Browsing Pigeon Forge
Belz Factory Outlet World is a major shopping hub located right in the heart of Pigeon Forge. The mall offers over 65 outlet stores to chose from including apparel stores such as the Coleman Factory Outlet, Dickies, and Dress Barn; footwear shops like Rack Room Shoes and Easy Spirit; home goods stores including Tuesday Morning and Black & Decker; and a fragrance outlet, to name a few. Spend part of your day at the shops here where you're sure to find a great variety of goods during your trip to the Pigeon Forge/Smoky Mountains area.
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You'll have your whole evening covered with a visit to the Black Bear Jamboree, as you'll be treated to both dinner and good entertainment. The show here consists of singing and dancing to great musical numbers that range from rock 'n roll to country to bluegrass to gospel. Cast members belt out tunes and dance around while tempting the actors dressed as black bears that hang around the set and provide good comedic relief. During the show, guests get to feast on a delicious Tennessee-style dinner that includes roast chicken, ribs, corn on the cob, potatoes, soup, bread, and dessert. If you'd rather take in a show in the morning, stop in for the Blackwood Breakfast Variety Show, where you'll be entertained by an award-winning gospel show and dine on eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, and more.
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Bluff Mountain Adventures makes it easy to explore the area via one of their four-wheeler tours. Choose from four different tours: the Family Introductory Ride, the Custom Ride, the Mountain Trail Adventure Ride, and the Ridge Run Ride. Tours last from one to two hours, and can be customized to fit your family's needs; Bluff Mountain Adventures even offers "rhino" vehicles that can accommodate both adult and child passengers. The rides traverse over 7,000 miles of trails that criss-cross the bottom of Bluff Mountain, go across streams, and even climb to the top for amazing scenic views.
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Cades Cove is a breathtakingly beautiful valley located within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Nestled between mountains, the expansive and open valley is one of the most popular destinations within the park and offers plenty of wildlife to watch, cycling trails, as well as historic buildings and cabins. Cruise the one-way, 11-mile route along Cades Cove Loop Road, which will take you around the picturesque valley and along various historic buildings including barns, churches, log homes, and a grist mill. Stop by the Cades Cove Visitor Center, which is located in the middle of the Cades Cove Loop Road. Here, you'll find informational brochures about the area as well as exhibits about the local mountain life. You'll also find a shop and bookstore here with some great local finds.
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Christmas season lasts year-round at Christmas Place, a charming shopping village that exclusively features Christmas-themed shops. Also known as the Shops at Bell Tower Square, this is the perfect place to pick up Christmas decor. Old World charm awaits you around the cobblestone walkways of the beautifully landscaped courtyard, filled with lighted trees, topiaries, a carillon and cuckoo clock, and two outdoor trains. Lighted shop windows overflow with Christmas treasures and invite you to browse the unique Bavarian-style village shops that are filled with delightful holiday decorations for home and hearth, including gifts for every age and taste, personal luxuries, Christmas collectibles of all kinds, and delicious hand-made treats. Shops include Christmas Place, Personalizing Gallery, Custom Floral Gallery, Vera Bradley Boutique, Second Nature, Santaland, and Mrs. Claus' Candy Kitchen. Have your picture taken with The Singing Santa, who entertains both the young and the young-at-heart with story and song. Visit The Incredible Christmas Place, the largest Christmas store in the South, and experience the sights and sounds of Christmas every month of the year.
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Get ready to laugh your socks off at this popular Pigeon Forge venue. The Comedy Barn Theater features knee-slapping comedy acts and other performances that are appropriate and fun for the whole family. You'll get to see a wide variety of entertaining bits here, which include magic, music, juggling, barn yard animals, ventriloquists, and (of course) comedy. Oh, and be sure to come ready to join in on the fun, as this show specializes in audience participation. The Comedy Barn is a wonderful place to take the whole gang for a night of hilarious comedy and other great variety acts that you won't forget.
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Part-museum, part-shop, Cooter's Place is all about the Dukes of Hazzard, which was a popular television show from 1979 until 1985. Here you'll find a museum full of Dukes memorabilia and a shop overflowing with souvenirs from the show. True fans will appreciate relics from the show including costumes, props, Cooter's tow truck, Rosco's police car, and Daisy's jeep. The namesake behind this museum is the character of Cooter, played by actor Ben Jones.
