Looking for a unique destination in the US to explore? There’s no denying that Tennessee is often a short trip destination for country music lovers heading to Nashville and also known for Elvis fans curious to see Graceland in Memphis but there’s so much more to experience! Whether you love the outdoors, tourist attractions and / or breweries / distilleries and are comfortable doing a car rental, perhaps consider flying into Knoxville then driving out to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, which are little mountain towns in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.
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Knoxville
If you decide to explore Knoxville first, you can park on city streets easily and appreciate historic venues like the Bijou and Tennessee theaters, cocktail lounges, sports bars, and dining options from barbecue to sushi. Market Square offers a picturesque backdrop surrounded by shops, restaurants and bars. If you venture over to the Oliver Hotel you might be able to locate the Peter Kern Library, a sophisticated speakeasy-style bar serving craft cocktails and a small selection of food (highly recommend the baked brie and fig pastry)! You can definitely get a sense of what Knoxville has to offer in just a few hours if you are only in town for a few days.
Pigeon Forge
The drive from Knoxville to Pigeon Forge is only about 40 minutes. You will know you have arrived when you see the streets lined with hotels and tourist attractions. If you go during the winter season everything is very lit up at night. Although there are many accommodation options, the Margaritaville Hotel or the Margaritaville Inn are situated right in the heart of Pigeon Forge on what is called The Island. Both are suitable for couples, families or girls trips. The hotel is a closer walk to the Island attractions but the Inn offers a Southern style breakfast so both are great options. Be prepared to spend a few hours exploring the Island, many tourists say it resembles an amusement park (without any admission fee). There’s a mix of rides (most notably the Great Smoky Mountain ferris wheel), places to eat, shop and even the St. Somewhere Spa. The Island will keep tourists of all ages busy and happy but if you need a rest there are several Adirondack chairs around the large fountain to relax and enjoy the views. Here are a list of favourites at the Island:
- Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen – Amazing shop on the lower level; restaurant is on the upper level.
- Ole Smoky Moonshine – Tastings are a must! Be sure to try the Sour Watermelon, a favourite of Post Malone!
- Parrot Mountain – Visit parrots and other birds, some are up for adoption!
- Byrd’s Famous Cookies – Free samples! Be sure to try the cheddar jalapeno!
- Island Ropes Course – Go before you sample the beer and moonshine!
- Monogram Boutique – Good quality basics that you can have monogrammed on the spot!
- Yee-Haw Brewing Company – If chocolate and beer had a baby, they’d name it Dunkel, which happens to be their award winning German-style lager!
Aside from the Island, Pigeon Forge has a plethora of tourist attractions and places to eat to fill your short stay. Alcatraz East Crime Museum, Wonderworks and the Dolly Parton Stampede Dinner Show are a few unique experiences to put on your itinerary.
Dollywood
However, there are definitely some great things to experience that aren’t in the immediate downtown strip. Most notably is Dollywood, offering more than 40 world-class rides, high-energy entertainment, award-winning dining and the friendliest park atmosphere with typical Southern charm! It opens at 2pm and closes at 9pm during the winter so prepare to be there from open til close. If you have rented a car for your trip, you can park for free near the Old Mill Restaurant to catch a trolly that takes you directly to and from Dollywood for only $3. It’s cheaper than parking on-site, which will allow you to spend more at the park! One might assume that Dollywood would be a theme park celebrating everything Dolly Parton, however it is more so a theme park based on the Great Smoky Mountains. Roller coasters named Wild Eagle, Mystery Mine, Tennessee Tornado and Lightning Rod set the tone accurately. There are other fun rides for those who may not like roller coasters such as the Lumberjack Lift, Treetop Tower and Blackbear Trail. However, the most coveted ride is the Dollywood Express, a 20-minute mountain excursion on an authentic 110-ton coal-fired steam engine train that flaunts breathtaking views, just be sure to line up on time! It is highly recommended to download the Dollywood APP to check wait times and locations of attractions to make the most of your time. It will also provide showtimes for all the live performances, which are incredible!
Gatlinburg
While staying in Pigeon Forge you can also drive about 15 minutes away to Gatlinburg, a small cozy mountain town. Parking is around $10. If you want to seek out a bit of adventure be sure to take the Skylift, a chairlift on a mountain that offers the best views of Gatlinburg. As you arrive at the top you will discover the Skylift Park, which offers the SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America along with trails, observation areas and a tower to explore. Back at the base of Gatlinburg you can explore all kinds of shops, restaurants and sample wine, beer or moonshine. There is also a historic area called The Village, a European themed atmosphere, which is the perfect backdrop for Instagram photos. Here are a list of favourites in Gatlinburg:
- Ole Red – Blake Shelton’s very own eatery with live music and signature drinks.
- Wine Cellar – Home of world-famous cotton candy wine, try the samples!
- Ripley’s Aquarium – The glass bottom boat adventure is really neat!
- Gatlinburg Brewing Company – Craft Brew, Artisan Pizza and Music throughout the Week!
The Smoky Mountains
If you’re an outdoors enthusiast, you can also venture a bit further from Gatlinburg to explore the Smoky Mountains for a drive or hike. The roads are easy to navigate, some have freshly been paved as well. There is no cost to enter the national park but it is suggested to check for any road closures before you go!
Whether you are looking for a 3 day getaway or have an entire week of vacation time, exploring Tennessee is never a bad idea!
