Gatlinburg vacation

[lmeyer]

I'm planning a family trip to the gatlinburg area around the end of July. He already have a cabin booked that isin Wears valley. I know my siblings will get caught in the tourist traps of town, but I'm trying to head that off with planning more outdoors activities before I get stuck at Dollywood for 4 days.
It will be 8 adults and 12 kids ranging from 8 months to 11 years old. Also, my dad will be coming off of knee replacement surgery a few months prior, so I'm nut sure what level of activity he will be able to do.
Looking for suggestions that will be family friendly for all. I imagine that the group may split for a day or 2 where we would leave the littles and go on some more difficult outings.
So give me your best suggestions for hikes, waterfalls, fishing, canoe/rafting, places to see wildlife, etc.
Since I'm sure that I'll get dragged into town a couple of days , I'll take suggestions on restaurants and town activities as well.
Thanks!

 

[Pharmseller]

Go in mid-July.

There’s sure to be a bar fight.




P

 

[dr.mooseknuckles]

Smokey Mountain National Park obviously
Ride around Cades Cove, check out the Cantilever barn

 

[Luked]

Been there a few times
Cades Cove is a pretty good one but get there early as the traffic gets bad.
the best fishing in the park is at Abrams Creek which you have to go through Cades Cove to get to.

Clingmans Dome is a pretty good one. Decent walk about a half mile up. Highest point in the state.

Gatlinburg as a Town is a giant Tourist trap.

The Nature center right outside of Gatlinburg is pretty good.
The drive to NC side is worth it on 441. When you get to Newfound Gap its a hell of a view and there is a little trail off the parking lot that has some things to do for the kids.

The NC side has quite a few Elk that roam around Cherokee...Good fishing there also.

 

[TNHunter18]

Definitely touristy but a couple of things we always do is make sure to eat at the Local Goat and go to the Smoky Mountain Knife Works.

 

[hiker270]

Lots of hiking in the park. The popular ones are super crowded. The only tourist thing I really enjoyed was the Dolly Parton Dinner Stampede.

 

[maxx075]

If you decide to do something adventurous and need to replace your calories; Pancake Pantry has the best french toast and pancakes I've ever eaten.

 

[Southernfried]

If your coming to TN in July, dress lightly. Ive seen people literally faint from the heat and humidity.
Gberg itself is mostly tourist stuff now, real artisans, are just outside of town. Stuff to do in Pigeon Forge is all drivable. In the middle of the summer the aquarium is pretty good as well. Eat at the Peddler, Burning Bush, Pancake House, Apple Barn.....the neat thing about the place, and Ive probably been there 50 times in my 58 years, each time you come back something is different lol. Dollywood is even fun for a family, putt put, go cart tracks etc are all over the place in PF. The rod run in the fall is really worth going to, plus it is cooler lol Enjoy.

 

[StuckInTheEast]

I've been a handful of times. Definitely a giant tourist trap anywhere in town and traffic is atrocious.
Apple barn is a decent joint and spread out enough to not feel super cramped.
Not sure where your cabin is...but go the long way around and avoid the strip in gatlinburg or pigeon forge at anything other than early morning hrs.
Get into the park EARLY...like entering at first light. Much less crowded and best chance to see wildlife that or anytime of year and as stated cades cove loop is one of best places to do so.

I dont recall the road names but there is a loop that gets you off the main drag and there are lots of little shops and some good small restaurants along the way...But things change frequently there so what's there one year might not be the next.
I'll be honest...I wasn't that impressed with the Pedler for the price and hype. Gotta be there well before they open to get in without pretty long wait, I dont recall if they do reservations, but i wouldnt do that one with kids...You could grill steaks at your cabin and eat better much cheaper and with less chaos...but im not into large groups of people so to each their own.
I hear things are quieter and more wildlife, specifically elk, towards eastern/NC side.
If I ever went back I'd find a vrbo over that way. pack food and avoid Gatlinburg/pigeon forge all together...but as stated...Im grumpy and not into traffic, tourist traps or large crowds of people.

 

[flathead#2]

I'd carry a tent, an ultralight and maybe a 3wt.

 

[pacoalcracker]

Smoky Mtn Nat Park....hike up to the falls.....its a long hike up, but worth it. Older kids would love it...maybe a bit much for young kids. I think it took me 3 hours to get to the falls...my oldest son about 1.5 hrs. Lots of other trails there too. Lots to do in GB and PF.....yeah, it's touristy but aren't you a tourist? Tour the Crime Museum in PF, its worth the time. Tour the Titanic Museum in PF, its worth it. Actually, both are really great for the kids. Those 2 are so well put together, you would expect to see that quality in NYC, LA or Chicago. In GB, take the ski lift up the mountain and cross the gorge on the catwalk bridge..the center section is glass...it took me an hour to get the courage to cross it....and I walked around the mtn back...lol. In GB there are some whiskey still places that are pretty cool to visit..and taste test the goods, you might leave plastered though. Don't skip both towns to avoid the crowds.....you will miss the whole idea of going there, especially with kids....may as well stay home and walk around your local parks. Too many miserable goobers here that don't really know what fun is. Its a vacation....not a staycation. Absorb it all. The kids will never forget it. I was there for a week in 2023 and in Nashville for a week in 2024, both times in my motorhome. I rented a Ram Quadcab 4x4 in PF for the week and did Uber and Lift in Nashville simply for the ease of getting around the city and with day planning it was less expensive than renting a vehicle for a week. Just have to be careful on main event nights since they cater to them enlarge.....and thats the way the city planners want it....so you may have to wait a bit longer than usual for the ride. If I was 30 years younger I would move to Nashville, Tennessee. Those people know how to grow a city the right way.

