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If one is going to the Great Smoky Mountains, then be sure to check out Pigeon Forge. Pigeon Forge is the entertainment and adventure capital of eastern Tennessee and a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains (just 5 miles away). It is a mountain resort town with many attractions for the whole family and one of the best places to explore the culture of the South.

The Great Smoky Mountains is one of America's most loved national parks and is a park everyone should visit. One can split one's time between hiking the many fantastic trails in the Smoky Mountains and the family-oriented entertainment at Pigeon Forge.

Pigeon Forge - The Adventure Gateway To The Smoky Mountains

Pigeon Forge is a great place to go for those wanting a taste of Southern culture and country music. If one is not a fan of Southern food, culture, or music, then one should consider another destination. Some main attractions in the town include Dollywood, Dollywood's Splash Country, the Titanic Museum, the Dolly Parton Stampede, and many amusement rides, musical theaters, and gift shops.

  • Location: 5 Miles North Of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Established: 1961

Pigeon Forge can get busy - Great Smoky Mountains National Park is, after all, the most visited national park in the United States. The busiest times are the summer and autumn weekends (autumn is the time to see the Smoky Mountains change color). If one goes in these times, expect crowds and heavy traffic between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Pigeon Forge enjoys a stunning natural setting and is set in a narrow valley along the Little Pigeon River. It is surrounded by high ridges on three sides, with Shield Mountain to the east, Cove Mountain to the south, and Pine Mountain to the west.

Pigeon Forge is a family-friendly vacation destination, and there is no end of choice of things to do when planning a stay.

Related: Hiking In The Smokies? Don't Read These Ghost Stories Before You Go

Dollywood & Dollywood's Splash Country

Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country are the main attractions of Pigeon Forge. Dollywood is an internationally acclaimed theme park that sprawls over 150 acres. It is constantly updating its displays and amusements, with some of its most interesting rides being the Dollywood's Wild Eagle, the Firechaser Express, and the Dragonflier.

Dollywood Express: A Steam Locomotive And Oldest Ride In The Park

Dollywood is much more than just thrill rides; it has scores of other attractions - even a 25-pound apple pie.

  • Address: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Dolly's Splash Country is located just need to Dollywood and is the perfect place to chill off over the hot summer days. Enjoy its RiverRush and Raging River Rapids and other experiences for the maximum amount of family fun. Check out Firetower Falls, where one can feel the sensation of falling over a 70-foot waterfall.

Pigeon Forge Titanic Museum

A half-scale replica of the Titanic that has a massive collection of Titanic artifacts. There are tours through the "Titanic" that are designed to make one feel like one is in a real ship over 100 years ago. Visitors are given a boarding pass with the name, photo, and background of an actual passenger who sailed on the Titanic, as well as their class of ticket. At the end of the tour, guests learn if the passenger survived or not.

  • Admission: $39.00 Adult (Including Tax)
  • Address: 2134 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Their hours vary by day of the week and season; refer to their calendar.

Related: Titanic In The Appalachians? What To Expect At The Titanic Museum In Tennessee

Old Mill Square

"Whether you’d like to fill your kitchen with authentic Appalachian flavors, your dining room with time-honored artisan dinnerware, or your home with an overall sense of classic Southern hospitality, The Old Mill offers an abundance of options crafted right here in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee"

Old Mill Square

Pigeon Forge was found on the site of an iron forge originally built in 1817. Today one can see the grist mill (built-in 1830 by Isaac Love) to produce flour. Today the mill continues to produce flour but arguably produces more photographs.

Old Meal Restaurant:

  • Daily: 8:00am - 9:30pm

The Old Mill Pottery House Cafe:

  • Brunch: Saturday & Sunday From 10:00am - 2:00pm
  • Lunch and Dinner Hours: Daily 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Pigeon Forge has plenty more dining options, accommodations, and attractions for visitors to choose from.