus]

Been years since I have been to Gatlinburg but if you are coming into Gatlingburg from Pidgeon Forge, there is the big pancake house on the left. Well there are a bunch of little shops there in that little (for lack of a better term) alley. Well all the way in the back is a cheese shop. Inside in the back of the shop you will see a set of stairs. Go upstairs and there used to be a little sandwhich place that sat maybe 12-15 people. Had the coldest beer and best Rueben sandwiches.

 

[smitch425]

There are also multiple threads here on the Dis about the area and suggested places to go.

 

[Madteaparty001]

Definitely do the aquarium, and if you're going at Christmas time they have some great light displays.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I don't know anything about the Hatfield McCoy show, but there is also a Dixie Stampede in Branson. So, if you think you might make it to Branson, maybe skip Dixie for now. We did enjoy it

 

[Sugar Jones]

Thanks for all the good advice. I have to admit that I have done little to no planning for this vacation, which is odd because I plan down to the minute for our Disney trips lol!
We booked the timeshare room through Vacation Strategy because a friend had stayed there and said it was great. I honestly have no idea where it is in relation to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. I better start planning

I found some Gem Mining place that someone mentioned, I think my daugter would love that.

I think I'm not big on Dollywood because we are going to Darien Lake in a few weeks with a group of friends. I think one amusement park a summer is enough for a family who doesn't do rides hahaha!

We will be there the week of August 29-Sept.5

 

[bgg319]

I would skip Hatfield/McCoy and do the Comedy Barn. You can check it out on YouTube. Definitely, check out the aquarium and just explore the different shops.

 

[joannamet]

I just went to Gatlinburg with 2 ten year olds and their favorite part of the trip was hiking in the national park. Nothing major. We just did short hikes on easy trails and they loved it.

 

[dashofsunshine]

Been years since I have been to Gatlinburg but if you are coming into Gatlingburg from Pidgeon Forge, there is the big pancake house on the left. Well there are a bunch of little shops there in that little (for lack of a better term) alley. Well all the way in the back is a cheese shop. Inside in the back of the shop you will see a set of stairs. Go upstairs and there used to be a little sandwhich place that sat maybe 12-15 people. Had the coldest beer and best Rueben sandwiches.

You're referring to the Hofbräuhaus my husband is German, we always go there! It's a great little gem!

 

[dashofsunshine]

We live in Nashville, so Gatlinburg is a pretty familiar haunt for us. We don't have kids, though - so we do the moonshine distilleries and what not, which is fun and interesting. We always hike a good bit - Laurel Falls is a fairly easy favorite with a great reward at the end. We always have to eat at the Wild Plum Tea Room and The Old Mill (Pigeon Forge, but amazing food). Pancake Pantry is a Nashville original, and they have a location on the strip in Gatlinburg, but be prepared to wait. Gatlinburg has a very strong arts and crafts community - they have a loop with many pottery stores that I always enjoy. We also always frequent the Christmas Place (Pigeon Forge again. we are biiiiiig Christmas people, haha!). Otherwise, we really just enjoy walking down the strip - there are some really cool stores (one of our favorites is a kitchen gadget store - they have everything!). If all else fails, mini golf! I can't really say much for the more "touristy" attractions, because we don't do them. I bet some of them are fun, though!

 

[Cadiewampus]

You're referring to the Hofbräuhaus my husband is German, we always go there! It's a great little gem!

Thanks never can remember the name but we always made it a point to eat there when we went. Only reason I even new about it was I was turned on to it by someone I used to work with that was from Cherokee.

 

[iheartears]

The Island is alot of fun...it has alot of stuff like Myrtle Beach has. It's new, has great new places to eat.

 

[krist10]

In my opinion Dixie Stampede is better if you want something a little more serious or if you enjoy horses. Hatfield/McCoy. Is better if you like a little more of a cheesy show. We went with 8 children between the ages of 4 and 10 and they preferred that one. Also when you purchased it you were able to pick a second show at a discounted price and the one we chose was the open and the kids loved it. We also did Dollywood for 2 days and the kids loved and and we did almost no thrill rides.