Trip to Gatlinburg next week...Help!

[minkydog]

I have only been there once, way back in '82BC(before children )DH has decided he is dying to go there NEXT WEEK. I'm overwhelmed with choices and have no idea where to stay or what to do. We'll be taking DD12 and DS10. Can we access the National Park this time of year?

 

[live4christp1]

The park is open year round with only some roads closing if there is bad weather. Don't think they have had any major snow yet this year. We like the Leconte View, stayed there a couple of times. You can visit www.gatlinburg.com for some info. If you haven't been to the new Ripleys aquarium, it is a nice attraction to do, but can take a couple to several hours depending on your children, etc. My DS could spend all day there so it usually takes us about 4 hours or more to go through. Ripley's Believe it or not is good but I don't like the newer one as well as I liked the old one that burned. If your looking for some cheap fun you can ride the trolley up to the Gatlinburg community center where they have indoor pool (huge), bowling lanes, pool tables, ping pong, basketball courts etc. We went up and bowled some one year, I think it was $1.25 a game. Guiness is okay but not great. Don't do the World of Illusions, DH and DS did that when we were there in the fall and DH said lots of the things were broken or not working - waste of money. Definately go to the Donut Friar in The Village, they have wonderful donuts and cinnamon bread. The Stars and Cars museum is good (DH wants to go every time we are there but to me its sort "been there, done that"). There is a neat indoor gold, Treasure Golf or something to that effect, sort of themed like Indiana Jones, its right on the parkway. If your kids like creepy stuff, the Haunted Mansion on River Road is a neat self guided walk through. You have to find your way through it. Christus Gardens is nice but also another "been there, done that" attraction.

We stayed at Gatlinburg Town Square in the fall, it was okay, (it's a timeshare resort, we rented a studio on some website that I don't remember, reservegatlinburg I think). It's a good walk though if you travel in Gatlinburg mainly by foot. If it was warmer I'd say go see "Unto These Hills" over in Cherokee but I'm not sure if they do it this time of year and it is outdoors so it might be too cold. We are only about 2 hours from there so we take a couple of extended weekend trips up a year.

If you have any other questions I'd be happy to help if I can, either post or PM me.

P.S. - Had to add, if you like Italian food, make sure you go to The Best Italian Cafe in Elks Plaza (Elks Plaza is next to the Cherokee Grill) It's a trip tradition for us. http://www.bestitalian.com/

Cristy

 

[minkydog]

Wow, you are a wealth of information! Thank you, thank you! I'm hoping we can ride out to Cade's Cove one of the days. We don't have any set in stone plans, and both my DS and DH have disabilities which tax their stamina, so we'll plan to do some non-strenuous things and rest a lot. The Aquarium sounds like it's right up our alley. DS will love riding the Trolley--we'll have to check out teh community center, for sure. That sounds like something i could do with the kids while DH is napping.

 

[believe]

We are planning our March trip now. Staying in a Chalet in Wears Valley, allows us to avoid Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg if we just want to go into the Smokeys. When we go we mostly hike. Eating we like to go to the Apple Barn in Sevierville (sp?), the back restaurant is family style..so more for your money. We also like the Mill, which is family style, in Pigeon Forge. If you are interested in Waterfalls you should e:mail my DH, shep. He know most of them. We go a couple times a year, always seeing something new. If it isn't too cold and you like to bike, going to Cades Cove in early morning is wonderful. You see so much more when you bike the Cove rather than drive. There is Obergatlinburg which has ice skating this time of year. Most of the outside items are closed, up there. We always get a personalized ornament at the Christmas Place. Can't help you with hotels since we camp a lot or stay in a chalet. The majority of hotels we have stayed at are Best Westerns. There are 2 in Gatlinburg and 2 in Pigeon Forge. The outlets are in Pigeon Forge, so if you want to shop those you should stay there. The more novelty shops are in Gatlinburg. There is Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Froge, this was nice to do once but I don't think I will do it again. You eat dinner while a horse show takes place in center stage. There are several comedy barns and country shows, I haven't been to those.

