Tennessee"}}))},2e3);window.dataLayer.push({event:"GAEvent",eventAction:"contentStart",eventCategory:"video",eventLabel:"Longest zipline in the US opens in Pigeon Forge Tennessee",eventValue:"HTML Video",id:"21991452",section:"State News",updated:"2025-05-04T09:02:08-0400",published:"2025-05-04T09:01:02-0400",contributors:[{role:"Web Editor",name:"Jessica Patrick",url:"/rs/bio/15970652/"}]}),window?.testify&&window.testify([{sensor:"content-start",dimensions:[{name:"user",value:userNonce},{name:"url",value:document.location.toString()}],measures:[{name:"id",value:"21991452"},{name:"title",value:"Longest zipline in the US opens in Pigeon Forge Tennessee"},{name:"updated",value:"2025-05-04T09:02:08-0400"},{name:"published",value:"2025-05-04T09:01:02-0400"}]}])}),e.on("adend",()=>{e.play()})):console.warn("wralvideo returned undefined")}else console.warn("wralvideo has not been loaded yet")},window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",window.initHeroVideo)State NewsLongest zipline in the US opens in Pigeon Forge is now home to the longest zipline in the country.var embeds=document.getElementsByTagName("o-embed"),observers=[],opt={};for(const a of embeds){let e=new IntersectionObserver(e=>{!e[0].isIntersecting||e[0].target.attributes.loaded||oembed(e[0].target)},opt);e.observe(a)}function oembed(e){var t=e.attributes.url.value;const r=e.attributes.id.value;fetch(t).then(e=>e.json()).then(e=>{var t=document.getElementById(r);t.innerHTML=e.html,t.attributes.loaded=!0})}DetailsTranscriptPigeon Forge is now home to the longest zipline in the country Already have an account? Log in here The new attraction offers a unique view of the mountains They've got a mile to go at 55 miles per hour and country music are all some reasons why tourists flock to the popular vacation destination of Pigeon Forge But officials there have just added another reason to visit the Tennessee city: the longest zipline in the country this is exciting." He says it's new attractions like this that's gotten the attention of travelers from around the world "All the work that's been done in Sevier County and that east Tennessee section has helped Tennessee be the second fastest growing state in America the last six years." Pigeon Forge Mayor David Wear says all the new hotels are going up to keep up with demand for the millions who visit Sevier County a year If you're coming to Pigeon Forge every year and there's nothing new to do you're going to find some other place to visit it's very important that Pigeon Forge grows That's why Bryce Bentz at Wildside was thinking outside the box on how to make something you won't find anywhere else "What is something that hasn't been done in severe county before And that's really what drove the concept of the Mega Zip It's hard to find topography that allows for something like that which is where the Mega Zip launches from," Bentz said Commissioner Ezell says this is what keeps taxes down for those who live here "You've got such great assets here in Sevier County that people can fly in even internationally to Nashville and want to plan a trip to the Smokies and want to experience a lot of those great outdoor things that happen in Tennessee." Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device These are just a few words to describe gliding down the longest continuous zip line in the country while taking in breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains MegaZip is the thrilling new attraction at WildSide in Pigeon Forge making it the longest in the United States to really help people have an adventure and experience (the Great Smoky Mountains) in different ways," WildSide co-founder Bob Bentz told Knox News The MegaZip is now open for those who feel adventurous or daring enough to experience it Knox News had a chance to test out the ride and I was the “lucky” reporter to give it a try It was also my first time ever on zip line “I will always say that the worst part of the zip is the anticipation,” WildSide co-founder Bryce Bentz said And preparing to ride the longest zip line in America is nerve-racking and seeing the beautiful views of the Smokies is a sight not to be taken for granted Racing (or gliding) down the mile-long zip is exhilarating due to the adrenaline of the moment and yet peaceful with the wind and nature’s beauty all around you and you can go at your own pace thanks to the handlebar break that you’re advised to hold the entire zip down instructors and a short practice zip at base camp get you prepared before even heading up to the MegaZip Riders start the journey at an elevation of 2,472 feet in the Great Smoky Mountains and descend more than 1,000 feet across the massive zip line Before Mega Zip, Catamonster Zip at Catamount Mountain Resort in New York was the longest zip line in the country at 5,523 feet Riders can soar through the Smokies at speeds up to 55 mph on the Mega Zip You can race your friends and family to the finish on the four side-by-side zip lines The price is $69.99-$79.99. Reservations can be made at wildsidetn.com/megazip “All gear and equipment used on the MegaZip complies with and exceeds industry standards and is inspected regularly,” according to the WildSide website MegaZip is the newest addition to WildSide. an off-road and mountain bike adventure park that opened in 2024 The park spans nearly 900 acres of untouched mountain land and its trails have up to 1,500 feet of elevation change climb and drop across 18 miles of mountain bike trails and utility task vehicle (UTV) trails There are trails for all levels of experience The Bentzes are also the creators of Anakeesta an immersive outdoor adventure park in Gatlinburg WildSide is hosting Local Appreciation Days May 8-15 for residents living in Blount Residents of these counties will receive 50% off on UTV tours and MegaZip rides Residents must visit wildsidetn.com to access county-specific discount codes The code can be applied online or in person Proof of residency will be required at WildSide Local appreciation days are also at Anakeesta until May 8 and Sevier counties will be able to enjoy a mountaintop adventure park for just $5 Part of the proceeds will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee an organization that serves people of all ages experiencing hunger across East Tennessee guests must show a Tennessee photo ID with a current address or show a current photo ID along with a paystub from Blount Jefferson or Sevier counties dated within the last 30 days Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208 Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe (WCYB) — Dolly Parton returned