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This popular theater will have you toe-tapping and singing along to great folk and country music from the past and present. It has won various accolades and awards for its top-notch entertainment, and is a great place to visit for a fun night out. You'll be treated to a wide variety of amusements, including live music and even livelier shows that range from song-and-dance routines to hilarious comedy sketches. The 1,500-seat theater has recently been renovated, and now features the best in staging, scenery, and audio systems. If you love country music and you're looking for good live entertainment in Pigeon Forge, the Country Tonite Theater is a good bet.
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If you love animals, the Deer Farm Exotic Petting Zoo is the place to go. The petting zoo is home to a variety of gentle animals including goats, deer, camels, sheep, zebras, wallabies, and even kangaroos! Visitors get to mingle around and pet the animals, as well as the option to purchase food to feed them. In addition to the petting zoo, the facility also offers horse and pony rides, which are suitable for all ages. The pony rides are great for little kids, as they're led around by a trained staff member in a fenced-off area of the farm. Try the horse rides if you're older than three years and want to explore the area's trails (with a guide) on a gentle, relaxing ride. Finally, stop at the gift shop where you can pick up animal-themed souvenirs to remember your visit to the Deer Farm.
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For anyone interested in dinosaurs, the Dinosaur Walk Museum in Pigeon Forge is an absolute must see. This fascinating museum features life-sized sculptures of a number of different types of prehistoric animals. The phenomenal feat of these dinosaurs is that rather than being made from actual fossils or bones, the life-like creatures are made by paleo-artists who intricately study the animals and re-create vivid renderings from wood and clay. The realistic relics from the past are a wonderful way for the whole family to learn all about dinosaurs and get an idea of what they used to look like. The museum features a movie theater that plays films about dinosaurs and there are plenty of activities and exhibits here that kids will enjoy, including an interactive fossil dig.
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This dinner show will have you tapping your feet and singing along to famous country and folk tunes. This Dolly Parton creation features not only music, but also entertaining live theater, comedy, horseback riding, and more. While watching the show, guests will also be treated to a four-course meal that includes such tasty vittles as rotisserie chicken, barbecue pork, corn on the cob, homemade biscuits, potatoes, soup, and dessert. Be sure to arrive before the show starts to check out the entertainment in the Carriage Room. You'll get to meet the horses that star in the show, as well as listen to live bluegrass and country music performed by the Mountain Rukus band. Dixie Stampede is a true Tennessee dinner show, and makes for a great way to get dinner and good evening entertainment all at one location.
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Dollywood is an iconic Southern theme park that can't be missed when visiting the Pigeon Forge area. Named for country music superstar Dolly Parton (a co-owner as of 1986), the park offers over 40 rides and shows that feature a Smoky Mountain theme. You'll find rides suited for all ages here, such as the Lucky Ducky Ride that's made especially for the little ones in the group, or the thrilling Thunderhead roller coaster that features 100-foot drops and a top speed of 55 miles per hour. In addition to the rides, Dollywood also offers great shows, including "Heartsong" (hosted by Dolly herself), lively Smoky Mountain String Band concerts, and many others. Although the park is fun to visit year-round, it's especially memorable during one of Dollywood's themed festivals, which include Kidsfest and Smoky Mountain Christmas, among others; check the park's website for festival scheduling.
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Explore Dollywood's Splash Country water adventure park featuring 30 acres of unique Smoky Mountain fun. Twice recognized by the Travel Channel as one of the country's top ten water parks, Dollywood's Splash Country is situated in a lush, wooded mountain setting like no other. Enjoy peaceful relaxation with a splash of adventure at The Cascades, an 8,000 square-foot leisure pool. Quench your thirst for adventure on rides like Fire Tower Falls or Big Bear Plunge. The fun never ends with the Downbound Float Trip lazy river, two interactive children's play areas and a variety of water adventure slides.
