Actually, do go to those shops.. Even if you can get the same shirt in your own town at least you’ll have something as a reminder from your trip. Plus these people have to make a living just like anyone else.
Some of the shops are fun to go and look in. They do have some good deals sometimes at the end of the seasons, at the end of summer and right after Christmas.
Visiting cheesy souvenir shops is part of being on vacation :-). I love buying three for $10 T-shirts for friends who buy me three dollar T-shirts when they’re on vacation.
Spend time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s spectacular and FREE. I know people who have been going to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg for years and have never gone into the park. That’s the reason we go!
I took my mom there over the weekend to get a sandwich from mellow mushroom we live in Indiana lol we ended up getting lost in the mountains for a bit because our phones couldn't make any connections for the GPS. 4 hours one way for a sandwich sounds crazy but it turned into an adventure.
I tried to convince my bf to drive for smith and sons chicken Alfredo. It’s the best I’ve ever had, not exaggerating. But we’re waiting a few more weeks 😢
I love this but I gotta say 200 dollars for a 3 day stay at a resort with 2 Dollywood tickets and a 50$ dinner credit and free breakfast for giving up 1 and a half hour time share pitch doesn’t sound bad right about now.
In regards to the time share, they will keep you there for hours more or less brow beating you to make the sale. It’s not worth whatever they promised to give you for their “30 minute “ tour Once you sigh the contract you have signed your life away
As someone who has been going since they were a baby i think that instead of going to the same place everyday try something new Some really goos options are best italian and pancake pantry😊
I often wonder why do people buy into timesharing. The monthly price is way more expensive than just save up the money and you can stay almost anywhere else for way less money you put into the timeshare. Possibly a better room set up as well. Money leftover= more fun.
We only live a few hours away, and go several times a year. Don’t go to most of the hotels. Find a cabin, or house downtown, that is walking distance. If not, you’ll have a rundown, gross hotel, or have to pay for parking.
@@Aprilwyatt0005 I promise, you won't regret it. Nice people, updated rooms and so clean. Only a few steps from the strip. Thank you for your response.
Yeah stay at a cabin. $199 a night $100 booking fee $75 resort fee $35 per person over 2 occupancy fee $199 cleaning fee $35 local tax $35 hotel tax $65 in case we for got to charge you something fee
@@jimsmith4151 lol you have to do research. You can find the right one. We go at least 5 times a year. It’s a lot better than the hotels and the cost is pretty much the same. The hotels are rundown and outdated. If I’m gonna pay out money like that I’m gonna stay somewhere nice. And there’s tons of houses/cabins within walking distance.🧡
@@Aprilwyatt0005 Oh really? Theres a youtube channel that posts on the regular people they tow because they didnt pay to park. I wouldnt want to pay those fees so I will just pay to park in Gatlinburg. ;)
@@Aprilwyatt0005 Maybe I should preface my statement with..When you are staying in a outside community and want to visit GBURG then pay to park. 😆 We always stay on the quiet side and if we decide to visit GBURG on our trip we pay. Check out EVERYTHING AUTO on youtube, he keeps quite busy towing illegal parks. 🙃🙂
@@lisawilson5662 ohh. Lol we stay down off ski mountain rd in a cabin. It’s quiet and right on a creek. But also walking distance. 😆 We just park and walk everywhere.
Agree Wholeheartedly. If Paid Off, Tons of benefits when staying at other locations. Timeshares are Great if you can afford them and pay off quickly. Worth It!!
I hate those time share people, they almost drag you in to it. We tell them no we going home. Those shops are a dime a dozen. We love driving through the beautiful Smoky Mountains. We also try new restaurants that are NOT on the Parkway. Gatlinburg has way to many liquor places it was only one now theres one on every corner.
Avoid Old Red! Horrible food. Pancake Pantry, Cumberland Jack's, the Cherokee, & Tennessee Jed's are fabulous. Hit the Villages & walk the strip. Hit Anakeesta & you've had a great vacation. (Stay at Howard Johnson's Downtown & walk to everything.)
