10 Things You Must Do in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
There’s something about the mountains of Tennessee that draws people to them. The Cherokee called the Great Smoky Mountains “the land of blue smoke” or “Shaconage.” The constant presence of a haze that clings to the mountain tops can be spellbinding, making people want to return or never leave.
Pigeon Forge was first settled in the late 1700s when the area was governed by North Carolina.
By the 1820s, local businessman Isaac Love had established an iron forge on the West Fork of the Little Pigeon River. A decade later, the Love family constructed a grist mill next to the forge. Fast forward nearly two centuries and the building still stands as the city’s oldest structure and the only building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Old Mill is just one of many things to experience in this popular mountain resort town. Today, we want to show you 10 Things You Must Do in Pigeon Forge.
Visit a Piece of History
We begin where the Pigeon Forge we know today got its start. The Old Mill is the icon of the community and the one thing you have to make sure you see when you’re in town. You’ve probably seen this historic landmark featured in publications all around the world. It’s one of the most photographed mills in the nation.
During the Civil War, the eastern part of Tennessee supported the Union. While the Smokies area didn’t see any major battles, only small skirmishes, the Old Mill played an important role in the war effort.
Secret knitting looms were set up on the second floor of the mill which produced clothing for Union soldiers based nearby where Gatlinburg is today. There was also a makeshift hospital on the third floor.
The Old Mill continues to grind wheat and corn for flour and corn meal using hydropower. Products produced on-site are sold inside a general store on the mill’s main floor. There are also lots of local souvenirs available for purchase.
Next door is a newer building that’s home to the Old Mill Restaurant, consistently ranked as one of the top places to eat in the area.
Watch Pottery Being Made
A collection of buildings adjacent to the Old Mill house a number of unique shopping opportunities including one of my favorites, Pigeon River Pottery. In the 1940s, Douglas Ferguson found the area to be rich with red clay, what he used to make his pottery creations. He purchased an old tobacco barn on the mill’s property and transformed it into a pottery studio. The acclaimed artist died in 1999. But his legacy continues in the workspace he created where visitors can watch pottery being made by talented artisans. These pieces are the best souvenirs I’ve collected from the Smokies over the years.
Take a Blacksmithing Lesson
Across the street is a place that preserves and passes on the traditions of blacksmithing to a new generation.
Operated by the History Channel’s Forged in Fire fan favorite Robby Bowman, Iron Mountain Metal Craft lets you get really close to the action. In fact, you can be a part of the action.
Visitors can actually don an apron and goggles, step up to the anvil, and swing the hammer themselves for an unforgettable experience. Best of all, the finished product can be taken home in the form of a knife or horseshoe.
Kids as young as five can participate in the blacksmithing lessons, which fill up quickly. Visit the shop’s website to learn how you can make an appointment.
Shop at a Whimsical Book Store
Located on Old Mill Street is something you don’t see a lot here in the Smokies. It’s a place that in no way, shape or form resembles the normal touristy souvenir shop.
Step into A Long Story Short and into a carefully curated boutique of the whimsical. Open since 2017, this shop offers vintage and used books, antiques, rustic and garden decor, and local art with a little pop culture and quite a bit of Steampunk thrown in.
The perfect spot for book lovers, every visit here is different. When one piece sells, they replace it with a new creation, gadget, or treasure. Be prepared to spend some time taking it all in.
Go on “Island” Time
The most popular entertainment and retail complex in Pigeon Forge is The Island. Sitting on 23 acres and boasting more than 80 shops, restaurants, attractions, and two Margaritaville lodging opportunities on-site, this is one of those places with more of a resort vibe where you never really have to leave.
Standing tall at 200-feet is the centerpiece, the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel that provides riders spectacular views of the area in comfy, all-glass gondolas that seat up to 8 people.
The top free thing to do in Pigeon Forge is to see the waters dance at the Island Fountain. Hundreds gather at this cool community spot most evenings, especially around the holidays, to watch the fountains shoot water 60 feet into the air, choreographed to music and lights.
