So, we’re taking a trip to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge the first week of June. Two adults, no children (yay!), staying in a cabin in Pigeon Forge for four days. We’re already planning on visiting the Ripley’s Aquarium, Smoky Mountain National Park, and some wineries. I’m looking for some other suggestions! I’ve visited the tourism websites and I know there is a ton to do, but I’d like the Dope’s input.
We’re in our 30’s and 40’s, respectively, love music, culture and food. And alcohol.
I’ve never been but at the end of HS I had a 3 week stint as a telemarketer selling timeshare for Gatlinburg. Our schpiel was to sell hard on Dollywood (park, water park, and dixie stampede), Smokey Mountains, Elvis museum, Nascar, and a car museum complete with the General Lee.
I also remember something about indoor skydiving being big and a popular place to renew vows…
Cade’s Cove is a really good place to go for "the mountain experience"and would be close.
There are a handful of excellent seasonal theaters in the Gatlinburg area; see what shows they are performing and have a night out at the theatre.
I Like Pie is a renowned exaggerator of facts. I am in my thirties, she is in her forties.
Lies.
Has anyone been to the Forbidden Caverns?
I wanted to go, but they were, you know…
mmm
I’ve been in your forbidden cavern.
snerk
Honestly Dopers, we are actually looking for real advice here. We have a limited amount of time and money to spend and neither of us has ever been there (shut your whore mouth!) and we welcome advice. This will be our first “adult” vacation since…well, ever. We just need to get away for awhile, have the opportunity to do so and want to maximize our time away. Please ignore ILikePie’s nonsensical posts and concentrate on my logical, manly approach if you will.
Actually, I’ve been there a few times, just not as an adult. I went a couple times on school trips and once with a friend and her family. We basically kept to the parkway those times so I’m looking forward to exploring the area more.
Are y’all going to do any hiking? I mean, that’s my main reason for going to Gatlinburg: it’s right close to the AT.
I always thought that Gatlinburg was better in mid-July, especially if your throat is dry. You can’t beat just having a drink at the some of the well-known watering holes, and perhaps running into people from your past. Who knows? It could even change your life!
We’ll be visiting the national park and hitting some trails. I don’t know if that really counts as hiking though.
Cades Cove is nice but can get very busy in June. Actually, the whole area can be a driving mess around then. Really prepare for some traffic. The best way to see the cove is to get there early on a Wednesday or Saturday and rent bikes. On those days the loop is closed to cars until 10:00 am.
Chimney Tops is a popular hike that pays off with a tremendous view. It’s a bit strenuous, but worth it, and close to the AT.
Take a drive across the foothills parkway and head down the infamous 129 (Tail of the Dragon). Lots of bikes (the motor kind) and over 400 curves in 11 miles. Stop at Look Rock on the way for some gorgeous views.
Tuckaleechee Caverns near Townsend is kind of neat cave tour to take.
You can tube down the Little River if it’s hot.
Knoxville is just down the road, so check out what events are taking place there (hell, I’ll meet you for a beer). Lots of good restaurants and bars there.
I don’t know the restaurant/bar scene too well, but I do know there’s an Indian place people seem to like. They have a Hard Rock if you’re into that. Check out Calhoun’s (a local restaurant chain) for some decent food and beer (they brew their own).
The bad stuff:
The area can be beautiful with gorgeous views and very close to extreme nature, but it also can be tacky as all get out. Laser tag, go cart tracks, Jesus themed dinner theater, Lumberjack Feud dinner theater, Hatfield and McCoys dinner theater (even though that took place a couple hundred miles away…mountains is mountains I guess). Traffic! Gatlinburg has a reputation for ticketing people for public intoxication, so be aware when out drinking. Pigeon Forge was a dry county until this year, so I’m not sure what the status of drinking there is. I’m not trying to be a downer, just letting you know what to expect. You’ll have a blast, but it’s not all pristine wilderness!
I actually grew up (off and on) in NE Tennesse, Holla Johnson City and Kingsport peeps! I’m looking forward to just being back in the mountains and seeing the sights. Apart from a few Ripley’s attractions, I want to go to the aquarium, the bf wants to see the other places too, I think we’re going to try to stay away from the parkway/tackiness. And no, we’re not going to Dollywood 
I’d prefer to stay away from anything religion themed, also.
Ahaaa, I see what you did there…
Doing some research, I think they ended the Jesus dinner theater, so you’re safe. Lumberjack Feud, on the other hand, is going strong and sounds so bad, it could be good (I don’t think you can drink at it, so what’s the point).
Have fun! Watch out for bears and angry guys named Sue.
Holla!! Gay days are in June, not sure what time this year but Dollywood’s gay friendly year round, so it’s not quite so stuffy as it was when we were kids. Springfest will be in full swing, so you may have to navigate around craft tables and church-y exhibits and fund raisers all over the region.
Been there a few times, and a trip to the Smokey Mountains is a must do. Stay away from the main areas to hike - our two best experiences are when we’re pulled over into a lookout on the lower side, and wandered down to the river/creek. Just beautiful and peaceful, and you can walk right out onto the rocks and watch all the little rapids and rock formations and things. We’re not hikers at all, so this was just the kind of thing we were looking for, and since it’s not a main area, it was pretty quiet and peaceful.
Make an evening for strolling down the main strip in Gatlinberg. if you like games at all, make sure you visit Fanny Farkel’s, the best redemption arcade I’ve ever been too (and I’ve been to a lot). Even with no kids, it’s super fun.
Also - go to the RainForest Adventures zoo in Seiverville. Really cool outdoor-style zoo, with a great staff. I got to hold a baby kangaroo one time when we went there.
What’s a redemption arcade?
Where you win tickets and get stuff for them. Most of them are lame, but Fanny Farkle’s has lots of great old school games and even a full line of video poker, where you win tickets instead of money. Lots of fun, not so much neon and flashing lights and DDR games.