Pigeon Forge for first timers

[chewbacca]

Hello all! We are in the beginning stages of planning a pigeon forge trip this summer. What are some must do’s? What is overrated and can be skipped? It will be myself, DH, DS20 and DS17. I know we will do one day at Dollywood and Anakeestas.

TIA!

 

[kyton]

We went to Pigeon Forge just under two years ago. IMO it’s like Vegas for kids and pretty much everything in the town is overrated. Dollywood however has become our family’s favourite amusement park - equal with Disney.

 

[cabanafrau]

It's been ten years now since we've visited, but we preferred Gatlinburg just up the road to the traffic in Pigeon Forge. We stayed in a timeshare condo that was walkable to the main business district in Gatlinburg so we wouldn't have the hassle of finding parking when shopping or at any of the restaurants. We like the arts and craft trail and Dollywood was nice, but nothing beats the National Park. I just recently read a write up about how enjoyable the Dixie Stampede and the Hatfield and McCoy dinner show are. I knew the stampede was associated with Dollywood and we've done that when our daughters were young and it was fun, but I never realized the Hatfield and McCoy show was also part of the company and is supposed to be pretty entertaining also. Sounds like the food is quite a bit like the stampede, but if you know what you're getting into and not expecting it to be a meal experience it should be fine.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

We always do trails in the National Park. We always do golfing. They have a great public course by Dollywood. Heat can be bad in the summer. They do have water parks and Dollywood, but we have never done those. Gatlinburg is nice to walk around in for a day, but take the bypass road around and come in by the National park and park at that end as it’s a very, very slow crawl the other way.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Must do. Yeah. I have more than most can achieve in one trip. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Dollywood/Splash County.
One mountain coaster.
At least one waterfall hike in the Smokies. Mingo, which is technically not in the park is my favorite. Rainbow is a strenuous hike for potentially great reward but potentially disappointment. Grotto falls is a nice easy hike. Laurel is a paved trail but bears are active in that area.
Klingman's Dome
Cades cove depending on season. You must do cades cove to hike the Abrams falls trail. And Laural falls is on the way there from Gatlinburg.
Mini Golf. Come on you want to. Davy Crockett's is our favorite but they're all pretty fun. You can also get a pass that gets you the aquarium and a mini golf from Ripley's.
Apple Barn/Christmas place. Pigeon Forge Staples.
One of those dumb dinner shows. The pirates, the Stampede Doesn't really matter which. Stick with a Dolly owned show your first trip.
Some locally owned eateries. So many times I get San francisco sucked. It' s a tourist trap. Where did you eat. Bubba Gump's. Third party face palm for such a terrible fail.
A couple of the museums are worth.

Can be skipped.
The Island. A tourist Trap with expensive places. You can do better elsewhere.
More than one dinner show
More than one mountain coaster.
Cades cove if you're not doing Abrams falls depending on season.
Celebrity restaurants. National chains.
Generic souveneer shops.
Most of the museums. not worth it for what they are.

 

[Karalee402]

Definitely make some time to wander through the National Park; it's stunning! Cade's Cove was also a favorite for our family last time we went. The towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are SO touristy and are meant to be, and they can be super fun if you go into it understanding it'll be packed. But, taking time for the the natural beauty of the area is an absolute must-do!

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I have been before, a few years ago and I enjoyed it. I guess it is all in what you like to do. Personally I really enjoyed the "crime museum". My step-daughter and I really ate that up, her probably more than me even. It was very interesting and well worth it.

I know they have a Titanic museum too.... I haven't been to that, but I have been to the one in Branson. If it is anything like the one in Branson (which I would assume it is), it would also be good to visit. I am kind of a Titanic nerd anyway though.

But again, it all depends on your individual tastes.

 

[wabbott]

Been a few years, but this place was notable. I would go back.

https://www.old-mill.com/pottery-house-cafe-grill#menu-pottery-house-cafe

 

[Cadiewampus]

I would do Dollywood but thats about it. Not a Pigeon Forge fan. I would take Gatlinburg any day of the week

 

[kymom99]

I’ve been many times. Recently, I went as a group of 5 ladies. We actually stayed at baskins creek condos which are walking distance to the gatlinburg strip. We rented an ATV that you can take on the road. We drove up in the roaring fork nature trail. I love it up there.

 

[RangerPooh]

Must do. Yeah. I have more than most can achieve in one trip. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

At least one waterfall hike in the Smokies. Mingo, which is technically not in the park is my favorite. Rainbow is a strenuous hike for potentially great reward but potentially disappointment. Grotto falls is a nice easy hike. Laurel is a paved trail but bears are active in that area.
Cades cove depending on season. You must do cades cove to hike the Abrams falls trail. And Laural falls is on the way there from Gatlinburg.
Apple Barn

FYI- Laurel Falls (and trail) just closed and will be closed for the next 18 months.
- DD attends college in Knoxville and she and her friends are always hiking in the park. There's a few waterfalls out there to see!

