Gatlinburg, TN.

[Poloke]

We're honeymooning in the Gatlinburg, TN area. Is anyone else going to do so or have been there? Come in and share your experience!

[Aramelle]

Well, we're not HMing there, but I have been there. I absolutely LOVE it! We actually stayed in a cabin in Townsend, TN, which was about a 15-20 minute drive to Gatlinburg. It was wonderful because we were able to get away from the business of the area to just relax in our cabin, but we were also just a short drive to all the action. I'd be more than happy to share more details with you, but I don't want to bore you with too much. LOL Tell me what you'd like to know, and I'll do my best to answer. :)

[Poloke]

Aramelle- it would not bore me at all!! Please tell me everything you'd like to about your trip to the Gatlinburg area!

[Aramelle]

Well, okay, but remember, you asked for it. :p

Like I said, we stayed in Townsend, TN, which is advertised as the "peaceful side of the Smokys" ~ I would say that is a perfect description. I would HIGHLY recommend the place we stayed (Mountain Mist Cabins (http://www.mountainmistcabins.com/)). I know that some things may have changed since then (I was there in 2001), but at the time this was one of the best priced places available ~ I'm sure prices have probably increased in the past 5 years, but to give you an idea we paid $100/night. We stayed in the Bird House Cabin, and it was perfect. The cabins are all situated so that you have complete privacy. Their web site says it's 30 minutes to Gatlinburg (20 to Pigeon Forge), but I honestly don't remember it taking that long. Maybe I was just too wrapped up in the scenery to notice the time...?

I don't know what your interests are, but I can let you know a little about the things that we chose to do while we were there.

Star Cars (http://www.starcarstn.com/) ~ We killed a couple hours here while we were walking around Gatlingburg one evening. Admittedly, this is something that we did because my XH really wanted to, but I have to say that I did have fun there as well. They had quite a few different cars that were really interesting to see.

Gatlinburg Space Needle (http://www.gatlinburgspaceneedle.com/) ~ Again, this is something we need while just out walking around. We went up at night, and the views of the city lights were very pretty. I have to say, this would have been at "take it or leave it" thing for me. I think it would have been better had we gone up during the day or around sunset time.

Dollywood (http://www.dollywood.com/) ~ We spent a full day at Dollywood. We both had a blast there, and I would love to go back sometime. If you go to Dollywood, you absolutely have to go on the rollercoaster the Tennessee Tornado...it was awesome!

Dixie Stampede (http://www.dixiestampede.com/pigeonforge.php) ~ We went to this show during one of our evenings in Pigeon Forge. It was absolutely nothing like I thought it would be (I thought it was a play), but we had an awesome time. The meal they served was very tasty, and the show was great!

Cades Cove (http://www.cadescove.net/) ~ This was my absolute favorite of all the things we did. The scenery was amazing, and it was very cool to see all of the historic buildings. We spent several hours there, and I could have easily stayed for several more.

Gatlinburg Skylift (http://www.gatlinburgskylift.com/) ~ This is another one that I highly recommend. The views from the top of the skylift are absolutely breathtaking. We actually managed to catch the sunset from up there on our last night in town, and it was amazing!

I hope I haven't babbled on too long, and that at least some of this information will be helpful. You will definitely enjoy your HM there. IMO, the Smokys offer the opportunity for endless romance. If you have any questions, let me know. I'd love to help you out if I can. :)

[Poloke]

Awesome! It wasn't too long, I love hearing real reviews!

Could you tell me anything about good places to eat and places to avoid eating at?

[Mimzy]

Sounds like you've picked the perfect HM spot!
Aramelle - great info!

[Aramelle]

Aside from the Dixie Stampede, we only went out to eat one other night. We went to this steakhouse in Pigeon Forge. It was very good, but I can't remember the name of it for the life of me. The other nights, we took advantage of the full kitchen and grill in our cabin, and we packed picnic lunches for each afternoon. Sorry I can't help you out more with that.

[blondelildevil]

FH said he doesnt want to do anything too cliche. This sounds like an awesome place! I might have to mention it to FH and see what he thinks about it.

[Kay]

I absolutely love Gatlinburg as well! DH and I rented a cabin there 2 Octobers ago there and it was just peaceful! I second all of Aramelle's reviews!! the only one I didn't do was Dixie Stampede. We both really enjoyed Dollywood, but I thought the ticket price was a little pricey for what you get. It was still worth it though.

[Poloke]

Blondelildevil- if you do want to "pitch" the idea to FH... get the vacation packets from the TN tourism site. They'll send you a TON of stuff!

We aren't planning on going to Dollywood, just seems pricey and we aren't really theme park freaks. Maybe if it were Disney...ok, specifically epicot center! But we are looking forward to going to the aquarium. YEAH!

FYI- anyone on here that wants a very long list of cabin vendors to browse through can PM me. I have a list of over 100 in the seiversville/townsend/pigeon forge/gatlinburg area...up to and including douglas lake and cosby.

