Pigeon Forge and Nashville

[Tygerlilly]

We're planning a trip to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg and Nashville for May. It will be me, my fiance, our two girls (2.5 and 1) and my brother in law and his wife. The only real plans we have are for Dollywood one day and Country Music Hall of Fame later in the week.

Looking for fun things to do in either area, can't miss museums, best places to eat, and any hotel recommendations. I'm trying to keep hotels under $100 in PF and under $150 in Nash, but I wouldn't mind too much if I had to go a little over in Nashville to get a nice hotel close to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

 

[Jimsig]

Here is a previous thread that may help about PF/Gatlinsburg
https://www.disboards.com/threads/gatlinburg-tennessee-places-to-stay-things-to-do.3603071/

There have been a few others as well, just search Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and they should pop up.


We did a couple nights in PF and Gatlinburg a couple years ago. We took a ride up to Clingmans Dome and it was amazing

 

[Tygerlilly]

I did search and read some of the previous threads. It's been almost a year between the last thread and now, and I know hotels can change a lot in a year. Just looking to see if anyone had more recent suggestions.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

Hotel prices in downtown Nashville probably haven't improved much since last year, so if you're looking to spend less $$ (and will have a car available), you may want to consider booking in the West End/Vanderbilt area (next closest thing to downtown), near the airport/Opry Mills (you can see the Grand Ole Opry House out that way) or even in Brentwood or Cool Springs (a longer drive, but may be more affordable for that time of year.) Your rock bottom cheapest option may be to look at an AirBnB, but take care which neighborhoods you book if you go that route.

I highly recommend Centennial Park in Nashville (take the tour of the Parthenon which is fun for the adults and then the kids can run around outside for a bit). The kids might also enjoy the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere (the Andean bear exhibit there opens very soon).

Hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

We did PF years ago and stayed at the Inn at Christmas tree place (something like that). The kids loved it. I have no idea what it’s like now but it was really nice then and so much fun with young kids.

 

[christineinvegas]

We are going to the area in June. I booked Country Cascades in PF - I think it was $118/nt. They have a "waterpark" attached so it will be a highlight for my DD (7).

 

[neatokimmo]

I want to preface my post by saying I think most hotels in pigeon forge stink. My cap is also $100 for that area. We have been one million kajillion times.

You will need an indoor pool for May. I think the best western at Dollywood entrance would be a good choice. The rooms are very very plain but they have an indoor pool and a good breakfast variety. My friends say the Tori one is also good although I have not stayed there.

If you don’t care about a pool, Island Drive Lodge has been working on their rooms. When we stayed there last time we got a room that was almost finished. It was cheap like $60 last May.

Super cheap would be vacation lodge. The rooms reminded me of a dorm. Concrete block walls, decorations that didn’t match. But it was clean when we had to work there. It was under $50.

The econolodge at the end of the strip is frightening. The quality inn near the wilderness is cheap, with large rooms, but worn out. The green roof Ramada is good but often over $100.

In Nashville, we like Dunya Kebob for lunch. They have a small, fantastic, buffet at lunch. We also like Koi buffet, but only during very busy times. Like with any huge buffet, you need eaters there for turnover. They have 30-40kinds of sushi on the buffet. Our #1 favorite place is Miss Saigon. All the vermicelli dishes are so good. The bbq pork and egg roll are our favorite.

 

[Tygerlilly]

We are huge sushi lovers, so I'm 100% going to add Koi buffet to the list!
Good to know which ones are pretty awful. A pool isn't really to important, as our kids are still so young. It was exhausting trying to take them both swimming in October.

We have a thing for visiting a zoo in each new place we go to, so we will probably add that to our list!

 

[kymom99]

We are huge sushi lovers, so I'm 100% going to add Koi buffet to the list!
Good to know which ones are pretty awful. A pool isn't really to important, as our kids are still so young. It was exhausting trying to take them both swimming in October.

We have a thing for visiting a zoo in each new place we go to, so we will probably add that to our list!

Definitely check out the smoky mountain deer farm and petting zoo. We went there 15 years ago with our son who was about 3 at the time and I still remember loving it.