When we went on our anniversary 26 yrs ago those timeshare salespeople were everywhere you turned. The last day we were there we were headed to the main strip to enjoy our last day. A man and woman stopped us on the walk there and pretty much had us cornered and my husband was listening and I said come on let’s go. And the guy told me I was rude. I said we’ve got one day left and we ain’t got time for this. 🤣🤣🤣 They are the ones that are rude. They should not let them hound people like that. It’s just flat annoying. On Beale street in Memphis the homeless and scanners are everywhere and it smells like urine. You can’t go two steps without them asking for money. The city really should do something about that too. I’ll not be back there EVER. 😳
I live in TN and some are false and some are true! The ones I highly disagree with are: Tourist Traps And Try new food 1 TT: so your saying I cant get a 24K certified diamond ring for 10$ and I have to spend like 4k+ to make one? And try new food: some of the food here is decent and bad! I recommend buying anything under 20$ those are the best anything above they either have no flavor or just plain and atleast their seafood is cheap! I recommend going to Chattanooga bc its the best! So many delicious food for cheap prices! Dollar general actually have stuff for 1¢!! And Golden Coral, Forbidden City And Hungry House are my top favorite like cheap prices (exept for Forbidden) and they are worth it!
The number one tip should be pay to park or insist you have a parking place within the hotel parking lot. Almost all other parking spots and lots have signage saying employee parking only and you will be towed. Employees cannot go to work if someone is illegally parked in their rented parking spot. Don't listen to ANYONE saying you can safely park anywhere. LOOK FOR SIGNS EVERYWHERE!
Time share is a good way to save a lot of money! Go 1st thing in the morning when nothing is going on and spend 90 mins and get some great free tickets to Dollywood or some other great shows!!
Yep. 3 free nights and $100. Just 2 hrs. Just act interested and say I don't spend that much without a few days to think, regardless. Easy out. I got a dirty look, but oh well lol
The best tip , go somewhere else. How can ppl keep going to the same little town with the same attractions , pay to park everywhere. Ot just doesn't make sense.
Go somewhere else, it's a tourist trap. Lots of small towns in NC and TN with a much better experience. Fines arrest of tourist is the #1 money makers in Gatlinburg.
Just went. We did more in Pigeon Forge, and sightseeing in the mountains like Cades Cove, Roaring Fork. PF has as much, and parking is free at attractions and resturants
Don’t go for a late breakfast on the weekends unless you want to wait 2-3 hours! Get up early and get your spot !
th-cam.com/users/shortsQDUCoJR1TJY?feature=share
If you want late breakfast go somewhere different than the strip.
Thanks! Going next week 😌 👍
Correct! In rental cabin there now!
Yeah but that breakfast is worth that line
As someone who lives 30 minutes from Gatlinburg, I'd say do whatever you want to do, and don't let anyone tell you what, and what not to do!
Thank you 👍
@@malikmohamedmellouki9647 You are welcome!
some of it is crap though and I appreciate people helping me not waste money and time.
I love those shops. Families own them and depend on them. Great sales, good staff.
th-cam.com/users/shortsQDUCoJR1TJY?feature=share
Actually, do go to those shops.. Even if you can get the same shirt in your own town at least you’ll have something as a reminder from your trip. Plus these people have to make a living just like anyone else.
Just be careful with what you buy I bought a knife from one of these shops and it broke 2 days after. So maybe stick to t shirts and stuff 😂
And the hiking trails are phenomenal!
My tips after visiting x3 this year would be visit Cades cover, Clingmans done, and walk the creek along the visitors center.
I live like 1hr from cafes cove
Some of the shops are fun to go and look in. They do have some good deals sometimes at the end of the seasons, at the end of summer and right after Christmas.
Been to that Chesapeake’s a few times. It’s awesome. Pricey, but great food and service.
Don’t do what you like, don’t shop at local small business, and don’t consider extending your stay. Got it😂
Yeah those were terrible tips lol.
