pigeon forge insider, Author at Inside Pigeon Forge TN

Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud

If you’re wonderin what all the noise is coming from the barn next door to Pigeon Forge’s Wonderworks, well you’re not alone. In fact, this brand of noise has been going on for over a century as two feuding families – the Hatfields and the McCoys, have tried in earnest to settle their differences. It just doesn’t seem like it’s going to work.

What is going to work is the new Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show in Pigeon Forge. Why not try top settle our differences with a big ole barn dance while chowin down on some good Southern cookin. Will it be peaceful? Who knows, but at least you’ll get to eat and enjoy some great bluegrass tunes. I guess someone decided it’d be smart to invite both the Hatfields AND the McCoys to the party! These two families mix about about as well as broccoli and chocolate pudding. Needless to say, the new sheriff is going to have his hands full with this group.

Oh, and remember we said a little something about the food, well that’s Granny’s secret plan. Hopefully that will soothe the savage beasts. We’re talking about finger-licking country cookin’ the likes of fried chicken, down-home pulled pork bbq, mashed taters, corn on the cob, slaw and desert if you’re good. Just try to resist some of Granny’s cooking. Granny said it’s just her way of calming the natives. These families, as well as anyone else in attendance, will be too full to do anything but sit back and enjoy the toe tappin’ music we got lined up.

One more thing, our morning show, The Country Jamboree Breakfast Show featurning the Blackwoods, is not to be missed either. Start your morning off with some good country cookin’ including fluffy pancakes, scrambled eggs, farm fresh sausage, crispy hash browns and buttermilk biscuits. All while listening to a batch of hit country songs from the past and present.

Pigeon Forge Campgrounds

Complete list of Pigeon Forge campgrounds in Tennessee with inside tips on each. Guide to Pigeon Forge RV parks, cabins, camping sites, amenities, maps, websites, phone numbers, and more!

Some people love to stay in cabins, chalets, condominiums, hotels, and motels, but there are a large number of people who prefer to roll into Pigeon Forge, TN pulling their RV looking for a campground or RV park to stay during their Smokies vacation. If you fit into this category, you probably haven’t looked back since the first time you stayed in a campground. There’s something special about the campfires, fresh breakfast, crisp mountain air of the Smoky Mountains, and making friends with fellow campers. Staying at a Pigeon Forge campground is a vacation in and of itself and a great way to visit Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Gatlinburg.

If this is your first time seeking a campground or RV park in Pigeon Forge, TN or a campground near Gatlinburg, TN then you’ve come to the perfect place. We’ve put together a list of all of the best campgrounds along with the contact information for each in case you want to find out if they have hookups for water, electricity, cable, and sewage or if they are golf cart friendly campgrounds, have internet, showers, laundry facilities, etc. Some people like the bare essentials while others still prefer to have at least a few of life’s simple pleasures. Whatever your needs, Pigeon Forge is bound to have a campground that meets yours.

Many people love Pigeon Forge so much that they even work out deals with campgrounds to leave their campers on the campsite all year long! Some even rent their campers out in what is becoming a sort of “camper time-share” type of deal. It’s not a bad option if you plan on leaving your camper in the Smoky Mountains… you may as well make some money off of it!

The following list is every major campground and RV park in Pigeon Forge. Each listing has the park’s address, phone number, map, and website if available. You will also find tips for each one along with the amenities that each campsite touts.

