Gatlinburg (Knoxville, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge: real estate, to rent, school)

[Michigan49]

I'm african american and would like to know if Gatlinburg is a friendly place to visit? We would like to rent a cabin next summer in the Smokies, but I hear nothing but negative stuff, especially about Pigeon Forge...blacks are not welcome...would like to know how true is this???

[oldmanbob]

Hey Michigan49, not sure what you heard and think you were told completely wrong. I have visited Gatlinburg yearly for a long time, and disagree totally with what you state. I use to attend a yearly work conference, and help paint the town, and never found color to be any issue, with anyone. I beleive when you choose to rent, no one will ask you or deter you in any way, and all kinds of diverse folks from all over the world are weclomed. So plan a great time, and behave and have fun.

[gailli]

Oldmanbob is right, I go to Gatlinburg a lot and to Pigeon Forge(I was there last night and a very nice African American couple came into the restaurant as we were leaving and said hi to us, then they asked us about the food there, we replied and they went on into the place laughing and having a good time)I see people of all races, nationalities in Gatlinburg and I never see any of them treated any different from me, in fact, most of the stores there are now owned by people from other countries such as India and so on. You will be welcomed just as anyone else would be, go and enjoy yourself.

[hiknapster]

Gosh, yes. That entire area is very welcoming to everyone. Smart business people love money from all!

Every time I have gone to Dollywood I have found African Americans make up a lot of the people there. I swear, the midwesterners love to scare everyone up there.

We would absolutely love to have you and please do not worry anymore. Figuring out which cabin to rent will take up enough of your time. There are a LOT of them.

[INTN]

I personally like Gatlinburg better than Pigeon Forge but whenever we go and walk around there are literally people from all walks of life. I think Gatlinburg is a bit more laid back than Pigeon Forge (maybe because it's not a dry county and the other is). A restaurant I really like there is the Cherokee Grill, love the country fried chicken, mash potatoes and vegetable gravy. Good thing, I like to walk around too :-)

[Michigan49]

Thank you all for your responses. The area in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge looks so beautiful that I really want to plan this trip and thanks to your comments...I'm doing just that!

[tntim]

Come on down and as Dolly says, “You’ll have the time of your life”. You also might like to check the Gatlinburg forum on Trip Advisor. Gatlinburg Forum - TripAdvisor There’s a great bunch of people from all over the country on there that love the Smokies.

[TN Gal now]

Originally Posted by INTN

I personally like Gatlinburg better than Pigeon Forge but whenever we go and walk around there are literally people from all walks of life. I think Gatlinburg is a bit more laid back than Pigeon Forge (maybe because it's not a dry county and the other is). A restaurant I really like there is the Cherokee Grill, love the country fried chicken, mash potatoes and vegetable gravy. Good thing, I like to walk around too :-)

that dictate serving alcohol or not. Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville all are in Sevier County.

Gatlinburg is targeting older tourists - with money. They passed liquor by the drink quite a few years ago. Before that, you had to be a "member" of a club i.e. Ober Gatlinburg or the country club in Sevierville to have a drink. However, you could "brown bag" wine, not sure about hard liquor.

Pigeon Forge and Sevierville only very recently has passed an ordinance to allow beer and wine in restauants. I know that they were trying to pass liquor by the drink, but not sure if it got through. Pigeon Forge is targeting tourist families and feels serving liquor undermines the family atmosphere. Business owners recognize that they are losing LOTS of revenue by not serving alcoholic beverages.

Prior to any of these cities serving alcohol, Alf's (a local hangout and almost legendary) was the ONLY place you could get a beer with your meal. Alf's was still going strong when I left Pigeon Forge two years ago, although it had changed owners.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by TN Gal now

Prior to any of these cities serving alcohol, Alf's (a local hangout and almost legendary) was the ONLY place you could get a beer with your meal. Alf's was still going strong when I left Pigeon Forge two years ago, although it had changed owners.

That was because they were grandfathered after redistricting. Believe it or not, I learned that in real estate school a couple of days ago. My teacher knows everything about the area.

It is just so funny that you brought this up!

[rpmgatech]

I go to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area frequently because I live in Knoxville. In an answer to your question, no, you will probably not be treated any differently. But I am not going to lie and say that Gatlinburg is some super diverse area. I have lived in and been to diverse areas (Atlanta [lived there] and Disney World [vacationed many times]). You may feel like one of the only black people there, but you won't be stared at or treated differently because of it ... at least, I hope not.