There are a number of amusement park-type rides to keep the younger crowd entertained, along with a ropes course, while we highly recommend experiencing one of The Island’s newest attractions.
Housed in a state-of-the-art building with a Steampunk theme, SkyFly: Soar America is similar to a ride you might be familiar with at Disney’s Epcot in Florida. But here, the journey is six minutes long and simulates flying over some of the most beautiful places in the nation. The film coupled with some special effects make this a must-do ride the entire family can enjoy.
We always stay at the Margaritaville Island Hotel when visiting Pigeon Forge. Somehow this property has struck the right balance in design between “parrothead” and mountain chic. The location, amenities, hospitality of the staff and their attention to detail make this an enjoyable stay each and every time.
Ride a Mountain Coaster
If you don’t have time to spend a whole day at Dollywood but still have a need for speed, check out one of the area’s many alpine coasters.
It seems they’re popping up all over the Smokies now days, especially in Pigeon Forge and nearby Wears Valley.
Each one has some feature they like to tout - the longest track, the fastest, most drops. We’ve been on a few and couldn’t possibly single out a favorite. A list with links to the area’s mountain coasters is available on our website to help you in your research.
Take On a Monster
One of the newest entertainment and retail complexes in Pigeon Forge is the Mountain Mile and Tower Shops on Teaster Lane.
Covering more than 170 acres on the site formerly occupied by Belz Outlet Mall, a series of shops and eateries are built around large, open green spaces that promote a sense of community through fun and relaxation.
Adrenaline junkies can get their fix at the Mountain Monster, a 200-foot tower that contains three exciting thrill rides - an aerial drop ride, a freefall experience and a launch where riders are slung 140 feet up into the air.
See a Dinner Show
Pigeon Forge loves to put on a good dinner show. The Parkway has a number of options for live entertainment while enjoying a hearty evening meal.
Dolly Parton’s Stampede is the most popular, one I’ve experienced a few times. The four-course dinner includes a tender whole rotisserie chicken and down-home sides. A favorite thing of ours to do here even if we’re not seeing a show is to stroll down the Horse Walk, an opportunity to get an up-close look at the real stars of the show.
Other dinner shows include Hatfield & McCoy, the Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show, the Biblical Times Dinner Theater, and Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show.
If you don’t care about dinner and just want to be entertained by the local talent, there are options like Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud and the Comedy Barn.
Experience a Quirky Attraction
While Dollywood is the most dominant attraction in this area, there are dozens of other family-friendly spots that will draw you in and give you a thrill, and maybe a chill or two.
If you’ve ever wanted to take a deep dive into the tragic story of the Titanic or try to understand America’s obsession with crime, there are larger-than-life attractions on the Parkway for you. You can get an up-close look at some of Hollywood’s biggest stars at a wax museum, experience a science-focused indoor amusement park, take a spin in a go-cart, or brush up on your golfing skills at one of the many putt-putt courses.
Sample Some Hard Apple Cider
Just across the river in neighboring Sevierville is one of the area’s most beloved places to visit.
The iconic structure known today as the Apple Barn was constructed more than a century ago on a 65-acre farm, and at that time the barn was a place to keep cattle.
Today, the barn functions as a general store and cider bar where all types of food and drink products made from apples grown on the property can be purchased. We’re especially fond of the apple salsa which we take home and love to sit down and snack on an apple glazed donut with a scoop of vanilla ice cream from the cider bar.
The barn is the centerpiece of a complex that includes two sit-down restaurants, one inside the original farmhouse, both famous for their homemade apple fritters.
The property also includes a candy shop where you can watch taffy being made, a creamery, a Christmas shop and a winery.
A recent addition is the Apple Barn Cider House where visitors can sample a variety of hard ciders crafted on-site. Here, they use a sterile filtration method taking special care to retain as much of the fresh apple cider taste as possible. The finished product is smooth, clean and crisp, unlike any other hard apple cider you’ve tried other places.