List of Pigeon Forge Campgrounds

Campground	Features
Alpine Hideaway Campground 251 Spring Valley Road Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 37863 (865) 428-3285 View Map(Insider Info: Alpine Hideaway is nestled in between two mountains, which makes it near impossible to get a satellite signal if you have a dish. There is no river and the spots are fairly tight together…could be a good thing if you like meeting strangers!)	Cabins Trolley Stop Cable Heated Pool Laundromat Wifi Pets allowed
Clabough’s Campground 405 Wears Valley Rd Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 (865) 428-1951 View Website View Map(Insider Info: Clabough’s is arguably the most popular campground and we always hear great reviews from people who camp here. It’s a big park that is close to the action in Pigeon Forge. It’s also close to Kroger (grocery store) as well. Locals highly suggest *Clabough’s Campground*.)	2 Swimming pools 4 Bath houses with AC & Heat Log cabins Vacation homes 310 sites Market with groceries Restaurant 3 Laundry facilities Gameroom arcade Water, Electric, Sewage Trolley stop Small Pets Accepted only in campground No pets in cabins/vacation rentals Wifi
Creekside RV Park 2475 Henderson Springs Rd Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 (865) 428-4801 View Website View Map(Insider Info: *Creekside RV Park* in Pigeon Forge, TN tends to get great reviews. Make sure to request a creekside spot as it has more room.)	Full Cable TV hookup Free Wireless Internet access Swimming pool Laundry room Nice, clean bath houses with heat & air Playground Stream fishing in Walden’s Creek Camp store Sunday morning worship service Pigeon Forge Trolley Stop
Eagle’s Nest Campground 1111 Wears Valley Rd Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 (865) 428-5841 View Website View Map(Insider Info: Located down Wear’s Valley Road, *Eagle’s Nest Campground* is 1.5 miles away from the parkway in Pigeon Forge, so it’s close yet far enough away from the traffic and sounds.)	Open Year-Round 250 sites Free cable TV Tent sites Swimming pool Playground Horseshoes Volleyball Recreation room Laundry Bathhouses Cabins sleeping 6 Stream fishing RV supplies
Foothills RV Park 4235 Huskey St Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 (865) 428-3818 View Website View Map(Insider Info: *Foothills RV Park* in Pigeon Forge, TN is another popular campground among campers. Vacationers typically love the log cabins and camping cabins they offer. There’s a difference between the two…visit their site using the link above for more info.)	All Paved Roads and Campsites 30 and 50 Amp Hookups Cable TV Water and Sewer Hookups Concrete Patios with Picnic Tables Fire Rings Air Conditioned and Heated Restrooms Laundry Swimming Pool Log Cabins Camping Cabins Pets welcome on campsites, but not cabins
King’s Holly Haven RV Park 647 Wears Valley Road Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 (865) 453-5352 View Website View Map(Insider Info: Visitors typically say *King’s Holly Haven RV Park* is very clean and “new”, but the camp sites are too close together. It gets mixed reviews…mostly about the staff. It’s on Wear’s Valley Road, which is a good location to hit the backroads heading out to Townsend and Cades Cove.)	Free Cable TV Patios Full Hookups 30/50 Amp 2 large A/C/heated Bath Houses 2 A/C/heated Laundromats Swimming Pool Playground Covered Pavilion Creekside Sites Open Year Round Seasonal Rates
Pigeon Forge KOA Campground 3122 Veterans Blvd. Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 (865) 453-7903 View Website View Map(Insider Info: I’ve known the owner to call the *KOA Pigeon Forge Campground* the “Cadillac” of campgrounds. I never figured out if it’s because of the rates they charge or how nice she thought her campground was. Needless to say, it’s a nice campground, but you can stay somewhere just as nice (if not nicer) for quite a bit less money.)	185 sites 15 cabins Playground ATM Fitness center Game room Convenience store Covered pavilion 3 facility buildings Open April-November Free Wireless Internet After Hours Registration Hot Showers Clean Restrooms Laundry Facilities Hot Tub Heated Pool Arcade Rooms Souvenir Shop Mail Service Bulletin Board with Current Info R-V Supplies Courtesy Phones and Data Ports Special Dollywood and Dolly’s Splash Country Tickets to offer
Mill Creek Resort and Campground 449 W Mill Creek Rd Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 (865) 428-3498 View Website View Map(Insider Info: *Mill Creek Resort and Campground* gets decent reviews from campers even though it’s on a backroad on the south end of Pigeon Forge. Should be a nice, quiet place that’s still close enough to the action in Pigeon Forge.)	30 amp service City water, sewer Cable TV Pull through and back-in sites Swimming pool Game room Laundry room Clubhouse Camp store
Riverbend Campground 2479 Riverbend Loop Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 (865) 453-1224 View Website View Map(Insider Info: Nice location back behind Ruby Tuesday and Music Road Hotel. Far enough from the parkway to be quiet yet close enough to get in and out of the action quickly and easily. There’s no pool, but it’s right on the river!)	130 Sites full hookup 100 w/Concrete 5 Tent sites Large clean campsites Bathhouse Laundrymat Cable TV High-speed wireless internet Tubing in the mountain stream Saturday night Gospel Singing Sunday morning worship service Showers Ice
Riveredge RV Park & Log Cabin Rentals 4220 Huskey St Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 (877) 881-7222 View Website View Map(Insider Info: *Riveredge RV Park in Pigeon Forge* gets good reviews as people comment on how clean and updated the bathhouses are. It is very close to the parkway, which can be an issue if you are looking for a “quiet” vacation in “nature”, but it can be great if you like to get out and see the sites around Pigeon Forge It’s also close to the Log Cabin Pancake House, which I highly recommend!.)	Wireless Internet Game Room with video monitoring system that you can on view from your camper via the cable system Pool Table Air Conditioned & Heated Bathhouse…with music! Heated swimming pool 175 beautifully landscaped campsites 50 & 30 amp service rustic camping cabins fully equipped log cabins
Waldens Creek Campground 2485 Henderson Springs Rd Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 (865) 908-2727 View Website View Map(Insider Info: Walden’s Creek Campground is located right beside Creekside RV Park down Wear’s Valley Road. Visitors have mentioned the “concrete pad” on the sites aren’t what you park your rig on…that it can be muddy where you park. Also heard there’s only 1 shower & bathroom for each men & women. Spaces are tight. Locals have heard better remarks about Creekside RV Park right next door or even Clabough’s Campground just up the road. )	Cable Wireless Internet Laundry Trolley Pickup 50/30/20 AMP Service Creek Fishing Open Pavillion New Bathhouse AC/Heat Full Hookups Tent Sites Large Creek Side Deck Recreation Hall Game Room

