Recently, I spoke with a couple of different people who have lived in Middle Tn. for years and have never been to the mountains of East Tn. It’s an easy 3-3.5 hour drive from Nashville and there is so much to do there. It got me thinking about all of the fun things to do there. We have our favorite things … what are some of yours ?
The Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg area is exploding with growth. When I was young, their wasn’t a lot of options for entertainment in the area. There was always the mountains and a trip to Newfound Gap or Cades Cove. There was the Sky Lift in Gatlinburg and some places to eat pancakes. I know there was more to do but those are the ones that stick out in my mind. That was a long time ago.
Now you have so many choices of things to do. One of mine and Amy’s favorite things is to go to Cade’s Cove. We love to pack a lunch and go to the picnic area just before the entrance. We love to pull our chairs up next to the creek and just watch the water and nature scenes all around us … and occasionally be entertained by someone trying to light their camp stove.
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have exploded with growth over the last few years. Today you have so many options for family fun, food and shopping.
Of course, Dollywood is a big draw to the area. They are expanding again with another huge section opening up this spring. The park opens in two weeks just in time for spring break. There is plenty to do at Dollywood for the whole family.
Check out the events calendar for Pigeon Forge (mypigeonforge.com) for all of the events coming this year. One of my favorites is the Spring Rod Run. If you love classic cars, this is your event. Cars of every make and model lined up and down the Parkway. You might even find you that you can buy and take home.
We’ve never been real big on going to shows but there are a lot of shows in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We have been to the Comedy Barn twice. I will have to say that it is very entertaining and fun. The performers are very talented and many of them have been there for years. It is good clean humor, music and fun. They cater the show to kids and take time to recognize the veterans in attendance which I appreciate.
We have also been to the Lumberjack Feud. It was surprisingly entertaining and exciting to watch. The guys doing the events are very skilled at what they do. Some of the shows are kind of expensive but usually worth the money.
When it comes to eating, you will not go hungry ! The Peddlar Steakhouse has always been one of our favorites in Gatlinburg for special occasions. There are the usual favorites in Pigeon Forge, The Old Mill and Bennett’s Barbeque. There are some new places that we have not tried yet. Farmhouse Kitchen across from the Outlet Mall and Gauco-Urbano Brazillian Steakhouse to name a couple. Our favorite is a little off the beaten (and busy) path in Sevierville –Holston’s Kitchen . It has reasonably priced food and is usually not a busy as the usual places on the Parkway.
Regardless of what you like to do, you can find it in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. Maybe you just want to rent a cabin and do nothing. That’s a great way to get away too.
There is so much to do … book a trip today and enjoy the beauty that God has created.
Leave a comment with your favorite thing to do in the Smokies !