to Dollywood to celebrate the theme park's 40th anniversary marking a significant milestone for the beloved theme park During an exclusive event for media and season passholders alongside her Dollywood business partner Peter Herschend as well as Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton and Dolly Parton Productions’ Ted Miller explained how their partnership came into existence and has grown in the decades since They also shared some of their favorite moments and treasured memories from Dollywood’s 40 seasons "I just want to say how great it is to be here and all the years you’ve all have supported me and just like my song says 'I will always love you," Parton said addressing the crowd gathered to commemorate the occasion In addition to hearing from the park’s founders and executive leadership event attendees were treated to a preview of Dollywood’s 40th anniversary season retrospective show those guests left with a cupcake—a nod to Dollywood’s 1st birthday when Dolly posed atop a giant cake—and a code to stream an exclusive new album of previously unpublished songs Dolly has written about her Dollywood theme park Anyone can stream the music—called The Dollywood Collection: Celebrating 40 Years of Music & Memories—for free by visiting https://dolly.lnk.to/Dollywood40thAlbum Dolly also shared details about a new opportunity created in partnership with the Tennessee Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative and the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services to offer children in foster care a complimentary one-time visit to experience the fun of Dollywood The offer is available to Tennessee families fostering through DCS or one of their providers traveled from all the way from Texas to witness the celebration "It's our 40th wedding anniversary Gotta go somewhere might as well be here!" said Kurt Ratliff I can't believe I saw Dolly in real life!" with plans for a new indoor attraction set to open in 2026 "We said we’ve been around for 40 years but we’ve got a long way to go," said Wes Ramey Dollywood's Public Relations Director it’s a great place for people to come and relax so we're always looking at creating new ways for them to be able to do that," said Ramey Both parks are not only popular family destinations but also significant contributors to Tennessee's economy "Dollywood has had growth now to over 3 and a half million visitors helping Tennessee become the second growing tourism state in all over America.," said Mark Ezell Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. That couldn’t be done without great partners like the folks at Dollywood," Pigeon Forge's MegaZip offers thrill-seekers a breathtaking ride through the Smoky Mountains we are no strangers to vacationing in Tennessee.  There's so much to do and see in the Volunteer State.  Whether you're going to a bachelorette party in Nashville or want a relaxing mountain getaway you can find it in Tennessee.  We're lucky because Tennessee is not a far drive from the Evansville area so if we feel like renting a cabin in the mountains it's the perfect distance for a long weekend a relaxing mountain getaway just got a little more exciting than relaxing you'll be happy to know that the longest zipline in the country just opened in Pigeon Forge The longest zipline in the country has officially opened in Pigeon Forge.  This zipline features nearly 6,000 feet of high-flying action.  If you've never ziplined before and a little terrifying at the same time.  You're basically in a harness that attaches to a trolley on a cable.  The cable is on some kind of slope (mountains are great ziplining locations) and you basically ride along the cable down the mountain (or whatever slope you're going down) Although you may want to start with something a little bit smaller than the new MegaZip in Pigeon Forge The MegaZip is officially the longest zipline in the United States, at 5,774 feet long.  According to Local12 the zipline is also at an elevation of 2,472 feet you'll drop over 1,000 feet!  You could hit speeds of up to 55 MPH According to WildSide, the MegaZip has 4 lanes in a row so you can zip down the mountain with your friends by your side Get ready to take flight on the MegaZip adrenaline-packed experience sends you soaring over a mile through the Smoky Mountains at speeds up to 55 mph (and it’s all on one continuous cable) If you want to take a ride on the MegaZip there are a few things to note: If you can meet all of those requirements, then the next time you head down to Pigeon Forge, you can take a ride on the MegaZip.  You can learn more about this ziplining adventure here.  Looking for adventure? Pigeon Forge's MegaZip offers thrill-seekers a breathtaking ride through the Smoky Mountains. Are you ready for heights and speeds?\nRead More The MegaZip is officially the longest zipline in the United States, at 5,774 feet long.  According to Local12 According to WildSide, the MegaZip has 4 lanes in a row so you can zip down the mountain with your friends by your side If you want to take a ride on the MegaZip there are a few things to note: If you can meet all of those requirements, then the next time you head down to Pigeon Forge, you can take a ride on the MegaZip.  You can learn more about this ziplining adventure here.  The town of Casey, Illinois is no stranger to breaking world records—it's home to the largest chair in the U.S.—and the world's largest mailbox, which was created as part of businessman Jim Bolin's Big Things in a Small Town workshop the Casey mailbox is also fully functional and features a built-in stairway where visitors can mail letters of their own By | May 5 — What started as a small roadside attraction in 1961—a simple train ride through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains—has now become an innovative force within the theme park industry The attraction that now sits on that same ground has blossomed to become a place known around the world as the home of authentic family fun and memory making Dollywood Parks & Resorts has grown to become a complete family destination; a beloved powerhouse within its industry much like its namesake Dolly Parton has become to generations of fans worldwide Dolly was at the park Friday to celebrate the anniversary of Dollywood’s original opening day as well as Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton and Dolly Parton Productions’ Ted Miller They also shared some of their favorite moments and treasured memories from Dollywood’s 40 seasons.  