Red Rocket

The Red Rocket has closed. Information below is maintained for historical purposes.

Pop Culture covers every wall and every surface at Red Rocket in Walden’s Landing in Pigeon Forge. From TV and movie themed t-shirts to home decor from I love Lucy to Star Trek, Red Rocket is the perfect place to shop for that lover of everything TV and movies in your life and that geek on your shopping list.

Red Rocket is a store dedicated to tall of the most loved TV and movies that have come out over the course of American history. From nostalgia items linked to shows like I Love Lucy to more contemporary movies and TV like the Twilight series, there is a little something for every taste. Whether your idea is a t-shirt to wear or if you are looking for magnets or little pieces of minutia linked to your favorite Tv program or movie, they might have it at Red Rocket. And if you are looking for something for that special geek on your shopping list, they probably have that as well.

For the geek in all of us, Red Rocket has a full selection of all things geeky and wonderful. From Star Trek and Star Wars oriented merchandise to video game t-shirts, you can find something for that special someone that likes to geek out. They also have retro gaming merchandise that fits the bill for those 8-bit players in your life.

Red Rocket is pop-culture personified. It is a favorite shopping point for a lot of people when they come to the SMoky Mountains. It is located directly behind Five Guys Burgers and Fries in Walden’s Landing. They are not very hard to find, so while you are waiting to go eat or maybe just while you are browsing around the shops at Walden’s Landing, make sure you pay a visit to Red Rocket.

The Red Rocket
2530 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
865-908-5252

Pigeon Forge to the National Park – Driving Tip

Most people don’t realize that you can also cut through Wears Valley and get to the Park much quicker by going to Metcalf Bottoms.

The assumption is that if you want to get to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Pigeon Forge, you are going to drive to Gatlinburg or Townsend and then follow the signs into the park. Most people don’t realize that you can also cut through Wears Valley and get to the Park much quicker by going to Metcalf Bottoms. This gets you into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by a little-traveled road and you don’t have to sit in the traffic of Gatlinburg or drive all the way to Townsend to enjoy a picnic, fish or wade in a mountain stream.

To take advantage of this shortcut, turn onto Wears Valley Road at traffic light #3 and follow Wears Valley Road until you arrive at Lyons Spring Road. Lyons Spring Road is a little more than 9 miles from traffic light No. 3 on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Turn left on Lyons Spring Rd, as you follow the road through the mountain scenery, you will come to a National Park sign before you drive into Metcalf Bottoms. At this point you are in the National Park. Metcalf bottoms has bathroom facilities, streams, picnic tables and hiking trails. It is one of the lesser used picnic areas in the park and is great if you don’t want to fight the traffic or have plans that put you back in Pigeon Forge in the evening. It is great to be able to get to the National Park easily and you can have fun without spending most of your day in the car.

