Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are one of our favorite places to visit during any time of the year. It has lots to do, and has beautiful scenery. That combination makes for a wonderful vacation spot for a weekend, or even a full week. Needless to say, you won't be bored in Gatlinburg/ Pigeon Forge with the variety of options. Below are some food places, activities, dinner shows, accommodations that we have done that we enjoyed!
Food
*Ole Red: This is an awesome little bar with food as well. They have a whole online schedule at https://olered.com/gatlinburg/calendar/ where you can see what times bands are performing. We really enjoyed the atmosphere, drinks, and the live music combination. TIP: We did have to wait about an hour, and we went during their off season. The waitress told us that during summers it is jammed packed and even longer waits!
*Margaritaville: This is located in the Island in Pigeon Forge. One of my favorite things about Margaritaville is their burgers. I always eat those when I visit there. They have a variety of options from seafood to burgers to steak to chicken for everyone! However, I do think it can be a little on the expensive side!
*Old Mill: We have ate here for breakfast, and it was wonderful. The service was fast. We went right when it opened and didn't have any difficulties or have to wait, but after we left there was a wait and line of people. The banana nut muffins are TO DIE FOR.
*Sunline Diner: We came across this on our last day before we headed out of town, and fell in love with its feel and theme. It is like a 50s diner with alike food (shakes, burgers, chicken, onion rings, etc.). Some of the booths here are cars. There was a wait when we arrived here for lunch time, but they have a cool little gift shop you can check out while you do so.
*The Local Goat: I made reservations for this location using OpenTable. There were a lot of people waiting when I went, and even with reservations we had to wait 10-20 minutes before being seated. Needless to say, this is a very popular spot. I enjoyed the food- it is New American style with chicken, burgers, steak, salmon, and pastas. It was a little expensive though.
*Dick's Last Resort: There is one of these restaurants in downtown Gatlinburg and in Pigeon Forge at the Island now. This is always a great dinner place with some comedy added to it. The waitresses/waiters are purposefully rude and grumpy, and make funny hats (sometimes inappropriate). We love the laughs and good food that come from visiting Dick's.
*Log Cabin Pancake House: We decided to try this before starting our day. There are literally SO MANY pancake houses, but this honestly the only one I have ever been to. There was a line down the street that seemed like it would take forever, but it was honestly 30ish minutes before we were seated. The food comes quick, and is a good breakfast meal. The prices are also good.
Attractions
*Ripley's Believe It or Not Aquarium: Aquariums and zoos are always must do attractions on our list as Michael (my boyfriend) has a major fish hobby. He was really impressed with the aquarium and all there was to see. It had a lot of variety of types of fish and many things for families/little ones to enjoy. In the middle of the aquarium was a play area for the kids. It also offers some touch tanks, a glass boat bottom tour (Extra cost), and a shark lagoon. My boyfriend was really impressed with the size and quality of fish they kept in their tanks. It has a moving walk way under a tank, and it even has a barracuda (we don't often see those)!! We find this to be a must visit spot. The website also mentions that they are open to 10pm on weekdays and 11 pm on weekends, which allows for some flexibility.
*DollyWood: We absolutely loved Dollywood and all that it had to offer, but it is the most expensive (besides Disney and Universal) theme park we have ever visited. It is around $100 a ticket per person for an adult, plus parking. It does have a lot to offer from great coasters, rides, food, and shows. I was actually really impressed with the shows it had to offer. We bought the TimeSaver passes, which were also an extra expense, however, if you are planning to visit on the weekends or busy time periods I would highly recommend it. Or, if you are trying to complete it in 1 day. The one other thing about Dollywood is that it is VERY hilly, and it can be difficult for some people to walk and the setup is hard to navigate without walking a lot of steps. So, be prepared to put on your walking shoes! Lastly, the theme of the park and the areas is amazing- they have done a wonderful job!
