Tag Archives: Gatlinburg

Hillbilly Golf in Gatlinburg, TN

Of the handful of times we have vacationed in Gatlinburg, Hillbilly Golf is one of our favorite, family activities.

Our favorite part of Hillbilly Golf was traveling up the incline.  We boarded the car and made the slow climb to the top where we reached the first hole.

Before tackling the putt-putt game, we continued tradition by rubbing the wooden bear in hopes for a wine and a hole-in-one.

For some reason, playing Hillbilly Golf at night seemed more fun.  Maybe it’s because we thought people couldn’t see how silly we looked, hitting the golf ball at a par twenty.

The game was coming to an end and we were all so close that it was anyone’s game.  We cheered, teased and tried to distract each other in an effort to finish first place.  It was a friendly game of competition with lots of laughs and giggles.

Mom scored a whole in one, giving her the lead.  We could not have been more happy for her and we cheered her on.

Nolan was so excited and impressed by Grandma’s hole in one.  He must have spent ten minutes trying to make his OWN hole in one, not giving up for one second.  He tired himself out and gave up, moving to the next hole.

Joy, Scott and Nolan had finished first and the game was still too close to call.  Each of them had been concentrating on the last hole and we would need Mom and Dad’s score to confirm the winner.

Mom is quite competitive and couldn’t let anyone beat her, so in the end, with her hole in one and a win, rubbing the bear may have given her that extra push and made her a winner.

Have you played Hillbilly Golf in Gatlinburg?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about our fun outing in Gatlinburg and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Apple Barn
230 Apple Valley Road
Sevierville, TN  37882
Telephone:  865 453 9319

Where to Stay: 

We stayed in a rental through VRBO called the Firefly Chalet.

Where to Eat:

Bennett’s Bar-B-Que
2910 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
Telephone:  865 429 2200

I ordered the Carolina Pork Sandwich and the Salad Bar.

What to Eat:

  • Barbecue

The Apple Barn, Pigeon Forge

The Apple Barn story began in the early 1900s,  when the barn was built by the  Mullendore family.  Here, they raised cattle and planted tobacco.  Seventy years later, the barn and property were purchased by the Hicks and Kilpatrick family and they planted their first apple trees in 1976.

A Visit to the Apple Barn is a tradition for the many families that visit Gatlinburg on a regular basis.  I love their breakfasts starting with their complimentary Apple Fritters served with their famous Apple Butter.

Nolan couldn’t wait to eat his pancakes with a spoon and each of us couldn’t wait to see him try.

Scott decided it was too late for breakfast and went for the traditional meatloaf with a side of macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes.  A great hearty meal before our long drive home.

The Original Farmhouse Sampler Trio included a generous serving of fried chicken, chicken and dumplings and chicken pot pie.  I was happy to share my meal, thinking of all the calories in my order.

Mom and Dad each ordered the chicken friend steak with a side of mashed potatoes.

Of course, this family could not leave the restaurant without dessert…from cobbler and ice cream…

To chocolate cake, this family left the Apple Barn without room to spare.  It was time to visit the gift shop and work off a few pounds we had packed on in one seating.

Have you visited the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant?  What did you order?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Apple Barn
340 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN  37738
Telephone:  865 436 7470

Where to Stay: 

We stayed in a rental through VRBO called the Firefly Chalet.

Where to Eat:

Bennett’s Bar-B-Que
2910 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
Telephone:  865 429 2200

I ordered the Carolina Pork Sandwich and the Salad Bar.

What to Eat:

  • Barbecue

A Day at Ober Gatlinburg

For some reason, we had never visited Ober Gatlinburg during our family vacations.  With a little research, we realized this may be a perfect, kid-friendly activity for the whole family that Nolan would enjoy as well.

In addition to the children’s rides, we were excited about the  Alpine Slide, the Ski Mountain Coaster, the Wildlife Encounter, the Amaze ‘n Maze, the Cyclone Rapids ride, Mini Golf and an indoor ice skating rink.

Our first step was to take the Aerial Tramway to Mountaintop Park.  Reaching heights of 2813 feet above sea level, each tram’s capacity is 120 guests.

 

Waiting for the next Tramway, we were the next to board the tram which worked to our advantage offering a place near the window to enjoy the stunning views.   Standing towards the front, we had an amazing view of the mountains as well as the other trams making their way, a little over two miles, towards the top.

The Tramway was completed in August of 1972 transporting millions of people to the Adventure Park to date.

Nolan was the most excited of all.  Pointing out trees, houses and other sights, his commentary proved to be quite entertaining.

