[imaguy]

Okay question....do you know of anything CHEAP to do that is fun in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville?? My wife and I are going to be there in a week and we are looking for ideas!! We are heading to the Apple Barn, but other than that does anyone know the secrets of East TN??

[bette]

This thread has a couple of ideas.
http://www.afullcup.com/forums/trave...-vacation.html

Also, try to go to Cades Cove. It is gorgeous!! TONS of wildlife too!

Cades Cove - Smoky Mountain Cabin Rentals - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

There is alot of outlet shopping in Pigeon Forge. We also drive around and see all the waterfalls and such. Drive through the Smoky Mtn Nat'l Park. You might see bears. Gatlinburg is fun to just walk around. You can see things at Ripley's and other places like that that are outside. The Ripley's Aquarium isn't real cheap, like $18 each, but very cool. I'll try to think of more!

[erp0620]

We honeymooned in Gatlinburg! It was a lot of fun. You can spend a day just walking down town and all the little shops. Pigeon Forge isn't far and like bette said, there's outlets and stuff there to do. There was a cave that we went to that was pretty cool...it has the largest onyx I think in North America. We enjoyed the aquarium as well. I don't know how much Dollywood is, but it's in Pigeon Forge as well. We also went to the Dixie Stampede for free b/c we sat through the schpeil for a time share and the guy was so full of himself about the fact that he was the best seller there. Tough for him, LOL.

[imaguy]

Originally Posted by erp0620

We honeymooned in Gatlinburg! It was a lot of fun. You can spend a day just walking down town and all the little shops. Pigeon Forge isn't far and like bette said, there's outlets and stuff there to do. There was a cave that we went to that was pretty cool...it has the largest onyx I think in North America. We enjoyed the aquarium as well. I don't know how much Dollywood is, but it's in Pigeon Forge as well. We also went to the Dixie Stampede for free b/c we sat through the schpeil for a time share and the guy was so full of himself about the fact that he was the best seller there. Tough for him, LOL.

hA....i'm looking for one of those!!

[bette]

I would say don't go to Dollywood unless you just REALLY want to go. We were all very disappointed in it! It's expensive too!

[nancy1108]

We went to the Comedy Bary in Pigeon Forge and it was very funny. We love to go there, it is a favorite destination for our family.

[helloitsme]

Love Cades Cove. Keep an eye in the trees. Bear are known to be spotted in them.
Last time we went we drove over to Cherokee. Went to the Indian Village. There is also a Casino. Be sure to stop at the Visitors center. Get lots of info. They usually tell you about time shares stuff for free tickets.
Have fun!!!!
We are going this fall/winter. He says he wants to see the christmas lights/shows......bet he really wants to go skiing LOL

[aquaholic24]

I grew up in Sevierville, and can't wait to get back to East TN. Maybe not Sevierville/Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, but definitley the Smokies; the Townsend and Maryville area. I miss my mountains. KS is way too flat.

Enjoying that area will depend on what you like to do. Do you like the outdoors? Do you like to shop? Or, maybe a little of both?

Minus the gas to drive around, the cheapest things to do are in the Park (Smoky Mountain National Park). Someone mentioned Cades Cove, which is a must.

Also, you will want to go by the Sugarlands Visitor's Center

nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm This is an GREAT website that will provide lots of information for your trip.

(Sorry you'll have to cut/paste any URL's I provide)

This is an EXCELLENT location to find out what's going on in the Park.

My favorite place to picnic is the Chimney's; also in the Park, just up the road from Sugarlands on the way to Cherokee (if you decide to go there). Ther is a Harrah's Casino in Cherokee

harrahs.com/casinos/harrahs-cherokee/hotel-casino/property-home.shtml

Cades Cove and the Chimney's are on opposite sides of the Park. Cades Cove is mostly a driving tour; however there are a couple of trails that you can walk, old homesteads and churches to tour as well....all for free. The homes and churches are from the Appalachian people....very interesting. You can picnic in Cades Cove too. Personally, with the drive to the Cove, and then driving through it, I would give yourself most (if not all) of the day so you can really take your time and enjoy it.

There are several neat little gift shops in Gatlinburg; not too bad on price. Then you have your typical T-shirt, key chain, etc. "tourist" (no offense) shops.

Also in Gatlinburg is the Ripley's Aquarium. For the price I thought it was just OK. Good, but ehhh, I'd rather be outside.

I personally don't like Pigeon Forge that much unless you plan on visiting Dollywood. Here's the best way to figure out if Dollywood would be worth it to you:

Dates and Hours of Operation
dollywood.com/dates-hours/

Tickets
dollywood.com/ticket-prices/?track=DWMPOFFERS;DWINTPRICES

Special Offers
dollywood.com/special-offers/default.aspx?track=DWMPOFFERS;DWINTPRICES;DWINTOFF ERS

You will see "Visitors Center" and "Free Tickets" around every corner. As someone mentioned earlier, this is a timeshare sales pitch. They sign you up for a "tour" of their time share property, and if you make it through the tour you get your tickets. If you don't mind taking a couple of hours out of your vacation for the tour and (hardcore) sales pitch then this is a good way to get free tickets. Personally, it's not worth my time, and honestly, if you're not the least bit interested, you would be wasting their time as well.

These might help as well:

Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce
gatlinburg.com

Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce
pigeonforgechamber.com

Smoky Mountain National Park
nps.gov/grsm/

Sevierville Chamber of Commerce
seviervillechamber.org/

I hope this helps. I feel like I may have not been specific enough. If you have any questions, please let me know and I'll do my best to help you.

[aquaholic24]

Originally Posted by erp0620

...There was a cave that we went to that was pretty cool...it has the largest onyx I think in North America.

Probably Forbidden Caverns
forbiddencavern.com/

It is really neat. I haven't been there in YEARS.

[GwenythOwensMama]

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokeys! Also, the Knoxville Zoo isn't too terribly far from there.

[avwilliams20436]

You have to drive up into the mountains via Smokey National Park!! ( Cades Cove) Love the drive!! Breath taking views Also my husband and i just walked around town in gatlinburg.We enjoyed walking and just looking in all the stores. If you are a mopar car guy there is museum in Peigon Forge or in Sevierville that my husband spent hours and hours in.