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I've seen other threads discussing tourist traps, but none comparing Niagara Falls (both the Canadian and American side) with the likes of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge and Branson explicitly.
So let's do it. Which one of the three is the biggest, baddest, most awesome tourist traps to take your kids to? Which one of the three is the best for:
1. Natural Scenery and geological features
2. Ripley's Museums, wax museums, and other cheesy museums
3. Aquariums
4. Go karts, mini golf, and arcades
5. Live entertainment and Dinner theaters
6. Buffets
7. Theme Parks and Water Parks
8. Best place overall
Me personally, I've only been to Gatlinburg and Niagara Falls, both times in the summer. I think both offer just as much cheesy Ripley's attractions, and go karts. I'll have to give it to Gatlinburg for the natural scenery and weather. Niagara.Falls was spectacular, but it can't compare to the Great Smokies being right next to Gatlinburg. I'm sure Niagara Falls looks dazzling when frozen, but the weather then must be atrocious. I enjoy the nice muggy nights and lush greenery of Gatlinburg, though. Gatlinburg has some interesting Alpine coasters, while I haven't heard of any in Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls does have actual casinos unlike Gatlinburg, though. But Gatlinburg has a small ski resort.
Niagara Falls is the neatest natural attraction and I’m a Great Lakes geek.
Branson is good at tacky family fun though. I guess I’ll vote for it overall.
I've seen other threads discussing tourist traps, but none comparing Niagara Falls (both the Canadian and American side) with the likes of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge and Branson explicitly.
So let's do it. Which one of the three is the biggest, baddest, most awesome tourist traps to take your kids to? Which one of the three is the best for:
1. Natural Scenery and geological features
2. Ripley's Museums, wax museums, and other cheesy museums
3. Aquariums
4. Go karts, mini golf, and arcades
5. Live entertainment and Dinner theaters
6. Buffets
7. Theme Parks and Water Parks
8. Best place overall
I've never been to Branson so I can't comment on that. For Niagara Falls, I'm going to limit my comments to the Canadian side, because the American side just seem tired and blah and worn out (other than the Falls themselves).
Natural scenery -- Gatlinburg. There's no question that Niagara Falls is an awe-inspiring sight. But it's just one thing. The Great Smoky Mountains sprawl over a huge area, and the region has many, many magnificent sights.
Museums -- I'll give the nod to Niagara Falls for the wax museums. We didn't go in any of them, but I liked the display of Trump and Putin that the one at Niagara Falls had by the entrance. Otherwise, I'll say Pigeon Forge because of the amazing Titanic museum that they have there.
Aquariums -- Gatlinburg. My family really enjoyed the Aquarium of the Smokies. I don't even recall there being an aquarium in Niagara Falls, though Toronto has one.
Go karts -- Niagara Falls. The multi-level track at Niagara Speedway was a ton of fun.
Live entertainment -- Pigeon Forge, for the Dixie Stampede.
Buffets -- Don't know, didn't try them.
Theme Parks -- Pigeon Forge, for Dolly World. I don't recall there being any theme parks at Niagara Falls.
Best place overall -- I'd probably give the nod to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Great Smoky Mountains, just for the huge variety of things to see and do. But, that said, my family had a great time at Niagara Falls too. Really, either one of these places is great for a family vacation.
I've never been to Branson so I can't comment on that. For Niagara Falls, I'm going to limit my comments to the Canadian side, because the American side just seem tired and blah and worn out (other than the Falls themselves).
Natural scenery -- Gatlinburg. There's no question that Niagara Falls is an awe-inspiring sight. But it's just one thing. The Great Smoky Mountains sprawl over a huge area, and the region has many, many magnificent sights.
Museums -- I'll give the nod to Niagara Falls for the wax museums. We didn't go in any of them, but I liked the display of Trump and Putin that the one at Niagara Falls had by the entrance. Otherwise, I'll say Pigeon Forge because of the amazing Titanic museum that they have there.
Aquariums -- Gatlinburg. My family really enjoyed the Aquarium of the Smokies. I don't even recall there being an aquarium in Niagara Falls, though Toronto has one.
Go karts -- Niagara Falls. The multi-level track at Niagara Speedway was a ton of fun.
Live entertainment -- Pigeon Forge, for the Dixie Stampede.
Buffets -- Don't know, didn't try them.
Theme Parks -- Pigeon Forge, for Dolly World. I don't recall there being any theme parks at Niagara Falls.
Best place overall -- I'd probably give the nod to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Great Smoky Mountains, just for the huge variety of things to see and do. But, that said, my family had a great time at Niagara Falls too. Really, either one of these places is great for a family vacation.
Niagara Falls Ontario has Marineland aquarium. They also have an elevator that takes you to a cove behind the falls, kind of in the same category of gimmicks as that glass suspension bridge they have in the hills above Gatlinburg. Niagara Falls also has its own observation tower as does Gatlinburg.
And you summed it up beautifully--Niagara Falls is stunning, but it's just one thing compared to an entire mountain range like the Great Smokies.
Niagara Falls Ontario has Marineland aquarium. They also have an elevator that takes you to a cove behind the falls, kind of in the same category of gimmicks as that glass suspension bridge they have in the hills above Gatlinburg. Niagara Falls also has its own observation tower as does Gatlinburg.
And you summed it up beautifully--Niagara Falls is stunning, but it's just one thing compared to an entire mountain range like the Great Smokies.
And this is just the areas closest to the Falls...
To be fair, the OP was comparing the towns of Niagara Falls (Ontario and New York) with Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. I'm the one who expanded the comparison (in regards to natural scenery) to include the entire Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If we're going to limit it to just those towns, I'll change my response to say that Niagara Falls wins the scenery contest, because of the Falls. The rest of my response stands.
To be fair, the OP was comparing the towns of Niagara Falls (Ontario and New York) with Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. I'm the one who expanded the comparison (in regards to natural scenery) to include the entire Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If we're going to limit it to just those towns, I'll change my response to say that Niagara Falls wins the scenery contest, because of the Falls. The rest of my response stands.
Actually, I think we should discuss both the scenery right in the town and the scenery in the vicinity of the town.
I could see Niagara Falls winning if we're just talking about the scenery within the town. But if we include the vicinity of the town, the Niagara River Gorge is nice, but is a 300 foot gorge through otherwise fairly flat terrain really going to beat six thousand foot mountains?
And this is just the areas closest to the Falls...
Yes, as this doesn't include nearby places like Lewiston, Fort Niagara, ArtPark, Devil's Hole State Park and Niagara-on-the Lake(latter one on the Canadian side), among some other places/things.
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