A Weekend in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Disclosure:  Accommodations, meals and attraction vouchers were provided by the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.  All opinions are mine alone.  #MyPFSummer #sponsored #ad

Hey, everyone!  I have something very special to share with you that you’re going to love!  Pigeon Forge, Tennessee!

Pigeon Forge is one of the Southeast’s most popular vacation destinations.  It’s located in East Tennessee next to the Smoky Mountains National Park approximately 50 minutes from Knoxville.  It’s about a four-hour drive from both Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina and a day’s drive from Chicago, Illinois and Washington, D.C. so it’s closer than you think!

There’s something for everyone in Pigeon Forge!  Here are just a few things you and your family can enjoy:

• Dollywood Theme Park, Water Park and Resort
• Outdoor activities such as over 800 miles of hiking trails, horseback riding whitewater rafting, bicycling and zip lines.
• Games and indoor adventures such as indoor skydiving, go-carts, laser tag and escape games.
• History buffs will love the Titanic Museum Attraction, the Alcatraz East Crime Museum and 18th and 19th-century structures such as log homes, old churches and the Old Mill.
• Shopping for antiques, handmade crafts and jewelry.
• Musical entertainment, comedy and magic shows.
• Great food from local to international cuisine.

That’s just for starters!  Visit MyPigeonForge.com for more information and to plan your trip!

Here’s where we stayed and what we did in Pigeon Forge:

Lunch at Local Goat

First things, first.  Lunch!

Local Goat specializes in locally-sourced and sustainable menu items.  They offer a wide array of mouthwatering appetizers, salads, sandwiches and burgers, steaks, chops, ribs and outstanding desserts.  A must try!

The Inn at Christmas Place

We stayed at The Inn at Christmas Place where they celebrate the spirit of Christmas every day!  The Inn at Christmas Place is a charming yet luxurious, Bavarian-style hotel that consistently gets high marks on TripAdvisor.  Perfect for a romantic get-away or family-friendly stay!

The hotel is impeccably maintained and the service is top-notch.  One thing that impressed was the cleanliness.  I couldn’t find dust on any of the Christmas decorations!

The Island in Pigeon Forge

After lunch and after checking into our hotel, we explored The Island in Pigeon Forge.  The Island in Pigeon Forge has affordable choices for family fun both day and night in a clean, safe and walkable environment.  You can park for free and walk to the attractions or catch the shuttle.  The Island has:

• Restaurants, eateries and food carts including one by celebrity chef Paula Deen.
• Four-star hotel
• 35 retail and specialty shops
• Rides, games and attractions.
• Live music and dancing fountain  (Loved the dancing fountain especially when it “danced” to Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond!)

Dolly Parton’s Stampede

Dolly Parton’s Stampede celebrates the American spirit!  The show (which includes dinner) takes place in a 35,000 square foot arena that includes horseriding stunts, special effects and musical productions.

For our dinner, we enjoyed a creamy vegetable soup, a delicious whole Cornish game hen, barbecue pork loin, corn on the cob, roasted potato, biscuit, dessert with unlimited Coca-Cola, tea, lemonade and coffee.

Kids may think it’s fun, but the only thing we didn’t enjoy about the show was not having utensils with which to eat our food.  That’s right!  It’s possible to eat the entire dinner with your hands, but it’s a little messy.  It’s a great show, though!

Breakfast at The Old Mill Restaurant

We thoroughly enjoyed a full country-style breakfast that included muffins, pancakes, bacon, sausage, ham, two eggs, grits, biscuits, gravy and orange juice.  The Old Mill Restaurant is located in the historic Old Mill.  Another must try!

The Old Mill and Old Mill Square

After the hearty breakfast, we walked around Old Mill Square and did some shopping.  Pigeon Forge Pottery is not to be missed especially if you’re a food blogger like me!  I found some beautiful things!

The Titanic Attraction

Take a fascinating and educational walk back in time!  The Titanic Attraction is extremely well done and definitely not to be missed!  There’s so much to experience that it’s hard to list everything.  At times, you feel as though you’re on the ship!

• Walk up and down the Grand Staircase which is built to scale.
• View a replica of the second-class sleeping quarter.
• Actors portray passengers on the ill-fated ship.
• Touch an “iceberg” and feel the exact temperature of the water.

The attraction also includes the world’s largest LEGO® model of the Titanic built by a 10-year-old boy with autism, Brynjar Karl.

The Titanic Attraction was one of our favorite things about Pigeon Forge!

Dinner at Bullfish Grill

Bullfish Grill has a wide variety of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, steaks, seafood and desserts.  Great restaurant and something for everyone!

Smoky Mountain Opry  (Soon to be Music Mansion Theater)

The Smoky Mountain Opry was another one of our favorite things about Pigeon Forge!  Super-talented dancers, singers, aerialists, quick-change artists and juggler put on a super-entertaining show.  The music ranged from classic country to modern country, show tunes, Christian and good old rock-and-roll!

It looks like this is the last season, however, and will become Music Mansion Theatre.  I have no doubt it will be just as wonderful!

Breakfast at Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurant

The wait can be long at Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurant but with good reason!  There are lots of delicious breakfast and lunch items to choose from!  I had Bananas Foster French Toast.  Sooo good!

A Drive Through Smoky Mountains National Park

Before driving home to Memphis on our last day, we decided to take a slow drive through Smoky Mountains National Park on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.  The beauty is absolutely stunning!

We really enjoyed our short visit to Pigeon Forge.  We didn’t have time to get to Dollywood, but that will be on our next agenda.  We’d love to go back because there’s so much to do in Pigeon Forge!

Be sure to go to MyPigeonForge.com for more information and to plan your trip!  You can link to everything I showed you here through that Pigeon Forge link.