Even when I know I shouldnt, I bristle at being told what to do. In Pigeon Forge drivers are not looking for pedestrians crossing the main drag. Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. #9 inBest Weekend Getaways in New England. I feel very safe in both locations. Gatlinburg residents generally believe that its safest in the northwest area, which includes areas like Starkeytown and Little Cove. Make Gatlinburg your basecamp for adventure. Was there last week. Travel news, itineraries, and inspiration delivered straight to your inbox. It offers free rides during the summer and only a 50 cent regular fare. Travel Smarter! Just be mindful of the potential dangers, particularly theft, and take precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. Gatlinburg TN 35.73N 83.49W (Elev. Pigeon Forge received a slightly higher grade of D-, while, being mindful of what you leave in your hotel room. . The cost of the flex pass ranges from $90 to $150. Citizens, employees, and visitors are encouraged to continue following and abiding by appropriate protocols to promote personal health and safety. Governor Bill Lee has signed Executive Order 80, declaring the end of COVID-19 as a public health emergency in the state of Tennessee. For the Love of Tennessee, Travel Safe | TN Vacation Once redeemed, tickets will be valid until closing time that same evening.". That said, its still important to watch out for vehicles and practice regular road safety. According to National Parks Traveler, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most notorious parks for people going missing, with. There are grifters and pedophiles in every town, just be on your toes. I was warned to stay away from suspicious vans and strangers and people with candy. However, masks are required when entering any Park building or institution, or when social distancing is not available. Here are some good choices. In Gatlinburg, the compact downtown thrums with strolling shoppers, and its alpine branding has gone uphill literally to outdoor amusement zones, such as Anakeesta and SkyLift Park, overlooking the town. Always be sure to stick to the speed limit and ensure you know all the road rules when driving through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Its a magical place but be aware. 2023 Smarter Travel Media LLC. We are excited to announce the reopening of larger attractions such as Anakeesta, Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies, Dollywood and many more. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Yes,always enjoy Gatlinburg and Pigeon forge, never had a problem, even when we seen a bear . We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Primary roadssuch as US-441 (Newfound Gap Road), Little River Road, and the Cades Cove Loop Road are open year round, weather permitting. related to AARP volunteering. That, coupled with moderate temperatures, offseason rates and few crowds, make September a great month to visit. But as usual when were traveling, Im more alert, more aware and even more cautious of like wild life. The speed limit is manageable. I did have it deadbolted. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and a partner of other affiliate programs including Booking.com, CJ and Tripster, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases via links found in this article. Explore the history, culture and cuisine of the U.S. while cruising along the Mighty Mississippi. Alum Cave Trail More and more people come and more and more people from other areas move in. For more tips on what to do if you encounter a bear, visit the National Park Service website. With miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, as well as historical exhibits and cabins, and the opportunity to view black bears, elk, deer and other wildlife in their natural habitat, it's easy to see why the park is such a hot spot. For some Pigeon Forge-esque fun, check outRipleys Aquarium of the Smokiesand theHollywood Star Cars Museum, where you can ogle rides from hit movies and TV shows including Batman and Ghostbusters, see the Beach Boys 1955 Thunderbird, and lots more. However, its on par with the Tennessee average. Do Not Forget to Pack Water When You Hike. Gatlinburg, Tennessee Travel Guide - Jam Travel Tips Yes. Vacationers often start in Gatlinburg and make their way to one of the parks famous paths where they can find Theres Shoppingand Then, Theres Shopping Bring your best walking shoes. Are masks required on the Trolleys? Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Rocky Vs Smoky Mountains which is Better to Visit? She is the travel editor at Coastal Living magazine, and her writing appears regularly in publications includingFood & Wine, Southern Living, Travel + LeisureandVeranda. Plan far ahead to book your lodging, and prepare for slow-moving traffic. Starting Monday, September 27, all Sevier County Health Department vaccines and testing will be administered at its Blanton Drive facility.The COVID-19 vaccine will be given on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m.COVID-19 testing will be offered Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. in a drive-thru format with PCR testing. However, millions of people pass through the park each year and are perfectly fine. See over 1,000 amazing places to stay in the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and the Smoky Mountain area of East Tennessee. Today we went to the SkyLift Park, and as the email stated, we . It did not come open. 95 Things to Do in Gatlinburg TN | A Gatlinburg Bucket List - Wild Hearted The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. The river through Gatlinburg isnt necessarily deep though in heavy rainy seasons it may be somewhat dangerous but that mountain water can be cold with decent currents. For excellent shopping and strolling, head to the Old Mill Restaurants shopping village for the Old Mill General Store, the Old Mill Farmhouse Kitchen, Pigeon River Pottery (the first tourist-based business in Pigeon Forge) and the Old Mill Candy Kitchen. But if I caught them trying to cross from one side of the Parkway to the other? This means that there is a good chance of snow and ice. Cookies are used for measurement, ads and optimization. Gullion explains that Pigeon Forge is larger than Gatlinburg, and the drivers dont necessarily watch out for pedestrians in the same way. Wireless Emergency Alerts; . Stay attentive, use common sense and typical travel caution, you should be fine. Gatlinburg is in the 20th percentile for safety, meaning 80% of cities are safer and 20% of cities are more dangerous. Cades Cove and Smokemont campgrounds remain open year-round. Pigeon Forge:Where to begin? Anakeesta in winter. The providers terms, conditions and policies apply. Located near the entrance to the park, visitors say the lodge-like Park Grill is underrated, and several patrons raved about the barbecue, generous salad bar and friendly service, commenting that the restaurant is fun, especially for kids. Gatlinburg TN Travel Planning Guide - Gatlinburg Vacation Planning for Ill dig in my heels, unable to hide the white-hot obstinance within. Just crowded. If you get to a spot and theres nowhere to park or its really crowded, shift to plan B!. It's free for AARP members. Get inspired to plan your next vacation to the Volunteer State. It offers rushing mountain streams, glimpses of old-growth forest, and a number of well-preserved . Lunch and dinner:The blue Tennessee skies are the limit here. Booster vaccines are also widely available from pharmacies, medical clinics, and other sites. Information on appointment availability at local health departments can be found at https://covid19.tn.gov/covid-19-vaccines/availability/. It was my 38 yr. Old niece and I. To avoid the rush of crowds, plan to visit the park in the morning. Welcome to our COVID-19 information center. Not just nice cars. Pigeon Forge boasts its own system of forest-green trolleys, with five routes that connect the towns North and South Parkways, Dollywood, the Gatlinburg Welcome Center and Wears Valley Road (all routes begin and end at the trolley station on Old Mill Drive in the Old Mill District). The First Independence Day Parade in the Join the celebration in downtown Gatlinburg to mark our nations Independence Day with a spectacular 20-minute firework show starting at 11:00 p.m. BeginningMarch 1, 2023,valid parking tags will be required on any vehicles parking longer than 15 minutes. Most incidents are either a burglary, robbery, theft or auto theft. Once you hear a voice, press 1, then press 1 for road information or 2 for a weather forecast. The surrounding towns and cities tend to have a similar safety rating to Gatlinburg. If you pull up a crime map on City Data, statically, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge crime rates are a bit higher than the national average. We have miles of hiking trails in the mountains and tons of dining, attractions, shopping, and arts and crafts in town. Visitor Centers in the park are open year-round, except Christmas Day. As long as your kids know how to separate themselves from a potentially uncomfortable situation instruct them to seek refuge in a store, restaurant or other public places and ask for help from employees then they should be fine. COVID-19 Update from Sevier County, TN - Smoky Mountains Daily operating hours for visitor centers. You wont leave empty-handed nor should you. Its all here for you, and youve made the great decision to base your vacation in its Tennessee gateway towns. The surrounding towns and cities tend to have a similar safety rating to Gatlinburg. 2022 Vacation Guide to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee - AARP Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue then throw the tissue in the trash. I like to do for myself. Standing and peering over his shoulder as he toured the mean streets of Southern Indiana was par for the course. All the more reason to take the Gatlinburg Trolley. Know before you go - Gatlinburg When analyzing violent crime, property crime, and other crime in Gatlinburg, Crime Grade categorized Gatlinburg as having an overall level D crime grade. This analysis applies to Gatlinburg's proper boundaries only. Who knows? buffets, pizza joints and barbecue eateries.