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Douglas Lake is a popular area locale for fishing, boating, swimming, and summertime camping. The area attracts about 1.7 million people each year to its 550 miles of shoreline, and is a great place for recreational fun. In 1943, Douglas Lake was created by damming up the French Broad River for the purposes of both flood control and creating hydroelectric power. Boaters love visiting Douglas Lake because it is large enough for everyone to roam, as at its maximum capacity it contains about 30,000 acres of water spread over its length of 43.1 miles. Although much of the lake's shores are privately owned, there is plenty of public recreation space located at the dam, including camp sites, a boat launch, showers and restrooms, and a nice swimming beach.
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Elvis fans won't want to miss the Elvis Museum in Pigeon Forge as it is one the largest private collections of Elvis memorabilia in the world! Exhibits here include two of Elvis's cars, a 1973 Lincoln Continental Stretch Limousine (which was the last limo Elvis owned), in addition to a 1967 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, (dubbed the Honeymoon Cadillac because Elvis used on his honeymoon with Priscilla in Palm Springs). The extensive collection features many of Elvis's personal items from his homes, including one-of-a-kind jewelry, clothing, old sports attire, and countless tour artifacts such as a Fender electric guitar and tour jackets from the Elvis entourage. The collection was started by Mike L. Moon, who began collecting Elvis items in 1971. Moon's inspiration to collect really soared when Elvis gave Moon the black leather belt he was wearing after Moon complimented it at a party in Las Vegas. The museum opened in 1979 and the collection has accumulated to its massive size that you see today. Beyond browsing the museum, check out the TCB Theatre located directly above the Elvis Museum. Here, live Elvis tribute musicians play concerts Wednesday through Saturday evenings. If you can't make the evening show, the theater is also open during regular museum hours and shows free videos about Elvis.
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Flyaway Indoor Skydiving offers quite the unique opportunity: to experience the thrill of skydiving without having to jump out of an airplane. Flyaway features one of the country's first vertical wind tunnels that creates the feeling of free-fall and is even used as a training facility for actual skydivers. The entire experience consists of a 20-minute training course where fliers learn about safety precautions and about body control techniques. Next, fliers suit up and spend 15 minutes learning about their safety equipment and jump into their suit. Along with an instructor and four other fliers, you'll enter the wind tunnel and spend about three minutes of actual flight time during the 15-minute group session. This action-packed activity is a great way to feel the adrenaline rush of free-fall and flight.
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Located about 25 minutes from Pigeon Forge, the Forbidden Caverns present a great place to explore the natural geology of the area. The caverns are made of flint, onyx, and other types of rock, and were once used as a shelter and source of water for Eastern Woodland native tribes in the area. During the 1940s, the caves were used as a place to make illegal moonshine, as they were hidden underground and provided a constant stream of water. Finally, in 1964, the area was excavated and opened up for the public to explore. The caverns feature stunning natural features such as chimneys, grottoes, stalagmites and stalactites, and a beautiful clear stream. Visitors are led on a tour of the caverns, which takes about an hour, so plan accordingly.
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Hop aboard the Fun Time Trolley for an easy, worry-free, and inexpensive way to travel the Parkway (the "main strip") that runs through Pigeon Forge. The trolley's routes cover the area from the Governor's Crossing area of Sevierville (in the north), down along the Parkway, to the Gatlinburg Welcome Center located at the southern end of Pigeon Forge. Stopping at various points along the five-mile route, the trolley makes it simple for passengers to see many of the city's main attractions without having to drive a car. Attractions that are located on the Parkway (which is the majority of them) are easily accessible via the trolley, which also reaches a few that are located off of the main road, such as Dollywood, Dollywood's Splash Country, and Belz Factory Outlet World. All trolley routes start at Patriot Park and extend on various loops from there, making it very easy to park a car at a central location and ride from there for your day of sightseeing.
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To get your fix of golf (and not the mini variety), head to the Gatlinburg Municipal Golf Course. The 6,281-yard course features 18 holes spread over rolling terrain that affords beautiful scenic views of the Smoky Mountains. It was originally designed by course architect William Langford, and was renovated in 2007 by the Bob Cupp & Associates to add re-built greens and re-designed fairways. There is also a great pro shop located at the course, which stocks the best in clubs, balls, attire, and any other equipment you may need, as well as houses the cafe/snack bar.
