BlueSwimmer

My parents would like to plan a driving vacation from the east coast to either Branson or Pigeon Forge to see some shows and relax. I'm steering them to PF because I'm a Dolly fan and think they would enjoy the Smokies.

Any suggestions for which would be better in January? They love long drives, are into all kinds of shows, like to NOT make reservations but show up and find a place to stay, and aren't picky about food. Thanks!

tomfuller

Anything here that would interest them? http://www.seepigeonforge.com/what-t...ry-2012-events
IMO there is a larger number of country stars and stages in Branson. They are less likely to get snowed in in Branson.

BlueSwimmer

Thanks Tom! good thinking about snow.

TomAdkinson

BlueSwimmer:

+ A lot depend on how far your parents want to drive. Both are enjoyable destinations.

+ Pigeon Forge Winterfest continues through February. There is a great event in January called Wilderness Wildlife Week (Jan.7-14) that focuses on an array of outdoor topics and activities and another great event in February called Saddle Up! (Feb. 23-26). Saddle Up! is a celebration of cowboy poetry, western music and chuckwagon cooking and is one of the best western events east of the Mississippi.

+ Details about Wilderness Wildlife Week, Saddle Up! and the rest of the city's events, lodging, restaurants and attractions are at www.MyPigeonForge.com.

+ Snow is a rarity. Pigeon Forge is at a surprisingly low elevation, so there can be snow on the Great Smoky Mountains but none in the city.

+ Full disclosure: I do work for Pigeon Forge's tourism department.

Gilp

Unless you plan on driving extensively thru the SM Park at high elevations, snow is not likely to be an issue.We were there 2nd week of Dec. and the only snow was towards the mtn. crests as we made our way over to Dillsboro, NC.
We live in GA and if it did ever snow a few feet, we'd be the first ones driving up to enjoy
Food is fabulous at Old Mill Restaurant and it's Cafe across the st. in Pigeon Forge.

jent103

I agree with the others - it's a pretty small chance that snow would give you trouble in Pigeon Forge. I grew up in Knoxville and the mountains might have a couple inches, but nowhere in the valley would have a flake. It could happen, of course, but I wouldn't base your decision solely on that, especially since Branson would be so much further for them.

That said, I don't know how the number/quality of shows in PF compares to Branson. It's my impression that Branson gets more "big names." I love Dolly as well, but Dollywood is closed in January anyway, and I'm struggling to think of much that would be Dolly-related. Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg can be a great area to visit, absolutely. However, if seeing shows is a top priority for them, I'd check out the list of what's available in Branson vs. Pigeon Forge and base the decision on that (since it sounds like they don't mind driving further).

spirobulldog

I think Branson is far better than Dollywood. That said, everything virtually shuts down from Jan 2 thru April 1. Some of them are open a bit in March. This is the time that they prepare the new additions and changes to their shows, plus some down time. I think by far the best show in Branson is The Haygoods. At any show in Branson, if you book well in advance(6-9months) you can get a front row seat usually. You stand a very very good chance of running into snow in Branson in the winter. This area has very little equipment to deal with snow, so it can be bad. Soji, Baldknobbers, and Pierce Arrow. There are a couple of new shows that we haven't seen yet.

DianeGermaine

After the last few winters, I wouldn't plan to drive anywhere in Missouri in January! There is always the chance you could get caught in some kind of storm. On the other hand, you never know, we could have nice weather in the 50s. As long as your parents don't mind the possiblity of getting stuck somewhere for a day or two... Branson could be okay. I would check out the availability of the shows, because a lot do close down in January. I was in Branson in mid March this year and it seems like all the shows were open and not crowded.

Gretchen

Have you considered Myrtle Beach? I NEVER recommend it, but your criteria just might fit well.

BlueSwimmer

Thanks everyone! I'm going to share all this with them. It sounds like PF is the best bet for driving without too much snow risk. The Winterfest activities sound like things they would enjoy, so thanks TomAdkinson! My sis and I have been researching and think they would also love the Lumberjack Feud. They aren't too worried about big names- they just like to be entertained. Maybe they will save Branson for nicer weather and actually let us make them some ticket purchases ahead of time to get good seats.

Yes, they loooove long drives. When we were kids they would pile us into the station wagon, hitch up the pop-up camper, and just drive across the country at the drop of a hat. Sometimes we call them thinking they are at home, and they end up being three states away, just for the heck of it. My sis and I each won the summer reading contest every year in elementary school because all that driving gave us a lot of time to read- back in the 70s when there were no dvd players in cars!

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

Gilp

I love your parents sense of adventure! Keeps them young
Hope they have a relaxing, fun-filled trip!

BlueSwimmer

Just wanted to come back to report that my parents had a fabulous trip to Pigeon Forge. It was actually a surprise trip for my mom's birthday on the 29th. My dad loves to tell her to pack for a certain type of weather and then reveal the destination once they are in the car. She called from the car once they were on the way, really excited to head to the mountains and see shows.

They drove around in the Smokies, enjoyed the scenery, and saw a little snow at high elevation (and really enjoyed seeing families that were probably from far South and had never seen snow jumping from their cars to dance around and play in it!)

They reported that there were tons of families in Pigeon Forge for the holiday week, and that kids were free at many shows so it seemed like a great deal for a family trip.

They saw two shows- Country Time and Memories (or something like that) with lots of impersonators of rock legends. They loved both, and we all had a long conversation when they returned about what the tipping point is that makes someone stop trying to be a star on their own and leads them into a career as an impersonator instead. Their summer beach condo is across the street from the home of a professional Rod Stewart impersonator (seriously that is his full-time career), so they plan to ask him how he ended up in that line of work. (My theory- if they dress like the star off stage, they are getting into creepy territory, otherwise, they probably realize they can have a nice career and all the fun of performing with secure work as impersonators.)

They also really like Gatlinburg, and stayed at the Music Road Hotel, which they enjoyed.

Thanks for the steering them to Pigeon Forge. They loved the drive and had a relaxing time!

jent103

So glad they had a great time, BlueSwimmer!