Chick with Sticks

Heather will be leaving next week on a trip to Pigeon Forge, TN. And I am by no means an expert on Pigeon Forge, but I have vacationed there at least once a year for the past 6 years, so I’m going to offer my advice and opinions to her, and to anyone else who happens to Google “Smoky Mountain Guide” and ends up here on my blog.

So, away we go:

• 441 is the main highway that runs through Pigeon Forge. By about 3pm, this road will be packed. Not might be crowded, not slightly busy – traffic WILL BE bumper to bumper. tobumpertobumpertobumpertobumper. For miles. After about a half hour of being stuck in this traffic (possibly less time in summer heat), you will begin looking around for cops because you are thinking about jumping the curb and driving on the sidewalk, and don’t want to get caught. Look for alternate routes, you can get just about anywhere with minimal time on 441 if you take the right roads.
• There are coupon books at most hotels, restaurants, gas stations, welcome centers, etc. We grab some every time we’re up there. There are coupons available for many of the popular attractions as well as restaurants and stores. We go to one restaurant for breakfast a lot – Flap Jacks – and we use a coupon every time. Plus they print an additional coupon on the bottom of the receipt.
• There is one Wal-Mart in the area, on 441. If you absolutely have to go to Wal-Mart, and would like to actually park in the parking lot, the best time to go is ….eh, about 3am. It will be completely packed if the sun is up.
• If you’re going to visit Gatlinburg, prepare for the fact that you will need to walk everywhere.

Places that I recommend:

• The Apple Barn (off of 441) This places has several restaurants and cute shops, and you’ll never believe this but they all have an apple theme.
• Wonderworks (on 441) You can’t miss it, it’s an upside-down building. It’s kind of a kid’s place, but Jody and I enjoyed it. It’s filled with interactive games and illusions and things like that.
• The Christmas Place (on 441) This is the greatest place on Earth. The first time I went it was snowing! It was perfect! This is several Christmas-themed stores all together in a cute little Christmasy “village”. And I don’t know where you’re staying, but I will be completely jealous if I find out you’re staying at the Inn at Christmas Place.
• Ripley’s Believe It or Not (Gatlinburg) I don’t know if Aeralyn is too young for this type of place, but Jody and I enjoyed it when we went. It has several interactive exhibits.
• Ripley’s Aquarium (Gatlinburg) It’s not very different from other aquariums, but it is part of the Ripley’s franchise so it has a few fun and unique exhibits. When we went, it was extremely crowded and surprisingly hot inside (in the middle of winter).
• Guinness World Record Museum (Gatlinburg) I don’t really recommend going IN this museum unless you really like this type of thing, but they have a huge harp outside that Aeralyn might enjoy, unless it’s not working – it wasn’t working the last time we went. But it doesn’t have strings, instead it uses lasers and you just run your hand in the air where the strings should be and it plays. Kind of fun if you’re just walking by, and it’s free.
• Pancake Pantry (Gatlinburg) The food here is pretty good but I mostly enjoy the look of the restaurant. And if you’re up early enough you can park on the street right in front of the building until 9am.

And there are tons of other places to visit that I either can’t think of right now or haven’t been to. But up there you can basically turn around and walk ten steps and run into another attraction, there’s an endless supply of things to do, places to go.

Have fun, Heather!