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From Pigeon Forge, trek south towards the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Gatlinburg's famous eight-mile loop of art studios, shops, and galleries. Dubbed the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, this historic art trail was established in 1937 and is considered one of the largest groups of independent artisans in the country. Along the eight miles, you'll find every kind of arts and crafts imaginable from hundreds of local artists. Take your time visiting the over 100 shops and galleries where you can browse some great art collections and in most places, you'll have the chance to meet the artists. Before the community was officially established, groups of artists would gather in the streets of downtown Gatlinburg to make and sell their work. Local wood carver John Cowden decided to move his business to his nearby home and invite tourists to come there. This idea sparked a change for the better and many of the local craft artists followed by opening their home studios to tourists. Since then over 120 artists have done this and together they form this great community of local art, which is a great place for visitors to go to immerse themselves in the local culture as well as find some unique local art gems.
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This gorgeous national park is known worldwide for its breathtaking mountainous beauty, lush forests, and diverse wildlife. It is one of the most visited parks in the United States' National Parks System, and (as it encompasses about 814 square miles of the Great Smoky Mountains) is one of the largest protected plots of land in the eastern part of the country. Foundation of the park was authorized by the U.S. Government in 1926, and it really grew in the 1930s through major projects completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration. Today park visitors enjoy the over 850 miles of hiking trails, many fishing lakes and streams, and great variety of campsites that are included in the park's many assets. There are also about 70 unique historical buildings scattered throughout the park that have been preserved and restored for visitors to enjoy; the park's historic log building collection is even one of the largest in the eastern United States.
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This popular visitor attraction is a hit with motor-heads and pop culture fans. The museum houses a collection of over 40 original or reproduction cars that were either once owned by famous celebrities or starred in television shows or movies. Examples of the automobiles you'll see here include Dolly Parton's Cadillac, the General Lee from the television show
The Dukes of Hazard, Elvis Presley's Lincoln, Herbie the Love Bug, the Delorean from
Back to the Future, and many more. The Museum also houses a large collection of James Bond memorabilia and props--in fact, it's one of the largest in the United States.
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This amusement center is full of fun attractions for the whole family. Lazerport Fun Center, as the name suggests, features two massive laser tag arenas that each encompass over 7,000 square feet. Laser tag games last for a total of 15 minutes and begin every 20 minutes. The fun center also features a large arcade full of all of the most popular arcade games. Step outside and enjoy the center's impressive go-kart track, which goes as high as 50 feet, or three stories, and has plenty of twists, turns, and spirals. Inside, you'll find a black light miniature golf course where you can play 18 holes all in the dark with neon features and obstacles. Lazerport Fun Center is definitely a great place to go if you want to keep the kids entertained.
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This popular theatrical production in Pigeon Forge is known for its show,
The Miracle, which tells the life of Jesus Christ. The epic production is a musical spectacular that features a generously-sized cast of singers, dancers, actors, lighting and special effects technicians, and even live animals. The shows bring biblical stories to life and are designed for the enjoyment of the whole family. In front of the Miracle Theater, Noah's Ark offers camel rides, which include a souvenir photo and the chance to ride camels that are actually used in the theater show.
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Mountain Valley Winery is a great place to go if you're looking for a good glass of local wine in a convenient, downtown location. The winery specializes in a variety of wines, including merlot, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, muscadine, and others, so there are plenty options for you to taste. Tours of Mountain Valley are free and open to the public, and provide a great insider's look into the process of winemaking, storage, and tasting. There's also a gift shop located at the winery, which features delicious cheeses and other local farm products.
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For an adrenaline-pumping activity, head to the NASCAR SpeedPark Smoky Mountains. They offer eight different racetracks, so whether you like to drive fast or slow, you'll be able to customize your racing experience here. Head to the "Intimidator" track for the ultimate in driving challenges, or try the "Family 500" for a more relaxed race and your choice of a one- or two-seater car. Or, for an experience that feels the closest to that of an authentic NASCAR pro, spin your wheels on the "Smoky Mountains Speedway" where guests get the opportunity to drive a half-scale Nextel Cup car on a quarter mile course. If racecar driving isn't your thing, the SpeedPark has you covered with a variety of other activities, including a climbing wall, an arcade, mini-golf course, indoor playground, and more.
