Pigeon forge

[Jmort1754]

Family vacay next week

Not really the hiking fishing type.

What are some musts ?

Dixie Stampede ?

 

[isItFallYet]

PF is a zoo. But it’s close to the GSMNP! Bring a fly rod. Visit the sinks and jump off the rocks into the river. Go to Cades Cove and you’ll probably see some nice whitetails in velvet and bears. It’s an hour trip to western NC where you can rent a sxs and view the elk. The Little Pigeon river has whitewater rafting (about 45 mins away). As far as PF goes, your family will have fun while you get pissed at the traffic and the folks that made it out of their holler.

 

[jayhawk]

Cades Cove and SMNP are really nice. Seeing some shops in Gatlinburg is fun, as well as the Aquarium. Dollywood is also fun and there are plenty of things to do for all ages there.

 

[isItFallYet]

There is a Buds gun shop and Knife works. The Island is pretty cool for families, they have shops and rides and moonshine.

 

[Grumman]

We like the Hatfield and McCoy dinner show. The Apple Barn is a great place to eat. There’s something on every corner to take your money between shops, putt putt golf, etc. I hope you all have a great time.


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[browning2480]

If you are into knives they have a place that you can make your own. Kids can also. Guy was on Forged in Fire show. It is pretty cool.

 

[Flyrodr]

To repeat above, PF IS A ZOO!!! Was up there before Memorial Day with wife. I was raised about 45 min from NC side of the Park, but she hadn't seen much of it. Focus of Gatlinburg, PF, etc is shopping and entertainment. Lots of "game" stuff (miniature golf, carts, etc) for kids. Dollywood, as mentioned ($$$). Maybe drive through GSMNP to Cherokee, walk up to Clingmans Dome (only a short walk from parking lot), see play Unto These Hills, and Cherokee Indian Museum. Exhibits at Park offices are pretty good. Endless on-line references to all the things to do, including some discount tickets.

The Cades Cove drive is nice, although you're controlled by the slowest car. And if there's a bear next to the road (wife and I had sow with three cubs walk by about 15 ft from car), plan on a dead stop. Lots of turkeys around too.

Expect to go slow on roads, and you won't be disappointed. And won't be so frustrated.

Enjoy!!

 

[007hunter]

For non-outdoorsy you got Anakeesta and the sky bridge in Gatlinburg. The coasters at Goats on the Roof are kinda fun too. Plenty to do if you can handle the tourist trap crowds.

 

[zacattack]

Mountain coasters
Dixie stampede
Cades cove
Traffic will be a shit show

 

[Jmort1754]

There is a Buds gun shop and Knife works. The Island is pretty cool for families, they have shops and rides and moonshine.

Oh Im hitting buds. And I need a American made knife so

 

[FLATHEAD]

Go over to the NC Border and try to find the Elk.
Super Cool to see Elk roaming the Appalachians.

 

[ddd-shooter]

Dolly wood if you like coasters and overpriced food.
Elk in cataloochee
You don't fish, but man there's pretty creeks up there.
Cades cove in early morning or late evening-skip the middle of the day, you won't see anything in this heat.
Go kart tracks everywhere.
Zip lining is fun if you go to a real expensive one. Beautiful scenery.

 

[Jmort1754]

Dolly wood if you like coasters and overpriced food.
Elk in cataloochee
You don't fish, but man there's pretty creeks up there.
Cades cove in early morning or late evening-skip the middle of the day, you won't see anything in this heat.
Go kart tracks everywhere.
Zip lining is fun if you go to a real expensive one. Beautiful scenery.

Oh I fish, no one else does. We are planning cades cove and the cataloochee valley into the early am.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Grist Mill Restaurant for Breakfast.
Huck Finn's Catfish for Dinner.
Look for Bears at daylight, downtown/main street Gatlinburg.
Biggest Black Bear I've ever seen was at a real estate office, just before sunrise.

 

[Rokbar]

Yes, eat at Huck Finns!!!!!! between PF and Gburg. Go up I40 and take a whitewater raft trip at the Tn. NC line. Ride over HWY 441 to the casino and lose your money to the tribe.

 

[Moose63Pa]

Although it was pretty expensive, we did a tour of the park by helicopter and it is one of the more memorable things of the trip. The Sky Bridge was pretty neat. The aquarium is also a good time. If you get up early the sunrises are amazing. We went down in march and it was packed, Im sure this time of year its going to be a madhouse.

 

[hunt1up]

I've only been down to PF/Gatlinburg for one week long vacation. In my opinion the best thing to do in Pigeon Forge is to leave Pigeon Forge. The traffic is worse than any major metro area in America and I've driven in most of them. My kids probably learned a few new words on that trip.

Of course my kids liked doing go-karts and arcades a few times but we had much more fun getting away from the tourist trap stuff. Tuckaleechee Caverns was very cool and worth a drive. We also had a good time rafting and driving up to Clingmans Dome. In Gatlinburg the mountain coasters were pretty fun and the Ripleys Aquarium is very nice.

Did anyone mention the traffic yet?

 

[Keep On]

You're on the right track with planning on getting out early. We were out the door by 6am on the days we headed to Cades Cove and Cherokee. I would have preferred even earlier, but gotta compromise with mama.
After 9am or so, the park fills up fast. We saw bear, elk, deer and turkey in our travels, hours before most of the tourists are headed to the pancake houses.
We'd get our trips done early and have the afternoon at the uncrowded pool while the mob was out and about.
It's a beautiful area, but as stated PF and Gatlinburg are total tourist traps. Gotta take the good with the bad.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Go over to the NC Border and try to find the Elk.
Super Cool to see Elk roaming the Appalachians.

They usualy have traffic backed up at the Oconaluftee visitors center. Don't really have to find them...lol

To the OPs question..its a zoo pack a thick wallet and some sedatives...

 

[Theringworm]

Don't go......... it's essentially an Outdoor Walmart Wonderland (read into that as much as you want....it's all true). One way in and one way out. Traffic is the absolute worse. I will never go again.... which is unfortunate because as others have stated its location is absolutely amazing. Cades Cove is an absolute must. We made it a point to be at the gate 15-30 mins before the park opened. We beat the rush for sure. Smokey Mtn Knife Works on the North end of town. We never made it as I refused to fight traffic to get to it. Dolly World was actually not bad considering we grew up with a Six Flags just down the street. It's hotter than all get out so stay hydrated. Plan plan plan way ahead on your eating situation. Grocery store runs are best super early in the morning. Make reservations for restaurants way in advance, some actually take them weeks out. It's a beautiful place but it's a logistical nightmare. If you can avoid town or trips to town as much as possible you will greatly enjoy your trip more.