 

[Bete]

We stay at the LaQuinta Dollywood location on Emert. There's a decent hot breakfast. You are pretty close to the park.

If you stay away from weekends and holidays you can get a pretty good rate.

There are restaurants in walking distance of this resort, too.

 

[elsbit]

I really like the Ripley's Aquarium in the Smokies. Also, pretty much everything in the PF/G should have a coupon somewhere, either online or in books. I also like the indoor waterpark at the Wilderness at the Smokies. Small, kid friendly. Manageable with your little ones.

Nashville Zoo- If you are a member at a zoo somewhere else, you should be able to discounted tickets. I really like our zoo. While they have food available, you can also bring food and drinks in and have your own little picnic in a shady area. Or you can eat at the Monell's location about 4 miles from there.
This is a drive outside of Nashville, but the Jack Daniel's Distillery is actually interesting and free. I once went with a bunch of moms and babies, so it is kid friendly.
Southern Food: Monells, Pucketts, or Loveless Cafe.

I can't recommend hotels because I live here, but you will pay a premium to stay downtown.
TN Craft fair is beginning of May at Centennial Park. I enjoy going and there are always local food trucks there.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I live in the Nashville area and am trying to rack my brain for ideas of what to do with little kiddos...

Look into these:
Radnor Lake
Adventure Science Center
Nashville Zoo
Downtown Franklin (walk Main St and maybe go to Pinkerton Park for a bit)- eat at Puckett's for lunch
Opry Mills area- shopping/walk around inside Gaylord Opryland
Cheekwood Botanical Gardens
Lucky Ladd Farm

Hotels- Cool Springs area is right about where I live. Hotels are cheaper here on weekends than weeknights b/c it is a corporate area, so you might find a decent price. We stayed at the embassy suites when we were having our floors redone, and again when we moved and were in-between closings.
My son plays travel soccer and there is a big tournament the first weekend in May, so Franklin/Cool Springs hotels may be harder to get then. Not sure when you are traveling.

 

[Disneyliscious]

I also live in Nashville area (40+ years) and here is my honest to God advice.

Get ready to swelter in ungodly humid heat.
PLEASE, for the love of all things holy, do not wear "shorts, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat". You can tell a tourist a mile away because they all dress like that. Its like the perception of Nashville is that no one dresses normal. We see people dressed like that and roll our eyes (its mostly teenagers who do it).
There really isn't a whole lot to do with little ones in or around Nashville. I would advise going inside the Opryland Hotel and touring the Cascades. Its free, cool, and very pretty and relaxing. The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is a nice zoo. That is a must do.

If it is within your driving time, I would highly recommend visiting the Underground Sea while on your way from PF to Nashville. Its about an hour out of your way. The kids will be a little young to enjoy it but while you're in the area it's a nice place to visit. This is really only something you want to do if you are in shape. I am poo sized and it liked to have killed me last year. Its the largest underground lake in the world. Pretty amazing to see but its wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy underground in a cave and the trek back up is WHEW!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I also live in Nashville area (40+ years) and here is my honest to God advice.

Get ready to swelter in ungodly humid heat.
PLEASE, for the love of all things holy, do not wear "shorts, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat". You can tell a tourist a mile away because they all dress like that. Its like the perception of Nashville is that no one dresses normal. We see people dressed like that and roll our eyes (its mostly teenagers who do it).
There really isn't a whole lot to do with little ones in or around Nashville. I would advise going inside the Opryland Hotel and touring the Cascades. Its free, cool, and very pretty and relaxing. The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is a nice zoo. That is a must do.

If it is within your driving time, I would highly recommend visiting the Underground Sea while on your way from PF to Nashville. Its about an hour out of your way. The kids will be a little young to enjoy it but while you're in the area it's a nice place to visit. This is really only something you want to do if you are in shape. I am poo sized and it liked to have killed me last year. Its the largest underground lake in the world. Pretty amazing to see but its wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy underground in a cave and the trek back up is WHEW!

Hahahahaha soooooo very true. But it is also middle aged women that do it, not just teens.

