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Tennessee Football Road Trip- Suggestions Needed
Posted on 6/27/25 at 10:21 pm
Posted on 6/27/25 at 10:21 pm
Looking making a stop in Knoxville. Taking 2 kids. 9 and 10.
We usually stay for 3 nights for a road game. I've had a few folks suggest we stay in Pigeon Forge, Dollywood etc. What should we do/stay/eat/drink?
It will be either an afternoon or night game.
I've never been there so would love to hear what we should go/go see it. Willing to drive within about an hour and a half to go explore.
We usually stay for 3 nights for a road game. I've had a few folks suggest we stay in Pigeon Forge, Dollywood etc. What should we do/stay/eat/drink?
It will be either an afternoon or night game.
I've never been there so would love to hear what we should go/go see it. Willing to drive within about an hour and a half to go explore.
12
Posted on 6/27/25 at 10:38 pm to Billy Blanks
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What should we do/stay/eat/drink?
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Pigeon Forge, Dollywood et
Gatlinburg is okay too...CROWDED in the fall when the leaves are changing. That is also "the season" and the rates go up all over the place.
Food and drtink? There is a restaurant on every corner. Pick one.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 10:40 pm to Scorched Earth
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Gatlinburg is okay too.
What do people do there?
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Food and drtink? There is a restaurant on every corner. Pick one.
In Knoxville? I'm open to going there too. Looking for a balance on fun for the kids too. They like football alright, they don't love it.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 10:48 pm to Billy Blanks
Go to Townsend and go through cades cove. Stay in downtown Knoxville. Go to Chattanooga and see aquarium/Chattanooga choo choo. Dollywood is fun but I think pigeon forge sucks
Posted on 6/27/25 at 10:49 pm to Billy Blanks
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Gatlinburg is okay too
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What do people do there?
There are wall to wall tourist things. Ripleys, the aquarium. etc. You also have the Smokeys right there to ride through.
Dollywood the kids will love. Pigeon Forge is FULL of kid's stuff. Mine loved the go karts more than anything. There are no less than 53 go kart tracks in Pigeon Forge. There are alpine sled rides. Game rooms. That type of thing.
They have the Titanic Museum which is cool. The crime museum is really neat. The outlet malls are huge if you want to spend a bunch of money.
Honestly, if you just start at one end of Pigeon Forge and drive though it and then Gatlinburg it is sensory overload.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 11:05 pm to Billy Blanks
Pigeon Forge is ideal for kids in the fall and Knoxville has a good variety of restaurants.
The road trip is a little more expensive than it used to be but if money is no thang then you can really make a great trip out of it.
No idea what your kids are into but you’ve got the aquarium, zoo, Dollywood, a bunch of aight museums, nascar speedpark, and all kinds of typical touristy shite.
Obv if your family enjoys the outdoors there’s few places that top East Tennessee
The road trip is a little more expensive than it used to be but if money is no thang then you can really make a great trip out of it.
No idea what your kids are into but you’ve got the aquarium, zoo, Dollywood, a bunch of aight museums, nascar speedpark, and all kinds of typical touristy shite.
Obv if your family enjoys the outdoors there’s few places that top East Tennessee
Posted on 6/27/25 at 11:07 pm to Scorched Earth
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Honestly, if you just start at one end of Pigeon Forge and drive though it and then Gatlinburg it is sensory overload.
Sounds like Branson.
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Mine loved the go karts more than anything
They high end? Or similar to others?
