Tourist Trap

Once upon a time, Pigeon Forge and Gatlingburg were quaint country towns - the "Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains." Not so anymore. We spent over 1.5 hours driving the 11 miles from Sevierville into Pigeon Forge just getting to the RV Park (and as many leaving town yesterday). Traffic is bumper to bumper getting to the National Park. It's absolute insanity. While we're glad we saw the Smoky Mountains, we honestly couldn't recommend a visit to this area, especially during the summer. Check out the touristy ruin that's now the town of Pigeon Forge:
Pigeon Forge is the Miniature Golf Capital of the World, with more than a dozen options on the main drag.
There's no end to the choices of dollar sucking junk "entertainment."
Choose from at least 5 cart tracks.
Another Mini Golf.
Kiddie rides galore! What parent could say NO to little Johnny?
Chotchskies galore. (For those who aren't familiar with that word, it means "a small piece of worthless crap, a decoratve knick knack with little or no purpose.")
Good to know you can be saved at the Three Bears General Store!





I guess all of this was a great job creator for local folks who lived near these mountains in poverty. But UGH, the blight....