event attendees were treated to a preview of Dollywood’s 40th anniversary season retrospective show those guests left with a cupcake—a nod to Dollywood’s 1st birthday when Dolly posed atop a giant cake—and a code to stream an exclusive new album of previously unpublished songs Dolly has written about her Dollywood theme park Anyone can stream the music—called The Dollywood Collection: Celebrating 40 Years of Music & Memories—for free by visiting https://dolly.lnk.to/Dollywood40thAlbum Dolly thanked guests for their part in making Dollywood one of the most recognized and awarded parks in the world While it may have seemed farfetched to many when they heard her 1982 interview with Barbara Walters her dream for “’Dollywood USA,’ a fantasy city…like a mountain Disneyland” displayed a true visionary mindset that allowed her to create a family destination experience in her home county a place she calls “one of the most wonderful places in the world.” “I’ve always believed the Smoky Mountains are one of the most beautiful places God ever made When I first dreamed of creating Dollywood I wanted to build a place that would bring people from all over to see the magic of the Smokies and fall in love with them just like I did,” Dolly said they’d meet the folks who live here and feel the kindness and hospitality that make this place so special I think that’s why Dollywood keeps being named one of the best theme parks in the world—it’s not just the beauty of the mountains it’s the heart of the people who welcome you here.” Dolly’s visionary status certainly sets her among the biggest dreamers of the theme park industry Naughton said the opportunity to work alongside the Dreamer-in-Chief is the highlight of his nearly four-decade career “I’m lucky to have been able to work alongside the biggest names in the industry during my career,” Naughton said “But when I was approached with the opportunity to work with Dolly and to help her put wings on her dreams it really was the opportunity of a lifetime has shown me that she really does need to be considered as one of the greatest names within our industry.”  Dolly also shared details about a new opportunity created in partnership with the Tennessee Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative and the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services to offer children in foster care a complimentary one-time visit to experience the fun of Dollywood Dollywood is more than just beautiful landscaping award-winning entertainment offerings and craveable culinary creations that line its picturesque pathways What makes it tick are the more than 4,000 hosts 13 of which have been employed at Dollywood prior to or since its opening in 1986 with guests often listing the feelings they experience at Dollywood as the reason they want to return so often While the park continues to innovate and find new ways to celebrate family its most important way—through making one-on-one guest connections—is refreshingly simple Dollywood Parks & Resorts’ recent accolades underscore its emergence as a premier destination on the international theme park scene With surveys and guest comments pointing to the park’s one-of-a-kind atmosphere it comes as no surprise the park has earned one of the most impressive lists of awards within the theme park industry in the last decade Following a year of record attendance in 2024 theme park according to Tripadvisor reviews—has a lot to celebrate in 2025 the park added The Dolly Parton Experience—subsequently named by USA Today as one of the Top Five Best New Theme Park attractions in 2024—and celebrated the first full year of operation for the company’s second lodging property Dollywood’s Splash Country celebrates its 25th season—which media in attendance also were able to enjoy during the day—while Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa enjoys its 10thyear of operation in 2025. In a year full of milestone anniversaries Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library marks its 30th anniversary has gifted more than 270 million books to children around the world under the age of 5 Two of the largest projects in 2025 include the Wilderness Pass Restaurant—which opened in the park today—and a new 750-space parking lot which opened in mid-April Projects like the new parking area and Wilderness Pass Restaurant are important pieces of the company’s half-billion dollar 10-year expansion plan announced by Dolly and Naughton in 2021 Guests currently can enjoy Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival (now-June 8) which features iconic Mosaiculture displays throughout the park Vivid larger-than-life flower sculptures create an immersive atmosphere for park guests with more than half-a-million blooms during this award-winning festival Dollywood’s culinary team showcases their world-class abilities during the event with a menu full of delicacies to highlight the tastes of spring in the Smokies Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City (June 14-August 3) is everyone’s favorite summer tradition and once again includes Dollywood’s Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show each night Even more drones take to the skies this year to present a mesmerizing show that honors Dollywood’s 40th season “Gazillion Bubble Show: Evolution” and “Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience” provide popping bubbles and playful pooches to help every guest feel like a kid this summer.  Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept 27) celebrates the beauty of fall with thousands of carved pumpkins spirited performances from talented singers and the fun of Great Pumpkin LumiNights previously named the best theme park harvest event in the world features elaborate displays that are fun for every member of the family accomplished artisans and fall fun in the Smokies make this a picture-perfect time to enjoy Dollywood.  