Area Information

GATLINBURG
The city of Pigeon Forge dates back to 1820 when pioneer Isaac Love established an iron forge here. Later, his son William built a mill next to the river. The Old Mill, as it is known today, remains operational. The iron forge and flocking pigeons along the river likely gave the town its name. More than 11 million people visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park every year, and Pigeon Forge is located conveniently at the boundary.

Talk about things to do on vacation... outdoors there's golf, miniature golf, downhill snow skiing, Class IV whitewater, hundreds of miles of area streams for fishing and hiking, .. There's also the Craftsmen Fair, Music of the Mountains, Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival, Gatlinburg SpringFest, the River Raft Regatta, Ribfest & Wings, and the Gatlinburg Scottish Festival and Games among others. Arts and crafts are intertwined with Appalachian Mountains history. The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community was established in 1937 and is the largest group of independent artisans in North America. Open year-round, the "loop" offers the best in a wide range of crafts, including shops featuring pottery, quilting, woodcarving, candlemaking, weaving, broommaking, and painting.

Getting around Gatlinburg couldn't be more convenient - Park & Ride on the Gatlinburg Trolleys! The color-coded Trolley routes on the City map can get you around town for as little as fifty cents, and the map also shows all the local parking lots and decks. Board at any of 100 locations. CLICK HERE for more information.

Remember that even your accommodations can be fun when you stay in a cozy chalet or mountain cabin!

Getting to Gatlinburg is easy too. Two airports serve the area, Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport, and McGhee-Tyson near Knoxville. If you are planning to drive in, I-40 exits 407, 432, 435, 443 and others will get you into the area.