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Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge
Posted on 7/3/22 at 3:19 pm
Posted on 7/3/22 at 3:19 pm
I am taking my wife and two daughters up to the Gatlinburg area for the week. We rented a cabin and are looking forward to exploring the area.
Any recommendations on things we should definitely do or places to eat would be great!
Children are 6 and 3, so any hikes would have to be doable for them.
We are planning to do Cades Cove one day. Appreciate any insight!
Any recommendations on things we should definitely do or places to eat would be great!
Children are 6 and 3, so any hikes would have to be doable for them.
We are planning to do Cades Cove one day. Appreciate any insight!
12
Posted on 7/3/22 at 4:40 pm to lsutiger3672
Anakeesta is great. And plenty of stuff to do for the kids. You can take the bus up the mountain instead of the lift.
Posted on 7/3/22 at 5:25 pm to lsutiger3672
Eat breakfast at the Applebarn Cafe.
Posted on 7/3/22 at 8:15 pm to lsutiger3672
I can assist with Cades Cove and other areas in park, do you have a specific day you plan to visit already?
Posted on 7/3/22 at 8:28 pm to Phideaux
We are probably going to do Cades Cove on Thursday or Friday…
Posted on 7/3/22 at 8:44 pm to lsutiger3672
Son has a kicking camp there in a few weeks…will watch the thread.
Posted on 7/3/22 at 8:46 pm to lsutiger3672
They can probably do the Laural Falls(sp) hike.
Go to uber Gatlinburg and the aquarium.
Dollywood maybe.
Go to uber Gatlinburg and the aquarium.
Dollywood maybe.
Posted on 7/3/22 at 8:49 pm to lsutiger3672
I just got back from a week long vacation in that area. We stayed in Sevierville so we had about a 30 minute drive to gatlinburg or pigeon forge. We also had a three year old with us. This was one of my favorite vacations we’ve ever gone on. There is so much to do in gatlingburg and pigeon forge. I’d look into the Pirates Voyage dinner and show. There is dancing, acrobats, singing and a few other surprises. Everyone in our party enjoyed it. We did Anakeesta and Ober mountain, once again everyone enjoyed it. There’s stuff for young kids to do at both. We went to ripleys aquarium and none of us really liked it. It’s big and there are a ton of exhibits but there was a million kids and the smells from the tanks was awful. I asked the three year old what she wanted to see the most at the aquarium and she said a mermaid. Well when we got there, there was a sign that said a mermaid show was going to happen. So we finished the aquarium and waited for the mermaid show. The entire exhibit was packed front to back and side to side with kids and parents. The MC said “we’d like to welcome you, all the way from Atlantis, Steve the Merman!” Steve was an overweight balled guy with tattoos and wearing a mermaid tail. He was doing belly rolls and blowing out heart bubbles. Needless to say, everyone left in 5 minutes.
We hardly tapped in to what gatlinburg had to offer because we did zip lining and white water rafting. We also did Dollywood and the Splash park. The splash park was awful. We waited in line for an hour for one ride then an hour and a half for food. So the older people in the group went to Dollywood and had a blast. We rode every single roller coaster multiple times with the longest wait time being 15 minutes for a ride.
If you have any other questions please let me know.
We hardly tapped in to what gatlinburg had to offer because we did zip lining and white water rafting. We also did Dollywood and the Splash park. The splash park was awful. We waited in line for an hour for one ride then an hour and a half for food. So the older people in the group went to Dollywood and had a blast. We rode every single roller coaster multiple times with the longest wait time being 15 minutes for a ride.
If you have any other questions please let me know.
Posted on 7/3/22 at 10:03 pm to lsutiger3672
Thats a good idea to avoid weekends and Wednesday the Loop is closed to vehicles only bike or foot traffic allowed all day. The black bears have been extremely active and visible. I would advise to to stop at the orientation shelter right before the one way road starts and speak with the volunteer or rangers set up there. They can tell you what live programs are occurring and offer current news on bears. The ranger program we are doing are more pop up in nature still as COVID restrictions are still lurking in the background. Don't forget To get a booklet on the loop road there are several homesteads and churches to visit. While it may not be your thing its interesting to go into the homes and think about what life was like living there in those homes. Churches have cemeteries and lots of history there too. And descendants of those who lived in Cove can request to be buried there still.
There is a hike up to John Oliver cabin that starts right past that area its nice and short but wooded. There is a hike to Elijah Oliver cabin that is nice too about a mile total. There is Abrams Falls hike that is 5 miles round trip. There is a visitor center half way through that has a blacksmith demonstration and a working grist mill.
Ask for directions to the Pearl Harbor Tree hike its an off the map hiking destination.
Sparks Lane and Hyatt Lane are 2 roads that are 2 way roads and help short cut the loop should you decide traffic is nuts I am out of here. Or people use them to make another loop through. Be patient and fill up your tank as the bear jams are real and traffic can back up. It is an 11 mile loop but takes about 2 hours if you stop to see things or bears are out. 50 yds is safe viewing distance for bears. Plenty of deer does with fawns and bucks in velvet. There are lots of beautiful overlooks and vistas for photos. Use the pull overs and take your time do not stop in the road. If you hike know bears are active and encounters are not unusual
And be prepared.
