Travel / Vacation thread

[calvegas04]

Has anyone done a Alaskan cruise? If so which cruise line and how did you like it? Thinking about doing one next year.

 

[irishnd31]

River tubing is my favorite, and actually pretty intense in places, depending on where you go. I don't think they'll be offering it in October when the mountain water is at a chilly 50 degrees though lol.

Still have never been to Dollywood (*ducks*), but apparently their Harvest Festival is legit, so maybe this is the year.

The new sky bridge is what I really want to do, though:

She was like, nooo weeeee.

 

[Irish2155]

A true gentleman with class would take the old lady to Cicis pizza buffet and mount her in the mens restroom after stuffing your face with world class pizza.

Checked that box on the honeymoon.

 

[Irish2155]

If only Ponderosa was still around.

I have 3 cousins that works at the Ponderosa about 15 minutes from my house. If interested, I'm sure I could get you the hookup on chicken wings...just let me know.

Keep your naughty antics with the wife away from the buffet line though, please.

 

[IrishLion]

Agreed. And for every knife or "I have aspirations to one day be a ninja" store, you will find some of the best whiskey/ moonshine/ wine tasting stores right there up the strip. Warning, the moonshine smells like my brothers running shorts after a 5K but its still fun as hell.

Hit a mountain coaster, play Hillbilly golf or my favorite, Davey Crockett mini golf. Hit up Dicks Last Resort or Bubba Gump shrimp.

Enjoy Lion!

Seriously, though, Gatlinburg is a legit cool place these days even if you're not looking for the usual shopping/tourist stuff. The moonshine and brewery revolution has been awesome.

Is Hillbilly golf the one on the hillside where you ride up in the train car? We did that one a few years ago... I like the crappy little course that's next to the Wild Woody in Pigeon Forge. Get the adrenaline flowing with go-karts, then chill out with some mini golf.

 

[wizards8507]

A true gentleman with class would take the old lady to Cicis pizza buffet and mount her in the mens restroom after stuffing your face with world class pizza.

My first daughter was conceived in Hilton Head during Super Bowl XLVIII.

 

[NEIIrish]

Seriously, though, Gatlinburg is a legit cool place these days even if you're not looking for the usual shopping/tourist stuff. The moonshine and brewery revolution has been awesome.

Is Hillbilly golf the one on the hillside where you ride up in the train car? We did that one a few years ago... I like the crappy little course that's next to the Wild Woody in Pigeon Forge. Get the adrenaline flowing with go-karts, then chill out with some mini golf.

It is a great place to visit. I think ive been there at least 6 times.

 

[ACamp1900]

My first daughter was conceived in Hilton Head during Super Bowl XLVIII.

Where were you at the time???

 

[irishnd31]

Seriously, though, Gatlinburg is a legit cool place these days even if you're not looking for the usual shopping/tourist stuff. The moonshine and brewery revolution has been awesome.

Is Hillbilly golf the one on the hillside where you ride up in the train car? We did that one a few years ago... I like the crappy little course that's next to the Wild Woody in Pigeon Forge. Get the adrenaline flowing with go-karts, then chill out with some mini golf.

Dude I love Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville. Just got back from a 14 dayer in mid August.

Yes, Hillbilly is on the mountain side. I think I would have loved it a lot more had it not been for the little kid in the group behind us that would putt out as mom and dad paid zero attention and would run to our hole and stare and eat his family size bag of Doritos when I was hitting. Kid looked like he had not gotten a haircut in 3 years and had bug bites all over his body. Other kids in the group had zero bites so Im guessing mom and dad see him as a "sleep outside" kind of kid. Kid was screaming and singing the whole 18. Pissed me off. Cost me first and second round of drinks at the resort that night between the Mrs. and I. We take mini golf very seriously.

If you get a chance, close by the Gatlinburg/ Pigeon Forge line is the new mini golf Crave. Fun for the kids and challenging enough to gain back my dignity with a huge win over the entire group. My cocktails never tasted so good that night.

