Category: Attractions

Is there an easier question to answer than ones like “What sets Pigeon Forge apart from other Smoky Mountain towns like Gatlinburg, or even Asheville, NC?” It’s the attractions of course! Pigeon Forge, Tn has become a destination spot in the Smokies because of its numerous parks, theaters, and museums. It seems that every year there is something new that pops up in town. Just recently, the Lumberjack Feud and the Hatfield & McCoy dinner show make their presence known in the area and have gotten wonderful reviews.

With everything new that’s coming into Pigeon Forge, one would think anything dated might just pack up and leave. Not so, the No. 1 attraction around here has been here for a while and doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Of course, we’re talking about Dollywood. And with new rides like the Wild Eagle being built every few years, Dollywood has found a great way to renew itself while still keeping its mountain charm. Now, without further ado, on with the list.

Our Top 10 Pigeon Forge attractions:

1. Dollywood – What else can be said about the hometown girl’s theme park. From great shows and rides to festivals like Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas and Dollywood’s Festival of Nations, the Pigeon Forge theme park keeps getting better each year. As mentioned, check out the new Wild Eagle thrill ride as well as the Barnstormer – a recent addition to the park. The food isn’t too bad either so come hungry, especially if you’re into carnival-like fare.
2. Dollywood’s Splash Country – Dollywood’s next door neighbor and next-of-kin is THE outdoor water park in the area. Featuring 23 water slides and thrill rides, Splash Country is a great place to spend your summer int he Smoky Mountains.
3. Titanic Attraction – Come explore the Titanic museum and attraction in Pigeon Forge and get a closer look at the events surrounding that fateful day. You’ll see part of the actual ship that were recovered from the ocean’s depth and you’ll be able to touch water as cold as the waters surrounding the iceberg that brought the luxury liner to its knees.
4. Dixie Stampede – Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede dinner show combines the drama of the Civil War with country cooking. Watch as the North battles the South once again while you sit and eat some of the finest rotisserie chicken, pork loin, sides, and deserts. It’s not only entertaining, but very tasty.
5. Wonderworks – This interactive science museum allows you feel hurricane-like winds, what an earthquake feels like, and they’ll let you lay down on a bed of nails – if you want. There’s something for all the senses here and its a great place to take school groups as well. You can’t miss its upside down exterior lying off the Parkway.
6. Smoky Mountain Adventures – Pigeon Forge’s new dinner show has opened to rave reviews. Cheer on your team for a demonstration of unbelievable ability and agility during a head to head competition at the annual Great Smoky Mountain Family Contests!
7. Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show – Will these families ever settle their differences? Not the way this show is going. The “Dinner Feud” features great country cooking, bluegrass, comedy, and the two orneriest families ever to come across one another. Will they settle their differences? Not likely, but come by and see just in case.
8. The Comedy Barn – The Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge prides itself on clean family humor. Don’t worry, you’ll still fall over in laughter at this show. Years and years of big crowds and even bigger laughs and he haws will back that up.
9. The Track – Want to race and have a great time flying around a specialty track against your friends and family? The Track is the place. They also feature bungee jumping, bumper boats, and much more.
10. Country Tonite Theater – From celebrity performances from the likes of George Jones to their classic country shows, Pigeon Forge’s Country Tonite Theater is a great place to catch a live performance from some of the most talented acts in the Smokies. You’ll be humming along and tapping your toes to some of the most popular country hits from yesterday and today.

So, see something we might have missed or think you’ve got a better suggestion? Let us hear from you in our comment box below.

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.