Dollywood Newbies Guide

Good question! Is Dollywood a 1 day thing, or do you need a few days to see it all?

There is lots to do. As I mentioned in the other thread, Gatlinburg (and Pigeon Forge) is a huge tourist destination. I've had a great time just relaxing and enjoying the scenery. It's one of the most picturesque places I've ever been. There are lots of "young at heart" things to do besides Dollywood. There are dinner theaters, shows, rides, museums, mini golf (more than anywhere you'll ever go), go carts, arcades, indoor sky diving (I can tell you more about that if you like), helicopter rides, tours, white water rafting, nature excursions, sight-seeing, great shopping. If you've never been, I would recommend a whole week. If a weekend, or long weekend is all you have, you can still have a great time but will want to come back right away to do more things you didn't have time for. Dollywood also has a water park I don't think we've mentioned.

I'll post some of my favorite things to do after dinner:)

Besides Dollywood, I really enjoy the Ripley's Aquarium, the Mountain Mall, various restaurants, Great Smokey Mountain national park, Muscle Car museum (in nearby Sevierville), Nascar Speedpark (Nascar themed attractions) - I'm not a Nascar fan but they have all sorts of fun go-carts and other things you can drive, Ripley's Believe it or Not museum and Ripley's haunted adventure (quite scary, but very fun), various go-cart tracks and mini golf courses, Black Bear Jamboree (dinner & show), Sky Lift, just walking around Gatlinburg, shopping (some unique shops there), and relaxing.

Click 'Attractions' for things to do in Gatlinburg.

Click 'Attractions' for things to do in Pigeon Forge.

Cherokee North Carolina is also a short drive away from more things to do. I wouldn't go there though, unless you have a week or more or have been to Gatlinburg before. There's plenty to do without leaving G-burg.

Wow! I DO want to hear more about the indoor skydiving!

From their website: "Flyaway Indoor Skydiving is the most well known Indoor Skydiving facility in the U.S. With two locations open to the general public since 1983, Flyaway has offered millions the opportunity to achieve their dreams and experience human flight."

It's as close to the real thing as you can get without jumping out of a plane. It's what professional skydivers use to train. It's real fun, but much more difficult than it looks. Though I'm an otherwise healthy young man, this was not for me. I have had shoulder injuries and they tend to dislocate (usually only out of the socket enough to hurt a lot, don't require relocation). So as I was in the wind tunnel, both of my shoulders were being forced out of their sockets the whole time. It was not pleasant. If you don't have any back or shoulder issues however, it shouldn't be a problem for you. Only thing to keep in mind is the fact that it is a very physical activity. As with the real thing, you have to constantly and manually if you will, balance yourself. Long as you don't have any issues like mine, I would recommend it.

Sounds like fun, but my back is nothing but issues. I think maybe I'll just hang out in Gatlinburg.

Years ago in Pigeon Forge they had the 'Buford Pusser' museum.

(Wondering how many of this esteemed bunch will even know who that is?)

I went and found out

I had one of those on my foot years back and had to have it lanced.