For the most exciting white water rafting in the Great Smoky Mountains, visitors need to look no further than the Pigeon River just outside of Gatlinburg. The Pigeon River runs from North Carolina to Tennessee and features class 3 to 4 rapids, guaranteeing an exciting adventure! Several companies in the Gatlinburg area offer guided trips down the river from early March to November, including Smoky Mountain Outdoors, Rafting in the Smokies and Big Creek Expeditions. All trips run rain or shine, since rafters will be getting wet anyway! All guests on white water rafting excursions should wear tennis shoes or water shoes secured to the feet, shorts and a t-shirt or bathing suit.Read More
Plan to experience new additions to Dollywood in 2013
Dollywood, one of Tennessee’s most famous attractions, plans to unveil new attractions in 2013. Visitors should be pleasantly surprised at the progress the park has made recently. Attendance was down for a few years in a row recently due to the economic troubles in the United States. Last year, the park saw a return of many yearly guests, and revenue went back up. This revenue helped the park to fund two new additions for 2013. People who have visited Dollywood before will enjoy the new feeling they get when they walk around the park next time.Read More
Christmas Shows in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
There is no better way to celebrate the holidays than with Christmas Shows in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Pigeon Forge makes a wonderful family vacation with events and activities to all members of your family throughout the year. It is extra special during the Holidays with Christmas lights along every street and decorated buildings it is as close as you can get to a Christmas town South of the North Pole! From comedy to rock and roll oldies and country music, nothing compares to the music flowing around Pigeon Forge at Christmas! From dinner shows to musical extravaganzas, everyone will enjoy this time of the year at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.Read More
Top 5 Family Attractions in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, located in the picturesque Smoky Mountains, is a small town that offers a wide range of family attractions with activities for people of all ages. Both indoors and out and at any time of the year, Gatlinburg provides entertainment venues and outdoor fun for families from around the country.Read More
The History of Dollywood
Dollywood theme park was opened in 1986 in Pigeon Forge, TN by Dolly Parton. Dolly famous as an entertainer in the music and film industry was originally from the Sevier County, TN area and her love of the area is represented through the history of Dollywood. The land that Dollywood is located on had already been long known and enjoyed as a theme park formerly known as Silver Dollar City.
As of 2011 Dollywood hosts over 3 million guests continually increasing from 2.5 million guests in a typical season, as of 2009, up from 1.3 million visitors in 1986. It is an amusement park that entertains guest of all ages from toddlers, teens to grandparents and is definitely a family friendly experience with a true Smoky Mountain Heritage experience. If you are looking for thrill rides there is a great selection of roller coasters that will impress those with a love for excitement and speed. And the smaller thrill seekers will be just as happy with all the park has to keep them busy with the Country Fair area having most rides with the minimum height requirement.
With Dolly’s talent in music it is a natural fit that she made music a large part of entertainment in Dollywood as well. With many styles of musical shows as entertainment in the park it is Southern Gospel that is the primary focus. Not only is Dollywood know for the great Southern Gospel shows that you will find it is also the site to the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Southern Gospel Music Association. With several theaters throughout the park ranging from intimate
The Smoky Mountains is also known for the art and crafts created and this is a prime spot to see it in action, and to shop for a piece of the art to take with you. In Craftsman Valley and you will find items often made on-site where you can catch a glimpse of the artist in action if your timing is good. With many of the crafts being made while on-site lets you not only watch some being made but also gives you an opportunity to have items customized or let you be hands on yourself. With a wide assortment from candles, jewelry, blown-glass, carved wood, leather and iron crafts the Smoky Mountain Heritage of arts and crafts is widely represented at Dollywood.
Dollywood is open from mid-March through January first annually. The hours and days of operation vary with the season. Each season at Dollywood has become known for each of the festivals held: The Festival of Nations in the Spring; Kids Fest in the Summer; Barbeque & Bluegrass and then National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration in the Fall; and Smoky Mountain Christmas in late November through January. When planning your Smoky Mountain vacation you can view hours of operation and special events by going to the Dollywood website.
Smoky Mountain Ziplines
If you are considering Smoky Mountain ziplines for the first time we have covered some general questions you may have and made a quick comparison of facts for the top ziplines in Sevierville, TN, Gatlinburg, TN, and Pigeon Forge, TN. A zipline is a suspended steel cable rigged to allow a harnessed rider to travel the distance between the ends. Ziplining is a great way to see the amazing views of the Smoky Mountains from a different angle with speed, excitement, and a little daring fun. While soaring above nature you may be going over tree tops, rivers, streams, valleys, and right past other sightseers it gives you a bird’s eye view of what makes the Smoky Mountains so unique. The course that you select will vary but each will give you a great view of the Smoky Mountains with adventure in the outdoors.
