We’re going to Tennesse in a couple of weeks with the extended family on vacation, and I would like to know if there’s anything we MUST do. I think a sky-lift ride would be fun, and of course, no trip to Gatlinburg would be complete without a stop at the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum.
Anything else? Any good places to eat? Anything to avoid like the plague?
I seem to recall that Dollywood is in that area. Since I’ve never vistied, though, I can’t attest to its entertainment value.
Dollywood is in that area, in Pigeon Forge. It’s a good place for kids, quite a few rides, a whole lot of activities (seeing different animals, etc…).
The Comedy Barn and the Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show are also popular places. I’ve been to the Dixie Stampede, it is interesting to see at least once.
Also popular is the ski resort in Gatlinburg called Ober Gatlinburg. They have several kid friendly rides up there, including the luge and an ice skating rink. You can drive or you can ride a lift that carries something like 50 people in the air up there, great way to look over Gatlinburg. You can get it on right in downtown Gatlinburg.
You can get on it in downtown gatlinburg. :smack:
I’m told that Smoky Mountain Knife Works has the world’s largest knife store in Pigeon Forge. I’ve never been there.
I’ll be in Gatlinburg myself with my folks in a couple of weeks, and I can think of several things (these are, I must add, personally enjoyable, so you may find them uninteresting).
The Great Smoky Friggin’ Mts: The Andrew’s Bald trail will be on the top of our list of hikes. The azaleas on the bald should (crossing fingers) be in full bloom. They’re absolutely gorgeous. The Cades Cove Loop will be very, very crowded this time of year. But it’s a beautiful drive and has several good waterfall trails to boot (Abrams Falls, Laurel Falls, Ramsey Cascades and Alum Cave are all wonderful). Here and here are some good sites to look at. If you get there with no clue, make absolutely sure you go to the Sugarlands information center and have a talk with a ranger or other park worker. They’ll help you out if it ain’t too crowded.
Smokey Mountain Brewery: Now, I and mine are fond of beer. Tasty, lovely micro-beer. If you’ve never been to a Calhoun’s, now’s your chance. Calhoun’s is near the end of the strip in Gatlinburg going towards the park entrance. Behind it are some very cool little shops (Earth to Old City, etc.) and the Brewery. It’s a nice little sandwich place, but beware of oompah bands. I’m not joking. I recommend eating at the local places rather than the T.G.I. Friday’s.
Jim Gray Galleries: They’re interspersed throughout the area, but there is one at the beginning of the main drag in Gatlinburg. Gray is a local artist who features other local craftspeople’s works in his galleries. His watercolors are absolutely fantastic. You may be tempted to bring one home. We own several.
4)Pigeon Forge: Beware, beware Pigeon Forge. The traffic, she is not so good. Pigeon Forge is a big time tourist trap, but it can be entertaining. I don’t spend much time there (except in traffic), but I’ve been to Dollywood. If you’re from Orlando then you know all about fancy-shmancy theme parks. Dollywood only if you’re desparate.
Hope that helps some.
I haven’t visited either but I’ve seen the park profiled on the Travel Channel. Dollywood started out as a run-of-the-mill theme park, took off when Dolly bought it, and now it’s sort of a backwoods version of Busch Gardens. The most interesting part is probably the workshops where visitors are invited to take part in blacksmithing or glass blowing or whatever. The majority of the park staff is related to Dolly in one way or another.
The Ripley’s Aquarium is pretty cool, although pricey ($18 for an adult). The most impressive part is a moving walkway that carries you through “the world’s largest” underwater aquarium tunnel.
I second the Ripley’s Aquarium suggestion. It’s awesome.
Our two favorite places to eat in that general area are The Old Mill and The Apple Barn. Both places have great food at reasonable prices along with interesting things to see and places to shop. (I love the pottery made at The Old Mill!) Be sure you try the apple fritters at The Apple Barn. They’re super. The coffee there is great, too. Mmmmm. I wish I had some now!
I can highly recommend the Sweet Fanny Adams Theater. First time I went to a show there, I got pulled on the stage - it was a hoot! It’s been years, but both times I went, I laughed myself silly - an evening of good clean fun! Dunno how hard it is to get tickets, tho - when my inlaws lived in that area, they always made the reservations.
It is Maxwell’s. Great restauant! They also have a massive tank at the front entrance that contains a very large, old fish. He’s cool.
There’s another restaurant called the Open Hearth. I don’t know how the food is – they didn’t have a liquor license the time we tried to eat there – but the interior is well-kept '60s kitsch. It’s worth going in for a look anyway.
I liked Dollywood. At one time, they had one of the world’s fastest wooden merry-go-rounds. My mom almost got sick. I really liked the park; they had a nice variety of rides, games, and events.
Good job getting a cabin; I was going to tell you to avoid Family Inns of America in Gatlinburg. You would be better off spending the night in your car, trust me. I can post pictures of the room my family and I stayed in, if you want to see them.
Oh, this should be interesting!
Ivylad wants to go to the Indian reservation and take a horseback ride through the mountains. The more I think about it, the more I want to go to the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum. It’s one of those things that’s just so stupid you have to go see it. I’m kind of iffy on going to Dollywood, since I’ve done the theme parks here in Orlando(ish), but if they have hands on crafts that might be fun.
When you visit Pigeon Forge, ask a cop for directions to the foundry they make the pigeons in. The cops love that joke. 
Seriously, I’d recommend Chattanooga’s attractions over Pigeon Forge’s any day.
Ruby Falls Cavern & the State Aquarium by themselves outclass the whole of Pigeon Forge.
Have fun in traffic. It can get quite crowded. Both towns are tourist traps.
There’s a place in the mountains that I used to love going to. It was a popular little picnic area. It had a stream going through it (I believe the beginning of the Little Pigeon River) with huge rocks that everyone would climb on. It also had hiking trails. It is located straight ahead instead of following the curve of the road if that makes any sense.
Oh YEEESSS! If you like micro brewed beer, you have to stop here. The wife and I punctuate all of our days in Gatlinburg with meals at this place. If you get to go there when they are brewing the season ‘winter warmer’ it will be an experience you’ll never forget. I love that place.
And after you sober up, take a drive over to Cade’s Cove, it is simply beautiful and just crawling with whitetail deer that will nearly come up to the car.
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/gsmsite/cadescove.html
Like others have said the aquarium is really nice too.
Did I mention SMOKEY MOUNTAIN BREWERY!
-rainy
You know, I was really looking forward to having a sandwich and a beer at the S.M. Brewery, but I just found out I have to shoot a wedding that weekend.
Some other time, I suppose. I was anxious to see those azaleas, too. I hope the Ivyclan has a fun time.
I was practically raised in Cherokee, NC. It’s not the same place since they put in the casino, but it’s still beautiful. I highly recommend making the drive over the mountain for a day trip.
Ok, it’s not exactly Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge but it’s in the vicinity and it’s awesome. Raft the Ocoee river, plenty of companies do it and they’re all online… it’s hugely fun.