Pigeon Forge, TN, Guide and Information

Music and mountain towns go together like pickin’ and singin.’ You’ll enjoy a lot of both in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee as well as a good amount of twang. Tucked into the foothills in between high ridges on the northern end of the Smoky Mountains, the setting lends itself to sitting back, gazing at the scenery and appreciating some good local music. Here you won’t be disappointed whether you go to a well-known music venue or just take in some good strumming at a back porch gathering.

Music has certainly been a part of the local fiber as early as the eighteenth century when hunters, trappers and traders passed through the valley before the area became an official settlement. But it’s the great country music star Dolly Parton that put this popular tourist destination on the map. Dolly hales from Sevierville and it’s nice to see that despite her international fame, she has not forgotten her roots. You can hear that in her music and experience it at the Stampede Theater and the Dollywood theme park. From Barbecue & Bluegrass, a concert series that features some of the biggest names in bluegrass music and tasty eats to Smoky Mountain Christmas that showcases live holiday shows, there’s always some kind of a musical happening at Dollywood. That’s in addition to daily concerts that highlight all kinds of music, including Southern gospel, authentic string bands and traditional, classic and contemporary country, to name a few. If you like music, you’ll love this park. Be sure also to take in the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame when you’re there. The museum contains all kinds of memorabilia, some of which is replicated in their gift shop.

The weather and scenery are so beautiful in this part of Tennessee that you’ll want to plan lots of time outdoors. That’s easy to do in Pigeon Forge and beyond because there’s so much going on.

For starters, Pigeon Forge is just five miles north of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so nature lovers must plan a day there. Within the heavily forested mountains of the park, you can recreate on some 800 trails punctuated by babbling brooks, waterfalls and a great variety of fauna and flora. If you’re lucky, you’ll capture the mountains on a misty morning and see the blue-ish, smoke-like hues that inspired the Great Smoky Mountains name. Know that even if you’re not an athletic type, you can still enjoy the magnificent nature of this land by taking one of the many scenic drives found within the park.