 

[Wishing on a star]

It all depends on what you are looking for. What is right for your family!

Would you prefer a hotel, condo, or cabin???
I have stayed at a cabin by Fontaine's rentals. it was great. A bit of a drive down to Gatlinburg, but very nice. Located within a nice, gated, golf community. I have stayed at Laurel Crest Resort condominiums in Pigeon Forge. Also very nice. I have stayed at Mainstay Suites n Pigeon Forge. This is mini-suites with a full-sized kitchen. Located on a few acres well off the 'strip' at Pigeon Forge. Not 'plush', but nice.

There are all kinds of things to do. But, to be honest. I do not visit in the winter. I like the Spring and Fall. Swimming in the Hotel pools, creeks, etc...

The aquarium is great!
There are the music dinner shows. With kids, The Black Bear Jamboree has really gone big-time, and is getting good reviews. There is Dolly Partons Dixie Stampede. (You should call now for reservations.....)
You should be able to go anywhere in the Park, unless bad icy/snowy conditions close 441 going over Newfound Gap.
I like to visit Cades Cove as well!

Just PM me if you would like any more info.

 

[live4christp1]

We love to get on the trolleys and just ride around town. They do take some back roads and go to some areas that you wouldn't generally know about. When DS was small and we would be walking around town, if he got tired and ready for a nap we'd just hop on the trolley and ride while he slept. It's $0.25 per person and you can stay on as long as you'd like. On the website I noticed they are having a Holiday Lights trolly ride (their lights stay up until February) but it doesn't mention the cost for this.

We have never been up to Ober Gatlinburg, the ski area, they also have ice skating but have heard some recent reports that it was pretty run down. If it cold enough when you drive up the mountain you may see ice in the trees. We drove over one year (they keep the roads pretty clear) and the top of the mountain was beautiful, trees were just full of ice. On the other side of the mountain there is the Sugarland visitors center. It's really neat, has an old farm house, barn, etc.

http://www.stokelyhospitality.com/ The Apple Barn is another favorite place to eat. We haven't eaten at the new location in Gatlinburg but at the one in Pigeon Forge, from what I understand they are very much the same. I think our dinner was $8.95 for adults but included your entree, lots of different vegetables, apple julep, apple fritters, apple butter, bread, drink and dessert. We couldn't hold dessert so she put it in to-go boxes for us.

Have fun and enjoy your visit! We love Gatlinburg!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, the Apple Barn is a nice place to eat.

We never have eaten at the Old Mill. It is not quite the tourist-destination that the Apple Barn is. It is right on the 'strip' in Pigeon Forge.

 

[minkydog]

It all depends on what you are looking for. What is right for your family!


The aquarium is great!
There are the music dinner shows. With kids, The Black Bear Jamboree has really gone big-time, and is getting good reviews. There is Dolly Partons Dixie Stampede. (You should call now for reservations.....)
You should be able to go anywhere in the Park, unless bad icy/snowy conditions close 441 going over Newfound Gap.
I like to visit Cades Cove as well!

Just PM me if you would like any more info.

I think we will be staying in a hotel in Gatlinburg on the Trolley line, so I can have access to transportation while DH is resting(he has heart problems.) I think Dixie Stampede is closed for the season. What is Black Bear jamboree? Is it like Hoop Dee Doo or something? We'd probably like that.

 

[Tiffann4k]

Have fun! DH and I got married in Gatlinburg. If any of you have ever been to ober Gatlinburg you know how far up that is....my parents have a condo that looks DOWN over ober gatlinburg, needless to say I HATE that drive up to their condo..lol

Anyhow we have been to the Old Mill, that is where we had our wedding dinner.
As many times as I have been to Gatlinburg/PF I dont remember the apple barn

Ober gatlinburg is a waste of money, it use to be fun to go up there, now its not worth the drive or the parking fee

Sugarlands is neat.

Cades cove is spectacular if you can get up there early enough...we were able to get out of our cars at the old church and were able to stand about 4 feet away from some does, it was awesome!

Going to Cherokee is neat as well.

