Staying in Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg. What to do. Where to eat.

[Toothpick]

I've lived 4 hours away for 8 years and never been. I've been waiting on friends to go and what a let down. No longer care about waiting so I'm going solo. I'm thinking a good time to go when things are slow and cheap is in February. Just so happens that's my bday month.

So what tips and good places to eat do y'all got? Primarily good places to eat.

I'm thinking I'll just pick a nice resort and hang out for 3 nights. I don't care about drinking and partying. I mainly want to eat some really good food and see some cool stuff. Maybe a river boat tour? IDK.

 

[Rudy Vey]

Drive north for some 20 or so miles to Kodak. There is a Bass Pro Shop and the Chop House. Combine both, visit the store and then have a meal in the Chop House. I never had a bad meal there over years.
If I remember correctly, there is also a Jerky store near by.

 

[Eric_75]

I highly recommend lunch at Smoky Mountain Brewery in Gatlinburg, Jason.

 

[Toothpick]

Jerky store! I'm in!

 

[ColtRevolver]

I always stay downtown Gatlinburg so I can walk the streets everyday and not have to worry about parking. The Christmas lights are beautiful this time of year.

There's tons of shopping and tourist attractions. Pickup a map and Monster coupon book when you get to town.

There's a Buds Gun shop. It's behind Smoky Mountain Knife Works.

There's so much to do and see.that one can't list it all. I know you have a motorcycle. The Wheels Thru Time museum in Maggie Valley is well worth the trip across the mountain. You may want to visit the Harrahs casino in Cherokee as well.

 

[RangerReady23]

I highly recommend a visit to the Smoky Mountain Knife Works, which is just outside the Sevierville end of Pigeon Forge. Imagine a Cabelas/Bass Pro--if it was bigger, and four floors deep. If something has a blade, they likely carry it. In variations. Even if you don't buy you can spend three hours or better exploring it all with all the displays and attraction stuff they offer too.

For food, I have two ironclad suggestions. The first being Bennett's Pit Barbecue in midtown Pigeon Forge. Best smoked meat you will ever put in your mouth, period. If you have a big appetite try the sampler platter.

Secondly on food, I cannot say enough good things about Huck Finn's Catfish, especially if you like seafood. They have all the good fish options, and their 'vittles'--all Southern sides you'd expect like white beans, hushpuppies, coleslaw, pickles, onion and etc--are all you can eat with every meal.

As a backup, try the Mountain Edge Grill in Gatlinburg. Incredible bison burger if you're into that sort of thing.


Now if you're into Christmas...I highly, HIGHLY recommend staying at the Inn At Christmas Place. We stay there every year when we go, and the entire resort hotel is Christmas themed with activities to match. Plus has gourmet breakfast all you can eat included every morning--when we've been they even have a chef in the dining room to cook your eggs and omelettes and stuff custom for you.

YMMV, but these are the good things I've experienced.

 

[ColtRevolver]

Then there's Buc-ee's for all the beaver one man can stand.

 

[Lightcs1776]

I love the area, and I visit there a few times. It is absolutely beautiful. My brother-in-law took my wife and I to Paula somebody’s restaurant, can’t think of her last name right now. However, I was not all that impressed with food there. The atmosphere around the entire area is great. There are also plenty of restaurants that are quite good in the area. It wasn’t that Paula, Dean, now they Rimmer, her name, wasn’t good, but it just wasn’t amazing as I would’ve thought someone with that name recognition would be.

 

[Mempho]

Any of the trails in the park would be beautiful this time of year.

 

[ColtRevolver]

There is a very light crowd Gatlinburg tonight.

 

[luvmysuper]

Wasn't Pigeon Forge where the first Crow Bar was made?

 

[Toothpick]

Wasn't Pigeon Forge where the first Crow Bar was made?

took me way to long to get that

 

[Whisky]

I can tell you what was fun with a 7,5, and 3yd old. I have no idea what to do there as an adult. If you’re into big ships that sink the Titanic museum was pretty cool.

