Gatlinburg, TN

[LORITHECHICK]

I'm in the beginning stages of planning a trip there for next year...if you live in or have visited this area...please tell me do's & don'ts of lodging, fun places and must see...
thanks in advance :)

[Jess0587]

If you come to TN for sure, let me DeAnna, and Dana know! We will meet you up there!! B/c we all live about 3 hours from there! :)

I haven't had the opportunity to actually stay in Gatlinburg yet, but there is ton to do there! I know Dee has been there several times, so I'm sure when she gets on, she can tell you a lot about it.

[SSIAnkie]

I'm in the beginning stages of planning a trip there for next year...if you live in or have visited this area...please tell me do's & don'ts of lodging, fun places and must see...
thanks in advance :)


Do have breakfast at the Log Cabin Pancake House in Pigeon Forge, TN. Do play Hillbilly Golf if you like miniature golf. It is lots of fun, you play down the side of a large hill (Small mountain?) You ride an incline up and play your way down. I haven't visited the Aquarium, but they do have one. Have a great time. :D

[LORITHECHICK]

Oh that would be fun...sounds like a plan...:) If you come to TN for sure, let me DeAnna, and Dana know! We will meet you up there!! B/c we all live about 3 hours from there! :)

I haven't had the opportunity to actually stay in Gatlinburg yet, but there is ton to do there! I know Dee has been there several times, so I'm sure when she gets on, she can tell you a lot about it.

[LORITHECHICK]

Both of these are great ideas, I told Mr. Chick the Aquarium is definitely on the list, it looks really cool!!! I have been checking out tripadvisor also so I'm kinda using both resources here to make it the best vacation ever...Dollywood seemed way too expensive, we like rides but that's a bit much, $50+
We are looking at sooooo many lodging choices...some say cabin, some say hotel...I pretty much would like to stay away from "big" crowds as much as possible but I do like to have breakfast included...and a pool is a must. Do have breakfast at the Log Cabin Pancake House in Pigeon Forge, TN. Do play Hillbilly Golf if you like miniature golf. It is lots of fun, you play down the side of a large hill (Small mountain?) You ride an incline up and play your way down. I haven't visited the Aquarium, but they do have one. Have a great time. :D

[rebate queen]

In areas like Gatlinburg, there are tons of timeshare places that give a lot of "goodies" for sitting through a 90 minute presentation. That would probably be a great way to get Dollywood tickets and probably something in addition to them. I don't know the resources for finding them there, but I'm sure someone does.
In Orlando, that is how we got tickets to Islands of Adventure in it's opening year. I believe we got tickets to Midieval(sp) Times in Myrtle Beach as well.
Also, I have been called by many in Gatlinburg offering 3-4 day vacations at their resort very cheap. Most of the time you pay for a package for like $250 and you get the accomodations, some type of amusement tickets, restaurant GC's and even shopping money sometimes. Of course the requirement again is to sit through a presentation. The resorts are always very nice. I don't think I've ever stayed at one with less than 2 pools. If you could find one of these offers, then you could just find another place for a few days.
Just some ideas...I've been able to do a lot of things I wouldn't normally be able to afford this way.
Good luck!

[LORITHECHICK]

That's a great idea but for us maybe not, usually those things offer accomodations for 2, we have 3 in our party...most likely our son will be traveling with us...but that is a super idea for couples!

[rebate queen]

That's a great idea but for us maybe not, usually those things offer accomodations for 2, we have 3 in our party...most likely our son will be traveling with us...but that is a super idea for couples!

We always did it with 3 or 4. Most people actually seemed to have their kids with them. The accomodations usually had 2 bedrooms. It's really worth checking out, and is probably much better than what you may be picturing. The idea is to try to sell you on their resort, so you get great accomodations and a lot of pampering.

[LORITHECHICK]

Whooooo Hoooo now we're talking! If anyone knows of such...please don't hesitate on posting it here or pm me...

[ALawicki]

If you go (I have been like a million times) I would suggest trying to rent a cabin, not a hotel or anything. They have tons of great websites if you just google it, and alot of them have specials like 3 nights for the price of 2 and such. If you don't really have a price limit or if it is not too cheap, try www.cabinsusa.com they have really nice cabins.