As we passed over the Animal Habitat, we knew we would need to make a stop to see the black bears – BJ, Chief and Holly, river otters and their adorable bobcats, all animals native to Tennessee.

We tried to talk Nolan into going down the side of the mountain on the Alpine Slide, but he was just a little too nervous.  We thought that we would let him ride a few other games so that he would see how much fun the rides were and agree to take the slide. Lucky for us it worked.

Nolan was happy and content to ride the children’s rides.  Animated and enjoying every minute of making us laugh, he was finally ready to ride the Alpine Slide with his mom, with a bit of hesitation.  By the time they reached the end of the slide, he was ready to go back and do it all again.

With so many activities for young children, Ober Gatlinburg kept Nolan entertained.  We were happy to see his enthusiasm to make friends on each of the rides.  After a couple of hours, we moved on to the Scenic Chairlift,

The Chairlift reaches Mt. Harrison with a rise of nearly 800 feet.  This is my favorite ride in the park with scenic mountain and bird’s eye views.  On a clear day, riders can see as far as Douglas Lake and the views of Mt. LeConte are spectacular.

At the top of Mt. Harrison, we were entertained with bluegrass music….

…and met with an overlook that continued for miles.

Ober Gatlinburg is Tennessee’s only Ski and Snowboard park making winter its peak season, open all year around.  We thoroughly enjoyed visiting during our summer vacation and thought it would be fun to visit in the winter during ski season.  What a beautiful place no matter what time of year it is.

Have you visited Ober Gatlinburg?  Which season did you explore the park?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Ober Gatlinburg
1001 Parkway Suite 2
Gatlinburg, TN  37738
Telephone:  865 436 5423

  • Admission Fee: $29 for ages 5 and older for the tram only; $49 for the wristband, ages 5 – 59 and $39 for the wristband ages 60+; ages 4 and under may enter at no charge with an adult admission
  • Hours:  The park opens from 10AM to 6PM daily but parking is open at 9:40 and the tramway begins its operation at 9:40AM.
  • Length of Visit: 4+ hours
  • Amenities:  Aerial Tramway, Tennessee Flyer, Wildlife Habitat, Ice Skating, Ice Bumper Cars, Scenic Chairlift, Carousel, Rock Wall, Family Snow Zone, Snow Tubing
  • Tips for Your Visit:   The Ober Mountain Wristband is valid for unlimited use of the Aerial Tramway and all other activities on the mountain for the day in which it was purchased. Activities such as snow tubing, snow sports, white water rafting and ziplining are not included with the wristband. Check their website for activities available based on the season.

Where to Stay:

The Firefly Chalet booked through VRBO.

Where to Eat:

The Best Italian Restaurant
968 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Telephone: 865 436 4345

What to Eat: 

Everything on the menu and I highly recommend the Garlic Knots.

The Best Italian Restaurant in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

When you are dining at “The Best Italian Restaurant”, you expect it to be “the best Italian restaurant”, right?  Who doesn’t love all of the  rich pasta dishes and foods with a doughy crust, melted cheese, garlic and rich tomato sauce?

While vacationing in Gatlinburg, we visited the Italian restaurant as a recommendation from family friends.   They had just returned from their stay near the Smoky Mountains and visited the restaurant three times during their week vacation.

After a short wait, we sat down to a crowded dining room and a very patient waitress.  Looking over the menu, we ordered their “World Famous Garlic Rolls” to start with the deep fried ravioli.  Needing some additional time, we finally gave the waitress our order which included the fettuccini alfredo, spaghetti and meat sauce, a couple of pepperoni calzones and chicken parmesan.

The garlic rolls would have us tasting garlic for the next several days and were perfectly baked and topped with an abundance of parmesan cheese.  The deep fried raviolis were cooked to perfection, oozing with mozzarella cheese with each bite.  The alfredo pasta was rich with a thick, creamy cheese sauce topped on thick noodles.    The spaghetti with meat sauce had the perfect balance of tomato and sauce.  The calzones were doughy with a soft inside and rich tomato sauce with chunks of tomatoes topped with Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese.

We had overly stuffed ourselves, not leaving any room for dessert.  For now, we were just taking up space, trying to manage the energy to step away from the table.  My guess is if we could walk a few miles along the Parkway, maybe we can make room for a small ice cream or sample of taffy.

Have you visited The Best Italian Restaurant in Gatlinburg?  What did you order?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

Many thanks for reading about my lunch at The Best Italian Restaurant and wishing you many Happy Travels.

Where to Eat:

The Best Italian Restaurant
968 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Telephone: 865 436 4345

What to Eat: 

Everything on the menu and I highly recommend the Garlic Knots.

