7 Issues To Do In Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg

This 12 months, we took our youngsters to the land of Dolly Parton, aka the Tennessee Smokies, for our current Spring Break. It was a jam-packed week of household enjoyable, meals, and there was even a dusting of snow! There’s SOOOO a lot to do on this space of Tennessee – you’ve bought Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park all proper there. So we thought we’d hit the highlights and share our 7 favourite issues that we did there. Why 7? Effectively, it’s smack dab in the course of the numbers 9 to five…

We traveled with one other household, so we had 4 adults and 6 youngsters with us, starting from ages 11 to twenty. So all of those actions are tween and teenage accredited! We are able to’t converse particularly to youthful youngsters like toddlers, however I believe you’ll see that the majority of what we’ve listed under could be enjoyable for the entire household.

Why Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg?

We selected this vacation spot for two causes: (1) Dollywood and (2) there’s TONS of stuff to do within the surrounding space. It’s just a little bit like Orlando or Vegas plopped in the course of the gorgeous Appalachian Mountains. Actually, the sheer variety of eating places and roadside sights is sort of just a little overwhelming. However that gave us the arrogance that regardless of the climate, we may present our households a superb time. Plus, we may go to Dollywood, which most of us had by no means carried out (I had gone as a child however no one else in our get together of 10 had ever been).

For the reason that space is full of issues to do, it’s straightforward to search out actions that meet a wide range of pursuits and power ranges – whether or not you need thrills, historical past, nature, video games, procuring, or simply some over-the-top Southern cooking. We had been there in mid-March over a couple of days of chilly climate (the final day, which we spent at Dollywood warmed up). It had been within the 70s the 2 weeks earlier than we arrived, however we had temps within the 30s and 40s for many of our keep, nevertheless it was nonetheless actually pleasurable

The world can get crowded, particularly within the hotter months, and it felt like issues had been positively marked up on account of the whole lot being fairly tourist-centric, however we anticipated that (lots of Florida is like that too). So it didn’t cease us from savoring the splendidly kitschy ambiance of the realm, and making an attempt plenty of issues.

1. Dollywood

Dollywood was the entire cause for our journey, and it didn’t disappoint! I used to be final at Dollywood in 1999, and I bear in mind my 17-year-old roller-coaster-loving self being underwhelmed. Effectively, quite a bit has modified. Needless to say our collective 6 youngsters recurrently go on class journeys to very large parks like Common Studios in Orlando, and so they all beloved the curler coasters. I can safely say that Dollywood was the spotlight of everybody’s Smoky Mountain trip, and all 6 youngsters reported they’d be pleased to return anytime.

There have been so many rides, reveals, and uniquely themed sections of the park that we positively couldn’t squeeze all of it into 1 day, however all of us hit a bunch of them, and it was outstanding in that nearly everybody had a unique favourite. Particularly, our youngsters love the Large Bear Mountain coaster (proven under), others swore by Wild Eagle or Thunderhead, and I personally beloved Lightning Rod, which took you up the facet of a mountain for the primary drop! Sherry’s favourite was The Dragonflier the place your ft dangle because the coaster speeds and spins.

We additionally caught a few reveals, shopped the reward retailers, and ate as a lot cinnamon bread as our stomachs may deal with (do NOT sleep on the cinnamon bread – it’s scrumptious). The one downsides had been some lengthy traces, each for rides and meals, for the reason that week we visited was fairly chilly and we, together with what appeared like each different vacationer, delayed our Dollywood go to for the final day of our journey, when issues lastly warmed up. Appears lots of different individuals had the identical thought! Even with the traces, we noticed lots of the park and had a good time.

2. Ober Mountain

Everybody’s second favourite outing was visiting Ober Mountain in Gatlinburg. It’s an all-season, out of doors amusement park that options the whole lot from snowboarding & snow tubing to ziplines & mountain coasters, relying on the season. However maybe essentially the most memorable a part of our go to was using the aerial tramway as much as the mountaintop park.