*The Island: This is a newer attraction in Pigeon Forge that attracts a lot of guests. We find it to be awesome. It has built up a lot of new things there including shopping, food (Margaritaville and Dick's located here), and a lot of new attractions. They also added some tasting areas for adults. It is a great place to go! We have done the two following activities at the Island:
*The Island Ferris Wheel: This is good in any weather as it is a "pod" and can hold several people in a group. The line wasn't long when we went, but the unloading and loading isn't necessarily a quick process, so plan to spend some time if you want to do it. We really enjoyed the view and the ride. Also, they have a green screen photo area before you go on and we have this gem of a memory FOREVER. Michael was wearing a green hoodie. LOL.
*SkyFly: Soar America If you have ever road Soarin' at Disney World this is a replica of that ride (may be a little better). It did a ride across the world to various places, and it felt like you were really gliding over those places. This was amazing and surprising with the caliber of ride it was. I would highly recommend this for your next visit to the Island.
*The Alcatraz East Crime Museum: This is a wonderful museum full of awesome pieces from criminals and with lots of information. If you are true crime fan, or serial killers this is a must visit. There was a line out the door with a wait when I visited in the summer, but it wasn't too long and I would say that it is worth it to wait for what you get to see (no spoilers here).
*Moonshine Distillery Tasting Walk: Moonshine is one of my favorite guilty pleasures, so I am biased to this activity. However, I believe this to be one of the BEST things about visiting the Smoky Mountains. There are 3 tasting areas down the Gatlinburg downtown parkway that are fun to walk to and visit including: Ole Smoky, Sugarlands, and Tennessee Shine Co (formerly Doc Hollidays). Ole Smoky is at the far back of the walk through downtown, and often has bluegrass bands playing. Sugarlands is the best testing in my opinion, as it offers a lot of the cream moonshines. Tennessee Shine Co. has revamped their shot tasting and you can now choose the shots you would like to have, and it has a large variety. Sugarlands and Ole Smoky are a set list of shots that are interchanged by the host and/or the company. The best part about all 3 of them is that they are $5 each (each offering at least 6 shots), and they can do some damage if you visit all 3 consecutively (not that I would know....)
*Mountain Coasters: This is a highly popular activity in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. I believe there are 2-3 different companies in the area that offer mountain coasters. I have been to Gatlinburg numerous times, and the last time I visited in the summer of 2023 was the first time I had ever rode one. There is a weight limit of 330 pounds (wet) and 375 (dry) for each coaster. You get to control the coaster with how fast or slow it goes. It was fun and thrilling experience that I can't wait to do again!
*Anakeesta: This is a great activity to do while in Gatlinburg as well, and it has many things to offer. It requires you to take a lift up to the top through a chair or a gondola. Once up top it offers dining, two mountain coasters of its own, zip lining, a tree walk with bridges, and the following other activities:
Vista Gardens: lush plantings, interpretive signage, Willow, and twigloos
BirdVenture: Interactive play element with 3 larger-than-life birdhouses, 7 slides, and over a dozen adventure elements.
AnaVista Tower: 360 degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains from the tallest point in Downtown Gatlinburg.
Children’s Treehouse Adventure- a series of educational and physical elements to delight your inner child.
BearVenture: ropes and log adventure course.
TreeVenture: Interactive challenge course for guests of all ages. Climb, crawl and slide through multi-level treehouses.
Firefly Village: a whimsical town in the sky with access to quaint shopping and dining, fire pit and breathtaking views.
Splash Pad: Tennessee themed waterfall with woodland creatures spouting water and jetted elements. Open seasonally.
Black Bear Village: gather here for live music and entertainment while enjoying scenic views of the great smoky mountains.
In short, you could probably spend a whole day just visiting and exploring all that Anakeesta has to offer. The cost for general admission is $34.99, but this does not include the coasters, and other activities such as gem mining.
*SkyLift Park: This is a lift up on a yellow chairlift to the Gatlinburg Sky Bridge and has many things to offer up at the top including:
The SkyDeck: Take in the best views in the Smokies from the beautiful SkyDeck, and checkout the three tallest peaks in the Smokies!
