Gatlinburg, not Just for Bumpkins

Oh my gosh... I love Gatlinburg! First of all my family has an RV so this isn't the ordinary timeshare vacation. We visted the many small shops along the street where you can purchase silver, souvenirs and feed live bears! We also visited Ober Gatlinburg which was amazing! You take this tram, which holds about 30 - 40 people, across a cable that runs through the valleys of the Smokeys, on about a 20 minute trip over to the park. Its very exhilerating! All those people hanging by one little cable so high up! It was well worth it. We also visited Ripleys Believe it or Not and a museum with cars from TV Shows and Movies.

Quick Tips:

Definitely visit the main strip where you can shop and PLEASE feed the live bears as they are SOOOOOOO cute! Ober Gatlinburg gives you a beautiful view of the Smokeys. There is also Alpine Sledding which are a little car that you control the speed... imagine racing down the side of a mountain in a small car that sits in nothing but a concrete half pipe big enough to only fit the size of your car! Very fun! Dollywood in Pigeon Forge was ok but very... commercialized. If your big on country music check out the Alabama Bar and Grill. Great dining and gift shopping as well.

Best Way To Get Around:

My family rented a car... I would definitely say that's the best way to get around. However the main strip of shops is perfect for walking.

The Alabama Bar and Grill is perfect for those who love country music and good steak. Me, I am not a huge country fan but my mother LOVED Alabama when I was growing up and her excitement was enough to make me enjoy myself. When you first pull up there are Tour Buses and other vehicles with the Alabama logos all over them. When you arrive OF COURSE there's a huge gift shop full of souvenirs. The prices were actually not that bad... you could definitely afford something for your friends and family here. We were sitted and there was a huge Titantron playing Alabama songs and concert clips. Very nice. The food was decent and for such a touristy place the price was not bad. All in all I think this is perfect for the country fan!

The Dixie Stampede is a dinner show (think Medival Times) based around the Civil War. When you first arrive expect lots of foreign travelers and long lines to get in the door but it is worth it! You place your drink order at an old fashioned tavern. It's served to you in a glass boot! While you wait for the show to start there are Yocals who entertain you with jokes. For as bad as the jokes were, you still could not help but to laugh. The dinner show was FANTASTIC! You file into a U shaped auditorium... it's huge! one side picks North, the other picks South and as your team's soldier competes against the other you enjoy a great meal. The meal consisted of some sort of potato vegetable soup... it was dark so I couldn't quite see it. It was good. It's served in a bowl and since this is the olden days there's NO silverware. So you drink your soup from the bowl. Also you are served bread, seasoned potatoes and a roast bird that is delicious! And you eat it all with your hands. Dessert consisted of apple pie I believe but I don't like apples so I can't let you know how good it was. I really loved the whole atmosphere and the food was great. I cannot tell you how much you need to see it for yourself!

Dollywood was huge with many rides and attractions! You have to love country music to fully enjoy the live shows, but a lot of them are good for all.