Tag Archives: Pigeon Forge

The Island, Pigeon Forge

The Island at Pigeon Forge is a vibrant entertainment complex with activities, shopping and restaurants.  Located on Parkway, the main thoroughfare, our family was ready to end our day watching the sunset and exploring the Island.

The girls were excited for the shopping, the guys were hungry for the restaurants and Nolan couldn’t wait to ride the Ferris wheel.   To work up an appetite, we shopped for souvenirs at the Southern Charm Boutique, kitchen goods at the Paula Deen Store and grocery items at the Island Tiki General Store.

Nolan was entertained by the parrots and begged to have his photo taken with him.  When the attendant put the bird on his finger, he panicked a little, but finally warmed up to “Reggie” the blue and yellow Macaw.  By the time we had collected his photo, Nolan wanted to take Reggie home.

We passed the Ferris Wheel and everyone agreed it would be best if we boarded the ride prior to eating.  There was a short line, so we waited about ten minutes as Nolan danced around in excitement.  He would later tell us it was his most favorite thing to do on our Tennessee vacation.

We decided on the Mellow Mushroom for dinner, ordering the Buffalo Chicken, the Great White and the Mighty Meaty.  With our leftovers in hand, we went in search for dessert.  About half of us decided on The Fudgery  while the other half couldn’t resist the aroma of Cinnabon. So, with our desserts in hand, we found seats near the fountain and watched the light show until leaving for home.

The Island is a fabulous way to spend an afternoon or evening surrounded by so many attractions and eateries, all for a reasonable price.  It was the perfect ending to our busy day of sightseeing.

Have you been to The Island at Pigeon Forge?  What were your favorite things to do here?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

What to See and What to Do:

The Island, Pigeon Forge
131 The Island Drive
Pigeon Forge, TN  37863
Telephone:  865 286 0119

Where to Stay: 

We stayed in a rental through VRBO called the Firefly Chalet.

Where to Eat:

Bennett’s Bar-B-Que
2910 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
Telephone:  865 429 2200

I ordered the Carolina Pork Sandwich and the Salad Bar.

What to Eat:

  • Barbecue

 

The Apple Barn, Pigeon Forge

The Apple Barn story began in the early 1900s,  when the barn was built by the  Mullendore family.  Here, they raised cattle and planted tobacco.  Seventy years later, the barn and property were purchased by the Hicks and Kilpatrick family and they planted their first apple trees in 1976.

A Visit to the Apple Barn is a tradition for the many families that visit Gatlinburg on a regular basis.  I love their breakfasts starting with their complimentary Apple Fritters served with their famous Apple Butter.

Nolan couldn’t wait to eat his pancakes with a spoon and each of us couldn’t wait to see him try.

Scott decided it was too late for breakfast and went for the traditional meatloaf with a side of macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes.  A great hearty meal before our long drive home.

The Original Farmhouse Sampler Trio included a generous serving of fried chicken, chicken and dumplings and chicken pot pie.  I was happy to share my meal, thinking of all the calories in my order.

Mom and Dad each ordered the chicken friend steak with a side of mashed potatoes.

Of course, this family could not leave the restaurant without dessert…from cobbler and ice cream…

To chocolate cake, this family left the Apple Barn without room to spare.  It was time to visit the gift shop and work off a few pounds we had packed on in one seating.

Have you visited the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant?  What did you order?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Apple Barn
340 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN  37738
Telephone:  865 436 7470

Where to Stay: 

We stayed in a rental through VRBO called the Firefly Chalet.

Where to Eat:

Bennett’s Bar-B-Que
2910 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
Telephone:  865 429 2200

I ordered the Carolina Pork Sandwich and the Salad Bar.

What to Eat:

  • Barbecue

The Beautiful Firefly Chalet in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

As our car turned the corner to make the uphill climb to the Firefly Chalet, we witnessed our first bear sighting that included three baby bears and their mother.   Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains are known for its black bears and we couldn’t believe our luck seeing these little cuties so early in our vacation.

Located in the Village of Cobbly Nob, the Firefly Chalet was our Gatlinburg property for our week’s vacation and it was absolutely perfect.   The property includes a golf course, three swimming pools and a tennis court for recreation.  A chalet-style home with three rooms, the Firefly was loaded with fabulous amenities including a hot tub, free WiFi, a pool table and spectacular views of the Great Smoky Mountains.

We booked the property through the Vacation Rentals By Owner website.  There is also a toll-free number to discuss the reservation with an agent which is 888 829 7076.  The 1,675 square foot chalet sleeps six with three bedrooms and attached baths.

