Please tell me everything you know about Gatlinburg!!!!!!

[Mimi Q]

We go with my DH's family to celebrate New Year's. My DD likes to play putt putt, go to Dollywood, Dixie Stampede, and ice skate at Ober Gatlinburg. It is always a very enjoyable trip.

 

[BarryHom]

If you go to Dollywood, you must ride Thunderhead. I got off it and said, "Holy cow, it's fast!" I think it's the best wooden coaster I've ever ridden.

 

[disneyfan551]

FYI... re: the Open Hearth restaurant... It used to be "the" place to go, and had great food. Let me warn you, it has gone downhill terribly! We last ate there on Valentine's Day when my dh surprised me with a vow renewal, and the food and the service was horrid. We will not return, even with the restaurant.com certificates that I have!

re: the Biltmore House... It is an hour from Cherokee, NC (so, almost 2 hrs. from Gatlinburg, depending on the traffic). It is a fabulous attraction, but I wouldn't suggest it for young kids.

Don't forget Harrah's Cherokee Casino! Take the kids to their childcare facility and go win some Disney money!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

This past spring we stayed in a friend's cabin in Maggie Valley, NC and went into Gatlinburg one day. It was nice. But my most favorite part of the trip was the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I could have spent the week there exploring everything. We have many beautiful pictures. And we hiked on the Appalachian Trail. What a wonderful place.

We also visited the Biltmore Estate. What a beautiful house and grounds. The winery is great, too.

 

[crazelion]

Gatlinburg is a beauitful place to go. But I like Pigieon Forge better. Dollywood is a great amusement park go to. Splash Country USA is Fun. All the outlet mall is nice to.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

If you're going to Gatlinburg, you'd better like "country" because that is the overriding theme both there and Pigeon Forge. I like to shop, so I can get over my "country" dislike while I outlet shop, but if that's not your cup of tea, you might just want to stay in the Great Smokey Mountain Nat'l Park. Cades Cove is a great drive, and if you ride bicycles, a great ride. I've been to PF a few times, jumping off I75 on my way home from Michigan just to outlet shop. We went to Gatlinburg once, and I will never go back..

The Biltomore Estate is quite amazing. It is in Asheville, about 2 hours (I think) from Pigeon Forge.

There is a restaurant right at the entrance of the GSMNP that has the best "family style" all you can eat breakfast I've ever had. I can't remember the name of it..anyone??

Browneyes, I don't have to worry about shooting DH regarding a visit to Gatlinburg, he dislikes it more than I do...

 

[mckeonfive]

We also got married in Gatlinburg. The little mountain wedding chapel.

We go back every chance we get and now take our kids.

You got a lot of good suggestions for things to do. I also love the Apple Barn and the Old Mill Resteraunts.

Something we always seem to do is Hillbilly Golf. It's a little corny but fun. The kids love it.
We loved loved Cades Cove. The drive around is beautiful.

You'll have a great time in Gatlinburg/ Pigeon Forge area.

 

[jbthi]

The restaurant near the park entrance is probably the Burning Bush. Only its not the Burning Bush anymore.

Earlier this year it changed to Applewood Farms, like the one between Pigeon Forge and Seveirville.

It's still good but I miss the lazy susan of fruit and muffins and the juice drink the Burning Bush had.

 

[Littlehero'smommy]

We were just in that area yesterday taking DS to Dollywood and will be going to Gatlinburg next weekend for a karate tournament. You have been provided with a lot of good info. Just wanted to add that at Dollywood right now, if you come after 3:00 the next day is free. A lot of the hotels offer discount passes also. Check their website to see if you think it might be something your family would enjoy. We love going to the Tanger Outlets in PF also. Gatlinburg has added some really nice family oriented hotels and new miniature golf and indoor attractions, etc. You can't go wrong. A family just being together can have a wonderful time regardless of the crowded sidewalks and traffic. Hope you have a great time.

 

[Jockaroo]

Wow, you folks are making me homesick! I grew up in East Tenn and I love the Sevierville area. But a word of caution. The traffic can make you want to pull your hair out and say words that you won't want your children to hear! And it is hit or miss--one day great, another a parking lot.

That said--

My favs. The Old Mill Restaurant in Pigeon Forge. It is great. There are many crafts stores within walking distance of the restaurant. I've seen many talented artisans here--glass, pottery, painting, etc. It is worth looking around if you like unique and quirky art--and it is not all hill-billy-esque garbage that as a native I find utterly offensive. There is a store with lots of doggie items that I also like--it is next to the Tennessee Cat House! There is also a huge Christmas store that looks like a small Bavarian villiage (think Germany's Epcot). It is wonderful. Gatlinburg has some very good homemade candy stores and it's worth sampling these treats. I enjoyed the aquarium, but remember thinking it was quite pricey when I went. Ripley's is cool, but might be a little too creepy for little kids.

I haven't visited for a couple of years, but can highly recommend the cabin rentals. Hubby and I do this now and it is a wonderful experience.

 

[MelessaG]

Originally posted by teachingmyown
Send it this way. We don't mind staying in timeshare resorts...do it all the time. The best ones in Gatlinburg, INMO, are Tree Tops and Town Square. It wouldn't happen to be for one of them, would it?

It's for a Westgate Resort. I've looked around on the Internet and heard they are the worst about hard-selling their time shares. I'm extremely sensitive and always worried about hurting others' feelings, so I know spending 90 minutes saying "no" over and over to someone well-trained not to take that for an answer wouldn't make much of a vacation for me. Still, I would love to go...DH's grandparents live in Johnson City and I really want them to see the new baby.

 

[austinsmommy]

Thanks to everyone for all of the awesome help and suggestions!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure we will have a great time thanks to all of you!!!!!!!!