The industry’s Best Theme Park Christmas event—Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov 2025)—concludes the park’s 2025 season with six million lights festive holiday shows and the warm Christmas atmosphere guests have come to expect during this joyous time of year Sign up to be alerted when the latest Amusement Today issue is published via our Digital Edition and you’ll also receive the daily EXTRA featuring FREE industry news delivered directly to your email every workday morning by Amusement Today © 1997-2025 Amusement Today (WKRC/WVLT/CNN Newsource) - America’s longest zipline has opened in Pigeon Forge named the “MegaZip.” The 5,771-foot-long zipline launches from an elevation of 2,472 feet and drops over 1,000 feet over the course of the ride Sevier County is now home to the longest zipline in the U.S All the work that's been done in Sevier County and that East Tennessee section has helped Tennessee be the second fastest growing state in America the last six years," said Mark Ezell Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Mayor David Wear in Pigeon Forge says all the new hotels are going up to keep up with demand for the millions who visit Sevier County each year If you're coming to Pigeon Forge every year and there's nothing new to do you're going to find some other place to visit it's very important that Pigeon Forge grows And that's why Bryce Bentz at Wildside was thinking outside the box on how to make something you won't find anywhere else "What is Something that hasn't been done in Sevier County before And that's really what drove the concept of the MegaZip It's hard to find topography that allows for something like that which is where the MegaZip launches from." Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInPIGEON FORGE (WVLT) - Firefighters with the Pigeon Forge Fire Department were called cabin fire Friday morning Sevier County EMA Director Joe Ayers said that crews were called to the cabin on Eagle Crest Way just after 7:00 a.m and that multiple are assisting in the fire One unoccupied cabin was fully involved when fire crews with Pigeon Forge Fire Department arrived The City of Sevierville Fire Department assisted with covering calls in Pigeon Forge while crews were battling the fire No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation (WVLT) - A cabin in Pigeon Forge is a total loss after going up in flames and information from Fire Chief Tony Watson has revealed a little more about what happened prompting a response from the Pigeon Forge Fire Department “It’s undetermined how much damage done to the other structure the cabin under construction was a total loss.” Previous Coverage: Pigeon Forge cabin destroyed in fire Watson he and his crews were getting updates as they made the trip to the scene which helped them prepare for whatever was coming which they thought could’ve been the worst 911 updated us that they were getting multiple calls that there were maybe multiple cabins involved with multiple exposures So we went loaded for bear up there into that situation,” Watson said It turned out to be just the one cabin on fire “We probably had control in about 45 minutes because of the level of the fire that was there that had to be controlled,” Watson said “The brush fire probably took us about another 15 minutes to bring it completely contained.” There’s no word on the cause yet; Sevier County Fire and Rescue are investigating Watson did say that no one was hurt or had to be relocated because of the fire Good news for families visiting the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge area: six East Tennessee restaurants have been named among Yelp's Top 100 family-friendly restaurants in the country Yelp had a few criteria each restaurant had to meet The restaurants that made the list encourage playtime having anything from crayons and coloring books to playgrounds and arcades These spots have outdoor spaces and picnic areas for children to leave the dinner table and explore Yelp also looked to see if the restaurants offered fresh healthy food option parents could feel good about giving their kids Seven Tennessee restaurants were on the list Here are the family-friendly restaurants close by that made Yelp's Top 100 Get the free 'Eat65' newsletter: Your guide to East Tennessee's food and beverage scenes Blue Moose Burgers & Wings (Pigeon Forge)Blue Moose Burgers & Wings has locations in Pigeon Forge It's a local favorite for families and sports fans alike, its website says Items on the menu include a fried pickle buffalo chicken sandwich a Southern jalapeno burger and an array of boneless and traditional wings Crockett's Breakfast Camp in Gatlinburg came in at No the rustic restaurant offers an Appalachian-inspired menu Items on the menu include Aretha Frankenstein waffles cinnamon roll swirl pancakes and chopped steak and eggs Five Oaks Farm Kitchen (Sevierville)Five Oaks Farm Kitchen ranked No The popular barbecue spot is at 1638 Parkway It serves Southern-style breakfast and classic barbecue items such as brisket combines tasty bites with a fun show for all ages dance numbers and song breaks brings entertainment to the dinner table you can order the "Full Southern Homestyle Feast." This meal includes fried chicken a specialty dessert and unlimited Coca-Cola Local Goat is a Southern-influenced New American restaurant that focuses on sourcing local ingredients for fresh meals The restaurant's burgers also made Yelp's Top 100 Burger Spots in the U.S The Farmhouse burger is topped with American cheese it serves hearty Southern classics family-style Items on the menu include a biscuit breakfast with sausage bacon or ham and two eggs layered over homemade biscuits and topped with gravy chicken and dumplings and deep South chicken pot pie Joanna Hayes is the restaurant and retail reporter. Email: joanna.hayes@knoxnews.com. | Sign up for the free Eat65 newsletter Support strong local journalism by subscribing at subscribe.knoxnews.com ONEIDA  |  The Lady Indians softball team capped a four-win week by sweeping a District 2-2A doubleheader against Pigeon Forge at Bear Creek on Friday The Lady Indians picked up wins of 17-0 and 12-1 against the Tigers one day after defeating Cumberland County 11-0.  Game 1 against Pigeon Forge saw Oneida put up 14 runs in the second inning to force a run-rule ending in just 2.5 innings after Pigeon Forge was unable to retaliate in the top of the third Kennedy Shoemaker had three RBIs and scored three runs on a two of two batting effort that included a double.  while sisters Kamryn and Melanie Lee each had two runs and an RBI Shiloh Shoemaker and Ashlyn Cotton each had two runs and an RBI as well Duncan picked up the win by striking out five batters and allowing no hits across three innings Game two of Friday’s double header saw Oneida scatter 12 runs across four innings to defeat the Tigers but that was all that they needed to do their damage Lauren Stephens drove in a run and scored a run, as did Kennedy Shoemaker Stephens had the game’s only extra-base hit Kamryn and Melanie Lee each scored two runs Duncan and Kamryn Lee each pitched two innings In Thursday’s game against Cumberland County the Lady Indians put up seven runs in the fifth inning to cruise to a run-rule victory over the Jets It was a 4-0 game after a four-run second inning for Oneida and that’s the way the score remained going into the bottom of the fifth when the Lady Indians broke the game open and eventually walked off with a run-rule win Shiloh Shoemaker drove in three runs and scored a fourth while Kennedy Shoemaker drove in two and scored two while Duncan also drove in two runs.  