We visited in mid-March, so among the winter actions (like snowboarding) had been closed, however summer season ones (just like the “bobsled” course) weren’t open but. We did the mountain coaster, the ice bumper vehicles, and talked with some super-friendly rangers on the Wildlife Habitat (that was a spotlight for many people). They defined why these animals weren’t fitted to the wild anymore, on account of harm, sickness, or (in a single case) an albino raccoon named Casper who was straightforward pickings for a predator on account of his coloring.

Gatlinburg is definitely residence to a couple mountaintop parks like this (together with Anakeesta and SkyPark). They characteristic the whole lot from swinging bridges, overlook towers, and scenic chair lifts. We selected Ober Mountain as a result of it was the one one which supplied a totally enclosed tram to the highest on a really chilly day. Anakeesta is including one, however throughout our go to we’d’ve been caught on a bus. And it was too chilly for a chair carry! However we hear nice issues about Anakeesta too – particularly in case you’re going when it’s hotter.

3. Dolly’s Stampede Dinner Present

Pigeon Forge affords a number of themed dinner reveals, together with Dolly’s Pirate Voyage and the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud. They characteristic some mixture of acrobatics, comedy, storytelling, music, and a multi-course meal. We’ve been to Dolly’s Pirate Voyage present twice earlier than (there may be one considerably near us in Panama Metropolis Seashore, FL), so we opted for Dolly’s Stampede.

To be sincere, we had been just a little nervous concerning the “North vs South” language on the web site. However we determined to belief in Dolly and the present turned out to be extra Wild West-themed than anything (there have been precise buffalo and so many cool horse tips – and all of the animals are cared for terribly nicely as Dolly is understood to do). The “sides” are simply used for goofy competitions (like youngsters chasing chickens or dads tossing bathroom seats like horseshoes) that at all times appear to finish in a pleasant tie. Very similar to Dolly’s actual life persona, the present positively had a unifying message on the finish (her pirate present does too, btw).

Many elements of the Stampede are positively just a little campy, however we had been legitimately wowed by the equestrian stunts, the very cool and generally cute animals (together with a mini highland cow!), and gorged on nation cooking. I believe we nonetheless desire the Pirate Present – it’s a bit grander total – however Dolly’s Stampede was positively certainly one of our favourite evenings.

4. Cades Cove in Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park

With all the vacationer traps and thrill rides, it’s straightforward to overlook you’re additionally on the doorstep of America’s most visited Nationwide Park: Nice Smoky Mountain Nationwide Park. And, it’s free to enter! You would simply spend a complete week within the park climbing to waterfalls, having fun with scenic overlooks, and visiting historic websites. However we took a good friend’s recommendation and loved the park through an 11-mile driving loop known as Cades Cove.

Not solely was this a superb match for a chilly morning (good day heat automobile!) nevertheless it allowed us to pattern the park at our personal tempo – pulling off to see a historic homesite or climbing a brief path as curiosity & power allowed (which is usually laborious to juggle with 10 individuals, together with a number of teenagers). The dusting of snow that had fallen the night time earlier than made it much more stunning!

Only a heads up that the loop closes to car site visitors on Wednesdays (many select to bike it that day as a substitute) and it’s possible you’ll have to arrive early to keep away from backups, particularly on weekends. We went on a chilly Tuesday in March and skilled a couple of sluggish spots & crowded pull-offs, so I can solely think about what it’s like in peak season! Oh, and also you do need to pay $5 for parking go in case you plan to cease for greater than quarter-hour wherever within the park.

5. Crockett’s Breakfast Camp & Sloppy Hog Burger Joint

We often have a number of eating places to advocate from our journeys, however have solely 2 this time (3 in case you depend the Stampede above). That’s not as a result of the meals had been unhealthy in every single place else. It’s as a result of the meals was often so filling & indulgent that we had been hardly ever hungry sufficient to eat out for dinner. Actually, each night time apart from The Stampede, we made dinner at residence as a result of breakfast and lunch had been so filling we couldn’t think about consuming one other huge meal.