You will be grouped with a guide that will be with you for your Smoky Mountain ziplines tour to help with any needs such as positioning your harness, helmet, and gloves that will be provided. Safety instructions will be covered at the beginning before you start with an explanation of using all equipment that you will be provided. All that you really need to bring with you is good comfortable and secure closed toe shoes. Also you will want to avoid wearing dangling jewelry and no skirts (you will be wearing a climbing harness). The temperature can drop when you’re going on a zip line during the winter months, so make sure that you dress appropriately. Thick socks, a warm jacket that can zip up, a warm winter hat, thermal underwear, and even a face mask can be helpful if you’re going to be on a zip lining adventure in the winter months.
While ziplining in the Smoky Mountains is a great activity for almost everyone there are some physical restrictions to keep in mind, these excursions are designed for persons in good physical condition. Participants must have full use of their limbs, and must be comfortable with heights. Pregnant women, guests with existing injuries and/or seizure disorders are not allowed. Guests with current or re-occurring medical conditions should not take this type of tour. You must be able to hike short distances, climb stairs, walk/stand for long periods of time for an average amount of 200. Extreme fear of heights or panic attacks is factors to consider.
| Age / Weight requirements: | Cost: | Length : | Time to anticipate: | Number of zip-lines: | Hours of operation: | Reservations contact: | |
| Foxfire Mountain | 8 + years old / Maximum275 lbs | $89.95 | 600 to 1500 feet | 2 hours | 7 lines | Call for times | 865-453-1998 |
| Adventure Ziplines of Sevierville | Maximum 275 lbs /tandem for < 70 lbs | $69.99 to $94.99 | 450 to 2,500 feet | 45 min to 3 hours | 9 lines | 9am-Midnight | 865-453-8644 |
| Climb Works Canopy | 8 + years old / Maximum270 lbs/ tandem for <80 lbs | $79 to $89 | 3 hours | Monday – Saturday | 865-325-8116 | ||
| Smoky Mountain Ziplines | 8 years old + / between 60 lbs and 250 lbs | $24.95 to $124.95 | 1 to 3 hours | 24 lines | Call for times | 865-429-9004 | |
| Adventure Zip Lines of Pigeon Forge | 3 years old + / between 100 and 275 pounds | $69.99 | 450 to 3,400 feet | 2 1/2 to 3 hours | 6 lines | Call for times | 865-774-3330 |
Pigeon Forge Dinner Shows
Pigeon Forge dinner shows are a great option for anyone who is looking for a fun and unique dining experience. Pigeon Forge attracts thousands of tourists a year because of all the unique activities it has to offer and being near the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Lumberjack Feud is a song and dance dinner show. The show takes place in an arena and features timber athletes competing against one another in various events. Lumberjack Feud is meant to be funny, so you can count on having a good laugh. Lumberjack Feud is also big on audience interaction, so don’t be surprised if you get pulled from the audience to participate!
Another great dinner show in Pigeon Forge is The Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show. The show takes place in a small theater which is great for interaction among actors and guests. If you like to solve mysteries then this is the dinner show is a must see. The Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Show will keep you on the edge of your seat while you enjoy a country-style meal. The shows at this location change daily, so call in advance for a weekly schedule.
The Smith Family Dinner and Show has been voted the best show in Tennessee multiple times. The show is about The Smith Family, three men who share their life experiences. The show is set to catchy country and bluegrass music which will be stuck in your head for days after you leave. The Smith Family Dinner and Show offers one of the biggest varieties of meal options in comparison to other dinner shows.
The Dixie Stampede is one of Pigeon Forge’s most well-known dinner shows. Created by Dolly Parton, The Dixie Stampede is located in the heart of Pigeon Forge and offers a show full of friendly competition. The show consists of horse riding stunts and a delicious four course meal. The Dixie Stampede also offers a preshow, free with the purchase of a ticket, which offers the upbeat sounds of bluegrass and country music. Different from many other shows, The Dixie Stampede offers vegetarian meals.
The shows listed above are great for any family that is looking for a unique way to spend an evening together while enjoying some down-home country cooking!