Melanie and Kamryn Lee each scored two runs while Lewallen and Shayla Shoemaker each scored a run Cotton and Kennedy Shoemaker had extra-base hits striking out five and allowing no runs.  It was a 7-0 game in the fifth with two outs when Cotton singled to score Melanie Lee and Shiloh Shoemaker Kennedy Shoemaker hit a two-run double to score Cotton and Lewallen ending the game due to the 10-after-5 run rule The Independent Herald Sports Network offers broadcasts for the Oneida Indians and Scott Highlanders the Independent Herald is the voice of Scott County and Big South Fork Country WATE 6 On Your Side The Pigeon Forge Police Department is reminding visitors and residents to be prepared ahead of the Spring Rod Run event which brings thousands of people to the city every year The future of Knox County School's Clothing Center will be voted on during a school board meeting on Thursday This is a program that makes sure Knox County students have the clothing they need A Knox County prosecutors has been fired and a review of all cases he was involved in has been ordered after a Knox News investigation revealed he posted racist and sexist messages on social media an inaugural golf tournament being held by the Knoxville Fire Fighters Association will raise funds to help two nonprofit organizations that benefit young burn victims and individuals with neuromuscular diseases Be careful when scrolling through social media a new scam has surfaced in an East Tennessee Facebook group The post claims to be promoting a food distribution event for families in need Fanboy Expo is set to take place at the Knoxville Convention Center on July 11-13 6 News reported Molly O'Brien breaks down Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 Some Tennessee state laws are being called into question following public outrage over the sentencing of a former Blount County teacher Spam text messages have surged nationally over the last few years There was one month last year in which 19 billion spam texts were received in just 30 days The more common ones we’re seeing in East Tennessee are text alert scams Executives with TVA Credit Union said spoke with Don Dare about the scams they are seeing A new department may be taking over the Knox County Schools Clothing and Resource Center as the Board of Education is set to consider their proposal Road closures impacted McGhee Tyson Airport In its earliest years, Pigeon Forge was a small, unincorporated rural community. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park changed that. Then, Dollywood changed it again Dollywood celebrates its 40th anniversary this year Before the theme park cemented Pigeon Forge as the booming tourist destination it is today The name "Pigeon Forge" was established in 1841 at a time when most residents ran small logging operations or family farms according to a 2011 Knoxville News Sentinel article By the early 1900s, there weren't yet dinner show theaters, wacky museums or mini golf courses. Instead, the landscape was characterized by rolling farmland and towering mountains. Businesses in that era included blacksmith shops, a mill, a cannery, and a feed and grain business, according to cityofpigeonforge.com Pigeon Forge began to grow with the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1934 its tourism was largely overflow from Gatlinburg where most national park visitors preferred to find lodging and activities attractions such as Hillbilly Village and the Smoky Mountain Car Museum hoped to catch visitors' eyes on their drive to the park but tourism still wasn't a primary industry for most residents The community of Pigeon Forge wasn't incorporated until 1961 the same year Rebel Railroad opened in the spot that would later become Dollywood But it took Dollywood's arrival on the scene to shake things up for good in Pigeon Forge Dolly Parton announced plans to open a theme park in Sevier County to be completed within three to five years," the News Sentinel reported the park's name − known worldwide today − was confirmed: Dollywood The pace of the project began to pick up in 1985 when Parton entered into negotiations that led to a partnership with Silver Dollar City Because the scale of the new park necessitated new roads and amenities negotiations included the city of Pigeon Forge as well Parton appeared before the Pigeon Forge City Council shortly after to share more details about Dollywood including a plan for the project's first phase a $5 million expansion of Silver Dollar City the Pigeon Forge City Commission had agreed to the preparation of a resolution guaranteeing the city would make the requested improvements The city of Pigeon Forge opted to take a chance on the park and threw its weight behind Parton's vision and committed the city to "joint marketing road and utility upgrading and beautification," the News Sentinel reported the following day The city invested $600,000 in these improvements Parton said Pigeon Forge had the three top qualities she sought in a location for Dollywood: "progressive city government community involvement and a cooperative spirit." the Pigeon Forge Planning Commission approved plans for two big complexes each set to contain shopping as Dollywood's imminence ushered in a new era of growth for the city park officials predicted Dollywood would create 150 new permanent jobs along with 150 temporary jobs during construction said Silver Dollar officials estimated Dollywood would bring in an additional 250,000 Pigeon Forge visitors annually on top of the 750,000 that already visited the existing park Pigeon Forge sees big changesIn the newly renamed and refurbished park's first season of operation approximately one million people visited Dollywood according to current Dollywood public relations director Wes Ramey Pigeon Forge was no longer a stopover on the way to the Smokies visitors could stay in their pick of over 3,300 hotel and motel rooms in Pigeon Forge according to an ad for the city in the News Sentinel the Hotel and Motel Association represented just 1,500 rooms in Pigeon Forge no one knew where Pigeon Forge was unless they stumbled onto it on (Highway) 441," developer Johnny Walker told the News Sentinel in June 1986 Pigeon Forge saw a 46% increase in sales tax revenue and 37% increase in lodging tax revenue building permits were issued in Pigeon Forge for almost $26 million in nonresidential projects according to a January 1988 News Sentinel article