From Metcalf Bottoms you can turn right and go to Cades Cove or turn left to go to Elkmont, Sugarlands Visitor Center or Gatlinburg. Again, this allows you to bypass the traffic in Gatlinburg which, during peak season, can take hours to get through or going through Townsend which can also take a while to get to. This is a great “shortcut”, especially if you are looking for a quick way to the park. Also see Driving Tips for Pigeon Forge.

Old Mill General Store

Milled Corn Meal and More!

Every town in the Smokies had a small general store that supplied the goods that people needed to exist in the shadows of the mountains. In Pigeon Forge, the mill was also the site of the general store. As the town grew, the people that run the Old Mill Restaurant decided to keep this general store idea going and you can stop next door to the locally famous restaurant and do some shopping for everything from corn meal, that was milled by the water wheel, to area souvenirs. The Old Mill General Store is one of those places that everyone needs to stop at, at least once, while they are vacationing in Pigeon Forge.

When you are driving through Pigeon Forge you will notice a sign at traffic light 6 for the Old Mill and Patriot Park. Turn onto Old Mill Avenue and after you drive past Outback Leather (on the right), you will see a gigantic water wheel on the right hand side of the road. Pull into the parking lot for the Old Mill General Store and the Old Mill Restaurant and head inside.

The general store has a little bit of everything, like general stores of old. Jams, jellies, cookbooks, souvenirs and of course sacks of flour and corn meal line every wall. Right as you come in the door you will be presented with everything Pigeon Forge. From collectibles to t-shirts, bumper stickers to toys, there is a souvenirs for all of those people that you left at home when you went on vacation. Browse through the aisles. Make your way around the store and you will find yourself confronted with rows and shelves covered with edibles. Jams and jellies from the foothills of the Smokies, cookbook from churches and organizations in the area (maybe even one by Dolly Parton herself) and of course flour and corn meal.

If you have never had flour and corn meal ground fresh in an old fashioned mill, get a bag of flour or meal while you are at the general store. You can watch the meal work while it is operation during the day, see the corn and wheat getting ground. Watch as the folks that run the mill go through the process of making a product that has been produced in this location since 1830.

Stop at a traditional general store. Do some shopping. Learn a little more about how to mill flour and corn meal. Experience history. All this and more at the Old Mill General Store.

Old Mill General Store
160 Old Mill Avenue
Pigeon Forge TN 37863
865-453-4628

History of Pigeon Forge Tennessee

The City of Pigeon Forge provides an in-depth look at the history of Pigeon Forge. Learn where the name came from, why people settled here, how it grew, and how Pigeon Forge became one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.

The History of Pigeon Forge TN

The history of Pigeon Forge TN is pretty simple. Before the area became the vacation destination it is today, Cherokee Indians hunted and grazed the land. It wasn’t long before settlers began making their way to the area, and eventually making their home there.

Even until the early 1900s, the population of the town was only a little over 100 people.

As the area became popular, people began to settle, build homes and eventually started to build businesses. As these businesses grew more and more popular, people started making their way to the area and settling their families here.

How Pigeon Forge Got Its Name

Have you ever wondered how Pigeon Forge got its name?

Pigeon Forge was once filled with acres of green, grassy farmland, but today, Pigeon Forge has turned into a bustling city filled with tons of fun things to do. Whether you vacation here for the attractions, food, mountains or all 3, there’s something for everyone!

When Pigeon Forge was named, it came from 2 sources. First, “Pigeon” came from the Little Pigeon River and all of the passenger pigeons that made the area home. Unfortunately, passenger pigeons no longer exist, so you’re not able to see them when you visit.

On the other hand, Isaac Love, in the early 1800s, built one the area’s first businesses–an iron forge. After many years, the forge was taken apart and removed from the area. But the name still stands today.

With both of these, the town became known as “Pigeon Forge.”

Now, today, Pigeon Forge is a city filled with so much to do that you can visit many times each year and still be left with plenty of new things to see! Millions of visitors make their way to the area each year, to explore the history of Pigeon Forge TN and see all of the fun things to do!

Save Money on Your Pigeon Forge Vacation

Find out how to save money on your next vacation to Pigeon Forge, TN! We show you where to get coupons, discounts, free stuff, how to save money on gas and more for your Pigeon Forge, Tennessee vacation. This is Pigeon Forge on a budget!

