Special Places in the Smokies

Cherokee, North Carolina

The Cherokee Indians were the first to be charmed by the natural beauty of the
mountains, fresh flowing streams and rivers, and clear blue sky in what they
called “Land of the Blue Smoke”, or Smoky Mountains as we know them today.

What is now Western North Carolina has been part of the homeland of the
Cherokee people for untold centuries. Today’s Eastern Band members are
direct descendents of those who avoided the Cherokees’ forced removal to
Oklahoma in the 1830’s the “Trail of Tears.” Their home today is the
56,000-acre Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina adjacent to the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are more than 13,00
enrolled members of the Tribe, over 60% of whom live on the Boundary.

Besides the Smoky Mountain activities, attractions unique to Cherokee include
the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, a play about the "Trail of Tears," a living
Indian village where you can see how things were done in the "old" days,
Indians dressed in tribal wear, and tourist stores where you can buy "Indian"
souvenirs.
Chief Henry and me
The Little Pigeon River runds through
Cherokee and much of the Smokies.
Some of the tourist stores.


Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Gatlinburg, a city in Sevier County, Tennessee,  is a popular vacation resort,
as it rests on the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along
U.S. Highway 441, which connects Gatlinburg to Cherokee,
North Carolina through the national park.

The city is packed with accommodations of every sort, dozens of
local-to-national restaurants, and attractions galore! Surrounded on three
sides by the natural beauty of the National Park, Gatlinburg prides itself in
its mountain heritage, and the arts, crafts, and retail shops of the area
reflect that heritage to a large extent.

Gatlinburg is a walking community, especially along the Downtown
Parkway , which runs from one end of town to the other with hundreds
of things to see and do in between. The river walk along River Road
echoes the wistful sounds of the Little Pigeon River, with gazebos
and benches along the walkway. Outside the Downtown Parkway
and connecting side streets, the East Parkway is
dotted with shops and restaurants.

Just six miles up the road from Gatlinburg is Pigeon Forge.

There are more than 40 attractions located along Pigeon Forge's Parkway.  
You can enjoy miniature golf, go-carts and bumper boats to water rides,
laser games and even an indoor skydiving simulator,

Even history is fun on a Pigeon Forge family vacation with entertaining and
educational exhibits on display at Carbo's Police Museum, Dinosaur Walk
Museum, Elvis Museum, Veterans Memorial Museum and the
Smoky Mountain Car Museum.

In addition to the fun-filled attractions, Pigeon Forge is home to music,
magic and variety, making Pigeon Forge one of the best family vacation
spots around. The city's theaters present all styles of music,
high-energy dancing and magical illusions.

Pigeon Forge is home to Dollywood theme park, one of the South's favorite
family vacation spots filled with music, rides, mountain craft demonstrations
and other attractions that showcase life in the Smoky Mountains.

And let's don't forget the national brand name outlet malls that offer
the best in shopping experiences.
Chair lift ride that goes up
up the mountain.
Links to Pages in This Section:
Right:  entrance to one of the outlet
malls in Pigeon Forge where you can
find a great number of well-known
stores.

Below is my favorite of all.   I was
bitterly disappointed in 2007 when
we drove up to an emptly building.
Chalets on the mountainside
in Gatlinburg.
We always make a point of
stopping at this store.  It sells all
kinds of items for pets and
pet lovers.
As I mentioned, Gatlinburg is
a walking town.  You have to
park your car and walk up and
down the strip.
Me in Gatlinburg with my
purse and my purchases.  It is a
shopper's paradise with all
sorts of specialty stores, arts,
and crafts.
This picture dates back to 2004.
It's me, Anna, and Misty in the
hotel parking lot.  We always stay
at the Holiday Inn in Pigeon Forge.  
It's a nice hotel that is very pet
friendly.  They have a large grassy
area for the pets to walk.
The Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area
draws huge crowds around all the
holidays and much of the
remainder of the year too.
You have to resign yourself to the
fact that you are here to enjoy
yourself and you are not going
anywhere in a hurry.
A diner and a theater
along the main parkway
in Pigeon Forge.