Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge - too busy in August?

[HatboxHaint]

Wild Bear Falls water park in the Westgate resort is great! You do not have to stay at the hotel to get in. It is not a massive indoor waterpark like the wilderness in Sevierville, but it has enough to keep kids busy. I like that it is small and we can let the kids roam a bit, but still keep tabs on them. It has two slides, a kids area with dump bucket, hot tubs, lazy river.

Also, have you looked at Cherokee. It is not what is used to be but. I wish Santa's Village was kept up better but we went last summer and my kids loved the Rudi-coaster and it is still charming. My parents never did Disney but they did take me hear 30+ years ago. The Cherokee village and unto these Hills drama would also be an interesting highlight.

 

[HatboxHaint]

What do you guys think is the most "disney" resort in the Smokies? My guess would be the new Dollywood resort....

 

[Legendteri]

We are going for the first time in July. I am really excited about it too. Our plan is to spend three days in town ( Ripley's Aquarium, Goats on the Roof mountain coaster and walking around town) and three days in the park ( Cades Cove, Roaring Fork motor trail and Clingman's dome).

I found a small discount for Ripley's by ordering our tickets online early and using promo code CRINFOFST0609. I also used groupon for the mountain coaster at Goats on the Roof.

We are sharing a cabin with family and this is what my sister found. I think she did a pretty good job as it has access to a community pool and I think we will also have views of the OberGatlinburg aerial tram.

https://www.vrbo.com/726850

 

[100AcreWood]

That looks like a very nice cabin! I normally book Windsor Hills when we go to Disney so I miss my cheap condo weeks! We're planning to book a cabin this trip to get the "full" experience.

 

[Mouse Ear]

We are going for the first time in July. I am really excited about it too. Our plan is to spend three days in town ( Ripley's Aquarium, Goats on the Roof mountain coaster and walking around town) and three days in the park ( Cades Cove, Roaring Fork motor trail and Clingman's dome).

I found a small discount for Ripley's by ordering our tickets online early and using promo code CRINFOFST0609. I also used groupon for the mountain coaster at Goats on the Roof.

We are sharing a cabin with family and this is what my sister found. I think she did a pretty good job as it has access to a community pool and I think we will also have views of the OberGatlinburg aerial tram.

https://www.vrbo.com/726850

Just a word about Ripley's... it doesn't take long to get through it. I love aquariums to death, and it takes me about an hour to get through Ripleys, even when I try to take my time.

 

[mommyburns]

I did the dream more resort for spring break and it was nice. I have only stayed value at Disney and the bunk room I had was definitely nicer than a value room. The bus over was nice so that my car never let the hotel lot. The timesaver pass was another nice benefit of the reservation (think similar to fast pass). If you have more questions about the resort I will answer what I can.

 

[dreiwhit]

As promised, hese are the shortcuts that I take to get where we need to go. They make sense if you follow Google Maps while looking at them.

Many of the roads connect, so don't be afraid to look at a map and try a different way:

• If you are coming in to Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg on a Friday or Saturday, you can avoid Sevierville and the traffic on Whitfield Dunn Parkway by taking US-321 off I-75 and go through Lenior City, Maryville, Townsend and Wears Valley.

• Avoiding traffic on Whitfield Dunn Parkway north of Sevierville - Southbound traffic gets heavy on Fridays and Saturdays

1. 1. Be in the right lane as you are going southbound. Turn right onto Boyds Creek Highway
   2. Turn left onto Old Knoxville Highway.
   3. Stay on Old Knoxville Highway until you reach US441/West Main Street in Sevierville.

• If you want to avoid traffic on the parkway between Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, and get to Dollywood or the southern end of Pigeon Forge:

1. 1. Follow the instructions above
   2. Turn left onto US441/West Main Street
   3. Turn right onto Veterans Blvd (State 449)
   4. Veterans Blvd will end at Dollywood Lane
   5. Dollywood Lane ends at US-321 (The Parkway)

• BTW, You can access other areas in Pigeon Forge by taking Collier Drive or Ridge Road off Veterans Blvd.