Things to do:
~Ripley's Aquarium (I job shadowed there and its great!)
~Puckers Bar (you can write on the wall and such in the bathroom, very good place to go for a football game if your there then also)
~Putt Putt (they have a million to pick from)
~Taffy Shop (they are amazing and yummy)
~The Needle thing and ride up to the top
~Pancake Pantry (in Gatlinburg, but make sure to take cash, they only take cash and they charge $3 to get money out of the ATM!! also get there a little early, they will be a long wait most likely)
~Wonder Works (its in Pigeon Forge, it's $23 to get in I think, but it takes you about 2-3 hours to walk through it and it is very hands on if you have kids. It looks like an upside down building)
~Dinner Show (there are lots of them)
~Pigeon Forge Winery (take the free wine tasting and a tour if your up to it!)

That is about all I can think of right now. Check Gatlinburg's website and see if they have anything going on during the time your going. Also it is a good idea to have a GPS if your back in the mountains, and don't be afraid to ask for back roads at restaurants!! Hope this helps. If you have any other questions I can help. We are actually about to plan another trip there soon.

[othermo]

wyndhamtrips.com has timeshare trips..i have done one in pigeonforge. it has been several years..we got free ticket to aquarium and $50 in meal money. Be prepared for high pressure sales...we stayed at a ramada i think it was....you still pay all the taxes and fees of the hotel...

Lots of outlet malls ...Maggie Valley on otherside of mt is more old fashion.

[lizmolik]

I went there with my church one time, and we stayed at this really nice hotel, wish I could remember the name of it, but it was so beautiful, I remember that it was round and it was on top of a mountain, HTH. When I went there were tons of shops and things, so that would probably be something you could do?

[SSIAnkie]

Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge is aslo fun for kids and adults. It is dinner and a show with horses. The Apple Barn is also a place that DH and I enjoy. Oh, if you do the timeshare thing, you need to take your son. Give him lots of chocolate before you go. Hehehe ;)

[utkd29]

What type of cabin are you looking for, or are you looking for a hotel? We have family members that have various cabins I could probably get you a deal on. I would recomend staying in Pigeon Forge, there is more to do and it's easier to get around. Gatlinburg is only 5-10 minutes from there. You can get cabins with everything from pool tables, hot tubs and many other things to keep you busy! We go here at least 3 times a year, so we have learned all the cheap ways to go!;)

[imalittletoenail]

i live about 30 minutes from here...you are really going to enjoy your vacation here!!! there is a lot to do and it's absolutely beautiful...
lots of great suggestions already...i would suggest going to cades cove and driving through...it is beautiful...if you go to the welcome center in gatlinburg there are all kinds of maps for hiking trails and things in the mountains too...picnic by the water!!
definitely do hillbilly golf...it's an experience in and of itself
and the aquarium...eat at pancake pantry and do lots of outlet shopping!!!

i would stay in a chalet or a condo not a hotel...i have a friend that owns some condos just a little ways off the main road in gatlinburg if you're interested i could get you her contact info...there is a pool there!!
anywho...you're going to have a ton of fun :D

[dixiediane]

My son was married there in Gatlinburg and we had the most wonderful time.
Three years later we went for Labor day weekend for 4 days and got a
chalet up on the side of one of the mts. We had the most WONDERFUL time
even tho it rained everyday we were there....Chalet included-hottub and pooltable, outside bbq on the deck...we had a blast. Be prepared to spend
LOTS and LOTS of money but well worth the time there and the $$
You will NOT be disappointed.

[rebate queen]

wyndhamtrips.com has timeshare trips..i have done one in pigeonforge. it has been several years..we got free ticket to aquarium and $50 in meal money. Be prepared for high pressure sales...we stayed at a ramada i think it was....you still pay all the taxes and fees of the hotel...

Lots of outlet malls ...Maggie Valley on otherside of mt is more old fashion.


