Never been, I just HAVE to assume.

Actually, you have a 35 mile or so long tourist trap starting at the TN 66 exit off of I-40 through Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN. Dollywood is just the crown jewel of this schlockfest of knife outlets, apple pie vendors and other assorted purveyors of Appalachian Americana.

My personal favorite trinket of all time was at a "general store" in Pigeon Forge, who had for sale a velvet painting of Jesus and Elvis walking hand in hand.

I posted too soon. Found out today, my sister-in-law's family is headed to Dollywood as I type. I hope to provide some sort of trip report after their return.

Tovaz.....you described the painting that hangs above my wood stove, but mine was purchased outside of Graceland and quite sure is the original.

Hedoman,

I'm still laughing.

The one I saw was the "bloated Elvis" version, however, I do believe there is a "young Elvis" version. You must have the young Elvis.

Just treasure what you have, I will be disappointed if I see it on EBay in the near future.

tovaz

I have to admit that whenever I'm in Knoxville on client business, I end up going to the outlets in Sevierville. We then usually take the "scenic" drive back through Pigeon Forge for the pure kitsch factor.

My favorite sight is the Girls Dress Outlet. Tons of those Shirley Temple-style, twenty pounds of nylon, lace, and tulle little girl pagent dresses strung outside the store to entice drivers by... every time I look and expect to see John and Patsy Ramsey come walking out of there.

And what is with every motel advertising "Private Balconies" on their marquee... even Hilton and Marriott properties do it. Is this something unique to the Smokies? I find it SO odd. One day I counted no less that FORTY "private balcony" signs (like other motor courts would advertise HBO or Swimming Pool).

This really is a see it once because you won't quit talking about it sight!

Ah, Pigeon Forge. Haven't been there in probably 15 years (sheesh, half a lifetime! well, at least mine) but I remember it well. Seems like it's only gotten worse. Or is that "better"?

It's another example of how every great natural attraction has its tourist trap, at least the reasonably accessible ones do. Apparently most of us can't deal with nature unless we have some crass commercialism nearby.

My sister-in-law is not one to speak negatively about things, so I never got any trip report news, except she kept repeating,
"backwards, very backwards" and "We do not need to go back".

My daughter and I stumbled upon the area last year on our way back from KS. They are always ads on the TV here for it, so I convinced her to at least drive by and see what it was all about. I was amazed -- a many mile carni!

We ended up spending the night in Gatlinburg and had a gas! She loves mini-golf, so got her fill. It was actually rather interesting experience, if you know what you are getting into. Many grandparents with young children running about and a feeling of a carnival.

Okay, before someone else lists the Gatlinburg area as a tourist trap, I have to say that my husband and I went to Gatlinburg for our honeymoon in May 2000, and we couldn't have had a better time anywhere else. We stayed a week and could have EASILY stayed another 3 days. It was the most relaxing vacation we have ever taken in our lives.

Yes, there are a lot of Ripley's Museums, "Indian artifact" shops, and enough generally cheesy stuff to last you a lifetime.

However, rooms, food and the like is very cheap there (you can get a nice hotel room for about $50 a night in high season, or rent a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, cabin with fully-furnished kitchen, jacuzzi, hot tub, washer/dryer, satelitte TV, gas fireplace and a view of the mountains for $100 a night like we did). The area has the best fudge I've ever tasted (even better than Mackinaw Island), great outlet shopping, a beautiful and free national park, several beautiful Thomas Kincade painting galleries, and tons of great barbeque restaurants.

And I've never personally been to Dollywood, but I have driven by it and several travel guides said it was a pretty decent amusement park with rollercoasters and the like.

As a native of E.TN and a 20+ year resident of Nashville, I can't help but weigh in on this topic. Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, etc. is a eye sore at the very least and in my opinion, an abomination to the Smoky Mts. The area is as described - lots of redneck tourists traps purveying nothing but garbage.
The park is still magnificent but you have to run this gaunlet of garbage to get there unless you approach from NC. The route thru Townsend is better than through Pigeon Forge but still not good.I have only been to the park once in the last 10 years because of how low end commercial it has become.

Having said that, it does appeal to many, many folks. Not everyone can/wants to vacation in Hong Kong, Paris or Cairo as I and many on these boards do.It serves a purpose for a targetd clientele. I just wish it wasn't at the base of one of nature's greatest exhibits