• Avoiding The Parkway (US-321) in Pigeon Forge:

1. 1. Teaster Lane parallels The Parkway (US-321) to the east in Pigeon Forge. Teaster Lane will dead end into Dollywood Lane
   2. To the west of The Parkway (US-321), you can take Florence Drive off Wears Valley Road. At the intersection of Florence Drive and C.A. King Blvd, stay on C.A. King. C.A. King turns into Rena Street – stay on Rena Street. Turn left onto Ogle Drive. Ogle Drive will end at the southern end of the parkway.

• Avoiding US-321 from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg (This way works for my family because we stay at Mountain Loft on US-321)

1. 1. Take Dollywood Lane. At the intersection of Dollywood Lane and Upper Middle Creek Road, take Upper Middle Creek.
   2. Turn Right onto Birds Creek Road (State 454)
   3. You can either turn left onto Glades Road and come in closer to Gatlinburg on US-321, or stay on State 454 and hit US-321 further east.

• Avoiding the Intersection of US-321 and US-441 in Gatlinburg:
  
  1. As you come into Gatlinburg on US-321 from Pigeon Forge, get in the left lane.
  2. Turn left onto Dudley Creek Road.
  3. Stay on Dudley Creek Road as it turns into 2A.
  4. Dudley Creek Road / 2A will end on US-321.
• Avoiding The Parkway in Gatlinburg:

1. 1. On US-441, get in the right lane
   2. Turn right onto River Road (Ripley’s Aquarium will be on the right.)
   3. River Road parallels The Parkway. You can either get back on US-441 by turning right onto Sky Moutain Road or continue on River Road until it ends at US-441.

• If you want to avoid Gatlinburg all together and go to the National Park, you can take the Gatlinburg Bypass from US-321 to US-441.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn - Gatlintburg. We did go in September but it was still crowded. We thought the Hilton garden Inn was wonderfully located as it was what they say "1 block" off "the strip". It was easily accessible to all the Gatilinburg attractions and basically at the base of the Smokey Mountains. So we could walk all through Gatlinburg and head out via car with much less traffic to head to the mountains. We would walk for breakfast and dinner....great location.

My hubs is diamond with Hilton so we always stay at their properties and I second this recommendation. Newer, clean, walking distance to everything.

The other Hilton property is a doubletree...Park Vista. Way up on the hill and spectacular views. Great pool with slides. I have refused to stay there for years because it seemed so musky and in need of a renovation. Luckily they are renovating it now. Not sure when it will be complete but check it out also. The con is it isn't walking distance down into the shopping/dining/entertainment district. However they have a bus that leaves every so often.

 

[Legendteri]

Just a word about Ripley's... it doesn't take long to get through it. I love aquariums to death, and it takes me about an hour to get through Ripleys, even when I try to take my time.

Thank you for the heads up. I appreciate it. The closest aquarium to us is in Chicago and I have only been there once. The kids have never been to one. I have looked at pics of it on Trip advisor so we know what to expect, but I still think it is something they would enjoy, even if it doesn't take too long.

 

[100AcreWood]

dreiwhit - thank you for taking the time to write out the instructions for me! I really appreciate it!

We booked a cabin through Timber Tops. I read a lot of past threads and found good reviews on them. Hopefully it will go well.

 

[Cajun_country]

I love the Smokies. I try to go 1-2 times per year. Let the kids play in the creeks, because it should be hot enough in August and that is free. Stop at the Sugarland Visitor Center and there is a rather short hike for the Cataract Falls. From there head into the park and either head towards Cade's Cove, or towards NC. If you head towards NC there are many stops and pull offs you can take. I highly recommend the Mingo Waterfall, which is near Cherokee. Not much to do in Cherokee(casino) but it is a waterfall I really like. I also like the Chimney Tops Trail and the Alum Cave Bluffs (I think it's closed for renovations).

