Pigeon Forge
 Once upon a time, Pigeon Forge was
nothing more than a quiet little place to stop and gas up the car on your way to the Smoky Mountains. Nowadays, it’s a primary tourism destination in its own right. Within the span of just a few short miles you’ll find enough fun to fill a summer’s worth of vacations.
One of the first things you’ll have to decide when visiting Pigeon Forge is where you’ll stay. Don’t worry. A tremendous number and variety of accommodations lie within easy reach of the heart of town. From charming mom-and-pop motels to nationally known hotel franchises to vacation cabins and condominiums full of amenities, there’s something for every preference and budget.
The bulk of what you’ll discover in Pigeon Forge is found either on or within a short drive of U.S. Highway 441-otherwise known as the Parkway. You’ll have no trouble getting around by car, but if you prefer to let someone else do the driving, you can catch the Pigeon Forge Fun Time Trolley at any of its numerous stops throughout town. Best of all, it only costs two bits per ride.
Of course, once you’re out on the town, the possibilities are just beginning. For fun, you might visit Dollywood, the most visited theme park in the state. Dolly welcomes the world to the Smokies each springwith her Festival of Nations in April, and visitors can cool off all summer at Dolly’s Splash Country, a wet ‘n‚ wild, $20 million water park. New for 2002 is Adventures in Imagination, a $10 million attraction where imaginations can run wild.
Don’t forget that all along the Parkway there’s no shortage of amusements and attractions-from go-carts, bungee jumping and laser tag to miniature golf, car museums and even another water park.
If you’re the type that gets your kicks from shopping, welcome to paradise. Four major outlet centers and a host of shopping plazas are filled with an incredible range of merchandise, including clothing, arts and crafts, appliances, housewares, books, music and much more. At the outlet malls in particular, you’ll often find name-brand merchandise for sale at unbeatable prices.
The action in Pigeon Forge doesn’t slow down at night either. Two new music theater shows debut in 2002, bringing to a total nine theaters lining the Parkway. These venues present professional music shows that are family-friendly and appropriate for all ages. Everything from country and bluegrass to gospel, patriotic and rock ‘n‚ roll are presented on their stages. And there’s no shortage of variety to go around; look for shows featuring comedy, magic and even thrilling displays of horseback riding.
No matter what you do in Pigeon Forge, remember that you’re going to get hungry. The good news is that you can hardly take two steps down the street without running into a restaurant. The bad news is that trying to choose one could take up the better part of a morning! No matter which way you look at it, there are dining options galore, including hearty American bistros, ethnic eateries and even unique celebrity-themed restaurants.
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