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    YOU ARE HERE: Home » Recipes » Travel » A Weekend in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

    By Carol · Published: Jun 13, 2018 · Modified: Jun 15, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    A Weekend in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

    Pigeon Forge, TN is one of the Southeast's most popular vacation destinations. There's something for everyone in Pigeon Forge! #MyPFSummer #sponsored #ad @mypigeonforge

    Planning a weekend in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee?  Read on for all the best things to do there!

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

    Photo of Pigeon Forge Welcome Sign.

    Welcome to Pigeon Forge!

    A Weekend in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee:

    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!

    Pigeon Forge - Hotel - Hotel Sign

    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!

    Photo of the entrance to The Inn at Christmas Place.

    Front – The Inn at Christmas Place

    Close-up photo of the entrance to The Inn at Christmas Place.

    Front Doors to The Inn at Christmas Place

    Photo of the lobby of The Inn at Christmas Place.

    Lobby of The Inn at Christmas Place

    Photo of a Christmas tree in the lobby of The Inn at Christmas Place.

    Lobby of The Inn at Christmas Place

    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!)
    Photo of the the Island Express train on The Island in Pigeon Forge.

    The Island in Pigeon Forge

    Photo of a climbing attraction on The Island in Pigeon Forge.

    The Island in Pigeon Forge

    Photo of the merry-go-round and ferris wheel on The Island in Pigeon Forge.

    The Island in Pigeon Forge

    Photo of the ferris wheel on The Island in Pigeon Forge.

    The Island in Pigeon Forge

    Photo of the dancing fountain on The Island in Pigeon Forge.

    The Island in Pigeon Forge – Dancing Fountain

    Another photo of the dancing fountain on The Island in Pigeon Forge.

    The Island in Pigeon Forge – Dancing Fountain

    Photo of the Market Street sign on The Island in Pigeon Forge with people walking underneath.

    The Island in Pigeon Forge

    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!

    Photo of the sign at Dolly Parton's Stampede dinner attraction.

    Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction

    Photo of the inside of Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Attraction with place settings.

    Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction

    Photo of horses performing at Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Attraction.

    Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction

    Photo of horses performing at Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Attraction.

    Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction

    Photo of finale at Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Attraction.

    Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction

    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!

    Photo of the exterior of The Old Mill and Old Mill Restaurant.

    The Old Mill and Old Mill Restaurant

    Photo of the dam near The Old Mill and Old Mill Restaurant with heron on a rock.

    Dam near the Old Mill

    Photo of the Millstone Village Shoppes sign near The Old Mill and Old Mill Restaurant.

    Old Mill Square Shops

    Photo of pottery from one of the shoppes.

    Pottery from Pigeon Forge Pottery

    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!

    Photo of the exterior of The Titanic Attraction.

    The Titanic Attraction

    Close-up photo of The Titanic Attraction.

    The Titanic Attraction

    Photo of the anchor at The Titanic Attraction.

    The Titanic Attraction – Replica of one of the anchors

    Photo of a man standing near the anchor at The Titanic Attraction.

    The Titanic Attraction – Replica of one of the anchors – Size perspective

    Photo of a LEGO model of the Titanic at The Titanic Attraction.

    LEGO model of Titanic

    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 jugglers 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!

    Photo of the outside of the Smoky Mountain Opry building.

    Photo of people performing at the Smoky Mountain Opry.

    Photo of people performing at the Smoky Mountain Opry.

    Photo of people performing at the Smoky Mountain Opry.

    Photo of people performing at the Smoky Mountain Opry.

    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!

    Photo of trees in Smoky Mountain National Park.

    Photo of mountain view in Smoky Mountain National Park.

    Photo of mountain view in Smoky Mountain National Park.

    Photo of a deer in Smoky Mountain National Park.

    Photo of waterfall in Smoky Mountain National Park.

    Photo of rapids in Smoky Mountain National Park.

    Photo of the sign at Ephraim Bales Place in Smoky Mountain National Park.

    Smoky Mountains National Park – Ephraim Bales Place

    Photo of the exterior of Ephraim Bales Place in Smoky Mountain National Park.

    Smoky Mountains National Park – Ephraim Bales Place

    Photo of a stream in Smoky Mountain National Park.

    Photo of a stream in Smoky Mountain National Park.

    We really enjoyed our weekend in 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.

    Enjoy YOUR weekend in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee!

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    Comments

    1. Krista Bjorn says

      June 13, 2018 at 7:47 pm

      The Inn at Christmas Place looks so cozy and welcoming. 🙂 Just the sort of place I love.

      Reply
      • Carol says

        June 13, 2018 at 8:31 pm

        Hi, Krista! It is the SWEETEST place. The doormen are out of an old Christmas movie! You almost expect Santa to come out and greet you!

        Reply

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