Where to find food, fun and explore the Smokies!
Entertainment & Activities
Every year, The Island adds new things to see and do. I recommend going there in the later afternoon so you can see and do some things in the daytime. Then have dinner at one of the many eateries and then enjoy the Show Fountains after dark from a relaxing rocker. The Smoky Mountain Wheel puts on a good light show, too.
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Het Eiland Dr.
The Island DriveEvery year, The Island adds new things to see and do. I recommend going there in the later afternoon so you can see and do some things in the daytime. Then have dinner at one of the many eateries and then enjoy the Show Fountains after dark from a relaxing rocker. The Smoky Mountain Wheel puts on a good light show, too.
The first alpine coaster to come to the Smokies, many say it's their favorite. You'll notice the parking lot is usually packed, so try to go earlier in the day or in the off season. Your coaster is all gravity-propelled once you're released at the top of the mountain. It's possible to reach speeds up to 26 miles an hour.
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Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster
867 Wears Valley RdThe first alpine coaster to come to the Smokies, many say it's their favorite. You'll notice the parking lot is usually packed, so try to go earlier in the day or in the off season. Your coaster is all gravity-propelled once you're released at the top of the mountain. It's possible to reach speeds up to 26 miles an hour.
Dollywood has varying hours so make sure you go to the web site and check dates and times of operation. Typically it opens for the season around Easter/Spring Break and closes Dec. 31.
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Dollywood
2700 Dollywood Parks BlvdDollywood has varying hours so make sure you go to the web site and check dates and times of operation. Typically it opens for the season around Easter/Spring Break and closes Dec. 31.
The original distillery in Gatlinburg, Ole Smoky offers $5 samples (with your driver's license) and a chance to learn about how and why moonshine was made. So it's a bit of a history lesson and moonshine-shopping experience. You can't crack open your jar and drink it on site; this is strictly for sampling and selling. They have nightly live music and the musicians are really talented. Sit down in a rocker and feel like real mountain folk.
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Ole Smoky Moonshine
903 ParkwayThe original distillery in Gatlinburg, Ole Smoky offers $5 samples (with your driver's license) and a chance to learn about how and why moonshine was made. So it's a bit of a history lesson and moonshine-shopping experience. You can't crack open your jar and drink it on site; this is strictly for sampling and selling. They have nightly live music and the musicians are really talented. Sit down in a rocker and feel like real mountain folk.
Parks & Nature
With the Great Smoky Mountains only a few miles from your cabin, you owe it to yourself to explore this vast, beautiful space. Mountains roads and amazing views, waterfalls, hiking trails, picnic areas, historic buildings, cemeteries and ruins, fishing, bears, deer, turkeys...the list of things to see and do for FREE is lengthy.
Mingo Falls is actually outside of the GSMNP and is on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. It's 6 miles from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. But no worries, you can drive to a small parking area and walk up to Mingo Falls...or should we say climb all the steps up to the waterfall. It's less than a quarter mile but it's virtually all steps, all the way. Steps are of varying heights and made of natural materials. Beautiful 120 foot waterfall is the tallest in the Smokies. Footbridge across the bottom of the falls is perfect for taking photos and selfies.
Mingo Falls Access area
Sherrill Cove RoadMingo Falls is actually outside of the GSMNP and is on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. It's 6 miles from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. But no worries, you can drive to a small parking area and walk up to Mingo Falls...or should we say climb all the steps up to the waterfall. It's less than a quarter mile but it's virtually all steps, all the way. Steps are of varying heights and made of natural materials. Beautiful 120 foot waterfall is the tallest in the Smokies. Footbridge across the bottom of the falls is perfect for taking photos and selfies.
Pack a picnic and give yourself at least 2-4 hours to drive the 11 mile loop through Cades Cove. Add more time to that if you plan to do some hiking. During summer and fall color periods, the loop can be very busy and slow-paced. Or if someone spots a bear, traffic can come to a dead stop. This is not the sort of place you come to squeeze in a quick look-see. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings from early May until late September, the loop road is closed to cars until 10 a.m. so bicyclists can enjoy a peaceful ride. We highly recommend that you try to visit Cades Cove during quieter times: off-season, earlier in the day and weekdays are best to avoid crowds.
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Cades Cove Loop Road
Cades Cove Loop RoadPack a picnic and give yourself at least 2-4 hours to drive the 11 mile loop through Cades Cove. Add more time to that if you plan to do some hiking. During summer and fall color periods, the loop can be very busy and slow-paced. Or if someone spots a bear, traffic can come to a dead stop. This is not the sort of place you come to squeeze in a quick look-see. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings from early May until late September, the loop road is closed to cars until 10 a.m. so bicyclists can enjoy a peaceful ride. We highly recommend that you try to visit Cades Cove during quieter times: off-season, earlier in the day and weekdays are best to avoid crowds.