I’ve never heard of underground sea. Going to have to check it out. I agree with this poster though, when you said you were coming with little kids. Not an ideal destination to me...as a mom of 4. The things I listed for you to do were just normal life activities. Nothing that screams vacation. I could see coming here with the kids if you are tagging along with DH on a business trip or something. PF will be better I think.

 

[neatokimmo]

We are huge sushi lovers, so I'm 100% going to add Koi buffet to the list!
Good to know which ones are pretty awful. A pool isn't really to important, as our kids are still so young. It was exhausting trying to take them both swimming in October.

We have a thing for visiting a zoo in each new place we go to, so we will probably add that to our list!

Sakura in Sevierville (before tanger, on the left in the big curve) also has buffet sushi. They have about 15 kinds. I don’t know the official names,of any of it. I have eaten shrimp, eel, spicy tuna, crab, and the white raw fish there.

It’s a little rough inside. Like super worn out. Three or four days a week it is like $8.

 

[neatokimmo]

I’m a big nerd who takes pictures of food. This is Koi.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

I also live in Nashville area (40+ years) and here is my honest to God advice.

Get ready to swelter in ungodly humid heat.
PLEASE, for the love of all things holy, do not wear "shorts, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat". You can tell a tourist a mile away because they all dress like that. Its like the perception of Nashville is that no one dresses normal. We see people dressed like that and roll our eyes (its mostly teenagers who do it).
There really isn't a whole lot to do with little ones in or around Nashville. I would advise going inside the Opryland Hotel and touring the Cascades. Its free, cool, and very pretty and relaxing. The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is a nice zoo. That is a must do.

If it is within your driving time, I would highly recommend visiting the Underground Sea while on your way from PF to Nashville. Its about an hour out of your way. The kids will be a little young to enjoy it but while you're in the area it's a nice place to visit. This is really only something you want to do if you are in shape. I am poo sized and it liked to have killed me last year. Its the largest underground lake in the world. Pretty amazing to see but its wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy underground in a cave and the trek back up is WHEW!

I think you mean the Lost Sea, its in Sweetwater TN.

 

[pls5286]

Econolodge Riverside is a pretty nice place to stay. They have a hot breakfast and indoor pools with hot tub. We try to stay there in the winter. If you want a room big enough for everyone to stay, Days Inn Apple Valley has a suite with 4 queens in two rooms plus a pull out sofa. It is being remoddled.

 

[Tygerlilly]

Econolodge Riverside is a pretty nice place to stay. They have a hot breakfast and indoor pools with hot tub. We try to stay there in the winter. If you want a room big enough for everyone to stay, Days Inn Apple Valley has a suite with 4 queens in two rooms plus a pull out sofa. It is being remoddled.

I'll have to look into the Days Inn. We were talking about conjoining rooms, but this might work out cheaper and easier. Thanks!

 

[richkaryn]

We live a few hours from PF, and 1 hour from Nashville, and visit a few times a year. Econo Lodge Riverside in Pigeon Forge (next to Christmas Place store) is usually right around $100-120/night and is clean, has a nice indoor pool area, and central location. Creekstone Inn is clean and cheap, though a little dated, but the rooms are large.
In Nashville we like to stay at the Music City Sheraton.

Groupon usually has discount admission to several PF/Gatlinburg attractions including the Titanic museum (this was really neat), Wonderworks, Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, Dukes of Hazard go carts and mini golf, escape rooms, etc.
Crockett's Breakfast camp in Gatlinburg is a great breakfast-- huge portions and reasonably priced considering the area.

Nashville has the zoo, Adventure Science Center, you could watch a Nashville Sounds baseball game, The Aquarium restaurant at Opry Mills is great, and it is a Landry's owned restaurant if you are a Landry's select member (they also have Rainforest cafe there, but we prefer the Aquarium restaurant.)

ETA: Depending on when in May (early -mid May basically) sometimes you can get a room at Wilderness at the Smokies for about $20-30 more/night than a basic hotel on the strip in PF. This may be worth comparing as you get the added value of the waterpark built in. They also have suites/rooms that hold more people so could be a cheaper in the long run option. We have found this to be the case in the past (we went once first weekend of November and was only a $25/night difference so we did Wilderness and that way had a backup plan if it rained on our Dollywood day too.)