7 Issues To Do In Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg

This 12 months, we took our children to the land of Dolly Parton, aka the Tennessee Smokies, for our latest 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 received 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? Properly, 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 will’t communicate particularly to youthful youngsters like toddlers, however I feel you’ll see that the majority of what we’ve listed beneath 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. Truthfully, the sheer variety of eating places and roadside points of interest is nearly just a little overwhelming. However that gave us the arrogance that irrespective of the climate, we might present our households a great time. Plus, we might go to Dollywood, which most of us had by no means performed (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 filled with issues to do, it’s straightforward to seek out actions that meet quite a lot of pursuits and power ranges – whether or not you need thrills, historical past, nature, video games, purchasing, or simply some over-the-top Southern cooking. We have been there in mid-March over a number 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, however it was nonetheless actually pleasurable

The realm can get crowded, particularly within the hotter months, and it felt like issues have been positively marked up because of every little thing being fairly tourist-centric, however we anticipated that (quite a lot of Florida is like that too). So it didn’t cease us from savoring the splendidly kitschy environment of the world, and making an attempt a lot 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 keep in mind my 17-year-old roller-coaster-loving self being underwhelmed. Properly, lots has modified. Remember the fact that our collective 6 youngsters frequently go on class journeys to very large parks like Common Studios in Orlando, they usually all cherished 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 blissful to return anytime.

There have been so many rides, exhibits, 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 exceptional in that just about everybody had a unique favourite. Specifically, our children love the Massive Bear Mountain coaster (proven beneath), others swore by Wild Eagle or Thunderhead, and I personally cherished 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 exhibits, shopped the present retailers, and ate as a lot cinnamon bread as our stomachs might deal with (do NOT sleep on the cinnamon bread – it’s scrumptious). The one downsides have been some lengthy strains, each for rides and meals, because the 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 quite a lot of different folks had the identical thought! Even with the strains, we noticed quite a lot 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 every little thing from snowboarding & snow tubing to ziplines & mountain coasters, relying on the season. However maybe probably 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) have been closed, however summer season ones (just like the “bobsled” course) weren’t open but. We did the mountain coaster, the ice bumper automobiles, 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 suited to the wild anymore, because of damage, sickness, or (in a single case) an albino raccoon named Casper who was straightforward pickings for a predator because of his coloring.

Gatlinburg is definitely house to some mountaintop parks like this (together with Anakeesta and SkyPark). They characteristic every little thing 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 completely enclosed tram to the highest on a really chilly day. Anakeesta is including one, however throughout our go to we might’ve been caught on a bus. And it was too chilly for a chair carry! However we hear nice issues about Anakeesta too – particularly if you happen to’re going when it’s hotter.

3. Dolly’s Stampede Dinner Present

Pigeon Forge provides a number of themed dinner exhibits, 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’s one considerably near us in Panama Metropolis Seashore, FL), so we opted for Dolly’s Stampede.

To be trustworthy, we have been just a little nervous in regards to 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 the rest (there have been precise buffalo and so many cool horse methods – and all of the animals are cared for very effectively 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 all the time appear to finish in a pleasant tie. Very similar to Dolly’s actual life character, the present positively had a unifying message on the finish (her pirate present does too, btw).

Many components of the Stampede are positively just a little campy, however we have 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 feel we nonetheless choose the Pirate Present – it’s a bit grander total – however Dolly’s Stampede was positively considered 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 could possibly simply spend a complete week within the park mountain climbing to waterfalls, having fun with scenic overlooks, and visiting historic websites. However we took a pal’s recommendation and loved the park through an 11-mile driving loop referred to as Cades Cove.

Not solely was this a great match for a chilly morning (hey heat automobile!) however it allowed us to pattern the park at our personal tempo – pulling off to see a historic homesite or mountain climbing a brief path as curiosity & power allowed (which is usually exhausting to juggle with 10 folks, together with a number of teenagers). The dusting of snow that had fallen the evening earlier than made it much more lovely!

Only a heads up that the loop closes to automobile visitors on Wednesdays (many select to bike it that day as a substitute) and you could have to arrive early to keep away from backups, particularly on weekends. We went on a chilly Tuesday in March and skilled a number of gradual spots & crowded pull-offs, so I can solely think about what it’s like in peak season! Oh, and also you do must pay $5 for parking cross if you happen to plan to cease for greater than quarter-hour anyplace 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 if you happen to depend the Stampede above). That’s not as a result of the meals have been dangerous in all places else. It’s as a result of the meals was often so filling & indulgent that we have been not often hungry sufficient to eat out for dinner. Actually, each evening aside from The Stampede, we made dinner at house as a result of breakfast and lunch have 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 have been large, and our pal declared it the perfect 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 (form of between Pigeon Forge and Townsend). In truth, we solely stopped to eat on our means again as a result of the kids had laughed on the title. I ordered the “Sloppy Dripping” (once more, due to the title) and it’s among the finest burgers I’ve had in a very long time. Suppose two patties with BBQ pulled pork on prime. Mmmmm. And it wasn’t even that sloppy to eat.

These have been positively the 2 meals all of us talked about most for the remainder of the journey. Properly, 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 have been the transfer. This space has a lot to select from – even issues like indoor snow tubing – however these have been the three that our complete group loved:

The Island

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

Alcatraz East Crime Museum

Immediately adjoining to The Island was the Crime Museum, which was form of a Ripley’s Consider It Or Not with a real crime spin, each historic and up to date. It was fairly interactive (which is all the time successful with the children) and there was every little thing from rooms in regards to the Salem Witch Trials to shows of notorious automobiles, just like the precise White Bronco from the O.J. chase. It was surprisingly academic and entertaining, together with actions about prison forensics, on-line security, and extra. Plus we seen 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

Much like The Island (and near it, as effectively – that’s its SkyWheel within the background) is one other mall-meets-amusement middle referred to as The Mountain Mile. We went right here a few instances whereas our buddies charged their Rivian on the EV superchargers, so we noticed it within the rain and in clear skies. The youngsters cherished 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 might you need on a wet day?

7. Our Airbnb

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

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

General, 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 evening amongst the children.

Extra Locations to Trip With Youngsters

When you loved this submit, you’ll be able to try a few of our different household trip vacation spot posts, that are all linked beneath!

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