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Ober Gatlinburg is the only ski resort in the area, so if you're looking to spend some time on the slopes, this is the place to be. There are eight ski trails on the mountain that are serviced by three chairlifts, so there is plenty of terrain here to explore. When it's not winter, Ober Gatlinburg is still a great place to have fun. The tram is a popular attraction, as it ferries passengers up the hill for a scenic tour of the area. There is also a chairlift that's open in warmer weather, and serves as both a scenic ride and a way to get to the top of the popular alpine slide attraction. Finally, if you're still looking for entertainment options here, head to the indoor ice skating rink, bungee run, water slides, arcade, or the Smoky Mountain Wildlife Encounter.
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This popular local park offers a nice place to sit and relax or run around and play during your visit to Pigeon Forge. One of the park's most popular features is its large covered pavilion, which can be rented out for private functions and offers a great place to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a day of nice weather. The kids will love the open space here that's great for a game of tag, and adults will like the half-mile walking trail that winds through the park and features state flags lining its borders, as well as memorials to the war veterans of Pigeon Forge. Many of the community's festivals and annual events are held at Patriot Park, including a 4th of July fireworks show, bluegrass festivals, and live concerts; check with the city's special events department to find out what's going on during your visit.
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Head to Pigeon Forge City Park for a nice afternoon of sports, recreation, or just relaxing. The park offers a great variety of venues for different activities, including five baseball/softball fields, two basketball courts, six tennis courts, a volleyball court, and even a horseshoe pit. There are also two playgrounds located at the park--one is specifically designed for younger toddler-aged kids and the other for older children. If you're looking for a place to hold a picnic or other function, the park is a great option as it offers two large pavilions that can be rented out; they both feature picnic tables, restrooms, and a brick grill.
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Characterized by its red roof, the Pigeon Forge Factory Outlet Mall is right along the main drag of Pigeon Forge and is often dubbed the "Red Roof Mall". There are plenty of stores to choose from in this large complex including women's and men's clothing, childrenswear, footwear, and housewares. Browse the specialty stores for everything from handbags to jewelry to sunglasses.
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Grab your pan and prospector's intuition and mine for your own gems! This mine is modeled after the many ruby and sapphire gem mines that used to operate in the Pigeon Forge area during the late 1800s. A visit to this mine will recreate the old gem-mining experience, from digging a bucket of sand and dirt from the stream bed to filtering it through a screen to find gemstones. After finding your stones here, take them inside to the General Store, where an assayer will look at them and help decide which ones can be cut and polished. The next step is to have the stones cut and professionally set into a piece of jewelry of your choice (if you choose). The Pigeon Forge Gem Mine is a great place for people of all ages to partake in a local tradition--and even come away with a shiny souvenir.
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This popular miniature golf course is located right in the heart of Pigeon Forge along the Parkway. Fun for the whole family, Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf offers an enjoyable course with mining caves, ancient ruins, and even waterfalls. You'll begin your game by boarding a little train that whizzes around the course to drop you off at the first hole. Lost Treasure Golf has two 18-hole courses to chose from and is easy to find while driving along the Parkway, as it features a large shipwreck and a yellow airplane as landmarks!
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Escape the amusement parks and indoor arcades of Pigeon Forge to enjoy some of the best scenery in Tennessee from the vantage point of the Pigeon River. Rafting in the Smokies offers adventurous white water rafting trips, which float down the Pigeon River starting from their river outpost in Hartford, TN. The company also has a main office in Gatlinburg. The rafting season runs from March through November and the company has been organizing rafting adventures since 1978 with a continuously excellent reputation. The raft trip lasts about an hour and a half and floats a five-mile stretch of the river where you'll experience 12 class-three rapids and three class-four rapids. Each raft holds about six to seven guests, and of course each raft is guided by a staff river expert. With no experience necessary, this activity is a great way to experience the beauty and action of the river with the comfort of being led by experts so you can enjoy the scenery and the thrilling adventure.
