If you’re still trying to decide where to go on summer vacation this year, or maybe where you’d like to go in the fall, it might be time to consider Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Pigeon Forge is a town in Sevier County, and it’s close to another resort town which is Gatlinburg. Pigeon Forge has a lot to offer visitors including attractions and entertainment, natural beauty, and down-home southern charm.
Pigeon Forge is primarily a tourist destination, and it’s relatively close to Knoxville.
The following are some of the top reasons to pay a visit to Pigeon Forge.
It’s Family-Friendly
If you want a family-friendly travel destination, it doesn’t get much better than Pigeon Forge as well as adjacent Gatlinburg. The area has attractions that are suitable to all ages, and there’s a sense of “good clean fun” that is pervasive throughout most of the area. Whether you’re traveling with young kids, teens, or you’re bringing the grandparents, Pigeon Forge is a suitable destination.
The dining options and venues are all fairly casual, so you don’t have to worry about finding child-friendly restaurants.
There’s a Lot of Entertainment
Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are known for their huge selection of entertainment,including dinner shows, museums, and theme parks.
Some of the popular dinner shows in the area include Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Show as well as the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show. There’s also the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, and The Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge.
The Smoky Mountain Opry Show is also one of the largest variety shows in the Southeast, and it brings together music, dancing, and comedy.
Dollywood is one of the world’s most famous theme parks, owned by Dolly Parton. On any given day there’s a chance you’ll even see her in the park. It’s open ten months out of the year,and there are artisans, thrill rides and roller coasters, and entertainment. There’s also the waterpark Dollywood Splash Country next door.
Shopping and Dining
There are plentiful shopping and dining options in this tourist area as well. The Island is one option that was fairly recently completed and is home to the Great Smoky Mountain Ferris Wheel, a Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville hotel, live music and more.
The Old Mill Restaurant is a favorite in the area, where there are a historic gristmill and quintessential southern fare. Other favorite local restaurants include Sawyer’s Farmhouse and the Local Goat, which is more modern New American fare than many of the other eateries you’ll find in the area.
There is a Tanger outlet location if you want to hunt for bargains.
The Great Smoky Mountains
Pigeon Forge affords you easy access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and here you’ll find not only beautiful mountains but also forests, waterfalls, and wildlife. The park is more than 500,000 acres in the Southern Appalachians, and in the spring there are vibrant wildflowers, while in the fall there is colorful foliage. In the summer months, the temperatures are fairly mild and can be a cooler reprieve from other areas of the country. You may even spot a black bear in the park.
One of the biggest reasons people visit the park is to hike, and there are more than 800 miles of trails that range from simple and easy to very challenging hikes that take all day. Seventy miles of the Appalachian Trail also runs through the park.
It Can Be Affordable
Of course, the affordability of any trip is going to depend on what you do and where you stay, but it can be easier in Pigeon Forge to stay on budget than a lot of other areas. For example, the Great Smoky Mountains offer free entertainment, and there are a lot of inexpensive places to eat. You can also find grocery stores if you want to stock your hotel room or cabin. Depending on the season, you can find some great deals on cabin rentals, and there are a lot of lodging options to choose from in all price ranges. Finally, when you visit Pigeon Forge, you get two for the price of one in terms of its proximity to Gatlinburg. Modeled after an Alpine town, Gatlinburg offers its own attractions such as the Ripley’s Aquarium, the Ober Gatlinburg ski resort and amusement park, and the Gatlinburg SkyLine Park. There’s also the Gatlinburg Space Needle, and you can sample some Tennessee moonshine if you’re feeling adventurous.
