Anyone ever attended the Spring or Fall Rod run in Pigeon Forge TN? What about Dolly Parton's Shades of the past car show? Out of the three, what one is best?

We go down to the Smoky Mountains nearly ever year but have always avoided the car show dates like the plague. We are more into the mountains but thinking about trying one of these shows and not sure what one is best.

 

ive been to the shades of the past,great show,a lot of walking tho. cars everywhere,parking lots,hotels,lots of crusing. it as good or better than dream cruise. brother in law and his wife live in pidgeon forge, soo i have a place to stay.

 

Have been to all of them. They are all great with literally thousands of cars. Shades of the Past is typically focused on 50's and earlier cars but will have a mix. Rod Run is all years/types. The Shades is usually the week before the Rod Run so some folks go to it and stay over for the Rod Run.

The Fall Rod Run can be a bit hot due to it being mid September. It's a crapshoot though.

Book your hotel/cabin early. Parking on the strip can be difficult sometimes due to the volume of cars/visitors.

We love it there and go at least once a year. Used to always stay in PG for the car shows, but now I like to stay in Townsend, Tn. (about 15 miles outside of PG/Gatlinburg). Much smaller, less commercialized town. We stay there and drive in to town (PG/Gatl).

Tons of great places to eat, plenty to see and do.

 

We typically stay at the Valley Forge Inn in Pigeon Forge. We do very little in the towns and head direct to the mountains in the morning and come back for supper. We have been to Townsend many times but never stayed there. We also like the Maggie Valley area on the other side.