Smokey Mountain Vacation Tips
We have been to Pigeon Forge/ Gatlinburg a few times over the last 6 years. It is my “Happy Place” I always say I would move there and stay in a heartbeat.
We usually rent a cabin and spend a week site seeing and enjoying some shopping, great food and of course a lot of Moonshine.
We have learned a lot over these years and one of the most important…..Make yourself a “Cabin Tote”, every cabin we have rented has had different items, some we needed and some we didn’t.
Our Cabin Tote
- Coffee Pot
- Filters
- Dish rags and Dish Towels
- Hand Soaps
- Garbage Bags
- Paper plates, napkins, plasticware, paper cups, paper towels
- Spices, salt, pepper, Garlic Salt,
- Toilet Paper
- Laundry Detergent
- Dish Soap
- Bath Towels and Wash rags
Next you will want to plan your week out as much as you can, there is so much to do and visit you will never see everything. Try to look at the weather for your week and plan your outside activities on the nice days. Buy tickets ahead of time online to keep you from waiting in longer lines.
Some of our Favorite Must see and Do Items
Dollywood
You can spend a few hours or all day here. Riding rides, seeing shows, eating great food, shopping in the little shops and touring Dolly’s tour bus. One Must have from Dollywood is the Cinnamon Bread, the shop is always busy and has long lines towards the end of night when everyone is trying to get it before they leave the park. Dollywood is always beautiful with decorations. We have been there for their Fall Halloween season and I can not wait to see it during the Christmas Holiday.
Dolly Parton Stampede Dinner Show
This action packed dinner show is one of our favorite. The food is really good and the show is so much fun for all ages. This is a must see !!
Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show
https://hatfieldmccoydinnerfeud.com/
This is another fun filled, action packed family show. The dinner food was amazing and we laughed so much. When Buying your tickets for this show just know the closer to the stage you are…the better chance you have to get wet 🙂
The Island
Moonshine Tasting
You can not visit Tennessee and not at least Taste some Moonshine. Here are some of our favorite Moonshine locations.
- Ole Smokey Moonshine
- Tennessee Shine Company
- Old Forge Distillery
- Smith Creek Moonshine
- Sugarland Moonshine–Located in Gatlinburg
Great food in the Smokey Mountains
Some of our favorite places to eat in the Smokey Mountains
- Mel’s Diner—Is just that a great little diner with amazing food
- Old Mill—Amazing servings of delicious home cooked food ( we like it better for dinner then breakfast)
- Blue Moose–Yummy wings and burgers were a hit for everyone here.
- Johnny Carino’s—The best Italian food in Pigeon Forge
- Elviras–This was an unexpected find after leaving Cades cove for lunch. The food was sooo good.
- Applewood farmhouse—The apple Fritters are amazing and the best breakfast you could ask for.
Activities for all ages
Here is a list of activities the whole family will enjoy in the area
- Alpine Coaster http://www.smokymountainalpinecoaster.com/
- Goats on the Roof Coaster
- Wax Museum
- Cades Cove
- Roaring Fork
- Rainbow Falls
- Grotto Falls
- River Rat Tubing
- Horseback riding
- Soaky Mountain Waterpark
- Splash Country
These are just a few of the endless activities to enjoy in the Smokey Mountains. I could go on and on about the great days we have spent in the Smokies. Even just enjoying our cabin for the day and sitting on the porch having coffee in the morning watching the beautiful wildlife and the Mountains. We can not wait to enjoy our next trip in September for our 30th Anniversary.