The SkyBridge: Dare to walk the SkyBridge and capture the best views of Gatlinburg.
The SkyTrail: Trek the SkyTrail and learn about local history and park animals. Maybe you will see a black bear!
The Tulip Tower: Cross the rope bridges and climb the Tulip Tower for a unique view of the valley and SkyBridge.
The SkyCenter: Recharge with food and drink as you see the panoramic view from the SkyCenter's upper deck.
Rocking Chair: Relax in the SkyDeck's rocking chairs for breathtaking views from about it all - don't miss the sunset!
We actually visited when it was raining and there were very few people there. It made for a scary time crossing the glass of the bridge. I am not a huge fan of heights and this had my knees trembling. However, I am very glad we did it and I would do it again (especially with no rain), but it can be intimidating and frightening to cross the bridge if you are afraid of heights.
*Cades Cove: Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. It offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. Large numbers of white-tailed deer are frequently seen, and sightings of black bear, coyote, ground hog, turkey, raccoon, skunk, and other animals are also possible. An 11-mile, one-way loop road circles the cove, offering motorists the opportunity to sightsee at a leisurely pace. Allow at least two to four hours to tour Cades Cove, longer if you walk some of the area's trails. Traffic is heavy during the tourist season in summer and fall and on weekends year-round. Michael and I had an absolute BLAST exploring Cades Cove. There are many different stops with trails, cabins, history, and animals/wildlife along the loop. It is about a 30-40 minute drive from downtown Gatlinburg. You can stop as little or as much as you want. We decided to stop at almost every stop, and we spent several hours there exploring. It was a wonderful time, and Michael said it was his favorite part of our last trip. Best of all, it is FREE and open from 8am-sunset year around. TIP: Bring binoculars to try to locate wildlife!
*ATV Renting: Renting a side by side or some sort of vehicle to drive through the Smoky Mountains is a great way to explore. There are some limits, but mostly you can drive it wherever you want in the Gatlinburg area and in the National Park. You can rent for up to 8 hours at most place, but it can be costly do so. However, its a great way to enjoy the nature and explore.
*Hillbilly Golf: This is a really enjoyable attraction in Gatlinburg. The course is set on the side of a hill and they take you up an incline and you play down the side of the hill. Once you get to the top, you’ll choose between two courses. If you want to experience both, you can for just an additional $5.99 per game.For a mini-golf course, this is quite the challenge. There are many obstacles and hills that will make you work to hit par. You may also be fascinated to see the incline railway that intersects with the course. At the end of the course, you get to take another little tram ride that deposits you safely at the entrance. Which, by the way, is where the restrooms are, so be sure to go before you go, or else you’ll be stuck on top of the hill with only fake outhouses insight.
*Walking through Gatlinburg: Visiting downtown Gatlinburg is always fun and full of adventure. There are many shops and souvenir locations as well as food. Many people will park in one of the parking areas if they don't have a hotel downtown, and walk along the parkway. It can be very busy through the streets, but there is a lot to do!
*Gatlinburg Space Needle: This is a cool and affordable way to get a good view of the mountains. The iconic Gatlinburg Space Needle is a 407’ observation tower that overlooks beautiful Gatlinburg and the surrounding Smoky Mountains. The tower is served by two glass elevators. You will ride over 400’ to the observation deck for a 360° view of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg. At the bottom of the space needle is also an arcade and pizza parlor (with good pizza) that makes for a fun little pit stop, especially if it is raining!
*Go Karting: There are many tracks and courses available through the area. I have done this once, and it was a whole lot of fun! It is awesome as a couple or with a large group of people to bring out your competitive side!
