The Busy Hub of the Smokies!
Written: May 18 '04 (Updated Nov 23 '04)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Mountain atmosphere; cool temperatures; lots to do
Cons: Traffic; expensive
The Bottom Line: You won't be sorry if you take a few days to visit Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. There's plenty for everyone to do.
|
|
|
| rrogersweather's Full Review: Gatlinburg, Tennessee |
If you're traveling in and around the Great Smoky Mountains, and you've never been to Gatlinburg, be sure to stop by.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, while known as being a popular honeymoon destination, is also a great place for families to visit! Along with the numerous wedding chapels, there are great (but expensive) restaurants, lots of attractions, and gorgeous mountain views.
My family and I have been to Gatlinburg many times. We typically visit in November, just before Thanksgiving, but we've also been in October. In October, it is very pretty because the fall leaves are at their peak, usually around mid-October. However, we prefer going in November, as the towns of Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge and Sevierville (pronounced SE-VEER-VUL) put up their Christmas lights and displays around the 10th of November each year. The Christmas lights are definitely worth seeing. They really get you in the spirit of the holiday season, and the lights remain up through February. The lights festival is called Winterfest.
EATING
Who doesn't love to eat when they are on vacation in the mountains?! Well, if you enjoy southern cooking, you're in for a treat when you visit the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. For breakfast, there's the ever-popular Log Cabin Pancake House on Historic Nature Trail. However, I have grown to prefer the Pancake Pantry on Parkway, which is also a popular well-established restaurant. Both also serve lunch. Arrive early, though, as lines, especially at the Pancake Pantry, are long.
Gatlinburg also hosts a variety of fast food chain restaurants in case you're craving for a Big-Mac. Yep, McDonald's, Wendy's, and Hardee's all are located on the main strip (Parkway) in Gatlinburg. There's also a Shoney's, T.G.I. Friday's, and Hard Rock Cafe. In Gatlinburg, there's a plethora of expensive, but good restaurants for dinner. However, we usually eat dinner in Pigeon Forge, as we normally spend our mornings and afternoons in Gatlinburg and then drive over to Pigeon Forge in the evening.
If you're looking for a real solid meal, be sure to go to the Applewood Farm (commonly referred to as The Apple Barn). The farm is located in Sevierville near the Louise Mandrell Theater. The site includes two restaurants, with shops selling anything from apples to candy to Christmas decorations. Visiting the Apple Barn is a must on anyone's list while they are in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. [web: http://www.applebarncidermill.com].
Another restaurant/shopping complex that deserves mention is the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge. This award-winning restaurant boasts bountiful meals with views of the Pigeon River. It is set off the main highway, so you don't feel like you're as much in the middle of everything. Lots of souvenir and fudge shops surround the restaurant. Again, be sure to arrive early to put your name in, and shop while you wait.
SHOPPING
While Pigeon Forge prides itself on its outlet malls, we rarely ever visit them. But there are some shopping areas that I would highly recommend. First, in Gatlinburg, numerous shops line the streets, especially on Parkway. You can find just about anything if you walk long enough. There are several shopping complexes that are set off the street that are nice. The best one is called The Village, and the shops all look like ones you might find in 19th century England. [web: http://www.thevillageshops.com]. This is a great place to take pictures, too. Another unique little shopping complex is The Marketplace, which is on the opposite side of the road from The Village.
In Pigeon Forge, shopping opportunities are endless. If you enjoy going in Christmas shops, I highly recommend visiting The Incredible Christmas Place. [web: http://www.christmasplace.com]. This is the most unique Christmas shopping experiences that I know of. Anything Christmas related can be found at the Christmas Place, including, but not limited to artificial trees, Dept. 56 villages, ornaments, high-quality lights, and toys.