My children enjoyed Dollywood, but I would only go for a day, or maybe two at most. I hear many complaints of traffic and have been in September and didn't find it bad that month. I go in October which is usually a peak month, and I guess i'm odd but the traffic doesn't bother me too much. We stayed at a Clarion Inn on the strip in Gatlinburg and I loved the location because it was about as close as you could get to the National Park and we had several nice restaurants in walking distance. I like riding the tram at Ober Gatlinburg and there is an old ice skating rink. That building is a bit out dated. Riding up the sky lift in Gatlinburg is another think i've only done a few times but truly enjoyed. I love to go to the Fannie Farkle arcade place for the grilled sausage!!!!! My kids love to play the arcade there. They have a space needle that a man recently committed suicide from I did this walking tour at night that was about Ghost Stories- there were a few companies who did that (one was more cheesy, with costumes, but the one I went one told a bit about the history of the city and I enjoyed that). On the Roaring Fork Motor Trail, which is off of this Orchard Tree Rd, there are a couple of waterfalls, and a couple of nice mountain views- it has a few old homesteads which kinda makes it's similar to Cade's Cove. I never seem to see animals besides a squirrel on the Roaring Fork Trail, but people claim to see bears and deers.
The Ripley's Aquarium is very nice, but look at weather forecast for a rainy day/or worst weather day.
I love going to "The Christmas Place" in Pigeon Forge..I guess it's and odd tradition, but I love to get a personalized ornament and look around. The Apple Barn is a popular restaurant- it's just kinda like Cracker Barrel to me. They did have the big hot air balloon thing like Disney, and plenty of places to zipline, The Titanic place, WonderWorks, and plenty of dinner shows including the Dixie Stampede. We like to pull into the parking lot and look at the horses from their stalls at the Dixie Stampede.

 

[dreiwhit]

dreiwhit - thank you for taking the time to write out the instructions for me! I really appreciate it!.

You're most welcome!

Also, in downtown Gatlinburg, you can cross over to the other side of The Parkway by taking cross streets off River Road. When traffic is busy, I end up planning out my trips. Google Maps is your friend!

One thing we like to do is to eat at Calhoun's in Gatlinburg. They have free parking for folks eating there. After we eat, we walk down "the strip" to walk off the meal and window shop.

My wife and I got engaged in Gatlinburg in December 1999, so its a special place for us. I asked her to marry me while we were resting on a bench at the Elks Plaza. Maybe not the most romantic place, but it was the first time we had been alone in days, so it was the best I could do at the time

Whit

 

[HatboxHaint]

Anyone ever camp in the Smokies and have a favorite campground?

We camped at Yogi in the Smokies in Cherokee last year..well it was actually one of their cabins. Kids had a a great time, but the area is kinda shady that surrounds it. It's close to Mingo Falls which was mentioned by @Cajun_country above.

 

[dreiwhit]

Besides eating at Calhoun's, these are some of the places we like to go or visit:

• Smokey Mountain Knife Works (has a good bit of stuff on clearance)
• The Titanic exhibit
• The Tanger Outlets - clothing stores and a Disney Outlet store.
• Book Warehouse
• Ripley's Aquarium
• Christmas Village
• Mountain Mall
• Pizza Hut in Pigeon Forge - one of the best Pizza Huts that I've eaten at!
• The space needle in Gatlinburg
• Roaring Fork Motor Trail
• The National Park - Sugerlands visitor center, short hiking trail by the Sugerlands visitor center, New Found Gap, Clingman's Dome, Chimney's picnic area (rock hopping!), Laurel Falls, Cade's Cove, and the picnic area before you get to Cade's Cove (the kids like to splash in the water.)
• VF/Hanes outlet on Collier Drive (Books A Million is there as well.)
• Walking along The Parkway in Gatlinburg and window shopping.

The Belz factory outlets are worth skipping. When I first went there, they were full. The last time I went in 2012, it was like a ghost town in there. They had even removed blocks of shops and cordoned off the area.