Today, Dollywood employs about 4,000 during peak season, and approximately 3.5 million visitors attended Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country water park in 2023 The tourism industry continues to drive the city's economy. The arts, entertainment, recreation, and accommodation and food services industry employed about 38% of Pigeon Forge's population, according to data collected over the past five years in the 2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Pigeon Forge is now home to about 6,343 people Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the year Rebel Railroad became Goldrush Junction Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe Receive emails when new obituariesare published to our website Owned and operated by the Atchley family since 1920 we proudly serve the families of our community with care and professionalism.For generations the Atchley family and the staff have strived to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of the families we have had the honor to serve We are a family-owned funeral home with the 3rd and 4th generations working together to continue our tradition of serving our community Atchley Funeral Home also has the only crematory in the county ensuring that your loved one never leaves our care We hope you find our site helpful and informative and we also welcome your calls and visits if you would like further assistance.Atchley Funeral Home - a strong traditional heritage combined with contemporary ideas and modern facilities to enable us to provide the most caring service available Atchley Funeral Home - Seymour Memory Gardens Atchley's Smoky Mountain Chapel & Memory Gardens Your browser may not work with certain site. Upgrade now. Spring is almost here, so it’s time to get out and have some fun in the Smokies, especially during spring break East Tennessee has plenty to offer over spring break whether you’re looking for thrilling adventures fun-filled family getaways or just to take in the beautiful mountain views The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a good place to start looking for a seasonal outing but the region also abounds in other options like theme parks such as Dollywood and Wildside and quirky attractions like Alcatraz East Crime Museum Or you can you can keep your spring break fun a little frosty with ice skating and skiing at Ober Mountain Here are Smokies-area attractions that will be open to welcome visitors for spring break outings The adventure park in Gatlinburg returned to a daily schedule March 7 an interactive BirdVenture area and the night walk lightshow experience Astra Lumina There are also opportunities for ziplining The park’s Shamrock Celebration is March 13-17 and will feature St Ticket prices, hours and more info can be found at anakeesta.com Tennessee residents can purchase a 2025 annual pass for the price of a general admission ticket Flying for break? What to know: McGhee Tyson will close main Alcoa Highway entrance on spring break weekends There’s a celebration happening at Dollywood! Dolly Parton’s theme park opens March 14 for its 40th season The milestone year will be marked with special shows Guests will be able to enjoy renovations at the Celebrity Theatre as well as a whole new restaurant and a new 750-space parking lot The season kicks off with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival Opening day is for season passholders and all guests are welcome March 15. Tickets are $92 for adults, and $82 for children and seniors and available at Dollywood.com This construction-themed amusement park features 20 attractions and rides a 50,000-pound excavator that swings you around at a dizzying speed and the Pipeliner which allows you to use a mini excavator to fit pipes into varying shaped holes The attraction is currently open Friday-Sunday Tickets are $55 for kids and seniors, and $69 for adults. Children age 3 and younger get in for free. There are height limits on rides. More information is available at dignzone.com is a scenic viewing area of the Smoky Mountains with a burger restaurant A walk-up bar offering a selection of locally crafted beers sodas and other beverages is slated to open in early spring Gatlinburg SkyPark is open year-round. Single-day tickets are $23-$37. Online discounts are available at gatlinburgskypark.com Ober MountainIce skating Families can enjoy all these activities and more at Ober Mountain There’s also a spring break special of a free ski area lift ticket with the purchase of an adventure wristband Tickets for the tram only are $29, but wristbands for access to the tram and all the attractions are $39-$49. Ages 4 and younger can ride for free. Ober Mountain is open year-round. You can purchase tickets, see the schedule and more at obermountain.com The scenic chairlift and Tennessee Flyer coaster are closed according to the amusement park’s website March 7 Tennessee’s largest indoor waterpark resort is open year-round and has overnight rates during spring break as low as $119 a night Guests can try out the new Lookout Lagoon rooftop pool area with a glass edge cabanas and an entertainment stage and the indoor pool featuring the three-story water coaster Ridge Runner and the immersive Kaleidoscope Kavern Lazy River climb and drop across seven miles of mountain bike trails and eight miles of utility task vehicle (UTV) trails at WildSide which opened for the season on a daily schedule as if March 1 The outdoor park spans nearly 900 acres of untouched mountain land, and trails have up 1,500 feet of elevation change. More information is available at wildsidetn.com Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are home to some unique and wacky museums to check out: but are scheduled to open during the spring season or sometime in 2025 Location: 1099 Laurel Lick Road in Pigeon Forge Mystery Putt is an immersive 36-hole mini golf adventure with two Scooby-Doo-inspired courses: Coolsville Mine and Coolsville Cemetery Guests also can look for gems and stones at the Coolsville Gem Mine and enjoy a few “Scooby” snacks and merchandise at the clubhouse Scooby-Doo! Mystery Putt is the first mini-golf course themed around Scooby-Doo and the mystery-solving characters. Updates are available at scoobydooputt.com Location: 2545 Teaster Lane at the Mountain Mile in Pigeon Forge roam the Tower of Babel and even witness the birth of Jesus with this immersive biblical virtual reality experience The 26,000-square-foot facility will feature a planetarium with a massive 30-meter-diameter dome Guests will wear VR headsets and sit on benches that move during the experience No official opening