Everybody’s most memorable meal was at Crockett’s Breakfast Camp in Gatlinburg. It’s proper down from the Ober Mountain tram station and we’re glad we put up with the 1 hour wait outdoors – it was WELL WORTH IT. The service was nice, the pancakes had been big, and our good friend declared it one of the best corned beef hash she’d ever eaten.

One other shock favourite was Sloppy Hog’s Burger Joint, which we noticed on our drive to Cades Cove (type of between Pigeon Forge and Townsend). Honestly, we solely stopped to eat on our method again as a result of the teenagers had laughed on the identify. I ordered the “Sloppy Dripping” (once more, due to the identify) and it’s the most effective burgers I’ve had in a very long time. Suppose two patties with BBQ pulled pork on high. Mmmmm. And it wasn’t even that sloppy to eat.

These had been positively the 2 meals all of us talked about most for the remainder of the journey. Effectively, that and the cinnamon bread at Dollywood… which I’m fairly positive counted as a meal in some unspecified time in the future.

6. The Island, Alcatraz East, & The Mountain Mile (Our Wet Day Actions)

Our very first day in Pigeon Forge was chilly and wet, so indoor actions had been the transfer. This space has a lot to select from – even issues like indoor snow tubing – however these had been the three that our entire group loved:

The Island

Whereas not technically indoors, this strolling mall stored our crew busy popping into retailers, consuming snacks, and shopping rides like a big skywheel, indoor flight simulator, and extra. It’s virtually like a mini amusement park! Parking was straightforward and free, and there was a handy trolley to deliver you proper into the middle of issues.

Alcatraz East Crime Museum

Instantly adjoining to The Island was the Crime Museum, which was type of a Ripley’s Imagine It Or Not with a real crime spin, each historic and up to date. It was fairly interactive (which is at all times successful with the youngsters) and there was the whole lot from rooms concerning the Salem Witch Trials to shows of notorious vehicles, just like the precise White Bronco from the O.J. chase. It was surprisingly academic and entertaining, together with actions about felony forensics, on-line security, and extra. Plus we observed the brown van parked outdoors, and actually favored the payoff about what that was after we walked by way of the museum and it was revealed.

The Mountain Mile

Just like The Island (and near it, as nicely – that’s its SkyWheel within the background) is one other mall-meets-amusement middle known as The Mountain Mile. We went right here a few instances whereas our pals charged their Rivian on the EV superchargers, so we noticed it within the rain and in clear skies. The children beloved the sweet retailer, the toy retailer, and there’s even a Downtown Flavortown – which I’d by no means heard of. It’s like a Dave & Busters (aka: arcade) meets bowling alley wrapped in a Man Fieri package deal. What extra may you need on a wet day?

7. Our Airbnb

I do know the Airbnb we rented isn’t actually an “attraction,” nevertheless it was a giant a part of our journey’s success. It match our group tremendous nicely, particularly with us being two households who wished to hang around collectively, however not essentially be up in one another’s rest room enterprise. The home additionally had plenty of facilities to maintain our youngsters entertained, particularly on our unhealthy climate days. I noticed TONS of comparable choices on Airbnb, so don’t fret if this specific property is booked. It appears issues like scorching tubs, ping pong tables, theater rooms, and a country cabin vibe are widespread options on this space!

Admittedly, all the bells and whistles had been just a little excessive (um, good day indoor mini golf course?). They positively made the journey memorable, and splitting it with one other household stored the fee extra manageable. However we principally appreciated the format of the home: the youngsters bought to have the downstairs to themselves (with all the video games and the “theater room”) whereas we adults may get pleasure from some peace on the principle stage.

Total, all of us loved being collectively, enjoying video games, doing puzzles, and blasting Dolly Parton music to pump ourselves up. Oh, and there was a fairly epic rap battle one night time amongst the youngsters.

Extra Locations to Trip With Children

In case you loved this publish, you may take a look at a few of our different household trip vacation spot posts, that are all linked under!

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