I do highly recommend looking at tripadvisor once you narrow down your cabin search to see what others have to say about the vendors. If that does not help, you can aways check to see if there have been complaints lodged against any vendors in the TN ***. It's worth checking either of these resources so you don't get burnt.

[Aramelle]

We both really enjoyed Dollywood, but I thought the ticket price was a little pricey for what you get.

I absolutely agree that the prices are quite high. We actually only went because we got free tickets.

Little bit of an interesting story behind that:
XH and I went to the Smokys for our HM. We drove my car to TN. The first morning that we were there, XH went out to check the oil, comes back in, and says "we have a problem." Turns out, one of the tires on my car was flat. So, XH puts the spare on, we drive into Pigeon Forge and head straight to a tire shop. There was a rediculously long wait, but we didn't really have much choice. While we were waiting, some lady strikes up a conversation with XH. Somewhere in the chit-chat he mentions that it is the first day of our HM. She decides that it is absolutely unacceptable for us to spend any more of our time waiting to get the new tire, and so she took it upon herself to go up to the front desk to explain the situation. She did not back down until the guy agreed to bump us up to be next. Anyway, she then remembered that she still had some Dollywood tickets in her purse that she had bought for when her grandkids had visited in the summer, but had never ended up using. She insisted that we take, refusing to hear anything about letting us pay for them. She also gave us a coupon for the one place that we did go out for dinner to as well. Long story made much longer? There are still nice people in the world (and this is how we ended up at Dollywood for no charge). :giggle:

[Poloke]

Wow! Did you luck out! That was very nice of that lady and it does mean there are still genuinely nice ppl out there!

We, too, are planning on driving the ten hours to TN. I like long drives so it's no biggie, but yeah, always worry about the car. We still have not picked a cabin, but will do so by September so we can book early to get good prices.

I heard the ripley's museums (other than the believe it or not) are a rip off. I'm hoping the aquarium is fun! I figured we'd just mosey around down there and see whatever trips the light fantastic! I do want to go to the cave system down there...among other things. A nice ride thru the smokeys state park... and who knows what else yet. We plan on making several meals "in" at the cabin to avoid paying out the wazoo prices for fancy touristy dinners.

[Aramelle]

Oops...I completely forgot to come back and check this thread! lol

We didn't go to any of the Ripley's museums, but the Believe It or Not was right by the Star Cars place. We came to the point where we would cross the street to avoid walking by the place as we were exploring Gatlinburg. They had employees outside trying to get people to come in, and they would literally follow people for like 1/2 block before they gave up. I personally didn't have any interest in any of the Ripley's stuff anyway, but that would have been enough to change my mind if we had been intending to go to any of them. I just really detest that kind of business tactic.

[blondelildevil]

I mentioned it to FH and hes been there before!! He went there when he was a little kid. I asked my dad if he had ever been to the Smokeys and he said no... but my grandparents had their honeymoon there!! I thought that was pretty cool when he told me. I really want to go now... just a long week of relaxation and fun!

[Poloke]

we've narrowed down the cabin choices to TWO. However, they both book up to 11 months in advance, so we have to wait until october this year to book. I'm excited about going, there is sooo much to see and do down there.

[US_UKlove]

Hi all! Sorry to just have stumbled across this thread now. My sister and her hubby go to Gatlinburg almost every year. If you're interested, I can ask her what cabin rental place they use. Also they have told me that the aquarium is really nice, so I would definitely go if you have time.

Restaurant wise, don't miss Bennett's BBQ. I ate there once - the last time my fiance was here from the UK, we did Gatlinburg all in one day (I was so tired of the car I could barely see straight, LOL) but I remember Bennett's very well. PHENOMENAL.

[Poloke]

thank you US UKLove!

Although we have our cabin picked out I'd love to try that restaurant you reccomended...

any more good restaurants you or your sis might suggest?

[purple_octopus]

Go to Islamorada Fish Company (http://www.fishcompany.com/locations_sevierville.aspx). It's by the Bass Pro Shop (right off the I-40 exit to Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Galtinburg). The only other one I've been to is the one in Islamorada, FL -- but I think they have a few more locations now. It's fantastic.

I live about a half hour away from the Smokies, so if I can think of anything else, I'll be sure to post it.

[jillian]

I found the tourism site. http://www.gatlinburg-tennessee.com/

[US_UKlove]

thank you US UKLove!

Although we have our cabin picked out I'd love to try that restaurant you reccomended...

any more good restaurants you or your sis might suggest?

Good deal on the cabin! Sounds like you're good to go ! :)

Besides Bennett's, my sister recommends the Log Cabin Pancake House in Pigeon Forge. She said as you enter Pigeon Forge from Gatlinburg, it is the VERY first restaurant on the right hand side. :)

Those two are really the only ones she catagorized as 'can't be missed'. :)

[Poloke]

Thanks ladies! If anyone is looking for cabin sites I have over 100 sites saved. Everything from roughing it to top of the line luxury cabins. From douglas lake down to towsend.

We can't book our cabin until october... but we are hoping for seclusion rather than view.
Ripleys aquarium is a must do for us and so is Forbidden Caves- anyone been there?