 

[Wishing on a star]

try blackbearjamboree.com...

As you can see by my posts, we try to avoid staying right on the strip.
I think there is a very nice Clarion right directly on the Parkway in Gatlinburg.

The MainStay Suites Pigeon Forge is on the trolley route. But it sounds like you want to be in Gatlinburg.

Happy planning!

 

[Tiffann4k]

Dixie stampede is not closed for the season, you may be thinking of Dollywood which is closed January- until the end of March

 

[Wishing on a star]

Okay,

I just checked the site for Dixie Stampede. It is indeed closed for the first week of January. Probably to make the switchover from the Christmas show, back to the regular show.

It reopens on weekends starting the 2nd weekend in January.

And, I just thought of a good Hotel that you may want to consider.
We have also stayed at the Music Road Hotel in Pigeon Forge.
It is on the Trolley route.
It has a big lobby with a HUGE stone fireplace to enjoy.

 

[Wishing on a star]

PS: For that Clarion in Gatlinburg,

try clariongatlinburg.com

 

[Rozzie]

We have stayed in Mountain Laurel Chalets. On our honeymoon (8 yrs ago) there was one called Southern Accents, it was awesome, hot tub on porch, with the most incredible view. Very reasonable priced, don't know about now. We would go to Cades Cove and take a picnic lunch. Then again, that was always spring. If it is cold enough, they should have the ski lift open at Ober Gatlingburg for some skiing. (Don't they have a snow machine up there?)

 

[Syrreal]

we actually just came back from a trip there five days ago.
the park was open as there had been no snow that day. Newfound gap had about 10" of snow that had not melted from a few days before. Lots of fun.
The weather was beautiful then too.

we usually rent a cabin with timber tops (www.smokymtncabins.com)
they have a lot of choices and we've been using them for years.

Hope that helped some

 

[merryg]

Just to let you know. If you are planning on arriving this weekend, you may have problems with finding any room. Gatlinburg has their annual "1st Parade of the New Year" It is always wall to wall people. Last year the closest room available was in Sevierville.

We live about 30 miles from Gatlinburg. When we want to just get away from the house, we stay at the Glen Stone Lodge. It is walking distance to most anything you want to do in Gatlinburg, plus the kids will love the indoor pool. There are several great restaurants within walking distance. Seafood, steak, Italian (all you can eat spaghetti)

Good luck and have a great time in East Tennessee!!

merryg

 

[live4christp1]

www.greystonelodgetn.com

We have never stayed here but it is right next to the Ripley Aquarium, is on the main parkway and trolley route. Free breakfast. Rates drop to $45 a night on January 2nd. No indoor pool though.

Leconte View Motor Lodge has an indoor pool, is on the main trolley route but no website.

www.sidneyjames.com

Have never stayed here either but have always loved their pool picture in their brochure.

We have stayed at Days Inn Suites (just okay) and it is at the very end of the parkway.

We have stayed at the Holiday Inn Sunspree - it was okay - overpriced. They do have an indoor pool and a pizza hut. It is a bit up Airport Road, not right on the parkway.

 

[kimber79]

We just visited Gatlinburg in late November! We stayed at Gatlinburg Falls which are 2 bedroom to 9 bedroom rental homes for exceptional rates!! These are absolutely gorgeous! Here is a picture of the five bedroom house my family stayed in:

A view from one of the balconies:

A couple pictures of the scenery on the drive up to Cade's Cove:

It was very cold and rainy when we were there. It also snowed. We couldn't drive up 441 because they had it closed due to the snow. We did shop under umbrella's and made the most out of it for the time we were there! It is an absolutely beautiful area.....have fun!

 

[Tiffann4k]

Okay,

I just checked the site for Dixie Stampede. It is indeed closed for the first week of January. Probably to make the switchover from the Christmas show, back to the regular show.

.

Silly me I didnt even think to look at those dates...whoopsie

 

[Wishing on a star]

Here is a link to the Music Road Hotel, the one with the huge stacked stone fireplace blazing in the Lobby...

www.musicroadhotel.com