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Exploring the highlights of Pigeon Forge including Dollywood, unique museums, and southern culinary experiences.
Weekends in college can feel like a never-ending loop of study sessions, dining hall meals, and hopping from one dorm to the next. But what if you could break this cycle and turn your weekends into all kinds of adventures exploring everything that Tennessee has to offer?
This series, Travelin’ Tennessee, is going to be all about getting out of your dorm or apartment and seeing the sights that our beautiful state has to offer.
We all know that Dolly Parton is a Tennessee icon, a powerhouse in the music industry and an all-around fantastic person, but did you know that she has a theme park too?
Dollywood has become the heart of Pigeon Forge bringing in tourists and people from all over the country and the world. With the park’s opening in 1986, they have gained attention due to people's curiosity about the Smokey Mountains and the Appalachian way of life.
The Appalachian way of life is embodied by a close relationship with the land in which the people inhabit. The Appalachian culture also includes their family ties and a close bond with those around them. They stick to their traditions and their culture no matter what, which you still see within the locals you meet. The people there love the land they were raised on and respect it for all it has given them.
Lucky for us students here at the University of Tennessee, Dollywood is only an hour's drive away through some beautiful scenery. Not to mention our student status allows us to have discounted price tickets! Student tickets are available for $51, nearly half the price of regular tickets, according to the UT Student Life website.
“Learning about student prices has made my weekends literally so much more fun. I love being able to get out and have fun with my friends somewhere off campus,” said Lily Barrett, a senior at UT.
Dollywood is full of adrenaline-inducing roller coasters that will help you to blow off some steam. Other than roller coasters, they have amazing shows highlighting true southern music and dancing. Another feature is the delicious Southern food that makes you feel like you are eating a home-cooked meal from any local around.
While Dollywood is a great place to get an adrenaline rush or some good food, Pigeon Forge has much more to offer. Pigeon Forge sounds like it would be small but it has become a bustling town of tourists looking for something fun to do, yet in the right areas it will feel like the small town it has always been. From niche museums to classic southern cooking, Pigeon Forge has it!
Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum is full of rare and interesting artifacts, art, animal oddities and even pop-culture memorabilia. Other interactive museum sites include Alcatraz East Crime Museum that have things that will excite those who are true crime enthusiasts. For the Titanic lovers out there is also a museum all about the ship and the wreck. The building itself is built to look like the actual Titanic! It is filled with artifacts recovered from the ship, twenty-eight-degree water and boats the same size as the rescue lifeboats that some passengers escaped on.
While having all this fun, you will surely need something to eat at one point of your day in Pigeon Forge. There are many restaurants around town, and you are sure to find one that pleases your taste buds. The Alamo Steakhouse, Downtown Flavortown or Mama’s Farmhouse are all popular choices. You’ll find classic southern dishes as well as versions that put a modern twist on all your traditional favorites.
In addition to great meals, you can also have dinner with a show! Dolly Parton has a well-known dinner show, off the property of Dollywood, known as the Dolly Parton Stampede. You can experience thrilling horse riding stunts, classic southern food as well as fantastic musical productions. If that is not your style they also have places such as Pirate’s Voyage which allows you to immerse yourself in the pirate lifestyle. You will see wild pirate battles with Blackbeard himself, acrobatic stunts in addition to mermaids swimming around the lagoon.
No matter what you choose to do during your time in Pigeon Forge, I hope you find something that makes your trip worth it.