Noah “Bud” Ogle Farm in Gatlinburg

Nestled in the wooded landscape of the Great Smoky Mountains is the Noah “Bud” Ogle Farm which includes his home and mill that are open to visitors.   Interestingly, Ogle also farmed this area, but the trees have overcrowded the former fields which was once a part of this long-abandoned homestead.

The trail from the parking lot is the length of ¾ of a mile and takes about 30 minutes to complete roundtrip. The rocky strip was once the old road that led to the town of White Oak Flats (today’s Gatlinburg), conveniently following along Le Conte Creek.  According to the placard outside of the home, this area was full of “rhododendron and magnolia”. I try to imagine the amazing scents that I would have experienced here as a first time settler.

Bud Ogle and his wife Cindy settled down in this area back in 1879.  Stretching out over 400 acres, the Ogle family farmed this land while living in a one room cabin, built from former surrounding chestnut trees.   As the family grew, they needed to expand the house.  The living area was set up downstairs where there was a fireplace in the family area.  Outside there were a couple of recesses that provided storage for food including their meat, cornmeal and salt.  Chickens were kept in a separate nook to keep them protected from wild animals.

The lower level living space was also set aside for cooking and the sleeping quarters. The boys slept upstairs in the loft.  The Ogles had the luxury of running water which was transported by wooden troughs called flumes from one  of the local springs.  The water would then be emptied into a double sink, also created from wood, to be used for cooking, cleaning and washing clothes.

While the Ogles lived here, the home would have been surrounded by fruit trees such as apples and plums.  Fresh vegetables were grown across the road and gum trees attracted bees which provided honey for the family.

The barn was an important extension of the home and was shelter for most of their farm animals such as plow horses, dairy cows, chickens and pigs.  Farming tools were also stored here and hay was kept above the stalls where the animals slept.

To survive, the Ogle family planted a garden, making use of the spring and growing corn to feed themselves and their cattle.  It is interesting to see how life in the Smoky Mountains has changed over the years since the late 1880s when the Ogle family and their neighbors farmed the land.  Today, guests can catch a glimpse into a time where hard work and persistence were needed to survive.

Have you visited the Noah “Bud” Ogle Farm in the Smoky Mountains?  What most did you admire about their life and their property?  I would love to hear about your visit to the home if you would kindly a message in the comments section below.   Many thanks for visiting the Bud Ogle Farm with me!  Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do: 

Noah “Bud” Ogle Farm
Great Smokey Mountain National Park
Gatlinburg, TN

  • Admission Fee:  There is no charge to enter the Noah “Bud” Ogle homestead  located within the Great Smokey National Park.
  • Hours:  The park is open year around, though some facilities are only open seasonally and road closures may apply during the winter season where there may be limited access.
  • Amenities:  Pamphlet for auto tour ($.50)
  • Scenic View: Spectacular views of Great Smoky Mountains throughout the drive
  • Length of Visit:  1 – 2 hours, depending on whether you stop to visit the attractions
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Wear comfortable shoes for walking.  Wildlife, such as bears, may be wandering around the property, so be on the lookout and do not approach them.  We like to visit here in the afternoon as the trees provide shade from the warm weather.

Where to Stay: 

We stayed in a rental through VRBO called the Firefly Chalet.

Where to Eat:

Bennett’s Bar-B-Que
2910 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
Telephone:  865 429 2200

I ordered the Carolina Pork Sandwich and the Salad Bar.

Downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee

It was my birthday and I wanted to walk around Gatlinburg to spend time visiting some of the shops and a couple of wineries on the main thoroughfare.  While the rest of the family decided to stay in for the day, Scott was up for taking Nolan to Cooter’s Garage to see the  Duke’s of Hazard memorabilia and would later meet me at Loco Burro for lunch.

A section of shops off of the main strip also included the  Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.  The aquarium exhibits over 10,000 species of sea creatures with additional activities to include animal encounters, glass bottom boat rides, breakfast with mermaids and overnight sleepovers with the sharks.

In the distance, standing 407 feet tall is the Gatlinburg Space Needle. The observation tower, visitors can reach the top with views of the Great Smoky Mountains, downtown Gatlinburg and the nearby peaks.  Completed in 1969, the tower has been open for over fifty years.

I was surprised to find so many places to shop in Gatlinburg in addition to its wide number of restaurants and activities.  Coves of small businesses sell services and tourist items that take shopping to a whole new level.

The Skylift is a part of Gatlinburg’s Skypark which also includes a SkyBridge, SkyTower, SkyDeck and SkyCenter.  This attraction is perfect for viewing the morning sunrise, overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains.