 

[deerhunter5555]

Make a day trip to Cades Cove. Take food and charcoal. There are some beautiful picnic areas. Stop at every stop in the Cove and drink in the history. I try to put my mind back in the times of the cabin or church that I am visiting. Pay special attention to all the small details.
There is outstanding hiking in the park. You can choose easy to strenuous. I especially enjoy the various waterfall hikes. There are still small virgin stands of timber.

 

[Carr5vols]

Eat at Crocketts for breakfast..get there very early.

 

[flathead#2]

Gristmill

 

[Sccritterkiller]

It's the Myrtle Beach of the Appalachian MTS...I live 3hrs to from both and I dont go to either..lol
Cligmans Dome, the Falls, and the Coves. The view from the Space Needle is cool. Elk are usually in the field next to the Oconaluftee visitor center in NC.
A bunch of sweaty bodies, crammed together in the July humidity...You will need lots of patience, but the people watching will be interesting, pro after dark. Enjoy!

 

[JDT1982]

Mt LeConte is a cool hike.

Whatever you think about Gatlinburg, no one can deny that it has some great people watching.

 

[BigDog00]

Just went last summer with some a smaller group with some younger kids. Dolly's Stampede was pretty cool, the kids loved it. We spent a couple of days at Dollywood and the adjacent waterpark, also a big hit with the kids. We also did Pearls Pie in the sky, that burns a half a day. For food just look at menus/reviews, everywhere gets super busy (if it's not busy I'd be very leery). It was fun and I hate touristy stuff. More importantly the kids had a blast.

 

[chaser_2332]

I’d rather smack my shin on a adamantium Reese hitch while falling into broken glass than hear my wife say “let’s go to gaitlinburg for the weekend”

 

[Carpet Capital Shyster]

I'm planning a family trip to the gatlinburg area around the end of July. He already have a cabin booked that isin Wears valley. I know my siblings will get caught in the tourist traps of town, but I'm trying to head that off with planning more outdoors activities before I get stuck at Dollywood for 4 days.
It will be 8 adults and 12 kids ranging from 8 months to 11 years old. Also, my dad will be coming off of knee replacement surgery a few months prior, so I'm nut sure what level of activity he will be able to do.
Looking for suggestions that will be family friendly for all. I imagine that the group may split for a day or 2 where we would leave the littles and go on some more difficult outings.
So give me your best suggestions for hikes, waterfalls, fishing, canoe/rafting, places to see wildlife, etc.
Since I'm sure that I'll get dragged into town a couple of days , I'll take suggestions on restaurants and town activities as well.
Thanks!

Dollywood is actually really great for the kids. Same for the Dolly parton’s waterpark(splash country, maybe?) and also wilderness of the smokies water park. My son still talks about them years later. I’d recommend checking out the Chattanooga area if it’s on the way up. It’s a severely underrated city with lots of cool things to do on the riverfront and good restaurants/activities.

Fishing at the lower elevations can be hit or miss in July. For trout, you’ll probably need to head to the higher elevation streams. But I love, love, love fishing in East Tennessee. Don Kirk wrote two excellent trout fishing guide books; one focused solely on the smokies and the other on Tennessee in general. I’d recommend buying both and using it to plan any fishing in East Tennessee or the smokies. They are fantastic resources. I also think if you are staying out in wears valley, you are near the Little River which has smallmouth and trout ( it likely too hot to get much trout action in July). Check out little river outfitters in Townsend, Tn for more fishing resources. If you need any more Tennessee fishing info, feel free to shoot me a message.

Finally, for a unique outdoor experience, you might want to check out Leconte Lodge. It’s a hike in only lodge that provides all meals. No power, back to basics, etc…They’ve probably been booked solid far in advance but maybe they’ll have a cancellation.

A bit out of the way, but Cherohala Skyway and the tail of the dragon are both scenic drives. I prefer cherohala, but tail of the dragon is very popular with motorcyclists.

 

[Rokbar]

Great whitewater rafting up near the NC/Tn. line. As long as they have recovered from the flooding. Huck Finn's restaurant for the best fried catfish. Ride across 441 to the casino and double your 401K. Great wild trout fishing all over the park. I always liked fishing Elkmont. Minor league baseball at the Bass Pro exit off I40.