Gatlinburg Falls - Smokey Mtn,CO July 4th. What should I make sure to see & do?

The area is way too touristy for my tastes but you should find plenty to entertain your kids in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. The only must do there is check out the national park. The rest of stuff around there struck me as tourist trap type stuff.

I'm trying to think of what all we did there and can't really remember. I was in the military at the time and they had a 7 places thing for pretty cheap. It was like mini golf, Ripley's stuff, and the aquarium. I will say check out the aquarium as it's one of the better ones I've been to (not as good as Baltimore, but better than Atlanta).

I know we also went to Dixie Stampede. If you've never been to a dinner show thing like that, it might be worth checking out. We almost got to participate but my wife wasn't wearing appropriate shoes when they asked us.

It's been a long long time since I've been so my memory is very fuzzy on it, but I know we had a really nice cabin up in the mountains. I remember doing a lot of hiking, had some really nice trails (and off trails) with some seriously beautiful views. I believe there were some pretty sweet fishing spots also.

I don't remember it being that touristy at all, it was actually very peaceful, but like I said it's been a really long time since I've been so I have no doubt that many things have changed since then.

With kids you can't go wrong with the major tour spots, Gatlinburg, Dollywood, Graceland. Get some BBQ its killer down there. Tennessee also has a metric fuckton of caves. Kids will eat that up. I've been to a few, all great but this one was well done.http://www.forbiddencavern.com/

As others have mentioned there are endless amazing hiking trails. Did I mention the AMAZING BBQ?http://www.buddysbarbq.com/

If your a Whiskey guy/gal this is a fun tour.. You will need it after a few days if you hit Dollywood, or Gatlinburg!http://www.jackdaniels.com/visit

Only warning I can give you other than the usual tourist trap price gouging is. I've camped a lot in the Smokies. Be prepared for the out of no where thunderstorms especially if your in the mountains.

Geez dude. First, Graceland is in Memphis, which is on the opposite side of Tennessee. Something like a 7 hour drive. Then you threw in Jack Daniels, which is in bum fuck Kentucky.

Elurin_sl said:

Geez dude. First, Graceland is in Memphis, which is on the opposite side of Tennessee. Something like a 7 hour drive. Then you threw in Jack Daniels, which is in bum fuck Kentucky.

Click to expand...

Well for one I'm just throwing out what's in the state. I myself have made drives 7+ hours to see a specific site.

Also the last time I checked Lynchberg was in Tennessee, which is what I linked up there. So were going to Kentucky now for Tennessee made whiskey?

Went on a hiking trip with 3 of my buddies couple years ago and it was foggy as fuck on the mountains the whole time. Gatlinburg is a pretty big tourist trap but you can still have fun.

edit - didn't go to pigeon forge cause it's for families a lot more and seemed a little too pricey for what it is

Been forever since I've been there. Besides what the others have recommended ovber gatlinberg moutain area is really pretty to go up in the tram to the top. They also have a cart / sled ride thing down the mountain during the summer which was a blast. At least they did when I was there forever ago. Highly recommend that.

How old are the kids?

Ruby falls is a big touristy cave, nice to take the family to. Rock city I think is the name of another big tourist attraction and I remember having a lot of fun there when I was a kid. (Ruby falls and rock city are not in pigeon forge persay, just in the area)

There is also a show there (well its in pigeon forge, but its all the same area) called the Comedy Barn and my friend and I laughed our ass off when we were 10, its very family friendly. My nephew went there recently (he was about age 11) and they have some new kind of laser tag thing that you get a wand instead of a gun and you go on quests and slay monsters and stuff, he couldn't stop talking about it and wanted to bring all his friends there for his birthday party (we live in new orleans).

You can skip Wonderworks if possible, was not impressed, the outside of the building is the most impressive part.

For dining you absolutely must eat at the Park Grill or the Peddler Steakhouse (same owners) amazing food, service, and atmosphere. Is a tad pricey so you may want to make it a romantic dinner that day you don't have to watch the kids. (Oh and these places are only open for dinner and fill up fast so get there early or call ahead of time.)

Oh and yes, the aquarium in Gatlinburg is a very nice aquarium.

I wanna say Rock City and Ruby Falls are close to Chattanooga? We went probably 6 or 7 years ago and had a good time. Ruby Falls you could probably pass on, but Rock City is pretty cool for how creepy as shit it is.

Never been there myself. My wife and I are going the weekend of Valentines day.

Cades Cove for hiking and scenery. Avoid downtown Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg like the plague. Dollywood is actually not that bad and has several decent rides for all ages. Also surprisingly clean.

Most importantly eat here.http://www.bestitalian.com/It's at red light #9 in Gatlinburg (yes they are numbered). Food is fucking phenomenal, and the best bloody marys in the world.

Elurin_sl said:

I wanna say Rock City and Ruby Falls are close to Chattanooga? We went probably 6 or 7 years ago and had a good time. Ruby Falls you could probably pass on, but Rock City is pretty cool for how creepy as shit it is.

Click to expand...

Yeah, its been awhile, I'm pretty sure you're right, but its not terribly far if you wanted to make the trip, maybe like 60-90 minutes if I remember correctly, although with traffic in pigeon forge and gatlinburg that could take 3 hours these days.

When I was very little, too little to remember even we went to rock city as a family and in there they have a point where they have two bridges that crosses this chasm/canyon whatever you want to call it. One bridge is a nice, wide, sturdy built stone bridge with a short rail the other bridge is a rope bridge that sways. Well my dad and older brother and sister went on the rope bridge and my brother and sister are jumping on it and stuff and just think its the coolest thing ever and they're almost across the bridge when my mom, who was crossing the nice wide stone bridge starts screaming hysterically and they look behind them and she's made it like 1/4 of the way across the bridge and she started to panic, thats the day they learned my mother is deathly afraid of heights.

Selix_sl said:

Are you renting a cabin?

Click to expand...

Ya, a co-worker owns one and I rented it from him.

Casinos are the main thing to do in Cherokee now. Either way though, it's still worth visiting if you plan to drive through the national park.

I guess if we're throwing out things that are close to Gatlinburg, you should consider the Biltmore in Asheville. Shit is crazy. I went last year and it blew my mind.

I also followed it up with going to Newport, RI and seeing all the other mansions. Those gilded age fucks sure liked to live it up.