OT - Gatlinburg
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Don’t get too excited when you are five miles away or so……. Could be an hour before you actually hit your cabin.
Been there many times. Generally, Pigeon Forge is more for young kids, Gatlinburg is more for older kids/adults. Some really nice hikes in Smoky Mt. National Park, if you’re into that sort of thing. Cades Cove is a really nice (SLOW!!!!!) drive that we’ve found enjoyable as a bit of an off day after some action filled days. Kids fall asleep, wake up, fall back asleep.
Don't leave food outside or in your car. There are bears everywhere.
White water rafting on the Little Pigeon River is a blast. It is very exciting and the white water is legit.
Our favorite thing in Pigeon Forge is Wonderworks! In Gatlinburg, the Ripley's Aquarium is good, if you enjoy that type of thing. If you or others enjoy thrilling things, then I recommend The Mysterious Mansion. It is a bit scary and you won't want to take the kids there (Gatlinburg). Also, many great mini-golf and go-cart areas in P.F. We also enjoy the Flyaway Indoor Skydiving at P.F.
We go every couple of years for a family trip that is not too far away (live in Indiana) and offers many things for different age groups. People have already mentioned the National Park, and there are many, many great trails and trips there.
Enjoy your trip!
Our favorite thing in Pigeon Forge is Wonderworks! In Gatlinburg, the Ripley's Aquarium is good, if you enjoy that type of thing. If you or others enjoy thrilling things, then I recommend The Mysterious Mansion. It is a bit scary and you won't want to take the kids there (Gatlinburg). Also, many great mini-golf and go-cart areas in P.F. We also enjoy the Flyaway Indoor Skydiving at P.F.
We go every couple of years for a family trip that is not too far away (live in Indiana) and offers many things for different age groups. People have already mentioned the National Park, and there are many, many great trails and trips there.
Enjoy your trip!
Yes, it will be slightly better during the day. And cooler at night. If you want cool, you’ll have to go above 5,000 feet. Newfound Gap and Clingmans Dome will both get out there. You might even need a light jacket. If you go up high in elevation for an extended time (i.e. to hike), definitely bring another layer, preferably not cotton.
Cades Cove is closed to vehicles on Wednesdays. But you can walk or bike it.
Played Golf in PF last summer and ate at a good BBQ place downtown, get ready for a s**t load of people..
Just read this, and it has a lot of good info: https://www.tripsavvy.com/best-things-to-do-in-gatlinburg-5188583
There's an aquarium in Gatlinburg worth checking out. Other than that, I'd say take some hikes if you're into that, go to Clingman's Dome (and go up the tower, great view), play some mini-golf with the youngsters, lots of go-karts if the 7 year old is able.
Someone said redneck Disney. I suppose, but I'd say the same of Disney as I do of Gatlinburg: it's great if you don't take yourself too seriously.
Someone said redneck Disney. I suppose, but I'd say the same of Disney as I do of Gatlinburg: it's great if you don't take yourself too seriously.
My nephew's travel baseball team played a tournament there two weeks' ago in Sevier County, and we stayed at a resort in Pigeon Forge. I was amazed about how much there is to do in that area. It's basically like going to the shore, except the mountains replace the ocean.
We saw a Tennessee Smokies' game, went to a few amusement parks, did tubing down a river in Townshend, and actually got to play a few ballgames too. My sister-in-law, niece and nephew went to Gatlinburg one afternoon. We also went to the Island and ate at Paula Dean's restaurant. There are a lot of mini golf courses and mini-racecar tracks in Pigeon Forge, as well as many places that you'd see in Niagara Falls. We easily could've spent a week there.
Abram’s Falls is a lovely hike, flat and easy for kids. Go early in the day.
We stayed at the Margaritaville Island Hotel (not to be confused with the Margaritaville Island Inn--big difference) on the Island in Pigeon Forge. Get place to stay. It is like Myrtle Beach in the mountains. We hiked one day. Spent a day in Gatlinburg. If you have never gone white water rafting, that is a must.
Great place for a family vacation. Ate at Blue Moose Burgers and Wings a couple of times and loved it.
Great place for a family vacation. Ate at Blue Moose Burgers and Wings a couple of times and loved it.