So you’ve been wanting to take a Pigeon Forge vacation, but are having a difficult time figuring out how to get the most out of your budget. Fortunately for you, Pigeon Forge TN has a lot of ways to save you quite a bit of money during your vacation! We’re going to show you some of the most popular ways to save money! So put away the credit card and don’t beg your family and friends for money just yet! Find out how you can visit Pigeon Forge and save plenty of money with our helpful tips:

Ride the Trolley – Both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN have trolley systems that literally run all over both cities. You can get to just about anywhere by riding the trolley. It only costs 50 cents per person and you could ride it all day long!
Walk – This may seem like a no-brainer, but when you combine this with riding the trolley you can cover a lot of ground, get some great exercise, see things you might have missed otherwise, and most of all…save money! Don’t limit yourself to simply walking the Parkway with the attractions, restaurants and shops in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg either. Hit the mountains and find some trails. Cades Cove is a wonderful place to experience the Great Smoky Mountains for free!
Get a Free Day at Dollywood – When you arrive at Dollywood after 3 p.m. to purchase your tickets, you get to go the entire next day for FREE! This is highly suggested as it is getting increasingly more difficult to do everything that Dollywood has to offer in a single day.
Dollywood Season Pass – If you plan on visiting Dollywood more than one time during the year, then you’ll want a season pass. Why? Because a season pass is cheaper than going just twice! So if you visit Dollywood only two times throughout the year, you’re going to save money!
Pigeon Forge Coupons – There are a ton of coupons for Pigeon Forge online, so how do you know where to find the best ones? We’ve made it easy! Just CLICK HERE.
Save Money on Breakfast – Before you book a room somewhere, consider the fact that many places offer free breakfast. This could save a load of money, especially if you have a large family! Another option is the many cabin rentals in Pigeon Forge that have kitchens you can use to make your own meals. If that’s your thing, then you can make a trip to the store when you get into town, load up on meals, and eat in for your entire vacation to save even more money!
Theater Combo Tickets – Many of the theaters in Pigeon Forge offer combo passes where you can see multiple shows for a discounted rate. So if you’re interested in any shows, be sure to call ahead and ask if they have any combo deals.
Enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – While you’re in Pigeon Forge, you’ll be in the heart of the most visited National Park in the entire United States. Take advantage of the numerous hiking trails, waterfalls, breathtaking scenic views, unique wildlife and more. If you’re visiting in June then be sure to see the synchronous fireflies at Elkmont. This is one of only two places in the world to see this event! Also, Cades Cove in nearby Townsend offers plenty of free entertainment for the entire family. Make sure you take some time to step into the Smokies and experience the “natural” side of things to do. It’s free, fun, and an amazing experience you won’t get back home.

If you have more ways to save money on your vacation to Pigeon Forge, please share them in the comments section below!

Little Tokyo

Little Tokyo in Pigeon Forge is home to some of the best sushi and hibachi in the Smoky Mountains.

Next time you’re in Pigeon Forge, or passing through, stop by and try Little Tokyo Hibachi Grill and Sushi Bar, you won’t regret it. Their hibachi grill is one of the best pieces of culinary entertainment in the Smoky Mountains and their sushi rivals that of some of the country’s most artistic chefs. But it’s not just their exceptional food; whether you’re looking for a festive atmosphere suitable for the whole family or a more romantic dinner for two, Little Tokyo answers the call every time. If you’re looking for something completely different from your normal East Tennessee fare, Little Tokyo is that eclectic spot that will become a destination for you.

Hibachi is a very popular dining option in most U.S. cities nowadays. Just take a seat around one of the grills at Little Tokyo and watch the food come alive. Come in with a large group and you will likely have one of the grills all to yourselves, which makes it even better. Each meal begins with miso soup and a salad. A side of sushi to go along with your meal is the perfect in between. After placing your orders, the chef begins to ready your table for the meal to come; this is where the fun starts. Whether it’s the chefs flinging rice balls or the flaming onion volcano, everyone is in awe of the chef’s culinary tricks. While your food is being prepared before your very eyes, chefs are demonstrating their skilled knife work and a food juggling act that usually involves eggs and some other ingredient.