Those shops are peoples lively hoods.
th-cam.com/users/shortsQDUCoJR1TJY?feature=share
Those ppl are multi-millionaires. I know I lived there in the 90's.
Visiting cheesy souvenir shops is part of being on vacation :-). I love buying three for $10 T-shirts for friends who buy me three dollar T-shirts when they’re on vacation.
Spend time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s spectacular and FREE. I know people who have been going to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg for years and have never gone into the park. That’s the reason we go!
I took my mom there over the weekend to get a sandwich from mellow mushroom we live in Indiana lol we ended up getting lost in the mountains for a bit because our phones couldn't make any connections for the GPS. 4 hours one way for a sandwich sounds crazy but it turned into an adventure.
Theres a mellow mushroom in northern Kentucky near Cincinnati. Its mainly a pizza place but they have other food. I wonder if theres any relation.
@@ayten3617 didn't know that
I tried to convince my bf to drive for smith and sons chicken Alfredo. It’s the best I’ve ever had, not exaggerating. But we’re waiting a few more weeks 😢
I love those souvenir shops and no you can't get those back at home
We love gatlinburg and yes do visit other shops and eat at different restaurants 😁
I love this but I gotta say 200 dollars for a 3 day stay at a resort with 2 Dollywood tickets and a 50$ dinner credit and free breakfast for giving up 1 and a half hour time share pitch doesn’t sound bad right about now.
THANK U!!! I was thinking the same thing!
We always go to the local restaurants.
Thankfully they don’t hassle you to come over and talk to them like they used to
I like the art sections a bit far away from Gatlinburg but I ended up getting a handmade mermaid troll from an artist so I loved it
Don’t jump from the chairlift at Anakeesta…it will only spoil it for everyone else 🤔🤔🤔
Don't jump from the Space Needle like the man did December 13th, 2023 at 4:20 PM. Splat.
Don’t park illegally! Pay attention to the no parking signs and pay to park or take the trolley!
In regards to the time share, they will keep you there for hours more or less brow beating you to make the sale. It’s not worth whatever they promised to give you for their “30 minute “ tour Once you sigh the contract you have signed your life away
Ours was 2 hrs. Told them not buying on the spot regardless. 3 no's a dirty look, but 3 free nights and a 100.00
Why would you make this?? Small businesses count on tourists that's how we feed our families living in a tourist town
As someone who has been going since they were a baby i think that instead of going to the same place everyday try something new
Some really goos options are best italian and pancake pantry😊
Well said. Those frigging timeshares swindlers. Lol, they almost got me. However, we already are timeshare suckers from Vegas. 😆 🤣 DON'T DO IT.
Don’t drive in on Fridays and don’t leave on Sunday mornings.
I often wonder why do people buy into timesharing. The monthly price is way more expensive than just save up the money and you can stay almost anywhere else for way less money you put into the timeshare. Possibly a better room set up as well. Money leftover= more fun.
Do more in Pigeon Forge--free parki ng and spend time at Cades Cove, Roaring Fork etc
Just out of curiosity, but how long do the Gatlinburg timeshare pitches usually run?
Depends on who you ask, we've heard varying reports
People that have self control and can go i to these shops
👇
I’m from South Carolina and live gatlinburg and this do true
We only live a few hours away, and go several times a year. Don’t go to most of the hotels. Find a cabin, or house downtown, that is walking distance. If not, you’ll have a rundown, gross hotel, or have to pay for parking.
We always stay at Jack Huff's Motor Lodge. I like staying close to downtown. It's only about a block off the main strip and is very clean and updated.
@@shirleys765 I’ve never stayed there! I’ll have to check it out. Thanks hun🧡
@@Aprilwyatt0005 I promise, you won't regret it. Nice people, updated rooms and so clean. Only a few steps from the strip. Thank you for your response.
Yeah stay at a cabin.