The living room has floor to ceiling windows with a phenomenal view of the Smokies.  There is access to the outdoor balcony which was a great place for us to enjoy our morning coffee and to relax under a passing thunderstorm.  The central feature of the main living space is the beautiful stone, wood burning fireplace.

The kitchen was the perfect size, fully equipped with lots of storage space.  There was a breakfast table and additional bar stools for seating.   We used the outdoor charcoal grill to make hamburgers one night and enjoyed an evening of relaxing on the deck.

The chalet sleeps six with a sleeper sofa for an additional guest or two.  The master bedroom features a king-sized bed, private bath and a 24” television  with a DVD and VCR player.  Located on the main level is another king sized bed, 24” television with a DVD and VCR player.  On the lower level where the washer and dryer are located is another guest bedroom with a queen sized bed, 27” television with a DVD and VCR player.

Firefly is conveniently located 2.6 miles to downtown Gatlinburg and 11 miles from Dollywood and Pigeon Forge.  The  property is located on Highway 321 North in Gatlinburg.   For more information, visit the VRBO website to book your holiday at this spectacular chalet.

Have you visited Gatlinburg?  Where did you stay?  I would love to hear about your stay in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading about my stay at Firefly and wishing you many Happy Travels!

Corky’s BBQ in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

It was a long morning of travel and we were all tired when we entered Pigeon Forge.  Looking for a place to eat, we happened upon Corky’s BBQ, which claimed to offer original Memphis BBQ.  A slab of meat sounded fabulous, so we made a U-Turn and stumbled in for a hearty meal.

Their specialty is the ribs that are “lean and tender, hickory-smoked and basted with either Corky’s Original BBQ sauce or a secret blend of dry spices.”  We could choose the regular, large or full rack of ribs served with a choice of two sides.     I decided on the regular sized order of dry ribs with corn and a side salad.

The salad was loaded with tomatoes, red onions, cheese, croutons and a couple strips of bacon.  It was a hearty starter which was enhanced with a side of ranch dressing.

The restaurant offers “Killer Rib Combos” as well as BBQ dinners, starters, BBQ sandwiches and sandwich platters.  The portion sizes were quite generous and we left the restaurant extremely satisfied. It was time to find our chalet and unload the van before turning in for the night.

Do you have a favorite restaurant to visit while in Pigeon Forge?  What would you recommend?  If you have eaten a Corky’s BBQ, I would be happy to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading my post about Corky’s BBQ and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Corky’s BBQ
3584 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN  37863
Telephone:  865 453 7427

Where to Stay:

Firefly is conveniently located 2.6 miles to downtown Gatlinburg and 11 miles from Dollywood and Pigeon Forge. The property is located on Highway 321 North in Gatlinburg. For more information, visit the VRBO website to book your holiday at this spectacular chalet.

Where to Eat:

Corky’s BBQ
3584 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN  37863
Telephone:  865 453 7427

 

Three Bears General Store in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

As the town of Pigeon Forge seemed to be on the verge of a thunderstorm, we wanted to stop at a nearby shop to pick up snacks for the evening,  Noticing a large store in a shopping plaza, we parked the car and entered the Three Bears General Store.

The store was opened in 1979 as a gathering place for families and friends offering such merchandise as clothes, food, toys and souvenirs. Yet, the main attraction that brings visitors to The Three Bears General Store is the Bear Habitat.

Measuring approximately 5.000 square feet, the enclosure houses bears that were rescued from a nearby hunting farm for over 25 bears.

Each bear enjoys its own enclosure as well as a central area containing a waterfall and pond.  During the warmer days, a misting system cools the bears down at designated times during the day.

A small fee of $3 is collected to assist in the maintenance of the bear refuge. Visitors can feed the bears by purchasing a cup of bear food for a small fee.   The best times to visit the general store for bear feedings are during their four feeding times at 10AM, noon, 3PM and 7PM.

Whether you are searching for souvenirs or want to experience a much safer bear encounter, Three Bears General Store is the perfect place to spend a couple of hours while visiting Pigeon Forge.

Have you visited Three Bears General Store to see the bears?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my time at Three Bears General Store and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

The Three Bears General Store
2861 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN  37963
Telephone:  865 453 4734

Where to Stay: 

We stayed in a rental through VRBO called the Firefly Chalet.

Where to Eat:

Bennett’s Bar-B-Que
2910 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
Telephone:  865 429 2200

What to Eat:

  • Barbecue