Laurel Falls would be an option too but plan accordingly as we are restricting off road parking now. It is being contained to actual parking areas to keep people from walking along the road. I would recommend stopping at the Sugarlands visitor center and speaking with the volunteers there and getting a trail map and the free quarterly newspaper if you are driving from Gatlinburg headed to Laurel Falls area. The Elkmont area has Daisy Town to visit.
The elk herds are over in NC area and best viewed around 6 PM to dark because they stay in the shade in Summer bulls are in velvet still the cows will have their calves with them.
I can provide more info if you have specific hikes or sites you may want to see.
Websites:
www.nps.gov/grsm
www.dlia.org
www.gsmit.org
There is a hike up to John Oliver cabin that starts right past that area its nice and short but wooded. There is a hike to Elijah Oliver cabin that is nice too about a mile total. There is Abrams Falls hike that is 5 miles round trip. There is a visitor center half way through that has a blacksmith demonstration and a working grist mill.
Ask for directions to the Pearl Harbor Tree hike its an off the map hiking destination.
Sparks Lane and Hyatt Lane are 2 roads that are 2 way roads and help short cut the loop should you decide traffic is nuts I am out of here. Or people use them to make another loop through. Be patient and fill up your tank as the bear jams are real and traffic can back up. It is an 11 mile loop but takes about 2 hours if you stop to see things or bears are out. 50 yds is safe viewing distance for bears. Plenty of deer does with fawns and bucks in velvet. There are lots of beautiful overlooks and vistas for photos. Use the pull overs and take your time do not stop in the road. If you hike know bears are active and encounters are not unusual
And be prepared.
Laurel Falls would be an option too but plan accordingly as we are restricting off road parking now. It is being contained to actual parking areas to keep people from walking along the road. I would recommend stopping at the Sugarlands visitor center and speaking with the volunteers there and getting a trail map and the free quarterly newspaper if you are driving from Gatlinburg headed to Laurel Falls area. The Elkmont area has Daisy Town to visit.
The elk herds are over in NC area and best viewed around 6 PM to dark because they stay in the shade in Summer bulls are in velvet still the cows will have their calves with them.
I can provide more info if you have specific hikes or sites you may want to see.
Websites:
www.nps.gov/grsm
www.dlia.org
www.gsmit.org
Posted on 7/4/22 at 7:53 am to Phideaux
Look up waterfalls in Cashiers, NC. Lots easily reached
Posted on 7/5/22 at 2:05 pm to Phideaux
quote:
I can provide more info if you have specific hikes or sites you may want to see.
Hi, I'm going to piggyback onto this thread. My 30 year old daughter and I are going to Gatlinburg next Sunday-Wednesday. We will leave Sunday morning from Nashville, where my daughter lives. Our current plan is to go through Maryville and Townsend, probably grabbing lunch in Townsend and head to Cades Cove. I'm sure it will be busy on Sunday afternoon, but I think it fits into our schedule the best then. Any tips for things to do or see in Cades Cove is appreciated. Sounds like the John Oliver and Elijah Oliver cabin hikes are short. We will probably be interested in those. I'm hoping to see bears.
We are staying at an VRBO in Gatlinburg. We are mostly interested in the GSMNP, but will do a few things in Gatlinburg. We will probably ride the lift and may or may not do Anakeesta.
We are planning on starting really early on Monday, arriving at the park no later than 7 am. We want to hike to Grotto Falls and are hoping to see the llamas that supply LeConte Lodge. Any advice about where to park or where the llamas might be (which parking lot?) is appreciated! What other things in the park should be do on Monday?
On Tuesday, we are planning on getting started early as well. We want to hike to Alum Cave Bluffs and should be at the trailhead no later than 8 am, but possibly earlier. Later that day, we will be going to Clingman's Dome. Please let me know if there is anything else of interest in this area that we should consider.
We are considering whether to go to the Apple Barn and Cider Mill or the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge on one of these evenings. I know there is also a winery, moonshine, etc in the area. What would you recommend?
Thanks for any help you can give us! I'm looking forward to being somewhere that's slightly cooler than Houston!
Posted on 7/6/22 at 8:32 am to lsutiger3672
The comedy barn is fun with kids. Applewood’s is a good place to eat. Downtown Gatlinburg can be very crowded during the day.
Posted on 7/6/22 at 8:33 am to LaLadyinTx
Will give an update later today on some other trails and suggestions!
Posted on 7/7/22 at 12:57 pm to lsutiger3672
Take the kids to Dollywood, they will love it.
When you go in hang a right and there is a kids area with rides for them in the Country Fair area. If you go in and go to the left there are more rides for them at Wildwood Grove, also there is an indoor playground if you want to cool off.
If you go download the app so you can keep up to date on the shows. They'd probably love the bubble show and liquid beats. I just checked and it doesn't appear the foam party is going on anymore, looks like it was replaced with a dance party.
Splash Country is fun too, but my 4 year old wasn't a fan.
