What are some fun family things to do while in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, TN?

Get yourself to the other side of the Smoky Mountains! Take 441 over the mountains and spend your time on the NC side. There is much to see and do and it is not all tourist trap! Go white water rafting on the Nantahala river. If that is too extreme for you, then raft the Tuckaseegee River or go tubing in the Deep Creek area of the park. River the Smoky Mountain railroad. You can catch it in Bryson City or Dillsboro. Every Saturday evening they have live music and dancing at the train depot in Bryson City. If you go to Cherokee there is a Harrah's Casino, there is the Unto These Hills live performance and loads of people that will hook you up with a fishing trip. At the Oconoluftee visitor's center there is an Appalachian Farm that you can explore (free) and the same goes for Mingus Mill. The Deep Creek tubing area has 3 waterfalls that are all an easy hike. We always stay on the NC side, I have ventured over the the Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge area twice and said No Thanks! Way too tourist trap and completely loses the feel of being in the Smoky Mountains. Get to the NC side for a more authentic experience. I will give you a link to the place that we always stay but the property manager handles lots of other properties. We visit that area a couple of times a year and find something new every time! Last spring it was a hunt for old Nance Dude's grave.

go.....cart......racing!

Tennessee Smokies minor league baseball game, about ten bucks per adult. Smoky Mountain Knifeworks, a shop with thousands of new knives and hundreds of antique cutlery items. Dixie Stampede, maybe you will be selected to join in the show? The Smith Family show, best show in the area. Check out Tripadvisor.com, a free site for more info and reviews by real people.