And, although our family doesn’t go to the outlets much, I should mention that there are two new outlet shopping malls in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville for those who love to shop.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer more attractions than one can take in on just one trip. If you've never been to the area before and can only take in a few activities, I would recommend going to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, Country Tonite Theater, and the Louise Mandrell Theater. The aquarium is a great place for the kids to enjoy. You walk through at your own pace and there's even a restaurant on premises to eat at if you get hungry. The aquarium even has a special Titanic exhibit where you can learn about the tragic sinking of the Titanic.
Country Tonite Theater blends comedy, religion, and patriotism all into one show, with comedy being the most prominent aspect. Country Tonite is the best show I've seen in Pigeon Forge, but it has stiff competition from both the Louise Mandrell Theater and the Black Bear Jamboree.
There’s also Dollywood, a theme park owned by country singer Dolly Parton. I have only been there once, and it was many years ago, but I look forward to going back to Dollywood in the future. We went there in November about 12 years ago, and the park was nicely decorated for Christmas. It really gives you that sense of “a country Christmas.” Of course, Dollywood is open during other times of the year, as well.
Ober Gatlinburg is known for snow skiing. This recreational facility is about a 10 minute drive from downtown Gatlinburg, or you can take the aerial tram from Parkway in Gatlinburg up to Ober Gatlinburg. The tram provides beautiful views of the mountains and the city of Gatlinburg from up high. Once you get to Ober Gatlinburg, you can go ice skating, shopping, or go outside and get on the semi-famous Alpine Slide. I think this is the best thing to do at Ober Gatlinburg. Many of the rides and activities are open year-round, not just during the snow season. This is a fun place to go if you've never been before, but just don't go to Ober Gatlinburg with high expectations, because it's not a top notch attraction. But, the kids may enjoy some of the rides and the skating. If you only have a short time to spend in Gatlinburg, I would not make this a top priority.
If the aerial tram is too much for you, you may want to consider riding the cable cars up Crockett Mountain from Parkway. This gives a good view of the Little Pigeon River as you take a steep incline to the top of the mountain.
NATURE
Gatlinburg sits on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the nation’s most-visited national park. The mountain vistas provide excellent views and good hiking opportunities. There are several water falls in the area that one can see by hiking on trails up to the falls. My favorite water fall is Laurel Falls which is just inside the National Park. It requires a moderate climb of about 1.5 miles to reach the falls. I would not recommend taking young children to Laurel Falls, as there are huge cliffs along the footpath that could be deadly.
Gatlinburg definitely is more scenic than Pigeon Forge. The biggest difference between the two cities is that Gatlinburg is nestled between several mountains, one of them being Mt. LeConte, one of the tallest mountains east of the Mississippi River. Pigeon Forge, on the other hand, sits in a wide, flat valley where the mountains are less noticeable and farther away.
A NOTE ABOUT LODGING
While my family and I stay at a motel in Gatlinburg, there are many lodging establishments to choose from in the area. Gatlinburg has numerous motels, hotels, and chalets to choose from, but because the town is rather small in land area, the lodging selection is miniscule compared to Pigeon Forge. There are more chain hotels and motels in Pigeon Forge than in Gatlinburg.
SUMMARY
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have a lot to offer to the typical tourist. Despite the fact that my grandmother says that Gatlinburg is too carnival-like for her, I thoroughly enjoy visiting. It’s a great place for families, as there are things to do that people of all ages will enjoy—even grandmothers (except mine)! Just be prepared to spend your money—otherwise, you’ll just end up walking around the whole time.
OTHER TRAVEL REVIEWS
1. Chattanooga, Tennessee: http://www.epinions.com/content_161285377668
2. Williamsburg, Virginia: http://www.epinions.com/content_125826535044
3. Daytona Beach, Florida: http://www.epinions.com/content_109442797188
4. Homewood Suites (Chattanooga, Tenn.): http://www.epinions.com/content_159617748612
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Sep - Nov
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
rrogersweather
|
|
Location: Georgia, USA
Reviews written: 28
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
I like to write reviews about travel and electronics!
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.