Gatlinburg, TN

[Rob Sitze]

The wife and I are headed to Gatlinburg fro Labor Day weekend. Why? We've never been before and it looks like a neat place to visit.

Is there anything there a wood spinner should visit? We don't have any plans other then see the craft shops and enjoy a nice, long weekend.

[Don Geiger]

The Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts (www.arrowmont.org (http://www.arrowmont.org)) is there. They have a woodturning studio with 17 lathes and the Jerry Drown collection of woodturnings in a gallery at the entrance to the studio. I doubt they are open on a weekend, but if you can get there on Friday, classes generally run until mid-afternoon. Right on the main strip through town is the ArrowCraft gallery with all kinds of very well made crafts.

[Ken Hill]

Make a lap or two through Cades Cove.....early or late in the day. Nothing turning related except alot of trees, deer, bear, coyotes LOL!

[Josh Bowman]

Not wood but real good, do the Ripleys Aquarium, the sharks are amazing as you travel under the aquarium!
http://gatlinburg.ripleyaquariums.com/

W (http://gatlinburg.ripleyaquariums.com/)e go early (10 am) and don't run into many crowds.

[Sid Matheny]

Not much turning but here is a few woodworking places.

http://www.byrneswoodcrafters.com/

http://www.ownbyswoodcrafts.mysmokymtnvacations.com/

http://www.timweberding.com/

And if you have time for a class this is one good one.

http://www.lonniebird.com/


Sid

[Jamie Donaldson]

If you're at all interested in knives or anything related to knives, there is a huge knife store on the way into Pigeon Forge.

[Bob Bergstrom]

http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/main_front.jspHere's the Smokey Mountains Knife Store. It is the world's largest and if you like knives, it is the mecca of knife collectors. Three floors of knives and even a water fall inside.

[Von Bickley]

Rob,
Be sure and check out the Smoky Mountain Knife Works at Sevierville. It is located between Pigeon Forge and I40. There is also a Tool Store next to the knife store but I haven't had a chance to visit that.

There is also the Craft Community at Gatlinburg that you may want to visit.

On our last trip to Pigeon Forge, a lot of the stores in the outlets were shut down due to the economy.

You may be able to get a better deal on a room at Pigeon Forge but they will probably be about the same as Gatlinburg.
It's only 6 miles between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

Places to visit would include Cades Cove for a beautiful drive and plenty of deer & turkeys. Sometimes a bear.....

Places to eat in Pigeon Forge will be "The Apple Barn" or "The Old Mill".

[Rob Sitze]

Thanks all, we're planning on visiting the craft stores. Is the Smoky Mountain Knife Works the same company that has a shop near Knoxville? If so I've been to that one, half a day to go through it.

[Chris Barnett]

Check out the wood store [Jefferies] just outside Knoxville on state highway 441 to Sevierville to Gatlinburg.

[Dahl Troy Perry]

Ok Chris you got my attention tell us more about this wood store outside Knoxville more info on location and name !!! I will be in Gatlinburg Sept 10-17 and need places for me to go other than takeing my wife to every quilt store in 100 miles of gatlinburg. And Rob if you find something good let me know.

[Rob Sitze]

Your wife's into quilts, mine is into knitting. I'm sure we'll hit some yarn stores.

[Chris Barnett]

Jeffries is located between Knoxville and Sevierville, maybe two blocks off Chapman Highway 411/441. You can find it on the web under Jeffries Wood Works, 8807 Valgro Road, 37920-7724, 865-573-5876 and see the location under Mapquest. Warehouse is at the old Camel Manufacturing Company location. When you get close, do not get discouraged at the old building...Jeffries is there and worth every effort to find the building they are in among the others. They build bass boats in one of the other buidlings and do other stuff in others. If coming from Knoxville be careful, very careful, since oncoming traffic to be crossed can be quite entertaining :D . If you do not have a computer to access the map (I do not know how to add the map here but will try in another following post), suggest you call Cynthia at the number given, and she will provide details on where to turn....its really quite easy. After turning a large cemetary will be on your left and large church on your right in next block. Entire area is open countryside among the hills but the turn comes up fast. They are open until noon or so on Saturdays and closed Mondays. Bring truck or rope. Seems each time I go there the Lance is on my F350 CC dually :rolleyes: and must tie lumber to top of the Cherokee (the Jeep, not an indian :p).

[Chris Barnett]

1. From Sevierville,
Start out going south on E Main St/US-411 S/TN-35 S toward Emert Ave. Continue to follow US-411 S/TN-35 S.


12.8 mi





2.
Stay straight to go onto Chapman Hwy SE/US-441/TN-71.
Zoom to this StepAvoid this Step

2.6 mi







3.

Turn slight right onto Sevierville Pike.

Sevierville Pike is 0.2 miles past Burnett Ln
If you reach E Simpson Rd you've gone about 0.2 miles too far

0.2 mi









4.

Take the 1st right onto Valgro Rd.

If you reach Bays Mountain Rd you've gone about 0.3 miles too far

0.4 mi

[Randy Gleckler]

I live in Knoxville and agree on Jefferies, Smoky mountain etc. Another thing, not wood turning related you might consider, if your okay with crowds, is Boomsday. They do a 4th of july like fireworks display for labor day that is TRULY amazing. Best show, including 4th of july shows, that I've EVER seen. It's amazing and right downtown on the river.

[bob edwards]

Rob, I'll be there over labor day as well. I am leaving for Gatlinburg from SWAT.
I too would like to know more about thid wood store!!

[Donny Lawson]

We go there every year for our anniversary. We stay in Piegon forge which is about 10min. away. Gatlinburg is a place where you park and walk alot. Shops are side by side. You will have a good time. While your there in Gatlinburg eat at the "Log Cabin Pancake House" The breakfast is wonderful. Also, you need to go to Piegon forge and eat lunch or supper at the "Old Mill". You will not leave there hungry. There is a ton of shops but the traffic does get congested after about 11am. I would also suggest going to Cades Cove if you like animals. More deer than you can count. Great countryside and some nice old buildings to visit. Well, have fun and let us know how it went.