Smokey Mts.

We've been twice, once for our honeymoon, and once several years later. I highly recommend you stay in Pigeon Forge instead of Gatlinburg. If you aren't going to stay in a cabin, Creekstone Inn is a nice place to stay, just off the main drag but kind of private and not too expensive. You can get a room with a jacuzzi and/or a fridge, which helps if you'd rather eat in for breakfast. We bought cereal and fruit for breakfast to save $ on eating out. Of course, if you get a cabin you wouldn't have to worry about eating out if you didn't want to.

The Dixie Stampede is wonderful (expensive but worth it, I thought.) They have lots of stuff to see/do but remember it's all very tourist oriented, so prices aren't cheap. Gatlinburg is ok if you like to shop on foot a lot, but I prefered Pigeon Forge. They have Dollywood, Ripley's Believe it or Not, and a bunch of other attractions. You do have to pay to get in to see all of them.

If you know when you're going, I would recommend you try to buy an entertainment book off the internet for that area, if they sell them. Sometimes they're called Dine-a-mate books, and the cost $25 or $30 and are full of coupons.

 

We went to the Smokies on our honeymoon three years ago. We stayed in Cherokee, NC. I wouldn't stay there on another trip but would stay in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. However, a visit to the indian reservation in Cherokee is well worthwhile and attending the outdoor play Unto These Hills is highly recommended. It tells the story of the Cherokee nation from the time white men first arrived until they were forced to Oklahoma on the "trail of tears" under the Andrew Jackson administration.

 

You may have come across this already, but here's a link that gives 9 ways to save money in Pigeon Forge.

http://www.mypigeonforge.com/savemoney.asp


:wavey:

 

Coming down toward my neck of the woods, eh?

Pigeon Forge is a great place. Lots to do, lots to see, lots of places to shop. But you do have to go to Gatlinburg at least once to see Ripley's Aquarium.

Be sure to look around a bit, Donna. My wife found us a package a while back that had three nights in the Ramada, tickets to Dixie Stampede, and tickets to the aquarium for $200.

I'm not sure what time of year you plan on going (I am guessing November or so), but the winter rates are cheaper, especially after the first of the year. Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg keep up their Christmas lights until March 1st, so Valentine's Day is great up there.

 

I live an hour from there. Ask anything you want. I love it there. I recommend Gatlinburg instead of Pigeon Forge, though you won't go wrong with either. Pigeon Forge can be more congested.

 

If you like museums, Christus Gardens is in Gatlinburg. It's a wax museum of Biblical characters and is nice and cool inside if you want to escape from the heat or rain.

 

Donna, you can always stay in Pigeon Forge and visit Gatlinburg. You won't want to miss seeing the Smokies.
You can also visit Cade's Cove in the smokies. You drive through it and you just might see lots of wildlife. We were driving through it several years ago and a huge black bear ran across the road right in front of us. It was cool.

Here's a link: http://www.cadescove.net/auto_tour.html

 

Cade's Cove! Thanks, Amy. I was trying to remember the name of that all afternoon.
I've been there, and it is a neat place!
Highly recommended!!:thumbs:

 

Donna, here's a link to a camp ground in Pigeon Forge.

http://www.shadyoakscampgroundpigeonforge.com/

There's so many in and around Gatlinburg that I can't post them all.
I googled "smoky mtns. camping facilities" and came up with a ton of links.

Check hotel rates and you might come out about the same as renting an RV.

 

We live over on good side of the smokeys (the North Carolina side of course for Trotter and TomVols) Great place to go.

If you are bringing an RV stay in the park. I would recommend Smokemont Campground, it is open year round. Some of the park campgrounds are seasonal but some are open year round.

You can drive back in to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge but get away at night. We like the outdoor activities in the park more than the shopping and theme parks of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

A day in Cherokee is great, but the "unto these hills" drama is seasonal so check your dates.

 

There's only six miles between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, but it's a 15-20 minute drive. Luckily for you I don't think that there are any Rod Runs going on that late in the year. The Rod Runs make traffic ridiculous... but are great if you are into classic cars. be sure to call ahead and ask, or make sure when you make your reservations.

There's several walk-through attractions in Gatlinburg... some great, so not. There's Dollywood, of course. Townsend is nearby. My wife loves going for the shopping. Cherokee (if you can ignore the flipping casino they have built there). Cade's Cove. Plus all the wonder of the Smokies.

Hmmm... we may have to go up for our anniversary this year.

 

Cades Cove should be quite striking in late September. We were up there last June the week of the 23rd. Eastern Tenn, Western NC and North GA is God's country. Absolutely beautiful. I will retire there if God is willing.

 

The good side IS the Tennessee side

Gatlinburg (as Trotter mentioned) is not far from Pigeon Forge, but it can take 20-30 mins to go the five miles if you hit the right time. So staying in one is staying in another. I just prefer Gatlinburg. Quaint as can be. The Donut Friar is a must see. It's in a neat section with many shops around. Edgewater is a good place to stay right beside Christus Gardens and the Aquarium (the Gardens may be closing).

Pigeon Forge has more in the way of Hotels and restaurants, but more in the way of traffic and has just more congestion, but it's still good to get there. You haven't lived til you've seen this area in the Fall and at Christmas.