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Although it's a far cry from a real African or South American rainforest, this zoo does a good job in presenting a wide variety of animals from around the globe. The facility is home to about 400 rainforest animals, including such exotic creatures as the African spur thigh tortoise, rhinoceros iguana, ring-tailed lemur, red kangaroo, poison dart frog, and many others. You'll get to walk around indoors and outdoors to visit the animals in enclosures that resemble their native habitats; be sure to remember your camera as this is a great place to take memorable photos. Also, don't miss the wonderful educational programs available at the zoo; they're all led by trained professional zoo staff and they present a good opportunity for members of the audience to see some of the animals up close.
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Although you might think to yourself, "an aquarium in the middle of the mountains?", this is a truly wonderful place to visit. It offers a chance to see animals that one wouldn't normally see in Tennessee, such as sharks, horseshoe crabs, stingrays, and even a giant octopus! To make it easy to navigate, the aquarium is split up into different themed sections, including the Tropical Rain Forest, Ocean Realm, Coral Reef, Shark Lagoon, Stingray Bay, and others. For a more interactive look at the great variety of marine animals found here, head to the Discovery Center, where you'll be able to learn using hands-on exhibits, solving puzzles, and even touch live animals in the touch tanks. The aquarium also has a great gift shop and cafe on-site, making it nice place to spend the afternoon with the family.
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For a look at some great worldly oddities, head to Ripley's Believe it or Not! Museum. It features an eclectic collection of unique treasures such as shrunken heads and instruments from medieval times. For a one-of-a-kind souvenir, take part in the wax dipping, where you can dip your hand in wax and take home the dried sculpture. The museum is housed in a building that looks like it has survived an earthquake, complete with huge cracks in both the interior and exterior walls, fitting in with the oddity theme of the venue.
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This mini golf venue offers two great 18-hole courses set amidst the scenery of the mountains. The courses both feature a Smoky Mountain theme, complete with lots of animated animals and other figures. You'll see raccoons, squirrels, and bears rambling about while you're playing, and you'll also be challenged by drops, water features, and winding holes. There's even a "Bluegrass Critter Band" that plays toe-tappin' tunes to accompany your game. This is definitely one of the most animated, state-of-the-art mini golf courses you'll find in the area and is a great place to take the whole family.
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Get ready to be spooked at this popular Gatlinburg attraction. In true Ripley's fashion, this haunted house presents creepy items and background stories that will make the hairs stand up on the necks of even those who are not easily scared. The Haunted Adventure is set in an old casket factory that was closed down in 1926 after both of its owners mysteriously disappeared and many unnatural things were happening around the building (Believe it or Not!). Visitors get to go on a tour of the casket factory, and are confronted with horrifying scenes, great live acting, and memorable special effects.
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Visit this entertaining venue for an experience that will tickle all of the senses. It's a 4-D virtual reality theater that offers visitors a chance to not only watch a movie, but also experience it and move along with the action on the screen. You'll watch the film in a full-sized theater that uses large-format 70mm film while your seat moves you in eight different directions to coordinate with the movie--you'll move up, down, and sideways, depending on what's happening on screen. The whole experience lasts about 12 to 15 minutes, allowing you to have a great time at the theater without having to invest two hours like you would at a regular movie theater.
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Floating the Little River is a must-do while visiting Pigeon Forge. At River Rage Tubing, you'll find a staff of friendly, helpful river enthusiasts who are willing to make sure you have a great time on the water. Here, you can rent tubes and jump into the flowing water at one of three of River Rage's private river access locations. Guests are also granted access to the company's all-day shuttle service, which drops passengers off at specified river access points and picks them up at the end of a float. During your journey, you'll also be outfitted with a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket to wear during your floats, ensuring a fun and safe experience. If it's a warm day in the Pigeon Forge area, you really can't beat a great day on the river, and River Rage offers a convenient and affordable way to get your feet wet.
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The Riverwalk Greenway presents a nice place to take a walk along the west prong of the Little Pigeon River that runs through Pigeon Forge. The trail stretches for four miles from one end of town to the other, and is accessible at various points along the way (such as at Patriot Park and Jake Thomas Road). Be sure to stop at the Plaza at Butler Street and Ashley Avenue, where you can take a break from your run or walk and enjoy the park benches, water fountain, and memorial that's dedicated to English McCarter, a past City Commissioner. If you're looking for a nice place to take a walk in town, the Riverwalk Greenway fits the bill, and even provides great shade, lush green scenery, and a nice babbling stream.
