I'm going to be heading to Gatlinburg, TN in August (I know HOT)... There seems to be quite a bit to do there. Any recomendations?

Dave
[URL=DuPage Blog]www.dupageblog.com[/URL]

I went there once when I was in high school....the only recommendations I have are to drive to Pigeon Forge for Dollywood....and just randomly walk around the downtown area, going into the places that look interesting. I missed Ripley's when I was there, but I've heard it was really cool....there's SO much life in Gatlinburg, just on the street in the summer. It's very unique....oh, and you HAVE to take the lift around the mountain to check out the scenery. Absolutely stunning!

Some members of my family were there over spring break. They recommend:
Nothing - everything's a rip off.
They described it as the Wisconsin Dells in Tennessee. Obviously, these family members are not fans of such attractions.

They did mention that the indoor skydiving was kind of cool.

Sorry - that's probably not too helpful.

I remember going to the Smokey Mountains years and years ago and driving through Gatlinburg. The Smokies are beautiful.

If you're not going to enjoy the Smokey Mountain National Park, then Amy's right the Dells offer most of the same junk. Exceptions to this generalization:

* Dollywood is supposed to be entertaining. We also went during spring break and it's not open yet.

* The alpine slide at Ober Gatlinburg is fun and the tram ride offers nice views.

The Smokies are fantastic!
Bluegrass music events for entertainment. They also have some amusing "hillbilly" acts.
Hiking the mountains is spectacular.
Tuccaleechy (I don't remember haw to spell it. That's not even close.) are an unbelievable underground world.
Lots of historic displays.
I love it!

All - thanks for the replies... I actually have a cabin rented on the edge of the national park. Our plan is to do more hiking and nature excursions so hopefully we'll be in good shape.

What you're describing sounds a lot like the Niagra Falls area to me... cheesy-touristy stuff.

I do have to admit though, some of that hokie stuff is a guilty pleasure of mine

Thanks again...

Dave

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ted E.,

i really enjoyed dollywood about 10 years ago...yeah, it's cheesy, but there's a downhome vibe there. and, dolly parton has provided ALOT of jobs for the local population. i'd take dolly wood over 6 flags any day.

I went there with my brother a couple of years ago and went hiking in the Smokies. When we got out we stayed at a hotel on the Gatlinburg 'strip'. You may think about this as a rainy day activity, the locals seemed to have some fun. You know, do what the locals do to get a real flavor for the area.

Now it was really raining, buckets, and it came on pretty fast so you will need to be ready. As we were sitting on the covered patio, watching people scramble to get cover (an old lady and a woman with a stroller come to mind) we heard the rumble of a car engine coming down the street. As it got closer we could tell it was moving pretty quickly so they knew they had a short window. As they drove down the street they put their right 2 wheels in the gutter, creating a wall of water that would have been much wider than the sidewalk, if the buildings weren't there. You could almost hear the laughter in the car over the engine as they soaked one building, the old lady, and yes the woman with the stroller...

...just saying, that's what the locals do.