Posted on 6/27/25 at 11:08 pm to Billy Blanks
Is there a trip to be had in Knoxville? I'd love to experience the town if there's enough to fill 2 days plus the game.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 11:08 pm to Billy Blanks
You can make a nice 3-4 day trip out of everything in the surrounding area imo
Posted on 6/27/25 at 11:11 pm to Billy Blanks
Do yourself the biggest favor and stay away from the congestion of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Check into “Mountain Harbor Inn” on Douglas Lake near Dandridge TN. You can see the mountains from here and you will be very close to all the action without the congestion. The rooms are decorated like you are at home and you get a small kitchenette. The price includes a wonderful boat ride on Douglas Lake, a large pizza of your choosing, a hearty breakfast in a cozy cafeteria onlooking the lake, and a choice of a wonderful desert each night you are there. But you better make your reservations now. Hope this helps.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 11:19 pm to morriscat2
I cant wait to travel to tennessee and see the goal post from the Bama Vanderbilt game down in the river
A true sign of progress in America. just like Rock and Roll and Heavy metal mixed with Football
Long live Elvis
A true sign of progress in America. just like Rock and Roll and Heavy metal mixed with Football
Long live Elvis
Posted on 6/27/25 at 11:23 pm to morriscat2
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Do yourself the biggest favor and stay away from the congestion of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Check into “Mountain Harbor Inn” on Douglas Lake near Dandridge TN.
Taking a look now. Thanks!
Posted on 6/27/25 at 11:25 pm to morriscat2
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Do yourself the biggest favor and stay away from the congestion of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Check into “Mountain Harbor Inn” on Douglas Lake near Dandridge TN. You can see the mountains from here and you will be very close to all the action without the congestion. The rooms are decorated like you are at home and you get a small kitchenette. The price includes a wonderful boat ride on Douglas Lake, a large pizza of your choosing, a hearty breakfast in a cozy cafeteria onlooking the lake, and a choice of a wonderful desert each night you are there. But you better make your reservations now. Hope this helps.
What's there to do around that town for kids?
Posted on 6/28/25 at 1:27 am to Billy Blanks
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Is there a trip to be had in Knoxville? I'd love to experience the town if there's enough to fill 2 days plus the game.
Knoxville and the surrounding East Tennessee area is great for a 3 day mini vacation. East TN in the fall is as beautiful as it gets. DollyWood or Gatlinburg about an hour east of Knoxville. Definitely can entertain 9 and 10 year olds at those spots. There are endless mountain cabin rentals that would not break the bank to stay in that part of East TN. But if you guys are staying more in the actual Knoxville area I would highly recommend a day trip to the Knoxville zoo if you kids are into seeing and interacting with animals. Pretty decent lil zoo for a city that's not a major American city.
Posted on 6/28/25 at 5:41 am to Billy Blanks
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Sounds like Branson.
The original Branson.
If you want scenic, the Cades Cove idea is great, there is an 11 mile driving loop with historic buildings and churches to stop and view.
Possibly see wildlife as well, maybe even bears.
Posted on 6/28/25 at 7:08 am to Billy Blanks
It’s pretty much a Smokey Mtn Branson. As far as restaurants, downtown Sevierville has a couple of decent spots. Graze Burgers is good and The Pines, which has mini bowling and other kid friendly games, is around the corner. If staying in/around Knoxville, hit up Market Square. I would avoid Cumberland Ave with kids. Pretty much all college bars.
As someone else mentioned, Townsend and Cades Cove is a good way to spend an afternoon and there’s plenty of restaurants in Maryville as well.
As someone else mentioned, Townsend and Cades Cove is a good way to spend an afternoon and there’s plenty of restaurants in Maryville as well.
This post was edited on 6/28/25 at 7:10 am
Posted on 6/28/25 at 7:17 am to Billy Blanks
Ye Olde Steakhouse if you want to treat the family with the best steak dinner in Tennessee one night
Posted on 6/28/25 at 7:35 am to Billy Blanks
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Mine loved the go karts more than anything
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They high end? Or similar to others?
There are so many tracks that they run the gamut. From standard karts, to high end, high horsepower.
Here are a few other rides Amusement Rides/Pigeon Forge
Posted on 6/28/25 at 7:38 am to psk_Vol
Better to stay in those areas and make the drive in to Knoxville for the game or stay in Knoxville and make a couple trips out there for each day?
Posted on 6/28/25 at 7:59 am to Billy Blanks
One family even you might enjoy is Dolly Parton's Stampede
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