 

[ACamp1900]

Never been to Gatlinburg (obviously) but looking at pictures it looks like a slightly larger, more touristy Lake Arrowhead CA.

 

[greyhammer90]

Never been to Gatlinburg (obviously) but looking at pictures it looks like a slightly larger, more touristy, insanely redneck Lake Arrowhead CA.

You forgot one of the above.

 

[irishnd31]

Never been to Gatlinburg (obviously) but looking at pictures it looks like a slightly larger, more touristy Lake Arrowhead CA.

I like to call it Myrtle Beach in the mountains.

 

[NEIIrish]

The Park Grill at the edge of town has a really good salad bar and good food if you want to class it up a notch too. We usually cross the big mountain and head over to the casino in Cherokee a couple of times if we are down there. My dad and i were down there for the 2006 Fiesta bowl when we played OSU. I won enough money that trip that i payed for all of the meals and liquor and still brought home more money than i brought with me.

 

[wizards8507]

Never been to Gatlinburg (obviously) but looking at pictures it looks like a slightly larger, more touristy Lake Arrowhead CA.

In New England, we do it in the White Mountains. It's MUCH less touristy, more spread out, and more nature-focused, but you can still get water slides and zip lining and all that fun shit.

https://www.visitwhitemountains.com/attractions/white-mountains-attractions-value-pass

 

[ACamp1900]

I was down there for the 2006 Fiesta bowl when we played OSU. I won enough money that trip....

 

[IrishinTN]

Instantly thought:

When I was 20 I went to West Germany to play volleyball for a few weeks. We spent one day in East Germany and got to see both sides of the Berlin wall. While at checkpoint Charlie, most of us were ravenously hungry and all there was was this french fry stand. So I order fries (Pommes frites) and I dont speak German but the guy looks at me as he gets the plate of fries ready and asks a couple things in German. I'm so hungry I just say "yeah whatever" and much to my dismay, he spreads thick rows of ketchup AND mayonnaise on my fries.

I take them thinking I'm now going to be sick but I'm so hungry I try one...and damn it, it was good! I have eaten my fries with mayo and ketchup ever since. Who knew?

 

[IrishLax]

Has anyone done a Alaskan cruise? If so which cruise line and how did you like it? Thinking about doing one next year.

I'd like recommendations on this as well.

 

[IrishinTN]

Has anyone done a Alaskan cruise? If so which cruise line and how did you like it? Thinking about doing one next year.

Did a Royal Caribbean cruise about 8 years ago. It was amazing. Loved everything about it. It you go, do yourself a favor and spend the money on the helicopter ride to the glacier. Also you will see a bunch of whales on the trip, so don't worry if you can't see the first one or two because everyone rushed to the window and you couldn't see. By the end of the cruise it actually becomes ho hum.

The inner passage was amazing because I never thought the ship could fit through such tight spaces, but it does. You might also see and hear the glacier calving there. When I saw Juneau its funny because I immediately thought of Gatlinburg. Skagway is still one of my most favorite little towns with great history and a few nice craft beer pubs.

I cant say enough good things about that trip. And if you go, give yoursleves a few extra days to check out Seattle. Its a pretty neat town, too.

 

[IrishinTN]

Also, I am headed to St. Louis for the first time in a few weeks. I know about the arch, the free museum and zoo, but is there anything else that is a must see? I am hoping to somehow score Cardinals playoff tickets, but I know that is a longshot.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

As someone who's wife got a really nice job in downtown Knoxville (and who now lives in downtown Knoxville)...This positive talk about Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville is making me sick.

Knoxville is great.

Mountains make Disney World look, not commercial.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Also, I am headed to St. Louis for the first time in a few weeks. I know about the arch, the free museum and zoo, but is there anything else that is a must see? I am hoping to somehow score Cardinals playoff tickets, but I know that is a longshot.

If you hang around the Northside long enough, you can probably catch a live shooting. Don't pull your cameras out, just take your time and avoid quick movements.

