We are heading to Gatlinburg in June. This will be our first time in the area so can you guys recommend the best place to stay with water and electric, the must see attractions and the most fun restaurants for families?
Thanks All and Happy Camping!
Just the 4 of us
plus 3 dogs
2011 Dodge Ram 3500
09 Jayco 31.5 FBHS
If you need FHU, then I would suggest Twin Mountain just outside of downtown Gatlinburg or Pine Mountain if you want to be in Pigeon Forge. Pine Mtn. has an outdoor pool, indoor pool, hottub and lazy river pool. Most all the campgrounds are on the trolley route.
Pine Mountain is at traffic light #6, so it is about midway between the outlets and Gatlinburg.
Before you go, get a detailed map (or print a google map) showing the back roads. It can get REALLY crazy down there during the summer.
PM me when it gets closer and I will give you some directions so you don't have to hit the parkway in Pigeon Forge to get to Gatlinburg.
Attractions depend on what your group prefers.
Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg is great if your group wants shops and haunted houses, etc. The Aquarium is ok (I like Cinci's better, but it's good). It's just very busy, wall-to-wall cars after 2 or 3 pm every day, so keep that in mind if you don't like the crowds.
We loved Smoky Mt Natl Park. Take the large park loop drive in the evening maybe 2 hours before dark and you will see a lot more wild life - otherwise it's too hot. A lot of people go that time of day, so take a cooler, be prepared for stop and go as people check things out, it's not a quick drive thru. It's more like a stop and go loop that time of day, but well worth it. We saw bears and a cub, tons of turkeys, deer, and a mama fox and her babies. Some of the other loops are nice just to drive and get out to hike at different points.
We also took a drive down to Cherokee, very pretty drive. We did do some things in town but we generally prefer the quieter areas. That said, one of the great things about that area is you can do both! Have a great time!
we stayed at the yogi bear there, was very nice for the kids. Went to the aquarium, did some tubing and took our first whitewater rafting trip there, the kids loved it.
have fun
jennifer
Your family may enjoy Dollywood if you want a theme park, the water park, and Dixie Stampede for dinner. A lot people like eating at the Mill. Feed the ducks behind the hotel next to the Christmas store. Tubing in the streams, picnic at Chimney Rock Picnic area. Hiking up to the waterfall on the Roaring Fork Motor Tour out of Gatlinburg. Hiking up to Clingman's Dome. Can tour two caves, but can't remember their names. May enjoy eating at the Silver Dinner in Pigeon Forge if your kids haven't ever eaten in a place like that. Our favorite place to eat for lunch is Little Tokyo in Pigeon Forge. They cook at the table and it is fun with a large group. Some like Mellow Mushroom for Pizza. Best Italian place in Gatlinburg is great on main drag and has its own parking.
We stayed at Smoky Bear Campground last summer. Between Cosby and Gatlinburg. Smaller cg but very nice and well run. Full hook up drive through sites.
We spent most of our time in the park, but Gatlinburg has tons of money pits, I mean shops, and they are very nice. Make sure you stop at Moonshine Holler and sample some. Have an ID with you or they won't let you no matter how old you are.
We spent one day walking around, went to the aquarium, Sat in the General Lee car, you know, the important things.
In Pigeon Forge, you can see many more shops and Dollyworld. Pretty cool area. and of coarse Walmart in Severville. Can't forget that. lol
Hi we stayed at creekside in PF end of June/July 4th week a few years ago. YES the traffic will be bad but its really bad on the weekends we stayed tues thru wensday there are back roads to get around and there's also a trolly service that runs from Gaitlinburg to PF and even out to Dollywood/splashcountry(waterpark) As for food there are plenty of choices and every place we went was worth it.Good Luck and hope you have as much fun as we did.I goggled for information on all and you can get alot of info. One of my favorite places to eat was the Alabama Grill (I'm a fan of Alabama) and the food was good The only thing we wished we hadnt done was Ripley's Museum. But we did enjoy the rest and we took the trolly most of the time while there also (a local gave us this hint) If you plan on doing Dollywood go on a tues wens or thurs There will be a crowd but the weekends are over crowded. We did a thurs and it wasn't bad(also it was the jul 4th week when we did go)
* This post was
edited 02/18/12 07:18am by campinginthewoods *
"Our family is a circle of love and strength.
With every birth and every union, the circle grows. Every joy shared adds more love.
Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger. "
If your looking for a more quiet place to stay with a short drive to all atractions look at Tremont in Townsend. We stayed there in Oct. for the changing and it was great. Sites right on the river with little covered decks.The price was a little high but well worth it.
We have stayed at Twin Creeks RV Park just outside Gatlinburg--nice park with streams all around, a playground, small store. Another poster mentioned the trolley--I highly recommend it and it stops right at the RV park for pickups. I used it to go downtown, but it also runs to Dollywood, the Arts & Crafts Community, and into the Park and it's not really expensive. To check their routes and schedules/prices, go to gatlinburgtrolley.org
It's fun to walk around downtown or go to Ober Gatlinburg and ride the skylift. And nearby Cherokee is neat to see with lots of colorful bear statues downtown and a beautiful waterfall just outside town.
You didn't mention how long your stay will be, but there's a lot to do and see in the area--so you won't be bored!
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