Dinner Shows
*Dixie Stampede: This is easily my favorite dinner show of the 3 main ones in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. The entire show from start to finish is magnificent. The performers are amazing with great stunts and it adds a lot comedic value to it as well. It has many animals involved as well, which adds more value to the show for us. The audience is split into two teams: the North and the South. There is not a bad seat in the venue, so it doesn't matter which one you pick. The setup is like an arena with people in rows (can be seen in pictures below). This is a great addition for any family, couple, or large group vacation. Plus, they offer a wonderful meal that includes: Original Creamy Vegetable Soup (to die for), Homemade Biscuit, Tender Whole Rotisserie Chicken, Hickory Smoked Barbeque Pork Loin, Buttery Corn on the Cob, Herb Basted Potato, Hot Flaky Apple Turnover, and unlimited Coca-Cola®, tea or coffee. The ticket price is around $70 per person for an adult, and I think that is more than worth it for what is offered. If you can't do any other shows in Gatlinburg, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ONE!
*The Pirates Voyage: This is another great show in the Pigeon Forge area. It's theme is centered around pirates and mermaids, of course. It has a lot of great stunts performed by the performers. The audience is split into two teams: Crimson and Sapphire. Much like the Dixie Stampede, there is not a bad seat in the venue, so it doesn't matter which one you pick. The setup is like an arena with people in rows. The show also features a seal and some tropical birds, which make it more appealing! It also includes a four course feast that features: Buccaneer Biscuit, Voyager Creamy Vegetable Soup, Cracklin’ Pan-Fried Chicken, Swashbucklin' Sugar-Cured Ham, Cob-O' Buttery Corn, Pirate Herb-Basted Potato, Apple O' Me Eye Pie, and unlimited Coca-Cola®, tea or coffee. I would recommend this one as well behind Dixie Stampede.
*Hatfield and the McCoys: Though I enjoyed this show, I don't believe it to be the caliber of the other two by any means. There is some comedy to the show, and it offers quite a few more laughs than the other two shows. The audience is split into two teams: the Hatfields and the McCoys. You are also sitting at dinner tables with only the people in your group. Many people rave that this is their favorite show of the three, but for me, it is my least favorite. The food was good though and ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT as it included: Feudin’ Fried Chick’n, Open Pit Pulled-to-Pieces Pork Barbeque, Southern Style Creamy Soup, Smashed Mashed Taters, Buttery Corn on the Cob, Ma’s Hot Homemade Bread, No Tellin’ What’s In It Coleslaw, Granny’s Famous Specialty Dessert, and unlimited Coca-Cola®, tea or coffee. I would recommend it though, and I'm sure I will visit it again!
To order tickets visit: https://www.dollywood.com/shows/tickets/
Stays
*Cabins: This is one of my favorite ways to stay. There are many different options on AirBnB, Booking.com, and with other booking companies. The pros is that it is sometimes secluded and you can get a lot of wonderful views by staying in cabins in the mountains. However, sometimes they can be the most expensive way to stay unless you are splitting with a large group and it can add many fees such as cleaning. The last time we stayed in Gatlinburg, we found a gem of a place for my family as seen below!
*Tiny Home: Michael and I tried this option recently, and liked it. We stayed in a Hobbit home that we found in AirBnB. It was perfect for our couple retreat, but wouldn't recommend for a family of more than 3. It was setup so perfectly,but there were a few nearby tiny homes in the same area. We liked that it was also so close to where we were going.
For more unique stays, I highly recommend using AirBnB and for hotel/RV stays I would suggest Booking.com for the cheapest rates.
*Hotels Nearby: One of the cheaper options is staying at a hotel in downtown Gatlinburg or nearby. There are many cheap options, but I would recommend reading a review and doing your research. I have stayed at the Sidney James Lodge, and really enjoyed it. It was nestled on a creek, had a nice indoor pool, and was very affordable.
*Campground/ RV Stay: Another affordable option is staying at a campground with a tent or bringing an RV, you can get spots for cheaper than rooms at most times. Many people in the Gatlinburg area will also rent out their RVs that are already setup in campground resorts. I have done this option before, and I had no complaints. You can find them on AirBnB and Booking.com as well!
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