I wish I had suggestions, all the stuff we do is based on kid friendliness. Ball Park Village is a good time. If you want to grab some tix, it might be a good place to try it.

Hopefully someone else who knows the city chimes in.

 

[ThePiombino]

If only Ponderosa was still around.

Oh, but it is!

https://www.pon-bon.com/ponderosa

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Irish2155]

Oh, but it is!

https://www.pon-bon.com/ponderosa

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

As noted, location number 49 on that map keeps the lights on for some of my family members.

At Thanksgiving and Xmas (the two times a year I see my cousins), it isn't uncommon to have a plate full of 'Rosa chicken wings sitting next to the turkey...lol.

 

[ACamp1900]

As noted, location number 49 on that map keeps the lights on for some of my family members.

At Thanksgiving and Xmas (the two times a year I see my cousins), it isn't uncommon to have a plate full of 'Rosa chicken wings sitting next to the turkey...lol.

Wait, your family goes to a steak house chain and brings that to holiday dinners???

 

[Irish#1]

As someone who's wife got a really nice job in downtown Knoxville (and who now lives in downtown Knoxville)...This positive talk about Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville is making me sick.

Knoxville is great.

Mountains make Disney World look, not commercial.

lol

We've been to the Smokey's quite a few times over the years. We've hit Gatlinburg, PF and Sevierville, but typically spend most of the time in the park. Cherokee is as touristy as the others, but nice to see once. Recently on the way back from FL, stopped for the night and spent the day doing Cades Cove with a couple of the granddaughters. They loved seeing all of the headstones of people born in the 1700 & 1800's. Back in 2001 went to Knoxville to see the Irish play the Vols then spent a couple of days at Gatlinburg and the park.

 

[Irish#1]

As noted, location number 49 on that map keeps the lights on for some of my family members.

At Thanksgiving and Xmas (the two times a year I see my cousins), it isn't uncommon to have a plate full of 'Rosa chicken wings sitting next to the turkey...lol.

I knew it had to be the one on Emerson. We quit going there years ago. All the food tasted so bland, like it was right out of a can.

My boss loves it and has been eating there since the late 70's. He gets the same waitress and she knows what he wants. She gets a nice Xmas present from him every year.

 

[AlaskanIrish]

Woops. Double post. Sorry, I'm a noob.

 

[AlaskanIrish]

I'd like recommendations on this as well.

I've never heard a complaint about Royal Caribbean. Princess and Celebrity seem to do it right as well. As of a few years ago, Holland America had the most expansive itinerary options, but that may be different as I don't see as many anchored in the bay.

I'd highly recommend an itinerary that includes Sitka (I'm biased). It's unique in Southeast in that it is right on the Pacific Ocean, apart from two dormant volcanoes that serve as a breakwater of sorts. Amazing for humpbacks, grays, and the occasional pod of orcas. FWIW, many Alaskans consider it to be the most beautiful in the SE.

I'd also recommend a itinerary that includes a railroad trip from the Anchorage area up to Denali. I know Royal Caribbean has its own cars. I've not done a rail trip, but I've backpacked in Denali several times--it's an absolute can't miss.

Be in touch if you'd like any specifics, especially if y'all are into off-tour, backcountry stuff.

 

[Irish2155]

Wait, your family goes to a steak house chain and brings that to holiday dinners???

No, they work the early shift and put their moneys together for a 100 piece to go. Festivities start around 5pm.

 

[Irish2155]

I knew it had to be the one on Emerson. We quit going there years ago. All the food tasted so bland, like it was right out of a can.

My boss loves it and has been eating there since the late 70's. He gets the same waitress and she knows what he wants. She gets a nice Xmas present from him every year.

Might be my first cuz that works there...no bull shit. She's a lifer and has been there for years.

The other two are a second cousin and a cousin by marriage (step son/step dad). They wash dishes and, per Grams, are thinking about taking their services to Walmart. I'll keep the public updated.