Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg in February (Knoxville, Ripley: sales, things to do, car)

[magellan]

The family and I are headed down to the area the weekend/early week of Feb. 16th. What can we expect as far as:

) Traffic, we are staying right near Parkway and Collier
) # of attractions open (I see that some don't open until April)
) Activities for three kids: 4, 6 and 8
) Hiking in the Smoky's and weather, how to dress
) "Must see" things to do with only 3 - 4 days

This is a spur-of-the-moment deal so we have no itinerary set yet, and we are coming from West Michigan. My brother-in-law is from Knoxville so he and my Sister recommended it. I haven't been to Gatlinburg since I was maybe 10 years old (mid 30's now).

Thanks!

[magellan]

So, I guess I should post this in the general Tennessee section? No one knows?

[JMT]

Originally Posted by magellan

So, I guess I should post this in the general Tennessee section? No one knows?

Have you tried looking for a Gatlinburg visitors center web site or something similar? They would undoubtedly have more information. I know in years past, Gatlinburg was pretty dead in February but they've done a lot to try to make it a year-round destination. I'm sure the aquarium is open in February. And Ober Gatlinburg, too, which has a small ski slope and an indoor ice rink.

You can always go hiking no matter what the temperature is. But trying to guess what the weather will be like 2 weeks away is nearly impossible around here, unfortunately. We've had February temps in the 70s and also in the single digits. You'll have to keep consulting weather.com the closer you get to the weekend you'll be here to see what the weather will be like.

Good luck!

[magellan]

Originally Posted by JMT

Have you tried looking for a Gatlinburg visitors center web site or something similar? They would undoubtedly have more information. I know in years past, Gatlinburg was pretty dead in February but they've done a lot to try to make it a year-round destination. I'm sure the aquarium is open in February. And Ober Gatlinburg, too, which has a small ski slope and an indoor ice rink.

You can always go hiking no matter what the temperature is. But trying to guess what the weather will be like 2 weeks away is nearly impossible around here, unfortunately. We've had February temps in the 70s and also in the single digits. You'll have to keep consulting weather.com the closer you get to the weekend you'll be here to see what the weather will be like.

Good luck!

Thanks! There are hundreds of sites online (most of them pretty poorly made) that list a bunch of attractions in the area, but I was looking more for some locals' opinions.

I'm just thinking of the short hikes to see the various falls in the National Park, not big long overnight hikes.

And it's only one week away (next weekend).

[tntim]

Go to the Trip Advisor Gatlinburg Forum here’s the link: Gatlinburg Forum - TripAdvisor

You will find all the information you are looking for and a great group of travel fans who are happy to give you advice.

[jimj]

Go cart tracks!!!!! We always found those to be a big blast that even when my son was 10 could drive one and enjoy.
We also went to Dixe Stampede and that was fun. You could also go to AAA and get a regional tour book that lists everything and the costs.

[daniellec]

Ripleys Wonder Works! Just took my 4 year old and we had a blast. Also try Ripleys Aquarium.....That was real nice and Im from FL so i always see fish. Dont waste your money at the Nascar speed park. looks big and grand but it sucks.!@ Dollywood a must see is closed right now. Tanger outlets have GREATTTT sales every week. I mean great!

Get up to the national park. once you enter look for the Welcome Center on the right. Turn in the center and you can pick up brochures of all kinds of stuff, one being the waterfalls. There are two that you can see from the car. all others u have to walk. But once you turn into the visitors center you keep going towards cades Cove (which is beautiful but not much fun this time of year unless all you wanna see is Deer) Look for these little sign posts on the road. look for number 5 (hard to find) and #6. They are 12 and 13 miles from the visitors center. #6 has a beautiful waterfall. #5 is hard to find and easily missed. There is also another waterfall before you get to #5 and 6 falls. Its a 3 mile total hike. From car and back. Supposed to be beautiful but I have not been there yet! Traffic: Depends on the day. I went one Saturday and I did 65 all the way up to the park. The next Saturday I did 30 all the way up! Just depends. Gatlinburg always has stuff going on so... Well thats all I can offer. I have only been here 3 months!