Have you been to Dollywood theme parks this year?  Now is the optimum time to travel to Pigeon Forge.  The weather is warm and sunny, there are plenty of things to do and a variety of attractions are open for your enjoyment.  At the area’s best theme parks – Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country – you can take part in thrilling attractions, high flying coasters, adrenaline-filled tube rides, and entertaining shows. 

Wild Eagle at Dollywood

 Make planning your trip to Dollywood even easier by reserving a Dollywood vacation package.  You can combine Dollywood tickets with tickets to Dollywood’s Splash Country or even Dixie Stampede – the choice is yours.  A variety of area lodging choices available mean you can customize your purchase by choosing the hotel at a price point and location that fits your travel needs.  Want to do even more while you’re on vacation?  You can add on additional shows and attractions in Pigeon Forge, too.

One of the must-ride attractions at Dollywood is Outlaw Run.  The winged-style coaster simulates the flight of an eagle for a free-as-a-bird attraction you’ll want to ride again and again.  Catch the new show “My People” at the Dreamsong Theatre.  The show features family members of Dolly Parton and tells his life story growing up in Tennessee.  It is one of six new shows debuting this year at Dollywood.  Over at Splash Country you’ll want to hop aboard RiverRush.  Tennessee’s only water coaster combines the twists and turns of a land coaster with the excitement of white water rafting for a unique experience. 

Scenic Helicopter Tours

The Great Smoky Mountains are a stunning sight welcoming over 14 million visitors a year.  Many visitors choose to tour the National Park by auto-touring, hiking or even horseback riding.  However, one of the best way to see the grandeur of the Smoky Mountains is with a helicopter tour.  You’ll get a birds-eye-view of mountains, valleys and the towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.  Fly above the rolling mountains as you see the natural beauty of the area come to life as you soar above it.

Pigeon Forge helicopter tours are available through:

• Scenic Helicopter Tours
• Sevier County Helicopter Rides

Both companies offer variety of flights, so you can choose the sights you’d like to see during your helicopter tour.  Flights range from 2 miles to 90 miles.  Sights include the French Broad River, the National Park, Douglas Lake, Bluff Mountain, Clingman’s Dome and Mt. LeConte.  Reserve a flight today to see the Smokies in a whole new way! 

During the summer in Pigeon Forge one of the best things to do is hit the river.  At River Romp you can rent tubes and float down the scenic Little Pigeon River.  It’s a laidback yet exciting day outdoors perfect for summer days in the Smokies.  Plus, River Romp is located less than five miles to Dollywood so it’s convenient to access from any Pigeon Forge hotel. 

Each trip down the river takes about two hours.   You begin at the “Barn” and travel approximately 2.5 miles.  The trip ends at the Pavilion, with is hotlined with a phone to River Romp.  Call to dispatch a driver to take you back to headquarters.  From there, you can eat a picnic or even take another ride on the river.  Yes – for the low price of $11 you can tube the river all day long , as  many times as you’d like.  You can even leave and return, prior to 4pm, and ride again if you’d like. 

Tubing down the beautiful, secluded mountain river that is the Little Pigeon you can reconnect with nature and celebrate the natural setting before you.  Its old-fashioned fun yet one of the most popular summer activities in Pigeon Forge.  Kick your feet up, relax and take in a day at the river for a day of summer fun in the Smokies.

Everyone ages 5 and up is welcome to tube.  Kayak rentals are also available for $17. 

Visiting Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in early August?  Then head to The Old Mill Square for Stringtime in the Smokies.  The event, scheduled for August 4, 2013, features a cornhole tournament in memory of Sergeant Brett Benton at 11am. Then stick around for live bluegrass music beginning at 7pm.

The Smoky Mountain Cornhole Tournament is divided into professional and amateur divisions. Both divisions consist of teams of two and 1st through 3rd places will win prizes. There will also be prize drawings for the amateur group throughout the tournament. Pre-registration is open until July 19 at a discount rate. Registration ends on August 1. Cornhole (aka bean bag toss) is played by throwing bean bags at a raised platform with a hole in the far end.

Bring your lawn chairs for the live bluegrass music that begins at 7pm at The Old Mill Square. Performers this year include Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, Will Tate and Six Mile Express. Event is free and fun for the whole family.

The Old Mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The mill, which is still in operation, is one of the most photographed mills in the country.  It is home to a variety of classic stores and is the perfect place to get a taste of true southern cuisine.  The Old Mill Restaurant serves up selections such as country-fried steak, sugar-cured ham, pot roast and gravy, chicken and dumplings and chicken potpie.

July 1-August 4: Great American Summer at Dollywood
Make more time for summertime with extended park hours and shows for the entire family, including nightly fireworks displays, the Great American Country Show and Gazillion Bubbles Show during Great American Summer at Dollywood. 

July 8-13:  Smoky Mountains Family Camp

Spend your family vacation in the Smoky Mountains hiking, swimming, exploring, and studying wildlife. Lodging and meals are included in the cost.

July 4:  Patriot Festival
Independence Day celebrations will take place at Patriot Park from noon until 10 p.m. There will be food, games, entertainment, and fireworks. Pigeon Forge trolleys will shuttle visitors to and from Patriot Park from the municipal parking lot on Teaster Lane. Parking and trolleys are free.

July 5:  Sawyer Brown in Concert
Sawyer Brown will be performing at the Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge at 8pm. Some of Sawyer Brown's hits include "Step That Step", "Betty's Bein' Bad", "Some Girls Do", "Thank God for You", and "The Dirt Road.”  Call 800-792-4308 for tickets.

