Wife & I plan on taking a trip stopping in Louisville, KY & renting a cabin in Pigeon Forge, TN. Here is my plan stopping in Louisville for 2nts.& visting the Ali museum then going to the KY. derby museum. I 've done the Louisville Slugger Museum. Next 1nt. stay at Mammouth Cave. Then head to Pigeon Forge cabin for 3 or 4 nts. I've driven through the Smoky's countless times but never went into the park. I'm not a fisherman or a hiker so rule that out just want to relax. Any additional tips would be appreciated.
Trip Tips Louisville, KY & Pigeon Forge, TN
- Thread starter The Mover
- Start date
You are definitely in my area. I was in Louisville today, I'm actually there often throughout each quarter. I have been to Pigeon Forge more times than I can count. If I have time I'll do a write-up for you.
Eat dinner one night at Jeff Ruby's in the 'ville. One of my favorite places to eat in the country.
Spend a night at the Lodge at Barren River Lake after touring Mammoth Cave.
Rent a boat and tour the lake.Be sure and try the buffet for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Rent a boat and tour the lake.Be sure and try the buffet for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Ever make the short trip to Glasgow? I was born there. Went back to visit a few years ago and stayed at the Lodge. Made the drive on the back roads from Lebanon. I believe I was near Sgt York's home place.
Rarely. Last time I was there, I was trying to find a used car to buy. Lots of people in BG with Glasgow roots though.
Have to pass on the boating & golfing bad back , but sitting down for a meal is more my speed. Have any of you guys been in the Smokey Mtn Park ? From my understanding where we are staying Pigeon Forge is close to the park. Hope it's not too crowded at the end of May. Thanks for the info.
I visited Smokey Nat'l Park several years ago, a few trips close to Pigeon Forge. I was curious to see an eastern old growth forest, having grown up hiking thru many a western one...For that, I hiked the Ramsey Cascades Trail in Smokey Nat'l Park...
May is an excellent time to visit, mid-May is the best for Spring (flowers blooming, big crowds still haven't arrived), but late May almost as good....Cheap too - it is one of the few Nat'l Parks with no entrance fee!
A very nice scenic drive is the Cades Cove Loop Road....
May is an excellent time to visit, mid-May is the best for Spring (flowers blooming, big crowds still haven't arrived), but late May almost as good....Cheap too - it is one of the few Nat'l Parks with no entrance fee!
A very nice scenic drive is the Cades Cove Loop Road....
I have been there, but what I like to do most in the smokies (walking trails/hiking and rock-hopping) you don't want to or are not able to do. Maybe go on a tour?
Terry thanks for the link, looks great. They say allow 2-4 hrs. just in that section. Hope we get a good taste with 2 full days & 3 nts.
I'm going to look into going on a tour. I can walk without major problems about 2 mi. ( with meds ) Thanks
Mover...I'll be in Pigeon Forge for a youth baseball tourney June 28-July 4. Will be on lookout for your review. Have fun
If you have a free day you might want to drive 1.5 hours to Bryson City and take a 2 hours train ride up to Fontana Lake . Go to Dillsboro Chocalate Factory. Stay at the Best Western on the river and take the rafting trip( Class 1 and 2). On the way back you can stop and gamble at the Cherokee Casino.
Next time try to make the trip in the fall. Driving a convertible on the Blue Ridge Parkway when the leaves are changing is something you will remember.
Mover, We were there 4yrs. ago and are going back this June. Some of the best things to do are in the St park. Clingman's Dome is a great spot up in the mountains, you probably won't want to do the walk up to the observation platform.You'll see what I mean when you get there but the views from parking lot level are plenty high and spectacular. Nearer to Gatlinburg(where St Park entrance is) is a Arts and craft loop on Glades Road,.I think it's 22miles full of artsy crafty and unique shops,even a magic/woodcarver shop. the wife is a magician and the husband a chainsaw woodcarver. A great auto tour is Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Six mile one way rd. into the forest lots of shade,foilage, streams ,small falls it's GREEN in there. Don't miss it ,plenty of stops to pull over and walk around if you want. The Dome can get crowded but there is a large parking lot. These were my favorite spots last trip. I downloaded an app on my phone that looks to be very useful.... Chimani Great Smoky Mountains. It claims to help with getting around when you lose phone service in the mountains and has a ton of info on attractions.. I dont know about your cabin but ours was absolutely gorgeous last trip and most of them look like they are all well maintained and equipped with essentials. A couple of new things in Pigeon Forge I want to check out are a Titanic exhibit and The Island at Pigeon Forge. Have fun:toast: :0074
- Mar 31, 2016
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I know you mentioned a trip to the Derby Museum, but Churchill is also holding live racing during the time you are planning.
They race Thursday to Sundays. First post is 5:00 PM on Thursdays, but 12:45 most weekends.
Not sure what you schedule is like, but you may enjoy seeing even a couple live races during your trip.
Have a good time!
They race Thursday to Sundays. First post is 5:00 PM on Thursdays, but 12:45 most weekends.
Not sure what you schedule is like, but you may enjoy seeing even a couple live races during your trip.
Have a good time!
Thank you everyone for taking the time to give me some tips.
lowell, that train ride to Fontana Lake sounds interesting but we are on a tight schedule. We have 2 senior pet cats that are not in the best of health. Will keep this on file for future trips. Thanks
Cricket Thanks for info about inside the park. Hope with 2 full days we will get a good taste of the park. Got our 1brm cabin from trip advisor, recent reviews and pics seem excellent. We will see ! Thanks
Sharky We will be spending some time at the track after the Derby Museum.Thanks
Boys Will they work on flip-flops ? I already have heel lifts & some other dumb shit in my shoes. Thanks !
lowell, that train ride to Fontana Lake sounds interesting but we are on a tight schedule. We have 2 senior pet cats that are not in the best of health. Will keep this on file for future trips. Thanks
Cricket Thanks for info about inside the park. Hope with 2 full days we will get a good taste of the park. Got our 1brm cabin from trip advisor, recent reviews and pics seem excellent. We will see ! Thanks
Sharky We will be spending some time at the track after the Derby Museum.Thanks
Boys Will they work on flip-flops ? I already have heel lifts & some other dumb shit in my shoes. Thanks !