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What better way to see the beautiful scenery of the Smoky Mountains and the surrounding Tennessee landscapes than by air? The Scenic Helicopter Tours company based in Pigeon Forge offers a number of great and affordable helicopter tours. Relish the opportunity to gain a bird's-eye view of the Tennessee terrain on any one of the flights. If you simply want to go for a quick ride in a helicopter, for under $10 per person, you can sign up for an introductory flight that only goes about 1,000 feet in the air and two miles in distance. Spend a bit more time in the air and take in breathtaking views on the River Island Flight, Douglas Lake Flight, Bluff Mountain Flight, Foothills Flight, Mountain Valley Flight, Gatlinburg Flight, Wears Valley Flight, or the Scenic Special Flight, which is considered the pilot's choice flight offering a wide variety of views. The deluxe package would be the Grand Tour Flight where you chose where you'd like to have the pilot fly. Any of these wonderful flights are sure to provide vivid memories and offer an exciting alternative way of seeing the area.
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Starring Charlie, Jim, and Charlie Bob Smith (yes, they're related), this show entertains guests with a fun variety show. There is great music (you'll hear genres such as country, bluegrass, rock 'n roll, oldies, and gospel), impressive acting (including realistic impersonations of famous celebrities), and even a tribute to the Andy Griffith Show. In addition to all of the musical entertainment, you'll also get to hear side-splitting, family-friendly comedy routines. New for 2009, a show at the Smith Family Theater also includes a tasty country-style dinner buffet. Guests can arrive about an hour before show time and load up their plates with delicious vittles such as chicken strips, meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, corn, green beans, and even carrot and chocolate cake.
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The Smoky Mountain Car Museum is a great place to go for an inside look at rare, antique, and famous automobiles. You'll get to see a wide variety of cars ranging from a vintage 1921 Briggs & Stratton Buckboard car to an Aston Martin used in the James Bond movie
Goldfinger. There are other famous cars here, including one of Elvis Presley's Mercedes Benz, Evil Knievel's Harley Davidson motorcycle, and David Akeman's (of
Hee Haw fame) Cadillac. The museum is laid out like a large garage, with automobiles scattered throughout the building, so you can feel free to wander around and check out the collection at your leisure.
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Luxury awaits you at this sumptuous spa located at Sevierville's Oak Haven Resort. Tucked up in the mountains, the cozy spa is housed in a log cabin and offers a wide array of spa treatments. Unwind and de-stress with one of the many massage therapy treatments offered here that range from Hot Stone Massages to Anti Cellulite massages, and there's even a Mommy-to-Be Massage! Treat yourself to any number of indulgent treatments; the Spa at Oak Haven offers skin care, thermal body treatments, hand and foot care, and body contour wraps. If you opt to stay at the Oak Haven Resort, you won't be sorry. The lovely resort is nestled in the woods in the mountains and is a great escape while still being close enough to popular surrounding attractions such as the Great Smoky Mountains.
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Lace up those roller skates and join the fun at Spin City Skate Center. The colorful retro design inside the center is the perfect backdrop for a fun night out with the whole family. The skating rink is open for public skating most evenings, and even features live DJ entertainment on most Friday and Saturday nights. If you've tired yourself out from skating, head over to the arcade, where you'll find a wide variety of games and activities ranging from air hockey to video games. Pizza and other concessions are also available at Spin City, so you can easily combine dinner with great evening entertainment that will keep everyone occupied for hours.
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The first half of this show is centered around the history of music in Tennessee. You'll hear a wide variety of musical styles, including bluegrass, country, blues, southern gospel, Grand Ole Opry, and even the music of Elvis! The second half allows the performers to showcase their talents by performing musical numbers from the 1950s through the 1980s, and providing other forms of entertainment such as comedy and dancing. Guests will particularly love the Elvis impersonation, as the performer looks, acts, and sings just like the "King". You'll leave this theater with an understanding of the music of Tennessee and the impact it's had on the culture and lifestyle of the state, in both the past and present.
