Today we’re going back to where it all began. In 2008, we filmed our first McTravels video in the Great Smokey Mountains. We visited some of our favorite places and gave questionable commentary on elevators and toilets. A lot has changed since then, but it is still a great vacation spot and we’ve been back several times.
From stampeding horses to the best apple wine this side of the Mississippi, there is much fun to be had in Pigeon Forge/Sevierville, Tennessee. In this blog, we’re going to talk about some of our favorite activities and restaurants. If you’re thinking of planning a trip to this popular Tennessee town, read on!
Food
Logan’s Roadhouse has a very similar vibe to Texas Roadhouse: peanuts on the floor, very reasonable prices, delicious rolls… If you’re looking for a good steak but don’t want to pay steakhouse prices, check out Logan’s.
The Apple Barn and Cider Mill is absolutely amazing. They have apple fritters with apple butter, apple julep, and the best breakfast in Pigeon Forge. And after breakfast, you can mosey on over to the Cider Mill and grab some delicious apple wine (or choose from a variety of other wines). This place is a must!
Attractions
Wonder Works is an interactive museum that is perfect for kids and adults alike. We went for the first time right after high school and loved it. They have hurricane and earthquake simulators, a rock wall, many different interactive games and various other entertaining things. You enter the building through a second story window into a lobby where the stairs are on the ceiling. And that it just the beginning. The last time we visited, the passes were good for the whole day, so you can easily go, leave and grab lunch, and head back later for more fun!
If you’ve ever been in the market to attend a motivational rally and a magic show at the same time, then Magic Beyond Belief is for you. Just kidding. But seriously. We went to this show in 2009 and it was hella inspirational. The magician told us all about his life and how he got to where he was. Moreover, the magic was cool and the tiger was even better. The show has a different magician now, but still has great reviews so we would recommend you check it out. Or at least read recent reviews on Trip Advisor.
There are also a variety of dinner shows including the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud, Pirate’s Voyage and, of course, Dolly Parton’s Stampede. It’s almost impossible to go to Pigeon Forge and not go to Dolly’s dinner show. It has great food (the soup deserves awards), the show is interactive and entertaining. The Christmas show they put on is also incredible to watch. It is definitely worth the cost.
Is it possible to ride a single ride 27 times in one day? If you said yes, you would be correct. We took it upon ourselves one summer to ride Daredevil Falls, a water ride at Dollywood, as many times in a row as we could. It was towards the end of the day, no one was in line, so we just stayed on until we’d beaten our record of 26 times from the day before. We might love water rides more than most people, but Dollywood has much more to offer. It’s a fun theme park with a southern twist. The kids will love it, and you will too. Also, every time we have gone, tickets purchased after 3 PM got you in the gate the next day as well. Check this out on the website before you go and you could get a few extra hours of park time for the same price. This is Dolly Parton’s theme park and we all know how amazing Dolly is!
Mal- When I took a trip to PF several years ago with my mom and both of my grandmothers, we visited the Titanic Museum. I’ve always loved the movie and been fascinated by the stories surrounding the tragic sinking. The museum is full of artifacts and histories of families who were on board. If you are a history buff, you will definitely enjoy it. I wouldn’t recommend taking small children though. They will most likely not enjoy themselves.
Pigeon Forge is also a great place to visit if you are just looking to get away and enjoy nature. There’s plenty of hiking, white water rafting other and outdoor activities (perfect for the time of COVID). Just outside of the city, check out Cade’s Cove to see where European settlers lived in the 1800’s. You may also see wildlife roaming about, including black bears. They also typically have events year round, including various seasonal festivals, and it is absolutely beautiful at Christmas time. If you go from November to March, you may even see a bit of snow.
And don’t forget the shopping!
Looking to plan your vacation in the Great Smokey Mountains? Check out their visitor page for more info.
Our McTravels 