 

[ShavingPrimate]

In Gatlinburg, my favorite place to eat is the Peddler Steakhouse. They hand cut the steak at your table. They have Rib Eye and NY Strip. My favorite is the Rib Eye. The dinner includes a fabulous salad bar. One of the best salad bars you will find anywhere.

There is also the Greenbrier Restaurant in Gatlinburg.

In Pigeon Forge, the Golden Corral Buffet has a good breakfast buffet. Best value for breakfast. Shoney's is the worst, being way more expensive.

The Golden Corral in Pigeon Forge has the best deal if you are a senior. The Senior early bird is between 1-3 in the afternoons on weekdays. It is about $10 and includes a beverage. This is substantially less expensive than their regular lunch.

The Wood Grill Buffet in Pigeon Forge has the largest and best buffet. They have several rooms full of food. One is dedicated to salads. The actually grill their meats over a wood fired grill. They often offer a discounted lunch for the 2nd person

The different buffets typically have one price for lunch and dinner on the weekends.

However, if you are a senior, Shoney's has a senior discount for under $10 on Sunday afternoon between 2-7. They do not advertise this (obviously), so confirm this with the manager prior to being seated. Many of the staff are not aware of this either. There are two Shoney's in Pigeon Forge.

J.T. Hannah's is a good place for lunch. They have dinner salads, appetizer combos and burgers.

The best (and most expensive) pizza is at the Mellow Mushroom on Parkway in Pigeon Forge. It is next to The Inn At Christmas Place. A really beautifully decorated Christmas theme hotel.

For a relaxing breakfast buffet with good quality food, there is the Black Fox Lodge, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, one block off of Parkway in Pigeon Forge by the Walgreens. Being off Parkway, it is a better and more relaxing setting. The breakfast buffet only runs between 7-19 AM. But is open 7-days a week. Note: There are a few different Hilton properties in Pigeon Forge

The Texas Road House is one of my favorite places for lunch. Located on Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Very reasonable and I get their burger with a salad and baked potato. Except for their low-cal Italian, they make all of their dressings in-house. I like their blue cheese.

As someone has already pointed out. If you are in Gatlinburg. Stay downtown where you can park at your hotel and walk. Parking is $20 almost everywhere else.

Bennetts Pit Bar-B-Que has a small parking lot at their Gatlinburg location, which is free. Their Gatlinburg location also combines their Big Daddy's Pizza in the same building.

In Pigeon Forge they are two different restaurants. The Bennett family owns several restaurants in the area. In February, since it is a slow month, they offer very generous specials during the month during different weeks. Check in advance.

Pigeon Forge has no paid parking lots or parking meters. Plenty of free parking everywhere.

Captain Jim's Seafood Buffett is the best value for seafood. It is a big buffet. If you do not opt for the snow crab legs, the buffet is around $26 including dessert.

Adults
Buffet with Unlimited Crab Legs $49.99
Without Crab Legs $25.99
CHILDREN 5-11
Buffet with Unlimited Crab Legs $26.99
Without Crab Legs $10.99

Great deal for children!

In Sevierville, my favorite (and most expensive) seafood restaurant is Pinchy's Lobster & Raw Bar. Quality does count for something!

The Smoky Mountain Knife Works is certainly worth a visit! It is the world's largest knife store.

 

[Eric_75]

Crockett's Breakfast Camp is solid as well. Get there early.

 

[AshleyC]

Smoky Mountain Trout House, Gatlinburg.

 

[Quaznoid]

Leave asap

 

[Toothpick]

Leave asap

Leave for the Smokey Mountains ASAP? You like it that much huh? IDK if I can get a room with such short notice but I'll try. Never heard someone give such a motivating and awesome endorsement of a vacation destination. Got me excited now!

 

[Quaznoid]

I love the Smokies but not tacky, ugly, overdeveloped, over-commercialized Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. Stay in Cherokee or Bryson City and enjoy the best of the region.

 

[Toothpick]

I love the Smokies but not tacky, ugly, overdeveloped, over-commercialized Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. Stay in Cherokee or Bryson City and enjoy the best of the region.

Bryson City and Cherokee sound like some real boring cities. I'd leave ASAP.