There are several wood carving shops that offer multiple sizes of merchandise for purchase.  From small signs to large life-size animals, the unique designs and workmanship are absolutely astonishing.

The shopping areas are uniquely designed for shoppers and non-shoppers as well.  Plenty of seating is available for those that need  a rest from walking the main street or for waiting on their friends who can’t get enough of the merchandise Gatlinburg has to offer.

Downtown Gatlinburg is also a dieter’s nightmare.  Candy shops beckon sugar addicts with large signs and free samples.  From fudge to taffy, there seems to be an endless abundance of sugar for enticing anyone with a sweet tooth…

As well as an abundance of moonshine and wine.

In the midst of all of the hustle and bustle of Gatlinburg, I noticed a hidden gem that I may have missed if I wasn’t looking.  A beautiful two-toned log cabin with a stone fireplace is the Ogle Cabin, built around 1802.  It is believed to be the first structure built in this area and was used as a school, hospital and museum.  In 1986, it was registered as a historical site.

Gatlinburg is a place of hidden treasures and is open year around.  From history buffs to foodies and lovers of the outdoors, this vacation destination is spectacular.

Have you visited Gatlinburg?  What was your favorite part of your visit?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my stroll around downtown Gatlinburg and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Cooter’s Place
542 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Telephone:  865 436 9909

Ripley’s Aquarium of the Rockies
88 River Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Telephone: 865 430 8808

Gatlinburg Space Needle
115 Historic Nature Trail
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Telephone: 865 436 4629

Gatlinburg Sky Lift is now Gatlinburg SkyPark
745 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Telephone: 865 436 4307

Ogle Cabin
576 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN

Where to Stay:

We stayed in a rental through VRBO called the Firefly Chalet.

Where to Eat:

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. 
900 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN  37738
Telephone:  865 430 3034

What to Eat:

  • Shrimp

The Beautiful Firefly Chalet in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

As our car turned the corner to make the uphill climb to the Firefly Chalet, we witnessed our first bear sighting that included three baby bears and their mother.   Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains are known for its black bears and we couldn’t believe our luck seeing these little cuties so early in our vacation.

Located in the Village of Cobbly Nob, the Firefly Chalet was our Gatlinburg property for our week’s vacation and it was absolutely perfect.   The property includes a golf course, three swimming pools and a tennis court for recreation.  A chalet-style home with three rooms, the Firefly was loaded with fabulous amenities including a hot tub, free WiFi, a pool table and spectacular views of the Great Smoky Mountains.

We booked the property through the Vacation Rentals By Owner website.  There is also a toll-free number to discuss the reservation with an agent which is 888 829 7076.  The 1,675 square foot chalet sleeps six with three bedrooms and attached baths.

The living room has floor to ceiling windows with a phenomenal view of the Smokies.  There is access to the outdoor balcony which was a great place for us to enjoy our morning coffee and to relax under a passing thunderstorm.  The central feature of the main living space is the beautiful stone, wood burning fireplace.

The kitchen was the perfect size, fully equipped with lots of storage space.  There was a breakfast table and additional bar stools for seating.   We used the outdoor charcoal grill to make hamburgers one night and enjoyed an evening of relaxing on the deck.

The chalet sleeps six with a sleeper sofa for an additional guest or two.  The master bedroom features a king-sized bed, private bath and a 24” television  with a DVD and VCR player.  Located on the main level is another king sized bed, 24” television with a DVD and VCR player.  On the lower level where the washer and dryer are located is another guest bedroom with a queen sized bed, 27” television with a DVD and VCR player.

Firefly is conveniently located 2.6 miles to downtown Gatlinburg and 11 miles from Dollywood and Pigeon Forge.  The  property is located on Highway 321 North in Gatlinburg.   For more information, visit the VRBO website to book your holiday at this spectacular chalet.

Have you visited Gatlinburg?  Where did you stay?  I would love to hear about your stay in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading about my stay at Firefly and wishing you many Happy Travels!

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Having finished the hike at Laurel Falls, we decided to go into town to have lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.  It would be a first time visit for my brother-in-law, Scott, who was a fan of the movie and after a hearty lunch we would wander the shops of downtown Gatlinburg.

For the first few minutes, Scott was reciting some of his favorite lines of the movie and naming all of the types of shrimp dishes we could order.  Nolan said that he wanted to be Bubba Gump someday because he could eat all of the boxes of chocolate, but he wasn’t sure if he would eat the shrimp.

With a little heat, the shrimp and chicken platter was the perfect portion and served with a side of fries.