If you do Dollywood or Splash Country, keep in mind you can bring in food. Just don't be obnoxious about it and they don't care. No hard coolers, but a soft cooler with sandwiches or snacks and drinks comes in really handy for the kids if the food lines are long.
Personally, I wouldn't waste money on the Ripley's aquarium, it isn't cheap and was very underwhelming.
Dolly's Stampede was fun, but I'm not sure a 3 year old would sit through it.
Not sure how much driving you want to do, but my son and his little BFF hiked Hooper Bald and then went to Bald River Falls to see the water fall and play in the river. They had a blast.
When you go in hang a right and there is a kids area with rides for them in the Country Fair area. If you go in and go to the left there are more rides for them at Wildwood Grove, also there is an indoor playground if you want to cool off.
If you go download the app so you can keep up to date on the shows. They'd probably love the bubble show and liquid beats. I just checked and it doesn't appear the foam party is going on anymore, looks like it was replaced with a dance party.
Splash Country is fun too, but my 4 year old wasn't a fan.
If you do Dollywood or Splash Country, keep in mind you can bring in food. Just don't be obnoxious about it and they don't care. No hard coolers, but a soft cooler with sandwiches or snacks and drinks comes in really handy for the kids if the food lines are long.
Personally, I wouldn't waste money on the Ripley's aquarium, it isn't cheap and was very underwhelming.
Dolly's Stampede was fun, but I'm not sure a 3 year old would sit through it.
Not sure how much driving you want to do, but my son and his little BFF hiked Hooper Bald and then went to Bald River Falls to see the water fall and play in the river. They had a blast.
This post was edited on 7/7/22 at 1:01 pm
Posted on 7/7/22 at 3:05 pm to lsutiger3672
Why are Louisiana people so obsessed with Gatlinburg? It just sounds like its so trashy
Posted on 7/7/22 at 10:01 pm to FlyingTiger69
I'm here now staying in a nice place in Pigeon Forge, but Gatlinburg is much nicer to me.
Posted on 7/8/22 at 11:33 pm to LaLadyinTx
There is a new restaurant in Townsend called Peaceful Side Social I have not been there yet but it is always quite busy. It is in same shopping area as the IGA and Shell station. Also Company Distilling opened recently and they have deli sandwiches there Grand Opening is all weekend.
Your hiking looks well planned out not sure you have room for much more. Good idea to arrive early to the trail head for your hikes. Alum Cave hike will be busiest its popular and also a trail to access Mt. LeConte. Grotto Falls hike will be busy and its accessed from Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail,
Grotto Falls
Another interesting home site in Cades Cove is Henry Whitehead cabin down recently opened Parsons Branch Rd. Its a 2 way road past the Cable Mill Visitor Center, it becomes a one way road to NC if you go past the cabin.
On Sunday when you arrive stop at the Orientation Shelter on your was in to the Cove and speak with staff there get a Loop Road book which is a guide for all the sites in CC and a trail map to for hiking.
Bring lots of water and snacks to for your hikes - its hot. You encounter any bears just back up let them go on do not run away.
Also if you want to internet search a trail or site in the park add grsm and last word and it gives better info
Your hiking looks well planned out not sure you have room for much more. Good idea to arrive early to the trail head for your hikes. Alum Cave hike will be busiest its popular and also a trail to access Mt. LeConte. Grotto Falls hike will be busy and its accessed from Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail,
Grotto Falls
Another interesting home site in Cades Cove is Henry Whitehead cabin down recently opened Parsons Branch Rd. Its a 2 way road past the Cable Mill Visitor Center, it becomes a one way road to NC if you go past the cabin.
On Sunday when you arrive stop at the Orientation Shelter on your was in to the Cove and speak with staff there get a Loop Road book which is a guide for all the sites in CC and a trail map to for hiking.
Bring lots of water and snacks to for your hikes - its hot. You encounter any bears just back up let them go on do not run away.
Also if you want to internet search a trail or site in the park add grsm and last word and it gives better info
Posted on 7/9/22 at 1:54 am to lsutiger3672
The Titanic museum is really good.
Posted on 7/9/22 at 1:14 pm to FlyingTiger69
quote:
Why are Louisiana people so obsessed with Gatlinburg? It just sounds like its so trashy
The climate is completely different its lush green and has mountains that are beautiful. Its a tourist town no doubt but its safe and predictable like Disney World. It is over the top at times but is a drivable vacation to escape the heat of south Louisiana and its not the beach. One could do the same heading straight up to Arkansas as well.
Posted on 7/9/22 at 4:11 pm to LaLadyinTx
quote:
We want to hike to Alum Cave Bluffs and should be at the trailhead no later than 8 am, but possibly earlier. Later that day, we will be going to Clingman's Dome.
Alum Cave Bluffs is a fun hike but you should absolutely plan to get there as early as possible as it gets very crowded as early as 8 am.
Clingmans Dome is a straightforward steep paved walk with great views from the top. However the views are completely dependent on the weather in the area.
A view above the clouds at Clingmans Dome from our trip in October:
This post was edited on 7/9/22 at 4:18 pm
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