Considering Gatlinberg

[Tom52]

....Downtown Gatlinburg has been taken over by tacky tourist shops, it is painfully overcrowded and a big waste of time. Do some research before hand so you will know what you want to do, and what you want to avoid.

I dunno, there are a lot of nice restuarants in downtown Gatlinburg. The aquarium is a big attraction as is the Ober Gatlinburg tram. I agree there is a lot of junk shops I never go in, but I like to go to downtown Gatlinburg in the evening, get an ice cream and listen to one of the free bluegrass concerts they usually have going when I have been there in the past. I too like the park, for that reason I prefer to stay in Gatlinburg over Pigeon Forge.

 

[laurac260]

I dunno, there are a lot of nice restuarants in downtown Gatlinburg. The aquarium is a big attraction as is the Ober Gatlinburg tram. I agree there is a lot of junk shops I never go in, but I like to go to downtown Gatlinburg in the evening, get an ice cream and listen to one of the free bluegrass concerts they usually have going when I have been there in the past. I too like the park, for that reason I prefer to stay in Gatlinburg over Pigeon Forge.

Everyone has what they like, to be sure. I do like the Ober Gatlinburg tram, but then Ober Gatlinburg is not downtown Gatlinburg, though I suppose i am splitting hairs. I like the mountains, they are beautiful, and I like a good restaurant (though you can find good restaurants anywhere), but I am just not a fan of schlock, nor antiquing, nor bluegrass, country/western, 365 day a year christmas shops, etc. To each his own. For me, if it weren't for the mountains, I doubt I'd ever go back.