by Michelle Moore

Created on: May 01, 2008   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, what a great place to visit. When the state of Tennessee transfered ownership to the federal government, they stipulated there would never be an entry fee into the park.

The Smoky Mountain area is filled with great amusement and entertainment all the way from Sevierville, TN to Cherokee, NC, from live mountain music and arts and crafts by the locals, to the Dollywood Amusement park, there is something to see for everyone.

If your vacation to the Smokies begins on a Friday or Saturday, I would suggest arriving late at night (after 9 pm) or early in the morning. Otherwise you may find yourself in deadlock traffic for hours.

Start your vacation with a 55 minute tour of the Forbidden Caverns in Sevierville. Dress appropriately, because the cave temperature averages a cool 58 degrees. The tour includes history from the Indians that once used it for shelter to the moonshiners who used the cave during Prohibition, and is well worth the $13.00 admission fee.

Next I highly recommend Wonder Works, as you make your way into Pigeon Forge. This great amusement park for the mind is fun for all ages. You can buy an all day pass and come and go as you please, all the up until midnight.

After a little educational entertainment, you're likely to find yourself hungry. There are a number of restaurants up and down the Pigeon Forge strip. Everything from the familiar Olive Garden and Red Lobster casual restaurants, to places for the kids like McDonalds or Mr. Gatti's.

The next day, plan to get up early to drive across the Great Smoky Mountains. Even if you don't make it early enough to see the sunrise, you'll still beat the rush traffic. This way you can take your time and enjoy the park. If faster moving traffic does get behind you, it is common courtesy to pull over and let them go around.

While in the Great Smoky Mountains, besides the great view and scenery, there are a number of trails to hike and many waterfalls throughout the mountains.

Once you reach the other side, you will arrive in Cherokee, NC. The Cherokee Indian Reservation, that is. There are a number of things to see on the reservation including real Indians, live bears and a number of gift shops.

Plan your drive back across the mountains to Gatlinburg, TN to take approximately one hour. Once you arrive in Gatlinburg, there is more to do than you could ever imagine. For the kid in you there are 5 different Ripley's attractions. If arts and crafts are more of your thing, strolling up and down the streets of Gatlinburg, you will find everything from a Thomas Kincaid Gallery to homemade crafts by the locals, and everything in between.

There is something to do for everyone in the Great Smoky Mountain area, so take your time and plan ahead.

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