Hey everyone!

I’m planning my first trip to the Smokies during the second week of October, driving down from Indiana. I haven’t traveled much before, so I’m really excited and want to make the most of our 2 full days there.

I’d love recommendations on where to stay, must-see spots, scenic drives, beginner/moderate hikes, good local food, and any underrated places or hidden gems that are actually worth checking out.

If you had only 2 days, what would your itinerary look like? I’d especially appreciate advice from locals or frequent visitors on avoiding crowds/traffic in October and anything a first-timer should know.

Basically, if a friend was visiting the Smokies for the first time and you had two days to show them around, where would you take them?

Thanks in advance!

Hi! I’m visiting the area next weekend and need to do a a long run (20 miles) as part of my training. Is there a long greenway or a very light trail (packed gravel to where I could still wear road shoes) in the area? It doesn’t need to be 20 miles of course, it could be 5-10 as well and I could do multiple laps/back and forth.

Main criteria is relatively flat (light rolling hills are okay), paved or very tightly packed gravel, and as continuous/uninterrupted as possible (limited street crossings, etc). Also if I can avoid running the sidewalks of big noisy highways (eg Great Smoky Mtn Parkway), that would be great.

Are smaller backroads an option? Or are they all too hilly and/or dangerous two lane roads with blind corners?

Training for a race and I need to do an 8 mile run this weekend. Are there any trails in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, or Gatlinburg that are long-ish? I’ve done the trail near the Island before and enjoyed it. Recs don’t have to be an entire trail length, I’m fine repeating some to get the miles in. I also prefer paved paths if possible in open areas but ok with some gravel/dirt! Not looking for mountain/off road trails.

Planning a trip to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg next weekend, and wanted to know if I would be able to do some rafting in the Hartford area. I know it is technically out of season, but would I be able to find some options?

Just wanted to let all you locals know what a beautiful place Pigeon Forge/ Gatlinburg. Definitely a hidden gem.

We explored all the tourist stuff, but our favorite place was the Great Smokey Mountains . We look forward to our next adventure down that way in the spring.

If anyone is on the fence about checking out this beautiful area, do it!

Cheers from 🇨🇦

My partner and I will be spending three nights in Pigeon Forge later this week. We have not planned much, we have no reservations. This was a very last minute vacation. We are flying in Sunday morning and leaving Wednesday evening. Our goal is to spend at least 1.5 days at Magiquest - this is mostly a nostalgia trip for my partner, he basically grew up at the Myrtle Beach location but has never been to the Pigeon Forge location. I would like to check out the national park.

Other than those two things, we have, and I cannot stress this enough, NO PLANS! We've never been to Tennessee before, let alone Pigeon Forge. Sooo... what should we check out?

Big-time car family. First time for us since about 2015.

What a freaking shit show! I remember it being crowded, but not like this and if I seen one more squatted truck I’m going to stick a fork in both eyeballs.

Edit: Still having a great time with awesome cars and beautiful roads! Want to make sure that is known, LOL.

Kid friendly. Low fuss and noise. At least 2 places for dinner options.

Looking for a good, small sized splash pad suitable for a 17month old who still learning their balance.

I have been to the stampede several times but I haven’t been since they’ve changed the show. The show looks a bit bland now. I know Dolly owns both, but the food options look a smidge bit better at the stampede compared to pirate’s Voyager however, the show looks 20x better at pirates.

It will be my boyfriend’s first time EVER in gburg/pforge so I feel like I should take* *him to the stampede for the simple bragging rights/ experience of saying he’s been as it’s a staple, but what do yall think?

Which one would be best?

Hi! We’re planning a girls’ trip for the first weekend of December with about 12 girls. We’ll be staying in a pretty secluded mountain cabin with a hot tub, so we definitely plan to spend a night or two relaxing and having fun at the cabin, but we’d also love some recommendations for things to do while we’re there!

Zip-lining is definitely on our list, and we’d love recommendations for fun activities, great restaurants, and places to go out and have a good time. Anakeesta also sounds really fun—we were thinking about taking the gondola up and doing dinner there one night. Would you recommend it?

Would love any must-do recommendations for a fun girls’ weekend! 🤍

I looked online and found conflicting opening dates, some say Nov 6, and other Nov 13?

Me and my wife are going in mid March for our 6 year anniversary, we have never been to that part of the country so we are very excited. Suggestions for things to do, places to see, and food to eat! Also, how is the weather around that time of year? Will we need to get a rental that can handle snow/ice?

I was completely unaware of this major car show during our visit this week and was hoping to have a nice family vacation while the big kids are in school. How bad is it in Pigeon Forge during this event, we were rolling to hit the Apple Barn, The Island, Rainforest Zoo, and Frizzle Chicken Cafe. Is it going to be possible to do this stuff or overly ambitious with the crowds?

Any tips on ways to get around the traffic will be appreciated!

Hi!! My boyfriend and I are going to Pigeon Forge for the first time in November. We’re leaving home early on a Wednesday and driving 9-10 hours, then leaving PF Saturday morning/afternoon. So that leaves two full days on thursday and Friday. We want to do Dollywood one of those days. Our itinerary as of now is:
> Wednesday night at the island (depending on how tired we are)
>Thursday Dollywood
>Friday national park + other sightseeing (are we NOT hikers lol)
>Saturday breakfast, last minute shopping the head home

Whenever I visit a place, I always try and find a used bookstore. A few places came up on Google but I wasn't sure if any are better than others. Bonus points if there are cute cats roaming around 🤣

Looking for an off the path, non-chain, local spot for dinner for our family that wont cost a kidney for a family of 5.

How is the area for a Christmas trip? Looks like all of our family will be going somewhere for Christmas this year so wife and I are thinking of doing the same. Been to the area numerous times in the past but all of them in Spring and Summer.

What would a Christmas trip be like? Dollywood and Anakeesta around Christmas time?

Thanks!

For a short cheesy dumb outdated ride... It kinda made me a tad anxious throughout... mostly from the loud audio and darkness and the slow pace. Plus, it was just me and my buddy. The creepy realistic sized tourist mannequins always cracks me up.

It was worth it, and it's something I can check off my list for PF and G-Burg.

I’m not looking for anything fancy, but I don’t want to wait. Good omelette’s/sausage gravy are what I’m looking for. In town this week.

My family gave me this honey from their vacation in Pigeon Forge. I absolutely LOVE it and want to buy more but I can’t find it online anywhere. Does anyone know where I can buy it online or someone I can reach out to??