$199 a night
$100 booking fee
$75 resort fee
$35 per person over 2 occupancy fee
$199 cleaning fee
$35 local tax
$35 hotel tax
$65 in case we for got to charge you something fee
@@jimsmith4151 lol you have to do research. You can find the right one. We go at least 5 times a year. It’s a lot better than the hotels and the cost is pretty much the same. The hotels are rundown and outdated. If I’m gonna pay out money like that I’m gonna stay somewhere nice. And there’s tons of houses/cabins within walking distance.🧡
Go to No Way 'Joses EVERY day for margaritas.
This place is awesome, but it’s also got these problems I can confirm as a tennessee native.
Don't park in the employee lots, you WILL get towed! Everything Autos has tons of videos showing the illegal park tows...
I watch them on TH-cam too!
Pay to park or get towed! FACTS!
Not always…….
@@Aprilwyatt0005 Oh really? Theres a youtube channel that posts on the regular people they tow because they didnt pay to park. I wouldnt want to pay those fees so I will just pay to park in Gatlinburg. ;)
@@lisawilson5662 you can actually just rent a place in the city limits and you won’t have to pay for parking. We never pay🤷🏼♀️
@@Aprilwyatt0005 Maybe I should preface my statement with..When you are staying in a outside community and want to visit GBURG then pay to park. 😆 We always stay on the quiet side and if we decide to visit GBURG on our trip we pay. Check out EVERYTHING AUTO on youtube, he keeps quite busy towing illegal parks. 🙃🙂
@@lisawilson5662 ohh. Lol we stay down off ski mountain rd in a cabin. It’s quiet and right on a creek. But also walking distance. 😆 We just park and walk everywhere.
We did the timeshare, only 2hrs and 3 free nights + 100.00. Easy, just say Im not buying today, regardless.
Haha my grandma got a timeshare in Gatlinburg, and it's my favorite place to go so timeshare is not a bad idea at all
Agree Wholeheartedly. If Paid Off, Tons of benefits when staying at other locations. Timeshares are Great if you can afford them and pay off quickly. Worth It!!
*Gatlinburg, TN (typos are real peeps 🫣)
th-cam.com/users/shortsQDUCoJR1TJY?feature=share
Man i remember back in the old days the old blk bear leaving Gatlinburg goin west
Do everything
I hate those time share people, they almost drag you in to it. We tell them no we going home. Those shops are a dime a dozen. We love driving through the beautiful Smoky Mountains. We also try new restaurants that are NOT on the Parkway. Gatlinburg has way to many liquor places it was only one now theres one on every corner.
th-cam.com/users/shortsQDUCoJR1TJY?feature=share
Yeah this lady is boring, have fun and do what makes YOU HAPPY 💯
My parents had to do time share for vacation.
That's the same exact place where we went to the time share OMG
Don’t leave a bunch of teenagers downtown by themselves while the adults go drink at a bar
Avoid Old Red! Horrible food. Pancake Pantry, Cumberland Jack's, the Cherokee, & Tennessee Jed's are fabulous. Hit the Villages & walk the strip. Hit Anakeesta & you've had a great vacation. (Stay at Howard Johnson's Downtown & walk to everything.)
Anakeesta was fun! I went yesterday and got sunburned. My fault though.
Did you see Astra Lumina at Anakeesta or was it just at the Holidays? Did you hit any of the restaurants?
When we went on our anniversary 26 yrs ago those timeshare salespeople were everywhere you turned. The last day we were there we were headed to the main strip to enjoy our last day. A man and woman stopped us on the walk there and pretty much had us cornered and my husband was listening and I said come on let’s go. And the guy told me I was rude. I said we’ve got one day left and we ain’t got time for this. 🤣🤣🤣 They are the ones that are rude. They should not let them hound people like that. It’s just flat annoying. On Beale street in Memphis the homeless and scanners are everywhere and it smells like urine. You can’t go two steps without them asking for money. The city really should do something about that too. I’ll not be back there EVER. 😳
I live in TN and some are false and some are true! The ones I highly disagree with are: Tourist Traps And Try new food
1 TT: so your saying I cant get a 24K certified diamond ring for 10$ and I have to spend like 4k+ to make one?
And try new food: some of the food here is decent and bad! I recommend buying anything under 20$ those are the best anything above they either have no flavor or just plain and atleast their seafood is cheap! I recommend going to Chattanooga bc its the best! So many delicious food for cheap prices! Dollar general actually have stuff for 1¢!! And Golden Coral, Forbidden City And Hungry House are my top favorite like cheap prices (exept for Forbidden) and they are worth it!
