Things to do in Pigeon Forge, TN besides the usual...

[jjlaughner]

Heading to Pigeon Forge, TN, have been there several times... anyone know any fun places besides the obvious touristy stuff? There's a couple places we always eat, hit a couple shops for trinkets, the aquarium, and then go drive around. Wife won't do a cave tour, we will have our almost 2yr old daughter and 6yr old nephew part of the time.

Looking for some interesting places within an hours drive for a day trip. Either something for adults or adults and kids...

 

[Stubbleducker]

only two suggestions...
1) knife store north of town
2) most remote part of the park as far from Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/people as you can get

 

[indyjoe]

I forget the name of the big National Forest area there, but we really enjoyed doing the one way loop on the south part of the park. Time it so you are coming out of the loop just before twilight. The wife really enjoyed all the deer, black beer, and other critters we saw.

 

[Stubbleducker]

I forget the name of the big National Forest area there, but we really enjoyed doing the one way loop on the south part of the park. Time it so you are coming out of the loop just before twilight. The wife really enjoyed all the deer, black beer, and other critters we saw.

Sounds like you're talking about Cade's Cove at the west end of Smokey Mtn NP.

 

[Andre46996]

Just got married and honeymooned there....

10 days was way to long..

Go-karts and As seen on TV shops everywhere...

Mel's Diner is pretty good for a quick sandwich.
Ripley's Aquirium is great.
If the wax museum is finally open check it out...
Wonderworks is a waste of cash as is Dollywood..

The Nature out there is Super!!!
We had a cabin way up in the hills...

For what we spent we could have gone on a week long cruise but it was nice and will remember it for life. Just too touristy for me...

Like Vegas but instead of casinos it is Go-karts, crap shops, and Pancake houses...

 

[Thumper]

Floyd Garretts Muscle Car Museum just down the road.

 

[cobber]

Asheville's not that far, check out Biltmore. Also the Blue Ridge Parkway is an easy way to get altitude and you'll find some interesting folk art shops.

Over to Cherokee for kitschy tourism and cheap gas?

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

Asheville's not that far, check out Biltmore. Also the Blue Ridge Parkway is an easy way to get altitude and you'll find some interesting folk art shops.

Over to Cherokee for kitschy tourism and cheap gas?

I HIGHLY recommend a day-trip to the Biltmore if you've never been and you can swing the cost.

-J-

 

[Mike H]

My wife and I did the Biltmore last summer. I would go again. It might not be so great for a 2 year old though. There are a lot of steps.

 

[A_Brit_In_Indy]

There is a small American 50's diner in PF it's right in front of the big As. Seen on TV shop, best burgers and pies anywhere in that area

 

[jjlaughner]

I have been to the Biltmore, I dont think my wife has though. After a 6 hour drive down I don't thinking keeping a 2yr old in the car seat will happen to get out to the Biltmore! Last year on the way home was not fun... Thinking about doing the overnight drive down this year!

We are planning on taking the kids to the Aquarium (we went a few years ago before our daughter was born, she was only 7months old last year so we didn't go there).
I haven't been to Floyds in many many years, maybe I can get the father in law, brother in law and nephew to go one afternoon.
Maybe do the Cades Cove another afternoon with just the wife, let the grandparents take the kids swimming.
I really have no interest in Dollywood or the Titanic stuff, we do some shopping down there but I get tired of seeing the same junk in every store.

We have a time-share-condo the in-laws bought to take guests down. So we have a week, in a two bedroom condo, under the in-laws condo... built in baby sitter when we want to go out alone!

Keep the ideas rolling!

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

What type of vehicle will you be in?

You could try taking the Parson Branch Road out of Cade's Cove to the Dragon...

Our Kia mini-van made it, but it was dry. If it ain't dry - we'd have been SOL.

-J-

 

[Scutter01]

Asheville's not that far, check out Biltmore. Also the Blue Ridge Parkway is an easy way to get altitude and you'll find some interesting folk art shops.

Over to Cherokee for kitschy tourism and cheap gas?

If you jump on the Blue Ridge Parkway through NC, bring a bathing suit. Here's a little-known and hidden gem that's right on the Parkway:

Sliding Rock near Pisgah Forest, NC

 

[TRL]

Sounds like you're talking about Cade's Cove at the west end of Smokey Mtn NP.

This is a great place to go late one afternoon. The wife and I got married there 2 yrs ago and spent the week in a cabin. At cades we were mere feet from bear, deer, turkey, ect. it's not a far drive but has some really great "to see" things, but go late afternoon/evening.

 

[CountryBoy19]

This is a great place to go late one afternoon. The wife and I got married there 2 yrs ago and spent the week in a cabin. At cades we were mere feet from bear, deer, turkey, ect. it's not a far drive but has some really great "to see" things, but go late afternoon/evening.

Just curious here, why late afternoon/evening?

I've only been there once... early morning, and we saw plenty of wildlife and didn't have any problems with traffic.

I know this doesn't exactly fit your requirements, but I'm going to mention it for informational purposes because I know others will be interested. If you're up for a long day, and about 2-3 hr drive, check out Dupont Falls State Park in North Carolina... it's definitely worth the drive to see some really cool water falls. DuPont State Forest

High falls & Triple falls are the best. The only thing remotely "attractive" about Hooker falls was that there is a place on it that you can "slide" down the falls, and there was a group of kayakers kayaking off the falls while we were there which was pretty cool. Go off a 10' drop off, dunk under water and pop back up like nothing happened. Triple falls was fun because when we were there it was relatively dry, I was able to "scale" up the wall of all 3 falls with my wife and have our friends down below take pictures of us. It was a lot of fun, and a great memory for us.

The only downer is this is a NC State Park and carry is prohibited. While we were there we didn't see any rangers or any other people that appeared to be enforcing any rules. It also seemed like a really safe place.

 

[indiucky]

We always stay in Townsend. Only 10 minutes from Cades Cove. Great Fly Fishing everywhere. No people and good Bluegrass and BBQ.

Rick

 

[indytechnerd]

CLIMB Works Zipline Canopy Tour in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge | ClimbWorksCanopy.com

I will plug these guys at every opportunity. They are top notch. It's about 15mins outside of Gatlinburg, and the tour is a real good time for a few hours.

 

[a.bentonab]

We did a murder mystery dinner show. We'd never been to one and it was a good time in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way. They had amazing food.

I know you said you don't want to do the touristy stuff but you must go to the Comedy Barn. It is hilarious and kid friendly. My side hurt after that one from laughing so hard.

 

[Stubbleducker]

I know you said you don't want to do the touristy stuff but you must go to the Comedy Barn. It is hilarious and kid friendly. My side hurt after that one from laughing so hard.

My experience was not quite the same.... My inlaws decreed the whole family was going and even bought the tickets so I went. Even free, wasn't worth the money I paid. Was like watching a live version of "People of Walmart" both onstage and off.

The best part was trying to figure out how they advertise "standing ovations every show for 20 years" or something like that. Then they end the show with a gaint flag and Star Spangled Banner, so of course, everyone stands... due to partiotism, not because the show was worth as much as the gum on the bottom of your shoe.

Your mileage may vary, but for me it was definitely a lowlight amid a lot of competition for that spot!

 

[jjlaughner]

Good stuff, within a month of heading down... hope its not this hot down there!