Pigeon Forge

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

We're going to Pigeon Forge area in April, staying at the Wyndham. I'm looking for recommendations for best shows to see and good restaurants.

Nancy

ps. Will give Forums a chance to answer then will post over yonder.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Nancy, you will have a ball. Be sure to go to Dollywood and see James Rogers. He is by far my very fav entertainer. He may also be starring in Noah or another play (it's cheesy but he is very good) He & Dolly are passionate about saving the eagles. The Comedy Barn is a real hoot!! Too bad about Louise Maandrell not there any more. She was fabulous. Parrott Mountain was surprisingly worth the trip. There are a couple of caves.

Be sure to go to the GSMNP & Cades Cove if you like nature. There are two or 3 good waterfall hikes on Roaring Fork Nature Trail. There is gambling in Cherokee. This is the worst tourist trap I've ever seen but there are 3 things worth doing there. 1. Mingus Falls It has stairs and bridges to get to the falls , go see Unto These Hills, It is an outdoor play that has been there forever. There is also an Indian museum.

For dinner, The Apple Barn or the Old Mill. They have good steak at Texas Roadhouse , very good prices. There is more to do than you could ever get done in a month of Sundays. shaggy

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

Thanks Shaggy, figured you would know. DS, Geoff, wanted to go to Dollywood, so that is why we are going. He even passed up coming to FL this Spring for Spring Training Baseball.

Nancy

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

We will be at a Bluegreen resort in Gatlinburg in March and will travel to Pigeon Forge for entertainment. We were last there in 2003 (I think).

At that time, we did the Dixie Stampede. It was okay to do it once. It amounted to a dinner and watching horses do their thing.
We were lucky to see the Louise Mandrell show. It was very good, but it is gone now.
The drive through the mountains is very nice. We did see a lot of interesting animals, some of them were 4 footed, some of them were getting out of the cars to take pictures of the 4 footed ones. There is an old settlement on the trail, and an old cemetary. It is (to me) interesting to go through and look at dates. Spanish flu took a lot of lives.

For our trip in March, we are planning on seeing Comedy Barn and Black Bear Jamboree. They are promoting a package for 2 shows (choose from four shows) plus a dinner for about $50 per person. We will be in that area so early that not everything will be opened. You will have more options as the opening dates for a lot of the area is mid to late March.

You could go to Ashville and see the Biltmore house. That is supposed to be really great, but you have a drive to see it. DW thinks we should go, so that may get to be on the schedule.

If I remember, when we get back, I can post what is a 'must see'.

[Merilyn Member Find all posts View Profile Close Merilyn]

We like the Old Mill and the Old Mill Cafe across the street. The Apple Barn is also good. Dollywood is a great place to visit and enjoy the shows. If you plan to go for more than one day, get the yearly pass. It is a better buy.

Cades Cove is a must. It is a long slow drive thru history! Stop at the different areas to sitesee. You can sometimes see deer along the road right outside your car. AND if you are lucky there may be a bear close.

The Smoky mountains are just beautiful. One of the nicest parks in the country. We love to go to the picnic areas and have a cook outs. It won't be warm enough for this, but in the summer you can wade into the water or tube down the small rapids.

You will have a wonderful time. Let us know what you think!

[rod Member Find all posts View Profile Close rod]

You should be made aware of the construction projects going on in the park this year. The ones that could well affect you are listed here - there are also others, but they mostly affect only individual parking lots and campgrounds here and there in the park.

In the spring and summer of 2010 repairs and improvements will be made to roads and facilities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The following park roadways are some of those that will be repaired or rebuilt:

* Cades Cove Loop Road is scheduled to be closed to all public use from March 1-May 21, 2010 for repaving. Weather conditions may affect these closure dates.

* Clingmans Dome Road is scheduled to be closed to all public use from February through May 28, 2010 for repaving. The road closed for the winter on November 30, 2009 and will not reopen until completion of the repaving project.

* Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is scheduled to be closed until May 28, 2010 for repaving.

* US-441 (Newfound Gap Road) - repaving between Collins Creek Picnic Area south to the boundary with Cherokee, NC is scheduled for March 2009 through September 2010.

Also, I-40 is CLOSED in both directions near the North Carolina/Tennessee line due to a major rockslide late last year, so if you want to go to Ashville you will be using an alternate route. NCDOT expects I-40 to remain closed through March of 2010.

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

Thanks all for the information. It has been a very long time since we were there and I know it has built up a lot.

Nancy

[Jon77 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jon77]

Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg Restaurants

We get to the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area 3 to 4 times a year and have acquired a list of our favorite places to eat. Here are some links to their websites.

For great steaks we love the Alamo. 2 locations - Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Pigeon Forge TN Restaurant Alamo Steakhouse Dining Smoky Mountains

We love the Ale Steak at the Smoky Mountain Brewery - Also 2 locations - Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Knoxville Catering | Knoxville Banquet Rooms | Knoxville Sports Bar | Knoxville Brewery | Knoxville Pizza | Knoxville Steaks | Knoxville Smoky Mountain Brewery

For the same food without the "Brewery" flavor we go to Calhouns - Again 2 locations - Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
Knoxville Catering | Knoxville Banquet Rooms | Knoxville Prime Rib | Knoxville Ribs | Knoxville BBQ | Knoxville Bar B Q | Knoxville Barbque | Knoxville Seafood | Knoxville Wings | Knoxville Calhouns

For the Absolute best italian food anywhere, you need to go where the locals go. It is a little hard to find in Gatlinburg but well worth the drive. Best Italian Cafe - Gatlinburg

If you get tired of eating out and want to go get some groceries there is a Wal-Mart very close to you on the Parkway and also a Food City in Pigeon Forge. Your Local Grocery Store Locations : Food City Supermarkets | Food City

Enjoy

Jon