Holiday in Tennessee

Hello,

My US hubby and I will be heading to Gatlinburg TN next month for a family reunion ... the thing is none of us actually live there, so I am on the look out for any sugestions of what we can do during our stay ... apart from shelter from the sun!

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

Gatlinburg is great fun. Haven't been since I was a teenager, but it was always a good time. And BEAUTIFUL.

Here's a link for a PDF of all the attractions:

http://www.gatlinburg.com/!userfiles/editor/docs/Gatlinburg_minivg_Attractions.pdf

There is a LOT to do in gatlinburg and the surrounding area. Te mountains are gorgeous and always nice for a ride. There's also plenty of shopping going on. And I know it sounds crazy, but I have always loved Dollywood. It's actually a lot of fun. It's close to Gatlinburg in a town called Pigeon Forge. The little downtown are is cute. Little mountain shops and things like that. There's also plenty of te stereotypical vacation town stuff to do, like about 25 different mini golf places.

And I know it sounds crazy, but I have always loved Dollywood. It's actually a lot of fun. It's close to Gatlinburg in a town called Pigeon Forge.

Oh yeah! I forgot Dollywood was so close Dollywood is fabulous.

I just went on a southern roadtrip with my husband, and our last destination was Gatlinburg (for his birthday)! I loved it, it was completely bonkers. We had breakfast at Pancake Pantry and spent the day playing mini golf (there is a lot of mini golf, I recommend the historical one, its actually pretty educational). There's an amusement park in the mountains, I think, unfortunately I couldn't go because the husband's afraid of heights. But I would recommend taking a mountain hike if the weather's good, the area is beautiful. And if you love kitsch, you'll appreciate Gatlinburg.

Be sure to stock up on fudge and airbrush t-shirts! We don't spend much time in Gatlinburg when we go to the Smokies (too crowded) but there are some amaaaaazing hikes for all ability levels. Abram Falls in particular is a good one. Also, take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway if the weather's good. The mountain slide at Ober Gatlinburg is really fun too. Have a great time!

I LOVE the blue ridge parkway! I went to college just about 45 minutes from Asheville, NC just over the SC line and we were always heading up into the mountains to hike or just hang out.

Thanks so much for all your ideas!  So Dollywood, mini golf and the blue ridge it is!  Some of the family had already mentioned Dollywood but im not sure how convinced everyone was so maybe i'll add another vote to that trip!

Im really looking forward to it but also a little scared for the heat and humidity!

I have never found the heat and humidity in the mountains to be overbearing, but them again I have lived somewhere with far worse heat and humidity most of my life so Tennessee feels cold and dry to me. I mean I let my house get up to about 80 before I put on the A/C.  Haha. And Dollywood is shockingly fun. Of course there's a lot of stuff devoted to her, but there are also some great rides and some cool attractions. I seem to recall there are glass blowing demonstrations, candle making stuff, and even someone making lye soap.

I seem to recall there are glass blowing demonstrations, candle making stuff, and even someone making lye soap.

When I was there they had a blacksmith/cooper guy. Watching someone build a barrel is mind blowing.

My earliest memories of Gatlinburg were from when I was about six. I don't remember much. My brother and I went with my Uncle's family. Later I would mention it to my uncle and he would just sigh - a station wagon all the way from Florida to Tennessee with 5 kids crammed in back.

Anyhow we stopped somewhere in Gatlinburg and there was this young Native American guy dressed in full Plains Indian motif hanging around in the parking lot. His name was Chief Walk on Water and for a few dollars you could have your picture taken with him, get an Indian name, and a leather headband with a feather in it. We went crazy. Chief Walk on Water, along with his headdress and beaded jacket, wore cool wayfarer shades.

My uncle is thrifty....I can just imagine his reaction to it. But he was jammed up.

So we all get pictures and stuff. Then it was time to get our names. My brother - a year older than me - went first. Chief Walk on Water gave him the name Geronimo. I went bananas over this - crying and throwing a fit - because suddenly I wanted to be Geronimo more than anything in the world. He gave me the name Little Rain Cloud - I think he was being clever.

These are some great ideas. I am from East Tennessee and think the mountains are as beautiful as any place in the world. If you're a walker, hike in the Smokies--the Chimney Tops may not be as crowded as the rest of the park. As for heat and humidity, it can't be as bad as the listed building in London where our offices are located--gagging this week!

When I was there they had a blacksmith/cooper guy. Watching someone build a barrel is mind blowing.

My earliest memories of Gatlinburg were from when I was about six. I don't remember much. My brother and I went with my Uncle's family. Later I would mention it to my uncle and he would just sigh - a station wagon all the way from Florida to Tennessee with 5 kids crammed in back.

Anyhow we stopped somewhere in Gatlinburg and there was this young Native American guy dressed in full Plains Indian motif hanging around in the parking lot. His name was Chief Walk on Water and for a few dollars you could have your picture taken with him, get an Indian name, and a leather headband with a feather in it. We went crazy. Chief Walk on Water, along with his headdress and beaded jacket, wore cool wayfarer shades.

My uncle is thrifty....I can just imagine his reaction to it. But he was jammed up.

So we all get pictures and stuff. Then it was time to get our names. My brother - a year older than me - went first. Chief Walk on Water gave him the name Geronimo. I went bananas over this - crying and throwing a fit - because suddenly I wanted to be Geronimo more than anything in the world. He gave me the name Little Rain Cloud - I think he was being clever.

Oh yes. There is a LOT of Native American tourist stuff going on in that part of the country. We used to go to Cherokee, NC a lot and that is pretty much all there is to Cherokee. I spent a huge pint of time in the western NC/eastern TN area when I was young. It was great for cheap camping family vacations. We always stayed at campground in Balsam, NC called Moonshine Creek. I went there regularly up into my late teens. We would always do the Maggie Valley/Waynesville/Cherokee thing and do a hike or two.

I got married in Gatlinburg. Great location, great dress, great rings.......wrong groom lol. Anyway, my family has gone there for years. We always stay at different places but I prefer the Gatlingburg side. I love being inside the park. One of my favorite times was swimming in the creek. You can also go tubing or white water rafting which is sooooo much fun. Plenty of hikes. Cades Cove is a great place to drive or bike. You can stop and do some mini hikes inside.
Also there is plenty of the regular attractions my favorite being HillBilly Golf......you go up the side of the montain and play your golf, then come back down.Also the chair lift is great. Great views. I went up the chair lift in my wedding dress.  People were taking our pictures.   Gatlinburg is walkable......Pigeon Forge, not so much but if you dont want to drive, you can take the trolley back and forth at a cheap price.  The aquarium is nice to get out of the heat. There are so many places to eat......take your pick.  Pancake Pantry is one of the most popular breakfast places, but rest assured that there are PLENTY of places to go for breakfast.
You will see when you arrive.......you will not be bored.