Pigeon Forge is crammed from top to toe with hotels suited to a range of holiday budgets. No matter where you choose to stay, you won’t be far from either the vibrant center or the serene countryside. Parkway runs through the heart of town and is peppered with good-value, cozy accommodation. Along Dollywood Lane is a clutch of varied hotels – from refined upmarket retreats to cheaper, twee condos – offering quick access to the parks and a nearby golf course. Sevierville is about a 15-minute drive north of Pigeon Forge and boasts an eclectic choice of spots where you can bunk down for the night.
Where to eat
Tradition states that when you’re visiting the Smokies, dinner and a show is a must. Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede on Parkway is the pick of a great bunch of options, with 4 courses of mouth-watering country fare served with a riot of riveting entertainment. A herd of horses and their talented riders take on a series of challenging feats, with a stirring soundtrack providing the perfect accompaniment. At the Old Mill Pottery House Café & Grille and the Old Mill Restaurant, you can tuck into some of the region’s finest culinary treasures. Slabs of steak, fresh trout, and fried catfish are particularly hard to resist.
Where to shop
Not just an adrenaline junkie’s paradise, a heaven for music lovers, and a dream come true for outdoor adventurers, Pigeon Forge makes for a grand spending spree. For all your fashion needs, Pigeon River Crossing is the best of the town’s outlet centers and can be found on Teaster Lane. For an authentic taste of Smokies culture, the Old Mill Village is home to a cluster of quaint shops and intriguing boutiques where you can grab anything from timeless souvenirs to lovingly crafted pottery and scrumptious local delicacies. Gatlinburg – 7.5 miles south of town – boasts a wealth of quality arts and crafts stores.
Travel tips
A vacation in Pigeon Gorge guarantees a bank of family memories that will last a lifetime, but there are a few things to remember to help ensure that everything runs super smoothly. The temperatures in summer can be iffy, while they can drop substantially in winter, so a light jacket is often required to keep out the bite of the breeze on summer evenings, while a heavy coat is a must in winter. Comfortable shoes are essential as you’re likely to spend a lot of time on your feet.
