Things To Do in Pigeon Forge

Many of Pigeon Forge's major attractions are concentrated around the Parkway, where you'll find a large selection of hotels, restaurants, shopping opportunities, water parks, amusement parks, and theme restaurants. Within a short drive you'll find the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and its many camping opportunities.

Inside Pigeon Forge--The Parkway is home to or the route to many of Pigeon Forge's major attractions, including Dollywood, which has had a tremendous impact on the community. Appropriately, the quintessential Pigeon Forge experiences revolve around a trip to various destinations that this East Tennessee native has lent her time, money and talent toward. A navigation note, in general, for Pigeon Forge: Directions and addresses of attractions often include the traffic light number in closest proximity.

Most people who come to Pigeon Forge do so because of its remarkably high concentration of entertainment and amusements in a relatively small area. Dollywood, 1020 Dollywood Ln. (tel. 865/428-9488; www.dollywood.com), more than any others, has had the biggest impact on the community, pumping more than $120 million over ten years into various Dolly Parton-themed business ventures. You can easily spend a day or two at the amusement park, which recently expanded and added 10 new rides for over two dozen attractions. Attractions include roller coasters -- the wooden Thunderhead is a favorite -- daring water rides, a carousel and live stage shows. In addition to themed shops, festivals and special events, demonstrations of old-time crafts such as glass blowing and blacksmithing and take place daily. As to be expected, the park also sells just about any type of festival/carnival/outdoor food imaginable, from barbecue to funnel cake to frosted nuts to ham 'n' beans. At the new Dollywood Splash Country, 2146 Middle Creek Rd. (tel.865/428-9488; www.dollywoodsplashcountry.com), built in 2001, there are 23 water slides, a 25,000 square-foot wave pool, special areas for children, and a lazy river. One-day admission to Dollywood: Child (ages 4-11) $32.35; regular (ages 12-59) $43.50, senior (ages 60+) $40.15. Season passes are available and combination passes for both parks. Splash Country: regular $69.15; child $53.50; senior $69.15. Hours vary depending on the time of year.

The Old Mill, located on the Little Pigeon River at traffic light #7 (tel.865-428-0771; www.old-mill.com), is a slice of Pigeon Forge history and proves the town is not completely a theme park wonderland. The mill has been in continuous operation since 1830 and was the sole source of electricity for the city until 1930. The 24-foot high structure is one of Pigeon Forge's most photographed landmarks and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can tour the facility and buy a variety of products made onsite, such as corn meal, grits and flour; pottery is also for sale. Snacks and light fare are available at the Old Mill Bakery Cafe (such as artisan breads), and Old Mill Restaurant.

Tickets for many local events and attractions are sold through Discount Show Tickets (tel. 800/908-9018; www.discountshowtickets.com).

The Performing Arts--There is no traditional performing arts community with a ballet, symphony orchestra, regional repertory theater, or opera house in Pigeon Forge as there are in many other cities. The closest thing that comes to it is dinner theater, and there is an ever-growing array of options. The classic, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show (tel. 800/356-1676; www.dixiestampede.com) offers a four-course Southern-styled meal served while an extravagant show with magic, ostrich races, wild buffalo and horseback riders whose stunts are aimed to stun and surprise. There are three other locations -- Orlando, Branson and Myrtle Beach -- but this is the first and original, just outside Dollywood, on the Parkway. For a complete music-and-dance dinner experience, the relative newcomer Black Bear Jamboree Dinner & Show, 119 Music Rd. (tel. 865/908-1403; www.blackbearjamboree.com) takes its cues from oldies, gospel, country, bluegrass and Broadway for its performances, with set changes, laser lights, impressive costumes and a large cast. Enjoy standard Southern fare for dinner such as barbecue ribs, corn on the cob, chicken, potatoes, dessert, and vegetable soup. For a more thought-provoking night out on the town, Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show, 1200 10th Ave. S. (tel. 866/908-1050 or 865/908-1050; www.greatsmokymountainsmurdermystery.com), the show and the menu change every few months to keep things fresh. Pairing crime and cuisine is a popular route, but show organizers also promise "you'll laugh 'til you die." You'll be served a fine-dining caliber five-course meal during the show, which, by the way, encourages but does not require audience participation. Reservations are essential.

The Bar & Club Scene--To find out what's happening, pick up a copy of Sevier County's daily newspaper, The Mountain Press, or check their website at www.themountainpress.com. Pigeon Forge does not have any bars or clubs -- there are no liquor stores and you can only buy beer in the grocery store and drink wine and beer in restaurants. Therefore, the usual nighttime options -- bars and clubs -- are a little different here.Comedy lovers can find a home at Comedy Barn Theater, 2775 Parkway (tel. 865/428-5222; www.comedybarn.com), which advertises "clean family comedy" at a multi-million dollar theater. The show, which can be a little cheesy but funny nonetheless, features jugglers, magicians, comedians, ventriloquists, and fire-eaters, live country and gospel music and barnyard animals. Comedy shows run seven days a week. Another favored hangout is the Big Mama's Karaoke Cafe, 3152 Parkway (tel. 865/908-6162; www.karaokecafe.com), open every day except Monday and Tuesday, serves dinner and entertainment best described as "interactive." Guests can make CDs or a video of their karaoke performance, or even a music video. The menu is populated with the likes of cheese fries, onion rings, pizza, salads, and hamburgers -- standard American fare. Louise Mandrell Theater (tel. 865/453-6263; www.louisemandrell.com) is on stage from April through October, and a special Christmas production during the holidays. Multi-instrumentalist Mandrell puts on a show that spans musical genres and shows her versatility as she takes on country, gospel, rock-n-roll, and big band. Backed by a cast, a full orchestra, elaborate sets, the show is a huge draw.