Some of the stuff we enjoyed doing, like seeing Louise Mandrell in concert or eating at the Alabama Grill is sadly gone.

 

[Legendteri]

Has anyone eaten at Crockett's Breakfast camp ? That is on our list as is Fanny Farkles and The Old Mill restaurant in Pigeon Forge ?

Also, could someone recommend a good mini golf place ? $50 for all of us at Ripley's is a bit too high.

 

[tobikaye]

Besides eating at Calhoun's, these are some of the places we like to go or visit:
...

• The National Park - Sugerlands visitor center, short hiking trail by the Sugerlands visitor center, New Found Gap, Clingman's Dome, Chimney's picnic area (rock hopping!), Laurel Falls, Cade's Cove, and the picnic area before you get to Cade's Cove (the kids like to splash in the water.)
• Walking along The Parkway in Gatlinburg and window shopping.

...

I would guess that between 1985 and 2006, I probably went to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg about 4-8 times a year. I have never been to Dollywood and have not done many of the "attractions" that came about since about the mid-1990s.

Walking about downtown Gatlinburg was my favorite thing, especially in the evenings during the 80's and early 90's. I wish it still had the feel and types of shops they had then. There are some nice places, but the last time I spent time downtown there were a lot of places that you just skipped now.

I love picnics at Chimneys where we would walking the rocks and at Metcalf Bottoms where I usually get great pictures. I actually lost one of my cameras in the Little Pigeon River from off of 441 by the entrance to Chimneys. I slipped walking across about 6:30 am one morning. Luckily I was able to get out on my own, but the camera was a loss.

As for food in Gatlinburg, I have trouble eating in Gatlinburg without wishing it was one of the places that closed, such as Burning Bush. Calhoun's was just okay the last time I was there.

 

[HatboxHaint]

The Lumberjack show in Pigeon Forge was really good, we saw it this last December. Kids really loved it. Dolly has recently bought it and is rennovating, not sure when it will be re-opened but she claims that it will now have music which I'm sure will make it even better.

 

[100AcreWood]

Has anyone eaten at Crockett's Breakfast camp ? That is on our list as is Fanny Farkles and The Old Mill restaurant in Pigeon Forge ?

Also, could someone recommend a good mini golf place ? $50 for all of us at Ripley's is a bit too high.

I don't know the price but Hillbilly Golf looks interesting. We don't have time for it though.

 

[BizmoFunyuns]

I can't attest to the August crowds. My family has gone during October the last two years. This is also a popular time with the leaves changing so it is busy as well. Just like at Disney the earlier you start your day the better for crowds. Our favorite breakfast place is the Old Mill. We have done Dixie Stampede and the Hatfield Mccoy feud dinner shows. Liked both of them a lot. I think younger kids may like the feud better. My daughter loved all the beautiful horses at Stampede. Can't go wrong with either really. Bring eating utensils if you don't want to eat with your hands. Cades cove and roaring fork both awesome to do. I like the views and scenery better on roaring fork. Better chance to see bears at cades cove imo. Check out the nascar speed park if you like go carts. Flat fee let's you ride all day on like 8-10 tracks. Plus they have a couple carnival rides, rock wall, and mini golf included as well. We actually got a week pass last time and rode them almost every day last year. Only missed one day due to rain. I could go on and on about Gatlinburg, we love it. Truly something for everyone. You can take in all the touristy stuff in Pigeon forge, or spend the whole vacation with nature in the park.

 

[mommajo143]

DH & I lived in Chattanooga for about a year & visited the area a lot on weekends as a young couple before having children & are excited to bring our boys here. I'm sure most of what we recall about crowds, attractions, etc is no longer accurate but we are *gasp* arriving with nothing more than a week off work & a hotel room. Our Sept WDW trip exhausted me planning wise & im excited about a week of relaxing, whatever that ends up looking like.

Anyhiw, My family is driving in now (finally made it to Birmingham so not much farther) ~ I'd guess the crowds will be similar this week to crowds in July & can let you know / post back once we have a better feel for the area & crowds.