Gatlinburg vacation (Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Calhoun: spring break, skateboarding, skatepark)

[Grizzlybear34]

T-minus 19 days until we make the trek from Florida to Gatlinburg for spring break. We have about 5 days to be tourists and I need some restaurant and attraction ideas for the family.

We have two young men, one 20 and one 17. The younger one is definitely into skateboarding, shopping for music, spending money in general, as is my wife - the spending money part, not the skateboarding part . The older son will be happy just hanging at the cabin, in the hot tub, playing video games, watching movies, reading, and hiking around. They'll both do whatever.

We like to eat pizza, Mexican, Italian, but also enjoy restaurants where a little of everything is on the menu, perahps a good local microbrewery restaurant.

Alright, give me your must haves for a 5 day trip to Gatlinburg.

[AlisonL]

Spend some time enjoying the Smoky Mountains. Check out Cades Cove, its a pleasant way to spend a day and will not be crowded this time of year. I believe Roaring Fork Nature Trail is now open for the season. Stop by Sugarland Visitor Center for park info.
Your sons would probably enjoy Ober Gatlinburg.
No Way Jose restaurant has great mexican food. Hard Rock Cafe is a fun lunch spot.
Our favorite restaurants are the Pancake Pantry, right on the parkway in G'burg. The Old Mill and the Log Cabin Pancake House in Pigeon Forge.
Make sure your wife gets to the Arts and Crafts Loop in G'burg.
There is so much to see and do. We spent 8 days there and it wasn't enough time. And, I'm not a shopper.
I also sent you a DM with some info.

[2mares]

If you want to get into the "country" feel. Try the apple tree family inn restaraunt (use to be apple barn) for some good down home cooking and check out memories theater for country singer impersonators. I saw Elvis, Conway, Loretta Lynn, Buddy Holly, and Barney Fife. They were great. These are in Pigeon Forge.

[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.

[knoxgarden]

Knoxville has a brand new state-of-the-art Skate Park that just opened.
Knoxville Skatepark, Knoxville, TN
More info here:
City of Knoxville
It's close to downtown Knoxville and the University of Tennessee. You can drop the skateboarder and then head to the UT strip, Market Square and its shopping and restaurants. There are free trolleys that will take you around downtown from the strip, the Museum of Art.
Or catch a Lady Vols softball game if they're playing. Their new stadium is near the skatepark. They finished second in the college world series last year.
Check out Metro Pulse for doings downtown.
Metro Pulse Online
If you're there at lunchtime and like blue grass, try the Blue Plate Special.
When you get tired, head to Calhoun's on the river. Great barbecue and a microbrewery.

[Grizzlybear34]

Everyone - Thanks for the feedback. The skatepark looks great so that will be a day. Someone told me that Hillbilly Golf is a must do, and lots of great restaurants. Also looking forward to the National Park, right at our doorstep. The Arts and Crafts loop is up my alley, but I'll drag my wife along!

Keep'em comin' and thanks.

Grizz

[Grizzlybear34]

Alright, I got info from the cabin owner that the cabin is located off of exit 407, as you leave Pigeon Forge entering a wooded area towards Gatlinburg to King Branch Road in a community called Sky Harbor. Anyone heard of it? Sounds like we're a hair closer to Pigeon Forge, than Gatlinburg.

A friend at work told me I MUST go play Hillbilly Golf...on the list now.

[mbmouse]

There is a BUNCH of stuff to do in both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Must do one day at Dollywood. Sounds corny but it is one fun day! Gotta ride the Thunderhead wooden roller coaster at least twice and the TN tornado that runs threw a mountain. Some good shows in there too.
In Pigeon Forge there are a few places that are really good for go cart racing.
If you want a good show one evening, The Comedy barn is cute. Country tonight is a good one too. As far as breakfast foods, there are some of the greatest pancake houses ever there.
Skip the dinosaur ride thing in Pigeon Forge, total rip off and not worth it.

[GrnMtnFire]

Yes..play Hill Billy golf. I was there last summer. There were some storms floating around so there was very little crowd. (and it never did rain...).
I am coming back to the area again this summer.

[AlisonL]

The only bad meal we had in the area was at Duff's in Pigeon Forge. I know of other folks who had the same bad experience. We came to the conclusion that the food was left over from the Civil War......yes, it was that horrible.
Definitely check out the Old Mill. You can watch them grind corn, shop in their store, go to the pottery and watch the potters and more. The restaurant is my favorite. LOVE their corn chowder.