Seniors Find Pigeon Forge

With a name like that this senior just had to find out more on this city. My son recently took his family to a log cabin in the mountains near Pigeon Forge.  They had a wonderful time and can’t wait to go back.

The name “Pigeon Forge” comes from an iron forge built by Isaac Love (1783–1854) sometime around 1820. The name of this forge referred to its location along the Little Pigeon River, in the vicinity of what is now the Old Mill.

The name of the river comes from the flocks of passenger pigeons that frequented its banks at the time of the first Euro-American settlers’ arrival. Love’s son, William, also built a tub mill ten years later and today the Old Mill is a National Historic Site.

Seniors Find A Mountain Resort City

Pigeon Forge is a mountain resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee, located in the southeastern United States. The city has a population just under 6,000. The locals like to call the area ‘The Land of More’.

Located about five minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park  and about seven minutes from Gatlinburg, Tenn., entertainment options range from the Dollywood theme park (one of the best family attractions in the South) to hiking in the Smokies.

Pigeon Forge is a relatively inexpensive destination, especially if seniors can avoid the weekends. The city is a “second home” to over 11 million visitors a year who come to enjoy affordable attractions. A plethora of popular attractions, rides, amusements, theaters, museums, and gift shops line the five mile main parkway through town, all serviced by Trolleys.

 Smokies, Appalachian Wilderness And Dollywood

TripAdvisor notes that it is set against the misty blue backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is a gateway to 500 thousand acres of Appalachian wilderness.

If hiking over 800 miles of mountain trails and camping in dense ancient forests isn’t your thing, head over to Dollywood for a different sort of fun. Founded by country queen, Dolly Parton, Dollywood combines roller-coasters, water-slides, and live bluegrass and gospel concerts, with a down home country fair.

Check out some of the other major attractions that bring in so many folks. It is the “Center of Fun in the Smokies.” The Titanic Museum, an Elvis Museum and WonderWorks (an entire building that is constructed upside down) keep visitors coming to the area.

The local Chamber of Commerce is highly active and promotes the city in every way possible. Where senior visitors can stay, things to see and do, where to eat, shopping and more all on their site. Pigeon Forge has become the southeast mecca for car and truck enthusiasts. The calendar of car and truck show events runs from April through September.

Enjoy your visit to Pigeon Forge.   -jeb