Pigeon Forge and the Gateway to Dollywood

If ever there were a place that is so crazy, over-the-top Tourist Ville, it would be Pigeon Forge Tennessee. For those of you out there familiar with Wisconsin’s Dells, think of the Dells on steroids and you might be getting close.

Typically we aren’t the tourist-type of traveler. Yet there was something about Pigeon Forge we could not resist, at least for a day. Any longer, and we would have lost our traveling minds. In the heart of Pigeon Forge is the Island. It’s not an island at all, just a wide strip of crazy attractions, eateries and carnival rides in the center of town. For your convenience, there’s a massive parking lot and a series of trolleys that shuttle visitors to and fro.

The first thing you see when you step off the trolley are the dancing waters. From there you can shop for the best hot sauces on the planet (boy did we shop), pick up a Red Neck 6 Pack (Moon pies and RC Cola – both invented in Tennessee. While we passed on the six-pack, there was no escaping the moon pies. If you ordered a sandwich, chances are it comes with a mini-moon pie for dessert whether you want one or not). For the kid in all of us, there’s a nostalgic Merry-Go-Round. Now if you do happen to be hungry, try stopping in at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen. We were saving our appetites for later in the day.

From Pigeon Forge Island, we made a short drive further into town, to the most unbelievable Titanic experience I’ve ever seen. You actually walk through a “ship” one-third of the actual Titanic. Before “boarding” you are given a ticket – a replica of the ones passengers would have received. On the back of your ticket is the name and brief bio of an actual passenger – you are to “become” that person, and by the time you reach the end, you are so invested, you’re heart is beating right out of your chest as you search the survivor rolls, praying that your name is among them. Hubby was a first-class passenger, he did survive. I was a third-class passenger who also survived. Kiddo was among the crew, he went down with the ship.

Our final outing in Pigeon Forge was Dolly Parton’s Stampede Round Up. The show was good. The food delicious, but I will give you a little advise. Save your money and don’t bother with the VIP experience. While you do get to meet 2 of the cast members, during your meet and greet everyone with general admission is being entertained by some talented Country-Western performers. You do get into the arena ahead of everyone else, and are seated in the front row. However; there are no bad seats in the entire place. If anything, you might what to be seated just a bit further back for a more panoramic view. That said, we did enjoy the show.

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Hope you come along again tomorrow as we explore the Great Smokey Mountains. Until then, may God bless you and yours.