July 27-28:  Bobby Bare and Connie Sue in Concert
Bobby Bare and Connie Sue will be performing at the Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge at 8pm.  In addition to being a singer and songwriter, Bobby also hosted the popular television show Bobby Bare and Friends on The Nashville Network. Recently inducted into The Country Music Hall of Fame, and performing some of her classics, Connie's hits include "Once A Day", "Then and Only Then", and "Ain't Had No Lovin'."  Call 800-792-4308 for tickets.

Plan a day of family fun at interactive attractions in Pigeon Forge.  There are a variety of ways to play in the Smokies and interactive Pigeon Forge attractions let you experience the best family fun Pigeon Forge has to offer.  From zip lining through the canopy of the Smoky Mountains to playing putt putt and to an amusement park for the mind, there are endless ways to engage in family fun in the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. 

Popular interactive attractions in Pigeon Forge include:

• Canopy Tour Ziplines at Foxfire Mountain
• MagiQuest
• Ripley’s Old McDonald’s Mini-Golf
• The Track
• WonderWorks

Kids and adults alike will have fun visiting attractions that are interactive, interesting and one-of-a-kind.  Reserve your day of fun today! 

Splash and play in the summer sun when you reserve Pigeon Forge hotels with outdoor pool.  The entire family will love swimming in the great outdoors of the smoky mountains.  Soak up some sun, soak in a hot tub or have some aquatic fun at special kiddie zones.  Some outdoor pools even have slides, adding even more fun to your day in the sun.

When you stay in a hotel with an amenity like an outdoor pool going for a swim or watching the kids splash and play is an added bonus.  A few of our recommendations for hotels in Pigeon Forge TN with outdoor pools include:

• Comfort Inn at Dollywood Lane
• Oak Tree Lodge
• Shular Inn
• Willow Brook Lodge

Reserve a room at any of these properties and rest assured you’ll get the guaranteed lowest rate available.

The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is one of the area’s most popular attractions.  Scenic and nostalgic, The Old Mill is one of the most photographed mills in the country.  It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  When you visit The Old Mill be sure to make time to explore the shops that feature everything from unique gifts to souvenirs and must-have home accessories.

Places to shop at The Old Mill include:

The Old Mill General Store:   Smoky Mountain souvenirs and general store staples can be found here.  Pick up baking mixes, homemade jams and even some of The Old Mill’s fresh-ground grains, such as yellow and white grits or cornmeal, a variety of flours, and their famous pancake and specialty mixes.

The Old Mill Pigeon River Pottery: Handcrafter pottery has been made on site for over 50 years at Pigeon River Pottery.  You can watch artisans create and mold pottery and select a piece Formed and fired on site.   Selections at Pigeon River Pottery include hundreds of specialty and serving pieces in many unique glazes, plus a collection of original sculptures from the Pottery's Mighty Bear series which showcases the American Black Bear.

The Old Mill Farmhouse Kitchen: You can find everything you need to make an Old Mill Restaurant meal at the Farmhouse Kitchen.  Everything from famous corn chowder, to signature bread mixes and salad dressings can be found here, as can special gift baskets and a Farmhouse collection of cookware. 

The Old Mill Candy Kitchen:  Satisfy your sweet tooth at the Candy Kitchen.  Recipes that have been tested throughout the decades create delicious taffy, homemade fudge and other country goodies.

The Old Mill Toy Bin:  Nostalgic toys and crafts are featured at The Old Mill Toy Bin.  Little red wagons and wooden rocking horses are just two examples of the many treasures to be found in The Old Mill Toy Bin, where old-fashion toys and games appeal to the young and old.

Sassafras: The newest store at The Old Mill offers a selection of apparel, accessories and novelty items.  Find the perfect gift for yourself or that special someone back at home! 

If all of the shopping at The Old Mill has created an appetite, stop by The Old Mill Restaurant for a true taste of southern cuisine. 

If you’re looking for a unique way to see the Smokies then look no further.  Sky High Air Tours, located in Sevierville, Tennessee, offers bi-plane rides of the area showcasing the scenic beauty of the area.  There are several flight options available, too, so you can choose the flight ideal for your budget and vacation needs.

When you ride in a bi-plane you get to experience air travel as it was in the 1920s and 1930s.  The open air cockpit of the biplanes puts you face to face with the skies and scenery ahead. You have unobstructed views of the Smokies while you take a ride in a true piece of American history.  The airplane you fly in is a 1927 Waco Model 10.  Only a dozen or so of these planes are still in-flight today, making the experience even more extraordinary.  The Waco Model 10 you fly in is a true vintage biplane – not a replica.  It has been diligently restored to prime condition and is ready to take you for a ride of a lifetime.

Flight options include:

• Introductory Flight: $99 (6-8 minutes)
• Scenic Flight: $150 (15 minutes)
• Barnstormer Flight: $275 (30 minutes)

All times are from takeoff to landing and prices are per flight, so two fly for the price of one!  Plus, before your flight leather helmets, goggles and silk scarves are available for vintage-style photos.  Headsets will be available during the flight for hearing protection and to hear narrative from the pilot. 

Splash and play year round when you stay at Pigeon Forge hotels with indoor pool.  No matter what time of year your visit or what the weather may be like, you can be sure to experience aquatic fun when you reserve hotels in Pigeon Forge TN with indoor pools.  Plus, there is a large variety of properties to choose from so you’re sure to find one that fits your vacation needs.

Shular In

A few of our favorite Pigeon Forge hotels with indoor pools include:

• EconoLodge Riverside
• RiverStone Resort
• Shular Inn
• The Resort at Governor’s Crossing

Some properties feature a basic indoor pool, while others are outfitted with indoor poolscapes boasting hot tubs and lazy rivers.  Browse Reserve Pigeon Forge’s full selection of hotels with indoor pools to make a reservation for your Smoky Mountain vacation.