Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg Father's Day Trip

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

OP, have you been there before? Just a FYI, your hotel is not in the middle of the action. That is great for noise and such but you are going to drive yourself to death in very heavy traffic. So you might want to plan your outings one day, then stay all day in their cool waterpark the next.

Yes we have been there several times. Actually my husband and I were married in Gatlinburg back in '99. We just haven't been in almost 7 years. I know our resort is not in the action and it's a further drive but we figured the kids liked the waterparks at the resort so we would try it, plus it was nice and cheap.

Thanks soo much for all of the information given. Keep the ideas coming!!

 

[swilshire]

Seriously???!!?? Y'all like that place? I'm from the South and I find Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg offensive. I promise you, most people in the South do not spell the word "Kuntry." We don't wear cut off jeans cut at the ankle, nor do we wear straw hats and chew long pieces of grass. We eat more than pancakes. It has all the worst stereotypes of country folks.

If you love traffic and air pollution (Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most polluted national park, look it up) then yeah, it's great. The place is just terrible, a disgrace. It is worse than Daytona Beach, just not as dangerous.

I live about an hour from there and while I'm not a big fan of most of the touristy stuff, we do get season passes for Dollywood most years, eat at the Apple Barn (and buy apple fried pies and donuts to bring home) and hit the outlet malls from time to time. There's a Disney Outlet in Five Oaks mentioned above.

Some folks love the stuff that I avoid or they wouldn't still be in business. We did go to the Comedy Barn once when we got free tickets and enjoyed it pretty much. Dixie Stampede is another place I would go back to if I found a good discount.

Take a look at a map and avoid the Parkway through Pigeon Forge. You can take Veterans Pkwy from Sevierville and cut over to the places you want to be. Much less traffic.

Sheila

 

[LilyWDW]

I live about an hour from there and while I'm not a big fan of most of the touristy stuff, we do get season passes for Dollywood most years, eat at the Apple Barn (and buy apple fried pies and donuts to bring home) and hit the outlet malls from time to time. There's a Disney Outlet in Five Oaks mentioned above.

Some folks love the stuff that I avoid or they wouldn't still be in business. We did go to the Comedy Barn once when we got free tickets and enjoyed it pretty much. Dixie Stampede is another place I would go back to if I found a good discount.

Take a look at a map and avoid the Parkway through Pigeon Forge. You can take Veterans Pkwy from Sevierville and cut over to the places you want to be. Much less traffic.

Sheila

I live about an hour and a half from Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. We are like you in that we usually only head in to go to the outlet mall and the Apple Barn (actually, we are going in a couple of weeks). You HAVE to get some donuts from the Apple Barn... OMG goooooooooood!

At the outlets, we usually eat at the Chop House. While it is not one of a kind, it is very good and wonderful service. It makes a great break from all that shopping.

 

[neatokimmo]

OH and there is a good Asian place as you go into the area. You'll make that big curve to the right and you'll see TJ Maxx and a freestanding Belks on your right. Look right across the road and you'll see it. It's like $10 and they have several kinds of pretty good sushi with seaweed salad, a hot stir fry bar that tastes just like our Japanese here and several different types of Chinese. Salad bar too.

 

[maidenfairy]

We live close to PF. We like to go up to sevierville and stay at Wilderness at the Smokies. Indoor outdoor watermark hotel. We eat at the diner down the street, and the Chinese Acrobat show down the road is fun too. You can find deals to things at 2for1coupon.com or half off depot. Apple barn is yummy. And if your kids are dragon and fantasy fans MagiQuest is lots of fun.

 

[pperfectmom]

We normally stick with the outdoorsy kind of stuff when we go. I can't stand the whole touristy, fake "kuntry" crap either. There are a lot of tubing/rafting places about and some of the most beautiful hikes you will find in the National Park. Even if hiking isn't your thing, I would recommend driving into the park and walking up to Clingman's Dome. It isn't a long trail, but kind of steep and you will get incredible views of the park. Also, the one place we always eat is Smokey Mt. Brewery. They make their beer there and it's fairly decent(this from a huge beer snob). The pizzas are super but the best thing on the menu that we always order is the fresh pretzels with hot beer cheese dip. OMG, that's good stuff. It is worth a stop for a beer and those yummy pretzels even if you don't want a whole meal.

 

[MoonFaerie]

Seriously???!!?? Y'all like that place? I'm from the South and I find Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg offensive. I promise you, most people in the South do not spell the word "Kuntry." We don't wear cut off jeans cut at the ankle, nor do we wear straw hats and chew long pieces of grass. We eat more than pancakes. It has all the worst stereotypes of country folks.

If you love traffic and air pollution (Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most polluted national park, look it up) then yeah, it's great. The place is just terrible, a disgrace. It is worse than Daytona Beach, just not as dangerous.

Well the traffic does piss me off. A lot. (Sorry people that like to visit here, but having to leave 1.5 before a dentist appt 10 miles away sucks hardcore.) It's not all terrible though. There are plenty more eating options than pancake houses. Nor is everything stereotypically country. Yes, some of it is, but there's plenty to do that's not. While the park may have bad air quality, it's still very beautiful. I'm sorry my hometown disgusts you so. If you don't like it, then just stay home. One less car I have to get around.

 

[MRNsMommy]

My DH, kids and I all love Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg! I've been going every years since I was probably five and have continued that with my DH and now DH and kids.
DH's favorite thing to do is Cade's Cove. We have been during every season, but our favorite time of the year to go is actually in December. No crowds and LOTS of deer to look at in Cade's Cove.
We also usually drive into Cherokee, NC, one day during our trip...just a nice drive through the park. And, of course, there is all the touristy things in PF, but we only really go into PF for the outlet malls and the food.
Our must eats are The Old Mill and Apple Barn in PF (for bf, lunch and dinner...all are good), The Peddler in Gatlinburg for dinner, and Pancake Pantry or Log Cabin for breakfast in Gatlinburg.
Kids always like Dixie Stampede, too, for dinner and show.
Hope y'all have a great time!

 

[LilyWDW]

Well the traffic does piss me off. A lot. (Sorry people that like to visit here, but having to leave 1.5 before a dentist appt 10 miles away sucks hardcore.) It's not all terrible though. There are plenty more eating options than pancake houses. Nor is everything stereotypically country. Yes, some of it is, but there's plenty to do that's not. While the park may have bad air quality, it's still very beautiful. I'm sorry my hometown disgusts you so. If you don't like it, then just stay home. One less car I have to get around.

I do agree with you about the traffic, especially when there is a special event going on (like the car shows). That is why we always come down in the morning during the week. Usually we have good luck with the traffic that way... but I could never live there. I would end up killing someone in that traffic. People drive like idiots!

While some is stereotypical "country", there are hidden gems mixed in.