The timeshare trips aren't always like that. That is certainly one version of them, but many I have done, you stay at the resort.
I think I did one with Wyndham to Williamsburg. I paid a very low amount and did stay in a hotel that time. I think we got attraction and meal tickets as part of the package.
There are many different types of these deals.
Even if you find a place you want to stay, you can set up a visit to a resort where you do the 90 min thing, and instead of getting accomodations, you get cash or attraction tickets, etc. There is usually a choice.
And yes, it is high pressure, but if anyone can handle that, Lori can:p

[LORITHECHICK]

You are sooooo right...LOL
You folks have made my day...thank you for all the fantastic suggestions!
I still wonder though why everyone agrees on "don't stay at a hotel"?
See here's what I'm afraid of...if I book a cabin, chalet or condo and the furniture is "dirty" it will ruin the whole trip, atleast with a decent hotel I wouldn't have that concern...well that's how my mind works...a couple of months ago we rented a cabin out here and the couch was disgusting...I don't know if I want to take that chance again...
Also, like I said I really like having breakfast included and a pool....
I did check into this place called Gatlinburg Falls Resort...each cabin has a hot tub and the second floors have arcade games, pool table, air hockey, that sounded pretty good...but then I read a bad review and that idea went out the window...
You folks who mentioned knowing people, I will be in contact with you via pm shortly for more information...
So keep all the ideas coming...pretty please...sugar on top...:)

[rebate queen]

I'm guessing that most said don't stay at a hotel because there are so many better options.
I would say you are on the right track with talking to someone in the area. That way they can confirm for you if it's a nice, clean place or not.:)

[LORITHECHICK]

I just wonder why everyone is so into the cabin idea...?! Why not a hotel...?

[rebate queen]

I just wonder why everyone is so into the cabin idea...?! Why not a hotel...?

Just guessing again, but I think that's just what the area is known for, if that makes sense.
Maybe it's kind of like you wouldn't stay in a cabin in Vegas, you don't stay in a hotel in Gatlinburg.
I think also that it's more rare to have the option of a nice cabin, so you should take advantage of the opportunity:confused:

[LORITHECHICK]

Well, I received a nice bunch of brochures from Pidgeon Forge...tons of info on places to stay...I'm still thinking hotel...here's my reasoning and let me know if you all disagree...
I won't have to cook, I won't have to clean up...sounds like a vacation to me...eh?:D

[ALawicki]

That is true, but you can get a cabin and have more things to do at the cabin once you guys decide to go in. If you get a hotel you can walk more. There is a plus and negative to both. Are you staying in Pigeon Forge for sure? There is a really nice log cabin hotel there, but I can't remember the name. It is on the main strip. I am sure that if you see a picture of it then you will know the one I am talking about.

[LORITHECHICK]

I'm still trying to figure out which would be better but I'm still thinking Gatlinburg, just because I think Pigeon Forge has alot more traffic...

[utkd29]

Lori, I havent forgot about your PM I promise! I have been so swamped with work I dont have any free time. I will try to PM ya back on lunch....sorry:o

[ALawicki]

It does. If you stay in Gatlinburg and stay in a hotel there are lots of good ones. The great thing about being in a cabin is it is very private, you almost always have a hot tub, and some type of game table. The thing about staying in a hotel is you will be closer to everything. We always go in a cabin and we always cook there and stuff to save more money to spend in town (either shopping or doing fun stuff like putt putt or bungee jumping!). You can really get out cheap doing either, and there are cabins and hotels that cost the same. There are really nice cabins right as you go into Gatlinburg that are on the river and by everything. They are from www.cabinsforyou.com

[ALawicki]

Also that website, you get in with a code so you never have to check in! And they have really nice cabins and none of them are dirty. If you ever get something wrong with a cabin you rent there, call and complain. Most places there have more than enough cabins and if it is not up to your standards like they say it was, then ask them to move you to a different cabin. I go here all the time and normally use cabinsforyou and have NEVER had a problem with them.

[bjtwn4]

We went there last year. We had a blast. First of all I would recommend the Ripley's aquarium it was GREAT!!!! There is also this Dinosaur place I don't remember the name of it but it was pretty cool. Hope this helps. Main thing is to have lots of FUN!!!!

[aroggs]

We never went to Gatlinburg but we do stay in a cabin when we go to Branson,Mo and we like the cabin idea better than a hotel. A cabin feels more like a house and you dont have people over or under you. The cabins we go to supply the coffee maker,dishes,ect.. When we stay a week we will cook there a couple of times. And we also stay on the lake, so we have a beautiful view. It doesnt matter where you stay as long as your with family, friends and just have fun.