Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge is the family capital of the Smokies - Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country anchor the town, and the parkway is lined with dinner shows, go-karts, mini-golf, and pancake houses. It's a kid's dream and an adult's nostalgia trip at the same time.

Gatlinburg is ten minutes south, the National Park entrance another ten after that, and cabin rentals in the hills give you privacy when you want to slow the weekend down.