A short drive from Pigeon Forge (about 15 minutes). Once on the Foothills Parkway, there are at least 7 parking areas and pull-offs from Wears Valley to Walland, TN--about a 20 mile drive. Each one has completely different views. If you have a dog with your, be sure to keep it on a leash and pick up after your pet. Dogs aren't allowed outside parking areas but there really aren't places to hike on the parkway due to it's narrow swath.
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Foothills Parkway
Foothills ParkwayA short drive from Pigeon Forge (about 15 minutes). Once on the Foothills Parkway, there are at least 7 parking areas and pull-offs from Wears Valley to Walland, TN--about a 20 mile drive. Each one has completely different views. If you have a dog with your, be sure to keep it on a leash and pick up after your pet. Dogs aren't allowed outside parking areas but there really aren't places to hike on the parkway due to it's narrow swath.
From April 1-Dec 1, the 7 mile long Clingman's Dome Rd is open and you can drive up to the most spectacular views in the park. Even if you're not able to make it up to the observation tower, the views from the long parking lot are superb. A sunset viewing at Clingman's Dome is one of our favorites and we make sure to get up there at least 2-3 times a year.
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Clingmans Dome
From April 1-Dec 1, the 7 mile long Clingman's Dome Rd is open and you can drive up to the most spectacular views in the park. Even if you're not able to make it up to the observation tower, the views from the long parking lot are superb. A sunset viewing at Clingman's Dome is one of our favorites and we make sure to get up there at least 2-3 times a year.
Arts & Culture
Dozens of local craftsmen from the mountains have their shops in the Glades...just off east Parkway outside of Gatlinburg. Pick up an Arts & Crafts community brochure (they're everywhere in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg) so you have a map and listing of all the artists and where to find them. Many are clustered together in small shops or enclaves. Get an early start as most shops open around 10 a.m. and are closed by 5 or 6 p.m.
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Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community
668 Glades RoadDozens of local craftsmen from the mountains have their shops in the Glades...just off east Parkway outside of Gatlinburg. Pick up an Arts & Crafts community brochure (they're everywhere in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg) so you have a map and listing of all the artists and where to find them. Many are clustered together in small shops or enclaves. Get an early start as most shops open around 10 a.m. and are closed by 5 or 6 p.m.
The visitor center is a great place to get your Cades Cove trip started. NSP staff are there to answer questions and share their knowledge of the area. Maps and guides are available. Plus you can stop at the gift shop and pick up souvenirs. At different times, you can see demonstrations. In the summer they have soft serve ice cream available. Restrooms and vending area. The visitor center is open every day except Christmas. Hours vary by the month but it's open by 9 a.m. and closes as early as 4:30 in January and as late as 7:30 in May, June and July.
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Cable Mill Visitors Center
5686 Cades Cove Loop RdThe visitor center is a great place to get your Cades Cove trip started. NSP staff are there to answer questions and share their knowledge of the area. Maps and guides are available. Plus you can stop at the gift shop and pick up souvenirs. At different times, you can see demonstrations. In the summer they have soft serve ice cream available. Restrooms and vending area. The visitor center is open every day except Christmas. Hours vary by the month but it's open by 9 a.m. and closes as early as 4:30 in January and as late as 7:30 in May, June and July.
Sightseeing
Pick the clearest day of your vacation for the drive to Clingman's Dome and you'll be rewarded with the most amazing views of the Smokies. The walk up to the top of the Observation Tower is all climbing but there are benches along the way to rest. The road to Clingman's Dome is closed December-April.
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Clingmans Dome
Pick the clearest day of your vacation for the drive to Clingman's Dome and you'll be rewarded with the most amazing views of the Smokies. The walk up to the top of the Observation Tower is all climbing but there are benches along the way to rest. The road to Clingman's Dome is closed December-April.
If you go to Gatlinburg, you really have to do the Sky Lift. It's like a tradition with people who are regulars, riding the lift up the mountainside and getting ready for the photo they take of you as you just reach the top. Then you can look out over the city and toward Mount LeConte and cross the Sky Lift off your "we did it" list.
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Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
765 ParkwayIf you go to Gatlinburg, you really have to do the Sky Lift. It's like a tradition with people who are regulars, riding the lift up the mountainside and getting ready for the photo they take of you as you just reach the top. Then you can look out over the city and toward Mount LeConte and cross the Sky Lift off your "we did it" list.
The Old Mill Historical District is home to a number of shops, restaurants, a winery and moonshine distillery. The trolley depot is right there, too, next to Patriot Park. The park is pet friendly so you can bring your dog for some play time. There's a paved walkway around the park and the west prong of Little Pigeon River is home to ducks and geese that love to be fed by visitors. There's a bird food dispenser on site for 25 cents a handful.