Number one thing not to do in Gatlinburg (at least for me) - over eat
The number one tip should be pay to park or insist you have a parking place within the hotel parking lot. Almost all other parking spots and lots have signage saying employee parking only and you will be towed. Employees cannot go to work if someone is illegally parked in their rented parking spot. Don't listen to ANYONE saying you can safely park anywhere. LOOK FOR SIGNS EVERYWHERE!
Here’s a tip from a gatlinburg local: DO NOT FEED ANY WILD ANIMALS!!! That includes Bears and pigeons!
Yes bro the pigeons there are as tame as a house cat 😂
I LOVE THE MTN CULTURE IN TENNESSEE, DON'T CARE TO BE IN THE CROWDS AS WE GET THAT SECRET MTN TOP CABIN AND STAY OUT OF THAT SECLUDED.
#3 should be the only thing on this list
I heard it's really dangerous over here.
Don’t forget do not park in the five guys employee parking a tip for EA
The boutique is a great, like who are u lady, how u going to down Indian owned shops
Time share is a good way to save a lot of money! Go 1st thing in the morning when nothing is going on and spend 90 mins and get some great free tickets to Dollywood or some other great shows!!
Yep. 3 free nights and $100. Just 2 hrs. Just act interested and say I don't spend that much without a few days to think, regardless. Easy out. I got a dirty look, but oh well lol
Yes, Timeshares when Paid Off, Saves 1000's over the years....the Key is buying what type of timeshare you can afford to pay off quickly.🙌🏼
doo feed the starving bears !😢
Watch for cameras in the bathrooms
It great shop at mom and pop shops
The best tip , go somewhere else. How can ppl keep going to the same little town with the same attractions , pay to park everywhere. Ot just doesn't make sense.
I got the answer to that for ya don’t come here
Go somewhere else, it's a tourist trap. Lots of small towns in NC and TN with a much better experience. Fines arrest of tourist is the #1 money makers in Gatlinburg.
The space needle elevator is horrible.
Do whatever you want
Wtf is going on? Eric part
In all honesty.....timeshares are the worst. Just saying.
Godamn, you’re really trying to kill the local shop owners…shameful
Dont do the pirate show, 20$ for 1 drink!!
People watch?
Dont fall off the mountain!
Not helpful at all. These tips are so generic you could say them about any tourist town in America. Orlando? Branson? Myrtle Beach?
We didn’t enjoy the Dixie Stampede.
Just don't go😂😊
Places are way overpriced......so many headshops last time I visited......Not a family friendly place,......
Here’s places to go!❤❤❤❤
Ober: it is super fun!
Local goat:Amazing food and great staff
Anakeesta: it’s ok but kinda boring
How about don't go on vacation if you're on a budget... support local businesses
This place is so gypsy
Ms. Obvious not helpful
Such a tourist trap of a town, total letdown
I live here, and it’s becoming overrun and getting worse and worse.
Just went. We did more in Pigeon Forge, and sightseeing in the mountains like Cades Cove, Roaring Fork. PF has as much, and parking is free at attractions and resturants
Don't visit
You forgot the most important one. Dont go.
I try not to tell people what to do on their vacations but maybe that's just me
Also, Please dont jump from the space needle. It is bad for publicity.
My tip: keep on driving😂
Art? come on. Nobody goes to the redneck riviera to look at art
Who the hell wants to go anywhere in Tennessee? I mean it's TENNESSEE.
This place is just like Wisconsin Dells but larger and less water parks.