I'm thinking about going to Pigeon Forge, TN next spring. What Would GRMers recommend that I see/do while in that area?
I'm thinking about going to Pigeon Forge, TN next spring. What Would GRMers recommend that I see/do while in that area?
I've always avoided it but from what I've heard from people that did go, the big attraction is agonizing traffic...
..not a big selling point. 
My kids had a great time at the karting place, otherwise... it is a giant shopping center t be avoided at all costs.
We stayed at the top of Gatlinburg and hiked the mountains by day and poked around town in the evening. Gatlinburg is pretty nice - lots of decent eats/drinks, a cable car to the top of the mountain and a bunch of carnival stuff (also to be avoided) down lower on the hill. It reminds me a little of the Canada side of Niagra Falls in the 70s.
Get your hillbilly on, and just play. Dollyworld, Titanic museum, Zorb, Flyaway, Wonderworks, etc.
A trip through The Great Smokie Mountains Nat. Park is an activity in the area that I've never tired of. Take time for a stretch or two on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visit Cades Cove. More money than you know what to do with? Go to Cherokee and leave the casinos some of it. With kids of course, you'll want to do a couple of days in Dollywood. Not my thing at all but one night might not be so bad.
I'm planning on this in April:
It is going to be based in Cherokee, NC April 18-21. Should be more fun than Dollywood.
Went to that area about a year ago. Pigeon Forge reminded me a lot of Kissimmee, Florida. 6 lanes of traffic, annoying to get around, and miles and miles of touristy schtick stores. If you have kids there is probably a lot of stuff that may interest them but I couldnt stand the crowds and congestion.
Gatlinburg was touristy too, but its small enough that you can just park the car and walk around, plenty of stuff to check out there. Pigeon Forge it seems you probably have to drive to get anywhere.
You are going to be so close you should go into the national park, drive up and then take the additional 1 mile hike up to Clingmans Dome. Really awesome view from the overlook tower. Watch your speed limit in the park. Just mostly adhere to it and enjoy the scenery. I got a speeding ticket coasting down from clingmans dome early in the morning.
Deals Gap is relatively close by, we went to the Fontana Dam visitors center and actually I found that all to be very interesting, we spent at least an hour there learning about the history of the area.
We did notice on the way out of Pigeon Forge there is a Mellow Mushroom pizza....they have good eats so maybe you should hit it up for some dinner one night?
Here are a few pics from our trip. We camped in the state park at Cades Cove campground. We got engaged to the sunrise in the first pic.
she surprised me with a helicopter tour on the way out of town. kind of pricey but what a view of the area.
Parking lot at Clingmans dome
Chilhowee Lake, right before we spent a day driving Deals Gap and the Cherahola Skyway
Pigeon Forge. Lol
Floyd Garrett's musclecar museum is in Sevierville, just a few miles from Pigeon Forge: http://musclecarmuseum.com/
Check out Floyd Garret's muscle car museum in Sevierville; it's just a few miles up the road.
http://musclecarmuseum.com/
Ummm, like Stuart just suggested.
x3 on Floyd's, he's a great guy to talk with too:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=564445E314EC579E
There used to be a police museum that featured Buford Pusser artifacts in Pigeon Forge. Now you have to travel across the state to get your Buford Pusser stuff......
http://www.bufordpussermuseum.com/
Do Gatlinburg, Dollywood for the shows and coasters,13 kart tracks, and take in the show at the Mandrell Theatre (if it's still open). Any time spent in the Smokies is gravy,too.
Smoky Mountain Knife Works is a must stop.
Stay as far away from Gatlinburg as you can, it was bad in the late 80's early 90's when my folks took me there, but the last time I was there in 02 it was so bad it was like a dirty version of Disney, and not in a good way. But there are tons of great things to do in the surrounding areas. Whitewater rafting, parks with beautiful waterfalls and views. Gold panning and gem hunting. Deals Gap and surrounding roads. A drive through the national park on 441 is a must too with plenty of time to stop at some of the pull offs.
Graefin10 wrote: A trip through The Great Smokie Mountains Nat. Park is an activity in the area that I've never tired of.
This. The rest of it sucks.
Flea Market off Sevierville exit? Ez off Ez on. The rest was a tourist wasteland inhabitided by zombie RV's.
Flea Market off Sevierville exit? Ez off Ez on. The rest was a tourist wasteland inhabitided by zombie RV's.
I'm headed there this weekend, so I'll report what's good.
Hang yourself? Cut your wrists? Christ, what a E36 M3 hole.
As a local I agree with what has been said here. So instead come help me tune the BMW and then we can run up to the dragon and the skyway.
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