Mom was happy with her fish and chips order which arrived with a side of coleslaw and tarter sauce while Joy’s order of fried fish was served with French fries.

Dad ordered the fried shrimp and French fries and a side of gumbo to add a little spice to his meal.

Scott selected the fried chicken platter with mashed potatoes and gravy and an ear of corn.

Nolan sat perfectly patient waiting for his pizza and kept himself entertained with the restaurant’s activity book.

It didn’t take him long to finish his meal and was urging all of us to hurry up as well.  He kept us entertained for a few more minutes asking his dad to tell him more about Forrest Gump, which made him laugh until he just couldn’t laugh any longer.

The movie, Forrest Gump, would win several awards to include the Academy Award for Film Editing, a Golden Globe for Best Director of a Motion Picture, the Golden Globe  for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture and the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.

So when it comes to Nolan’s acting career, he’s going to have some big shoes to fill.

Have you ever visited Bubba Gump’s in Gatlinburg?  What did you order?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

Many thanks for reading about my lunch at Bubba Gump’s and wishing you many Happy Travels!

Where to Eat:

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. 
900 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN  37738
Telephone:  865 430 3034

What to Eat:

  • Shrimp

Sugarland Cellars in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

It was a beautiful day to enjoy wine during our vacation to Gatlinburg, so my sister and I decided to make the short drive to Sugarland Cellars.  Located at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains, this winery is easy to find on the main strip of town.

Surrounded by beautiful oak wine barrels and strategically placed wine tasting counters, we couldn’t wait to try some of the sweet wines that the winery has to offer.

Kassaundra was our wine expert, helping us decide which wines to sample and she suggested the 12 sample flight.  Staring with the dry wines, we sampled the Greenbrier, a blend of Riesling and DeBlanc grapes, available for $19 per bottle.

The Hellbender was our second dry wine, a blend of of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.  This was one of my favorite wines selling at $21 for a bottle.  I picked one up to enjoy later.

The LeConte, named for one of the Great Smoky Mountains’ highest peaks is a Chambourcin, most common in the cooler climates.  This wine is available for $18 per bottle.

Made from the Muscat grapes, the Martha Jane Rose is one of two semi-sweet options for $18 per bottle and the other is the Baskins Creek Blanc.

Three sweet wines wrap up our tasting with the Cherry-Kee made from local cherries, the Wiley Oakley from local blueberries and concord grapes and the Mountain Laurel from the muscadine grape, most commonly grown in this area sold at $18 per bottle.

We added a couple of additional bottles of the Cherry-Kee and Wiley Oakley wines so that we could sip them while enjoying the Smoky Mountain view from our rental’s spacious balcony.

Have you visited Sugarland Cellars winery in Gatlinburg?  Did you visit their wine production location as well?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

Many thanks for reading about my wine tasting in Gatlinburg and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to Do and Where to Go: 

Sugarland Cellars Winery
634 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN  37738
865 325 1110

Corky’s BBQ in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

It was a long morning of travel and we were all tired when we entered Pigeon Forge.  Looking for a place to eat, we happened upon Corky’s BBQ, which claimed to offer original Memphis BBQ.  A slab of meat sounded fabulous, so we made a U-Turn and stumbled in for a hearty meal.

Their specialty is the ribs that are “lean and tender, hickory-smoked and basted with either Corky’s Original BBQ sauce or a secret blend of dry spices.”  We could choose the regular, large or full rack of ribs served with a choice of two sides.     I decided on the regular sized order of dry ribs with corn and a side salad.

The salad was loaded with tomatoes, red onions, cheese, croutons and a couple strips of bacon.  It was a hearty starter which was enhanced with a side of ranch dressing.

The restaurant offers “Killer Rib Combos” as well as BBQ dinners, starters, BBQ sandwiches and sandwich platters.  The portion sizes were quite generous and we left the restaurant extremely satisfied. It was time to find our chalet and unload the van before turning in for the night.

Do you have a favorite restaurant to visit while in Pigeon Forge?  What would you recommend?  If you have eaten a Corky’s BBQ, I would be happy to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading my post about Corky’s BBQ and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Corky’s BBQ
3584 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN  37863
Telephone:  865 453 7427

Where to Stay:

Firefly is conveniently located 2.6 miles to downtown Gatlinburg and 11 miles from Dollywood and Pigeon Forge. The property is located on Highway 321 North in Gatlinburg. For more information, visit the VRBO website to book your holiday at this spectacular chalet.

Where to Eat:

Corky’s BBQ
3584 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN  37863
Telephone:  865 453 7427