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Originally constructed around 1830, the Old Mill was a central community gathering place that produced ground meal and flour for residents of Sevier County. Today, the mill still functions in the same way, producing flour, cornmeal, grits, oats, and other stone-ground products for people across the globe. The original structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a popular visitor attraction in the Smoky Mountain area. In addition to the mill itself, the area includes Old Mill Square, which is made up of a pottery store, kitchen store, creamery, toy bin, candy shop, and restaurants that invite shoppers to enjoy and bring home mill products and other old-fashioned souvenirs.
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This family fun center has it all in terms of recreation. Zip around one of the many go-kart tracks including the Wild Woody, a wooden track that spirals up three stories or race around the standard track that features overpasses. Although you must be four-foot, ten inches to drive, there are double-seated karts so smaller kids can ride as passengers. Cool off in the Blaster Boats where you're sure to get soaked or enjoy the bumper cars and keep dry. The Track also has a great miniature golf course as well as more thrilling rides including a 65-foot bungee jump, the skydiving-like SkyFlyer, and an entire arcade. The little ones can head over to Kids Country where all the rides are geared toward younger children.
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Walden Creek Stables is the perfect place to get a taste of the western frontier in Tennessee. Visitors have the opportunity to go on a variety of horseback rides here, ranging from four two-hour trail rides to overnight camping rides. Everyone in the family can enjoy the horseback rides, and children as young as five can ride their own horse, while those ages four and younger can ride with an adult. As an added bonus, visitors can also choose to attend the Wild West Dinner Show, which takes place from May through October and features live action entertainment, a bonfire, local Tennessee musical performances, and a delicious western dinner (the menu is usually made up of barbecue pork, hot dogs, vegetables, chips, and a variety of beverages). You'll even get to ride to the show area on a wagon train hay ride that departs from the frontier village and winds through the hilly valley.
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This complex of shops and restaurants makes for a great place for the whole family to take a stroll. It's conveniently located on the main drag (the "Parkway") in Pigeon Forge, and offers a nice variety of retail and dining establishments. Shops here range from the well-known (think Birkenstock and Harley Davidson) to the more obscure (i.e. Red Rocket, which specializes in retro pop culture items). Restaurant options are equally as diverse, and include the Atlanta Bread Company, Smoky Mountain Brewery, Kilwin's Chocolates and Ice Cream, and others. If you've got the little ones in tow, or just want a break from shopping, head to the center of the Landing where you'll find Firehouse Golf, offering two 18-hole mini golf courses with a fire fighting theme.
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Wonder Works is a wacky attraction featuring over 120 interactive exhibits geared towards children. The building itself is completely upside down and offers educational and hands-on fun for the entire family. While the legends are of course a tale for children, Wonder Works suggests that its mysterious origins began as a secret facility on a remote island in the Bermuda Triangle where mad scientists conducted bizarre experiments, and one these experiment gone awry hurled the building into the sky only to land here in Pigeon Forge. Kids will love all of the science-based, yet very fun displays and exhibits where they can delve into a variety of subjects and oddities. There are theaters, rock climbing, an inversion tunnel, a Disaster Zone focusing on earthquakes and other famous natural disasters, a Space Zone where kids can explore the possibilities of outer space, and many more amusing areas. Tickets gain admission to the museum itself, but there is also a laser tag arena and arcade here and tickets for these activities are sold separately. Stick around into the evening for the Hoot N' Holler dinner show, which claims to be the funniest dinner show in the area. Here, you can dine on a three-course Italian dinner while enjoying a two-hour comedy show complete with dancers, singers, comedians, and a healthy dose of audience participation that kids will love.
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ZORB Smoky Mountains is the latest adventure activity from the adventure capital of the world, New Zealand. And, ZORB Smoky Mountains is the only official ZORB site in the USA, so you won't have to travel all the way down under to experience this adventurous and bizarre activity. Jump in one of the original ZORB globes and get ready for the ride of your life as you slip, slide, and roll head over heels down the specially designed mountainside. This activity is great for most ages (you must be eight years old and over) and fun for the family as you will be laughing the whole way down the hill. Photos and merchandise are available for purchase to remember your ZORB experience.
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