Gabrielle & Brennan
Things To Do
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
If we could pick one thing for our guests to see or do while in Pigeon Forge, a visit to GSMNP would be it! GSMNP is America's most visited national park, and the first national park we ever visited together. Since then, we've been to six others together and plan to see many more! From steep hikes to scenic drives, there is so much to do in the park, we recommend stopping by the Sugarlands visitor's center to get a park map and ask a ranger for recommendations. Long story short, we love this park and we hope you do to!
Cades Cove
Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. It offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. On our first visit we saw white-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, turkeys, and raccoons. The cove is an 11 mile one way loop road through the Cable Mill historic area. In the Cove you can see historic structures, view unbelieveable scenery and wildlife, and hike to waterfalls. The Cades Cove loop is about an hour from Pigeon Forge and the drive itself can range from two to four hours.
Clingmans Dome
At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi. The observation tower on the summit of Clingmans Dome offers spectacular 360° views of the Smokies and beyond for visitors willing to climb the steep half-mile walk to the tower at the top. Clingman's Dome is in the heart of GSMNP and is 23 miles from Gatlinburg. There is a seven mile scenic drive to the end of Clingmans Dome Road and scenic pullouts with endless views of ridges and valleys along the way. Somehow this is one place that we've missed on our trips to the area, but we hear its amazing and we hope to see it soon!
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Roaring Fork is a narrow and winding 5.5 mile long one way loop road through the GSMNP forest. IT is a favorite side trip for many people who frequently visit the Smokies as it offers rushing mountain streams, glimpses of old-growth forest, and a number of well-preserved log cabins, grist mills, and other historic buildings. This drive is in Gatlinburg and takes one to two hours.
Anakeesta Ridge
Anakeesta is a 70 acre aeiral adventure park. To get to the park you will take a scenic chondola ride from downtown Gatlinburg to the summit of Anakeesta Mountain. Once on the mountain you can choose your own adventure. The park offers a zipline, mountain coaster, treehouse adventure, treetop skywalk, and gem mining. You can also shop at the vilage, eat at one of their several restaurants, or relax while taking in the scenic views or visiting the gardens.
Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community
The Arts and Crafts Community is the largest independent organization of artisans in the United States. The community is located three miles from downtown Gatlinburg and has over 100 artists and craftsmen (carvers, weavers, watercolor artists, casters, soap makers, potters, silversmiths and dozens of other artisans) that skillfully demonstrate their abilities before thousands of visitors. The community is located on an 8 mile loop road that’s designated a Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail.
The Old Mill Square
This is one of our favorite places to visit in Pigeon Forge. The Old Mill Square is built around a gristmill on the Little Pigeon River. The Old Mill is one of the oldest continually operating gristmills in the country and one of the most photographed mills in America. There are several restuarants in the square, but our favorite is the old mill pottery house (don't skip out on their fresh baked bread!). There are also many shops to explore while you're there.
Downtown Gatlinburg
Downtown Gatlinburg serves as the entrance to GSMNP and has TONS of restuarants, shopping, attractions, distilleries, and hotels. Here you will also find Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. Strolling through the shops downtown is always on our agenda when we visit! You can drive to downtown and find public parking. Or you can park at a trolley stop and take the trolley into town for some added fun.
The Island at Pigeon Forge
The Island is Pigeon Forge's dining and entertainment area and it has it all! There's activities, live music, and dozens of restatuants and shops. Here you can find the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a 200 ft. ferris wheel (one of the four tallest wheels in the United States); Build-a-Bear; Paula Deen's Family Kitchen; Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville; and so much more.
Dollywood
Pigeon Forge is Dolly Parton central. Dolly's most notable attraction is of course Dollywood, her themepark with thrill rides and trantitional crafts and music. You can also check out her other attractions Dolly's Splash Mountain and Dolly's Stampede. Gabbie LOVES the stampede and could be pursuaded to show you a picture of ten year old her thrilled to be there in her cow girl hat. She hopes to take Brennan there someday, although he'll probably leave his hat at home.