A Tourist's Guide to the Smoky Mountains
Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are the definitions of a tourist trap, just like Myrtle Beach or Las Vegas. You're bound to face terrible traffic during peak seasons summer and fall, but there's a ton to do year-round. If you're willing to brave the other tourists, you're still bound to have some fun, as long as you know where to spend your time and money. While the list is numbered, the numbers are NOT rankings.
Sevierville
Dolly Parton's home town, Sevierville is the first city you'll see coming off of the interstate. It might seem small at first, but this city is the backbone to the two big tourist attractions of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. There are lots of things to do here, also. Be sure to stop by the golden Dolly Statue!
Pigeon Forge
This town started off as a small tourist town that was home to Silver Dollar City, Dollywood's predecessor, but now has grown into what is known as "The Strip." Sound familiar? Along the strip, there are some cool attractions that are actually worth it.
Gatlinburg
Nestled neatly next to the National Park, this beautiful, old ski town has unfortunately become too busy for comfort. Stunning at any time of year, sometimes it's hard to find an off-season, but weekday visits are your best bet. If you visit during the winter season, you have the chance to see the famous Gatlinburg parade, beautiful Christmas lights, and possibly snow into January and February. One of the benefits is that this city is just a few miles away from the National Park and Pigeon Forge.
