The now-extinct passenger pigeons and a forge built on the river in the 1820s gave the city its unique name. The community holds on to their traditions through crafts and music. The Old Mill built in 1830 works even today and stands testimony to a bygone era. The mountain architecture and the traditional food served at The Old Mill Restaurant combine to make it a journey into history.
Barely 5 miles from Pigeon Forge, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited park in the United States. American Black Bears, white-tailed deer, hard-to-find species of plants and a dense, protected forest have the ability to take visitors by surprise. 800 miles of nature trails, cycling and driving trails provide a gratifying spectacle for every nature lover. The changing colors of the majestic mountains can be witnessed even from the city. To get closer, scenic helicopter rides are available.
Next on the list of favorites is Dollywood, an amusement park that is an integrated display of tradition and modernity. Owned by Tennessee’s own celebrity Dolly Parton, this amusement park attracts more that 2.5 million visitors every year. It has numerous fun rides, a full-sized steam train, water park, shopping and more. Heritage crafts like wagon-making and hand-blown glass making are demonstrated by master craftsmen. What makes it fascinating is that these trades are hard to come by in today’s world. Live concerts in country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music are held, featuring some of the country’s best performers including Dolly Parton herself.
A visit to Pigeon Fork is not complete until the shopping malls have been explored. Some of the best bargains on renowned brands are available year-round at the factory outlets here. Exclusive heritage craft souvenirs are also a popular buy.
Nine major theatres perform a variety of family shows… comedies, magic, illusions. Music theatres hold many shows and encourage local talent to showcase time-honored mountain music. There are many museums that bring the yesteryears to life through their displays – the police museum, Elvis museum and dinosaur museum are fine examples of this. Activities like indoor skydiving, rafting, golfing, hiking, trout fishing, horse riding shows, horseback riding and more allow for plenty of variety.
Hundreds of restaurants cater to various tastes and cuisines. The olden days charm is revived by the Pigeon Forge Trolley that takes visitors around the city. Accommodation is no problem as there are myriad choices by budget, style, comfort level, view or any other criteria.
Pigeon Forge is a destination that appreciates that needs vary from visitor to visitor, and makes sure that every visitor goes back satisfied and relaxed. There are options for everything from attractions to traveling and food to lodging.
11 million customers experience the hospitality of Pigeon Forge and the count is rising… |