Apple Barn- do it!!!!! They also have a hard cider tasting room on property

Cades Cove is nice. Go early at opening. Otherwise the line to enter might stretch miles down the highway.
- FYI- On Wednesdays during the summer it is closed to motor vehicles.

 

[hhisc16]

I’ve been many times. Recently, I went as a group of 5 ladies. We actually stayed at baskins creek condos which are walking distance to the gatlinburg strip. We rented an ATV that you can take on the road. We drove up in the roaring fork nature trail. I love it up there.

Baskins Creek Condos are great!
Also recommend eating at the Apple Barn and Donut Friar!

 

[BrianL]

Apple Barn- do it!!!!! They also have a hard cider tasting room on property

 

[piglet1979]

We went about 2 years. It was the most stressful trip for me. I am not a fan at all. It is just too many people and driving was horrible. I refused to drive at that week and made my husband do all the driving. There we a few things that we did that were fun.

We did the mountain coaster one night. Without trying we timed it perfectly. We bought the ticket that got us on twice. The first time was while it was light out and the second was when it was dark. It was like we went on 2 different coasters. I will say this was hard for me though. They are not made for short people. I am only 4'9" so it was hard to keep the gears engaged to keep it going but it was still fun.

Definitely eat at Delauder's BBQ. They are in Gatlinburg outside of the main area. It is a very small family run place and is only open certain days and time. It is very limited. It was the best BBQ I have ever had. My DD is extremely picky and she said it was really good too. It looks like it is at an old gas station/garage and only has about 6 tables if that. We did have a bit of a wait as they were very busy but it moved quickly.

 

[kymom99]

Baskins Creek Condos are great!
Also recommend eating at the Apple Barn and Donut Friar!

Omg the donut friar! It’s the best!

 

[kymom99]

I highly suggest going midweek. The weekends are insane

 

[DanceDisney23]

We went last year and did the Titanic museum. It was really, really good. Very tasteful and not hokey like the rest of the attractions on that strip.

The best meal of the trip was probably at Jason Aldean’s restaurant in Gatlinburg. We found most of the other food just okay. Except the cinnamon bread in Dollywood. Definitely try that.

Anakeesta was fun, and we did the mountain coasters there.

 

[jimmymc]

Dollywood and Smokey Mountains NP are both fantastic. Hillbilly Golf was also fun; you take an- inclined train to the top of the hill and play mini golf back down.

 

[cabanafrau]

I’ve been many times. Recently, I went as a group of 5 ladies. We actually stayed at baskins creek condos which are walking distance to the gatlinburg strip. We rented an ATV that you can take on the road. We drove up in the roaring fork nature trail. I love it up there.

That's the condos we stayed in on our last visit. The location was so convenient and the condo we stayed in was quite comfortable, too.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

We live about 5 hours from Gatlinburg and have gone numerous times. The last time was October 2023. We always do minigolf. Hillbilly Golf is fun, but the wait can be quite long. We like the one that you see halfway down the strip on the left on the mountain/hill. We always eat at The Peddler Steakhouse. Their salad bar is amazing. The last 2 times we have been there we were seated by a window that looks over the stream and saw bears.. You do usually need reservations. We like the Pancake Pantry. There is ALWAYS a line out the door but it moves quickly. We always go to the Smoky Mountain Brewery. The food is ok. They have their own beer. Nothing to write home about. Not sure why we always go there, but we do. Very casual.

We always spend time in the national park driving and/or hiking.

We always do one moonshine tasting. The people that run them are typically very entertaining.

When the boys were younger we did the aquarium. It was nice and worth a visit if that is your thing.

We did the Hatfield and McCoy dinner show a few years ago. The food was ok. Good/clean silly fun.

We have done mountain coasters the past few trips and that was fun.

We have stayed in chalets several times. We went in June 2020 right when things were opening back up from Covid and had a chalet with its own private pool inside and movie room. That was super nice... expensive though.

Now we typically just go for 2-3 nights and by the time you pay the fees for cleaning and such it is much cheaper to stay at a hotel. We did the Bearskin Lodge in Gatlinburg last time. Traffic is typically horendous and we liked being able to park and just walk up and down the strip without having to drive.

Gatlinburg and Pigeon are both tourist traps and silly expensive to do things, but it still holds its charm for us. We make it down there at least every 2 years.