Old Mill Street
Old Mill StreetThe Old Mill Historical District is home to a number of shops, restaurants, a winery and moonshine distillery. The trolley depot is right there, too, next to Patriot Park. The park is pet friendly so you can bring your dog for some play time. There's a paved walkway around the park and the west prong of Little Pigeon River is home to ducks and geese that love to be fed by visitors. There's a bird food dispenser on site for 25 cents a handful.
Shopping
This place is all about enjoying the outdoors and you'll see a wide variety of gear for camping, kayaking and hiking. But they have plenty for non-outdoorsy people, too. High quality clothing, hats, shoes, sunglasses, water bottles, books and more. During the middle of the day, it's only $5 per person to climb the 25 foot rock wall. There's a swinging bridge inside the store on the second floor. Rockers on the porch to relax for awhile, too. If you've ever wanted to whitewater raft, they offer two adventures. The Upper Pigeon River near Gatlinburg with class 3 and 4 rapids or the Lower Pigeon River near Bryson City with milder, easy going rapids. Talk to the staff about anything outdoors in the Smokies.
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NOC Gatlinburg
1138 ParkwayThis place is all about enjoying the outdoors and you'll see a wide variety of gear for camping, kayaking and hiking. But they have plenty for non-outdoorsy people, too. High quality clothing, hats, shoes, sunglasses, water bottles, books and more. During the middle of the day, it's only $5 per person to climb the 25 foot rock wall. There's a swinging bridge inside the store on the second floor. Rockers on the porch to relax for awhile, too. If you've ever wanted to whitewater raft, they offer two adventures. The Upper Pigeon River near Gatlinburg with class 3 and 4 rapids or the Lower Pigeon River near Bryson City with milder, easy going rapids. Talk to the staff about anything outdoors in the Smokies.
Essentials
Need we say more? It's a big Walmart. Groceries on the left and everything else to the center and right. This place gets really busy so best time is morning. Even later in the evening it's still a busy place and you'll probably have to stand in line with all the other locals and tourists. I've gone really late--like around midnight--and it does thin out a lot but you'll have to dodge all the restocking carts and night crew.
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Walmart Supercenter
1414 ParkwayNeed we say more? It's a big Walmart. Groceries on the left and everything else to the center and right. This place gets really busy so best time is morning. Even later in the evening it's still a busy place and you'll probably have to stand in line with all the other locals and tourists. I've gone really late--like around midnight--and it does thin out a lot but you'll have to dodge all the restocking carts and night crew.
Newest grocery store in Pigeon Forge. Very nice and clean. Lots of food that's cooked, baked, prepped--ideal for vacationers.
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Publix Pharmacy at Valley Forge Shopping Center
2656 ParkwayNewest grocery store in Pigeon Forge. Very nice and clean. Lots of food that's cooked, baked, prepped--ideal for vacationers.
I think Kroger has the best prices of all the grocery stores in the area (Publix, Food City and Walmart). They run good specials in the paper each week from (starting on Wednesday and ending on Tuesday night). This is an older store--not a Kroger Marketplace like the one in Sevierville. It's not as bright and spacious, but very convenient. They just put in a Kroger gas station off to the side (spring 2016), so if you have Kroger gas points you can use them there to get discounted gas.
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Kroger
220 Wears Valley RdI think Kroger has the best prices of all the grocery stores in the area (Publix, Food City and Walmart). They run good specials in the paper each week from (starting on Wednesday and ending on Tuesday night). This is an older store--not a Kroger Marketplace like the one in Sevierville. It's not as bright and spacious, but very convenient. They just put in a Kroger gas station off to the side (spring 2016), so if you have Kroger gas points you can use them there to get discounted gas.
New Food City grocery store on Teaster Lane replaces the old one that was on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge for decades. The Pigeon Forge Riverwalk is right behind it, so you can do some walking up and down the river from that location, too!
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Food City
741 Dolly Parton PkwyNew Food City grocery store on Teaster Lane replaces the old one that was on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge for decades. The Pigeon Forge Riverwalk is right behind it, so you can do some walking up and down the river from that location, too!
Food scene
We love this little breakfast-lunch only diner about 9 miles east of Gatlinburg on Hwy 321. The home-cooked food is sooo good. If you head out Greenbrier or Cosby to go hiking, Trish's is the perfect spot to catch a bite to eat.
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Trish's Mountain Diner
3614 East PkwyWe love this little breakfast-lunch only diner about 9 miles east of Gatlinburg on Hwy 321. The home-cooked food is sooo good. If you head out Greenbrier or Cosby to go hiking, Trish's is the perfect spot to catch a bite to eat.