Catch the beauty of the Smokys

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.

If you’re looking for manmade thrills, head over to Dollywood and
hit the jumble of rides and attractions there. You can either go soft with a choo-choo
ride on the Dollywood Express, an authentic coal-fired steam train that takes
you on a breathtaking five-mile journey through the foothills of the Great
Smoky Mountains or you can go big with the Drop Line, a twenty-story tall
free-fall ride that guarantees a thrilling finish. There’s also Dollywood’s
Splash Country Water Park that’s a fantastic place to be on a hot summer’s day.
(Actually the weather can be great in these parts for that kind of water fun in
the spring and fall, too.)

For the real deal on the water, take a whitewater rafting trip
with Big Creek Expeditions in Hartford. Make a full day of it and line up some
ziplining or horseback riding there, too.

Speaking of water, did you know that Pigeon Forge gets its name
from the Little Pigeon River, which was named so because back in the day of the
first Euro-American settlers’ arrivals, passenger pigeons used to flock on the
banks of that river. Go figure!

More horseback riding and ziplining can be found at Next to
Heaven Ranch in Townsend. Don’t you just love that name? Experience nature in
all of its glory on those horseback adventures.

Douglas Lake is a lovely place to immerse yourself in nature
particularly if you’re into boating. Make Mountain Cove your base for either
the day or a week. You can grab a bite at their outdoor cafe, camp there or
best of all rent a pontoon boat. Did somebody say PARTY?

For all kinds of four wheel fun, check out Bluff Mountain Rentals
in Pigeon Forge. If you’re into ATVs, this is the place for you.

This is just a sample of the many attractions you’ll find in and
around Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Wears Valley. Can you believe that there
are about seventy different ones along the Parkway? You’ll find everything from
miniature golf to goat petting.

In Sevierville, shopping definitely qualifies as an outdoor
activity. The town boasts two large outlet malls that include some outdoor
stores and markets. In addition to terrific name brand outlet shopping, you’ll
find all kinds of boutiques, galleries and even flea markets and antique
stores. Have fun and don’t forget your stylin’ shades. Or, just buy some there.