It's not just the Smokies: Visiting the not so hidden gems of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge

As I drove down Gatlinburg, Tennessee’s main strip during a trip last month, I saw the kinds of attractions I’d expect from a family vacation destination: I passed by Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, the entrance to Anakeesta theme park, Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, and many others.

But within what felt like seconds, the museums, shops and restaurants faded in my rearview mirror, and I arrived at a tree-lined entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“That's what does set Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg apart from destinations like Orlando that may have some more theme park attractions, but we can stay in a cabin in a mountain and see a bear,” said Allison Galyon, a travel agent with AAA.

While the national park – the most visited in the U.S. – and Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park are renowned vacation destinations for families, the surrounding area in Sevier County has plenty more to offer visitors.

‘Conservative Las Vegas’

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge occupy a prime place in Thomas Delp’s summer vacation rotation. The 34-year-old and his family alternate between going to the beach in North or South Carolina, visiting his parents in Philadelphia and heading to the mountains in East Tennessee each year.

“We enjoy the nice family atmosphere,” said Delp, who has three kids under 10 with his wife, Tiffany. The Winston-Salem, North Carolina, family took a weeklong trip there over Memorial Day, and the couple visit the area at least twice a year on their own. The church where Delp is a pastor does an annual couples retreat, as well.

In Pigeon Forge, Delp and his family have been frequent patrons of the Comedy Barn Theater, and have visited other attractions like the Titanic Museum Attraction and the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud show.

“There's go-karts, mini golf,” he said. “I call it a conservative Las Vegas.”

The abundance of choices may contribute to the area being popular among repeat visitors. “You’ll run out of time before you run out of fun,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

According to research from the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, 76% of travelers to that city alone will return within one year, while 32% will come back within six months.

Learn more: Dolly Parton leaves Dollywood’s thrill rides to guests. Here’s what she does instead.

How to plan a trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

If travelers are looking to try everything the area has to offer without feeling rushed, it could take them two weeks, according to Galyon. For a family, the travel agent said a week should be enough time to see the highlights, giving them a chance to hit various theme and water parks, explore walkable Gatlinburg and visit the national park, including Cades Cove, a valley with plenty of chances to spot wildlife like white-tailed deer.

◾ When to go: Galyon, who grew up in the area, especially likes fall and winter, when Winterfest takes place and the area is dressed up in twinkling lights. Visitors can see the displays on tours or explore on their own.

“When I was a kid (with) my parents, we’d just go on drives through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge to see the lights,” she said.

Spring – when the weather is nice and Dollywood opens for the season – and summer are popular times for visitors as well, Galyon said.

◾ How to get there: Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, said most visitors drive, primarily coming from nearby places in the Southeast like Atlanta, Georgia, or Charlotte, North Carolina.

“The other thing that works in our favor is that people see Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Seviervlle as one destination,” he said. While they may stay in one of the three, Downey said, “our research tells us they're visiting all three cities and spending money in all three cities.”

Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport – about a 45-minute drive from Sevierville and one hour and 15 minutes from Gatlinburg – is the closest major airport, according to Galyon.

But no matter how they get there, she said visitors will want to have a car during their trip to be able to easily get between cities and drive into the national park.

◾ Where to stay: The area offers a range of lodging, from campgrounds to upscale properties like Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa. Galyon said the best fit depends on the size of the group, but for the many multigenerational families the area hosts, she’d recommend booking a cabin.

“I think you kind of get more bang for your buck there,” she said. They often have full-size kitchens where guests can cook meals and game rooms, according to Galyon. A cabin also puts guests “more in the mountains."

‘These are my people’: How Dolly Parton stays true to her roots at Dollywood

Delp typically opts for Club Wyndham Smoky Mountains, though his family sometimes stays in Airbnbs.

They recently bought season passes to Dollywood, and will go back three or four more times this year to make the purchase worth it, giving them an excuse to spend more quality time in the Smokies. “We really value our time with family and we value our time together,” Delp said.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Family vacation idea: How to plan a trip to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge