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Gatlinburg Tennesee???

Travel Info
My friend invited me to go with her and her family to Gatilnburg. How is this place? Anything I need to look out for. What is there to see and do? Tell me all you know about Gatlinburg.
Thanks, Lindsay

Travel Tips

I've been going to Gatlinburg since I was in my mother's womb 22 years ago. It is so much fun and the views are amazing. I have a condo there now and I love it. Yes, it is very toursity and you will encounter a lot of crowds, but it's worth it. They have done a great job redoing the streets. New trash cans, nicer park benches, new concrete. Just an awesome job of cleaning it up.

There are plenty of things advertised to do. The aquarium and other Ripley's attractions are money suckers, but they are fun. Dollywood and Dollywood Splash Country (both parks are fun for people who ride rides, and for people that don't.) You must go to the National Park and go for a walk on a trail to a waterfall. On the Gatlinburg side of the park, Laurel Falls is super easy for everyone in the family, and for people who want a little more challenge you can continue up the trail, or there to the left of the falls there is a small little dirt climb that takes you to the top of the falls. It's awesome!! Of course, you can always stop in the visitor's area and talk to someone there. They will get you on a trail that's good for you and your party. Also, don't forget about Cade's Cove. You can drive through it any day of the week, but on Wednesday mornings they close it down for bikes. I strongly recommend waking up super early and renting bikes and taking a ride through the Cove. The sun will just be rising, it'll be dewey and you're bound to encounter tons of deer, etc.

When you do go to downtown Gatlinburg I highly recommend going to eat at Pancake Pantry in the Village. They have amazing lunch sandwiches. Also in the Village is the Jelly Jar. You can get coffee-flavored drinks. Go to Karmelcorn, too and get a Hawaiin Ice. So good!

I am rambling on and I've only talked about Gatlinburg, not Pigeon Forge or Seveirville, so you should e-mail with questions. Oh, and I know the back roads and smart places to park! Like I said, I've been going there forever and I can answer any question. It is a family environment, but no matter what your age is, you can have fun!
Others

Bring a lot of things to do in the car.

You're going to be sitting in traffic for a loooong, looooong time.
Cool go to Oberge and go on the ski lift and get an all day pass much cheaper that way and there is a game room go carts ice skating skiing alpine sledding carful my wife crashed racing me many shops bring spemding money and get your dad a switch blade knife from over there they sell plenty good knifes there.Bring a camera and when you get to the top of the mountain on the ski lift they take your picture its worth buying so be ready to pose well with your friend.Also there is Dollywood and a splash water park next door to it.
As a past visitor to Gatlinburg I agree with the previous answer that you will have traffic. I always compared Gatlinburg to a boardwalk except bigger and without the beach. There are a bunch of arcades and things like that. There is Dolly wood nearby, but I have not been to it. There are a lot of small shops and tourist attractions. It is your typical tourist area.
Personal Experience
I'm sure if im getting gatlinburg and pigeon forge mixed up but they are close to each other. Theres DOLLYWOOD, its a great theme park...nothing big like 6 flags but it is a great place to go to. theres an upside down building i've never been to but my friends say its great. im sure u would like gatlinburg, plus even if u dont like it, youll always be with your friend.
Bring lots of money because Gatlinburg is a tourist trap with cheesy shops everywhere. Up the road is Pigeon Forge, they have better shops up there. And if you go further up the road there is Severville which has some great outlet shops.

If you like a big breakfast, at or near stop light 10 is a restaurant called The Burning Bush. Bring friends and an appetite. There are a lot of great places to eat. The Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge is great for lunch.

There is plenty to do, like Dolly World and a few other amusement areas all along the strips. Be sure to take the tram to OberGatlinburg. I hope you get the old man as your tram operator, he is funny and tells great stories about the area.