So it’s not hibachi that you’re in the mood for on this day? Maybe it’s something a bit more raw you’re yearning for. Little Tokyo’s sushi bar is second ton none in the Smoky Mountains. Their two page list of sushi is enough to satisfy even the staunchest of sushi-lovers. These plates could be considered edible works of art. Little Tokyo’s chefs are skilled in the delicate art of sushi creation. There isn’t a bad piece of sushi to be found on their menu. Here’s one recommendation – the Kiwi Roll. This sushi roll has lobster meat inside with kiwi sliced thinly over the top and drizzled with coconut sauce. For you sushi connoisseurs, sit at the sushi bar next time and watch the sushi chef work.

Little Tokyo in Pigeon Forge is a great place to take the family if your looking for an upscale dining experience in the Smokies. If you are looking for something a little more romantic, Little Tokyo can provide that too. Visit our dining room and have your own little slice of solitude without the big group feel of the hibachi grill. The lights are low, the room is quieter and you can have that intimate dinner for two that you are looking for on your weekend getaway in the Smokies. If you are looking for that place that is out of the ordinary while you are in the mountains, try Little Tokyo and add it to your favorite places to eat while you are on vacation in Pigeon Forge.

Little Tokyo
2430 Teaster Lane, Suite 212
Pigeon Forge, TN
865-908-0555

Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum

Located just over the hill from Pigeon Forge, Townsend, TN is home to the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum – a lasting reminder of how the Smoky Mountains were settled and how we got to where we are today.

Located on the “peaceful side of the Smokies”, in Townsend, TN, the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum is one of the hidden treasures of the Smokies. The museum offers a great history of the area you will gain a new respect for the inventive, courageous nature of the American spirit. The men who worked in the lumber industry, in the very area that would become the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, had to adjust to their environment, make their equipment fit the conditions they worked in and indirectly helped establish the roads that we still use today. This museum should be on the list of things to see and do of every history buff and railroad enthusiast that visits the area.

Even from the road you will start to see the artifacts and exhibits that are part of the collection. Some of the outdoor exhibits you will encounter are: a Shay Engine, a caboose, set off houses and a water tower. These items are actually pieces from the early 1900s and were used in the logging industry. The Shay engine is the cornerstone of the exhibit. This type of engine was used by the lumber company to pull the cars of logs back down the mountain to the sawmill and to take the workers back up the mountain to work. The Shay engine was the backbone of the Little River Railroad. For train enthusiasts, this is a must see, as not many of these engines remain. Certainly it is hard to find one as beautifully maintained as this one.

After taking a look at the outdoor exhibits, head inside and take a look at the photos and information about the logging industry in the Smokies. The exhibits start with the natural history and the settlers of the Elkmont areas in the Smokies. Then you will learn about the growth of the industry and the types of tracks and locomotives that they people used while logging. One of the most fascinating parts is how inventive and industrious these workers were. From designing new types of rail cars to a swinging bridge for flatcars, you will be amazed to see what they did to make the transportation of the lumber possible. Of course no exhibit of this type should be concluded without including the introduction to the National Park.

The Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum is a slice of Americana, mixed with the excitement of hard work and adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains. This museum captures the American spirit that has made this country so great. You get to learn about the Park and how the land was used before the Park was founded. Take some pictures with a piece of history outside, read about the logging industry of the early 1900s or just soak up the feel of the people that called the mountains home; either way you are going to have a remarkable experience.

Smoky Mountain Wheel

Remember back to when you were a kid when going to the county fair or theme park was the highlight of your summer… Looking forward to riding all the rides, and especially the giant Ferris wheel. Those Ferris wheels captured many a summer romance back in the day for a number of us. Good news for local kids, the Ferris wheel is back in Pigeon Forge and ready for the summer crowds.

The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel takes folks to new heights at The Islands, located off Smoky Drive in Pigeon Forge. The 200 foot structure consists of 42 fully enclosed gondolas with air conditioning. Quite a step up from the county fair wheels of yesteryear that were for the most part open-air

For those of you planning on taking a ride, each gondola can hold 2-6 people. So, if you don’t have a night of romance planned for you and your honey, take the family and enjoy a day out in Pigeon Forge.

Rides last 10-12 minutes. Each ride is a chance to see Pigeon Forge and the surrounding areas, including parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Comparing the Smoky Mountain Wheel to other area attractions, the view at the top would put you half way up the Gatlinburg Space Needle. That’s about as high as you’re going to get on a land locked ride.