date has been announced yet, but truthtraveler.com lists it as “opening in Spring 2025.” Crayola and NERF Action ExperiencesNew Crayola Experience and Nerf Action Xperience attractions have been planned to open directly beside each other in Pigeon Forge but their development appears to have hit a snag Listed PR contact Jenn Joseph – who is no longer involved with the project – was unaware of any updates or estimated opening dates as of March 7 Joseph directed Knox News to the project’s chief marking manager Matt Palmer The two attractions were originally slated to open in 2024, but the opening date was then pushed to sometime in 2025. The Mountain Press reported in February that “developers are still working to bring NERF Action Xperience and Crayola Experience to the old site of the Smoky Mountain Opry but the project has been delayed due to some issues with financing.” the massive double attraction is expected to feature over 20 interactive Crayola experiences and blaster battle zones sports challenges and an obstacle course in the NERF area The Crayola Experience and Nerf Action Xperience attractions remain listed as part of Brite Management’s portfolio and “coming 2025” as of March 7. More information is available at crayolaexperience.com and nerfax.com Dollywood can celebrate its spring festival with a few more awards! The theme park is one of the best in the country and has 2025 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards recognition in several categories to back it up Dollywood earned five top 10 awards in four categories Check out the 2025 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards honorees and where local attractions placed Dollywood’s two hotels both nabbed spots on the 10BEST list getting the highest rankings for any East Tennessee theme park property or attraction in any category Best Theme Park EntertainmentButterflies and bubbles Dollywood’s Gazillion Bubble Show featuring bubble artist Fan Yang dazzled 10BEST with bubble structures Dollywood did not get the top spot in the best theme park category it dipped a spot from last year’s 10BEST showing “Dollywood has all the makings of a great theme park: thrill rides, coasters, kiddie rides, and everything in between,” 10BEST noted while also shouting out the park’s craft demonstrations, stage shows, special events and the Southern-inspired food Aunt Granny’s in Dollywood has repeatedly been named one of the top 10BEST theme park restaurants in the country The restaurant serves family-style comfort food such as fried chicken and macaroni and cheese Pennsylvania)Rivertown Smokehouse at Silver Dollar City (Branson Missouri)Yak & Yeti at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park (Orlando Florida)The Chocolatier at Hersheypark (Hershey Pennsylvania)Zambia Smokehouse at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Tampa Florida)Aunt Granny's Restaurant at Dollywood (Pigeon Forge Tennessee)Das Festhaus at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Williamsburg Virginia)Space 220 Restaurant at EPCOT (Orlando Florida)Trapper's Smokehouse at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Williamsburg Virginia)Le Cellier Steakhouse at EPCOT (Orlando Florida)The USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards highlight the best in travel A panel of industry experts nominate their favorite interests and attractions across a wide range of categories every week and then 10BEST editors vet these nominations and select a final set of nominees to be presented for a public vote a family-friendly dinner show in Pigeon Forge features a captivating performance at Buccaneer Bay "We will fight it out with sword fighting and then we will have a few animal encounters as well and we're all in search of Davy Jones' treasure," said Blackbeard guests enjoy a four-course meal while witnessing a celebration filled with mermaids they encounter Polynesian islanders who welcome them with a vibrant performance "We're bringing you an epic celebration It will make even the bravest pirates shiver with delight," said Blackbeard "Rhythms that will pound in your chest like a cannon's roar and fire dancing that will paint the night sky with crimson and gold," The arena is divided between the Sapphire Pirates and the Crimson Pirates with guests cheering for their respective sections Public Relations Manager Ellen Liston said it's all about making you feel part of the action "You're part of what's going on You're literally going to become part of the show part of the crew and join Captain Blackbeard and Calico Jack and see if you can find the hidden treasure from Davy Jones," she added Liston said the show is fun for the whole family and is a great place to make memories. "Just like all of Dolly's places she has she wants everyone to make memories together That's what this show is all about," said Liston Pricing varies on the day and time of the show. If you want to check it out, you can get tickets HERE business leaders underscored region’s need for accelerated hurricane relief and recovery the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and local leaders for a “Travel Works for America” Power Hour at The LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge on November 25 The discussion focused on policies to accelerate the region’s recovery from Hurricane Helene.  "It is vital we continue working with Congresswoman Harshbarger the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and local business leaders to get much-needed relief to the region and all those affected by the devastating storms," said Tori Emerson Barnes Travel's Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Policy "We appreciate Congresswoman Harshbarger and local leaders’ efforts to push for swift disaster relief ensuring Pigeon Forge can continue to welcome visitors and expand travel to the area.”  “It’s a privilege to work alongside the U.S and business leaders to address the challenges facing East Tennessee in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene," said Congresswoman Harshbarger “The tourism industry is a cornerstone of our local economy supporting local businesses and thousands of jobs in Pigeon Forge We must continue to strengthen disaster relief and ensure that our communities not only recover but thrive in the years to come.”  and we are incredibly grateful for the leadership of Congresswoman Harshbarger and the support of U.S Travel in helping our community and neighbors recover from Hurricane Helene," said Leon Downey Executive Director Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism "The Congresswoman’s advocacy for disaster relief and U.S from urging swift congressional action on disaster funding to expanding the H-2B visa program Their work ensures the travel industry in Sevier County remains strong supporting countless families and businesses that rely on its success."   “Travel is the lifeblood of Pigeon Forge and a key driver of Tennessee's economy,” said Commissioner Mark Ezell “We are deeply grateful to our partners at the U.S Travel Association and to Tennessee's elected leaders for their steadfast support Whether it's championing disaster relief for those impacted by Hurricane Helene to advocating for the expansion of the H-2B visa program their efforts are making a real difference These initiatives are critical to the continued strength of our travel industry and the communities it supports.”  $28.9 billion in travel spending supported nearly 200,000 jobs in Tennessee the travel industry produced $2.8 trillion in economic output and supported 15 million U.S Travel strengthens businesses across the economy by connecting people and places and contributing to the success of practically every business sector The Power Hour agenda included critical topics to the travel industry such as: impacts from Hurricane Helene on regional communities and the federal role in the road to recovery; bolstering economic growth and competitiveness; visitor visa processing; strengthening security and reduction of delays; creating a world class airport customs process; investment in technology to revolutionize airport screening; investment in travel mobility and infrastructure.  non-profit organization representing the $1.3 trillion travel industry an essential contributor to our nation's economy and success Travel produces programs and insights and advocates for policies to increase travel to and within the United States Pigeon Forge is working to add an emergency siren system to warn against wildfires The new sirens would be modeled after the system that's already in place in other areas of Sevier County The new sirens would be modeled after the system that's already in place in other areas of Sevier County Four years after an endzone interception at Neyland Stadium earned football fans their first free treats from Moonshine Mountain Cookie Company the local cookie and ice cream store has opened a fourth store in Pigeon Forge while continuing to embrace Tennessee traditions in the NIL era Months before the start of the 2021 season, Tennessee cornerback Alontae Taylor signed a name, image and likeness deal with the cookie company − the first for Moonshine Mountain And though his interception happened on a failed two-point conversion had already decided to give away two cookies following the game Customers didn't even have to show proof of attending or being a Tennessee fan Mike kept giving away free Moonshine Mountain cookies the cookies actually have moonshine in them Two of its most popular cookies are the Berry White with white chocolate and strawberries and the Caramel by the Sea with caramel bits chocolate-coated toffee and sea salt sprinkles Moonshine Mountain went from two Kingston Pike locations in 2021 to adding a Fountain City store in 2024 It was always the plan to get to Pigeon Forge who opened the Sevier County store at 2485 Parkway three weeks ago On April 2, Mike sat in the back shipping room of Moonshine Mountain's flagship store in Farragut eyes glistening as he spoke about the cookie and ice cream recipes his wife But the real joy crept into his smile when he began talking about his "Cookie Monsters." This nickname for Vols players signed with Moonshine Mountain started with Taylor Mike was at the South Carolina game with Robin and had planned to leave after the first half to attend his nephew's wedding in the second and the couple rushed down the Neyland Stadium stairs − Robin to the wedding and Mike to the cookie store "I took the tie off but stayed at the store for six solid hours after the game," Mike said The 2025 "Cookie Monster" has not been announced Tennessee football holds a special place in his heart The Fountain City location displays signed Taylor, McCoy and Tillman jerseys on its walls. Mike regularly plays videos in the store of Tennessee fans rushing the field at Neyland Stadium after beating Alabama and I really like that in our Pigeon Forge store because we have a lot of people from Alabama," he said with a grin Moonshine Mountain is a Pigeon Forge affair Want to try Moonshine Mountain Cookie Company?Hours for the Pigeon Forge store located next to Mellow Mushroom at 2485 Parkway Moonshine Mountain also has a store near West Town Mall at 7343 Kingston Pike in addition to its flagship Farragut store at 10205 Kingston Pike and its Fountain City store at 5212 N (WVLT) - TGI Fridays announced on its Facebook page that its only location in Sevier County will soon be closing The restaurant called it the “end of an era” as the Pigeon Forge location “We are thankful for all of the memories and good times we’ve shared with all of you - and there’s still time for one more round with friends and family!” the restaurant chain said This comes only months after the TGI Fridays in Gatlinburg closed back in June in favor of a new concept restaurant in that location Previous Coverage: TGI Fridays in Gatlinburg permanently closes the owner of this and several other restaurants in Sevier County has not announced if a new eatery will open in the location The Buccaneer Bay crew of Pirates Voyage has landed on a new island and wandered into a colorful and musical adventure The Dolly Parton Pigeon Forge dinner show has introduced a new “South Pacific Celebration” act for the 2025 season the pirates meet a group of native Polynesian islanders who welcome them with drums “I’ve been all around the world and have seen so many different types of entertainment I love the amazing variety of music in different cultures I incorporate something new in my shows that people might not get a chance to see anywhere else in this area,” Parton said in statement “Since not everyone gets the opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of a Polynesian island I just decided I’d bring all that here to Pigeon Forge And I thought I’d throw in an act with fire “Leave it to me to ‘fire folks up’ with actual fire – it’s a hot number I can’t wait for folks to see this amazing new part of my Pirates Voyage show and feel transported to the tropics and back in this island celebration.” The immersive new island performance features high-flying acrobatics Even the sky above becomes part of the act as colorful island architecture and giant flowers in full bloom surround the singing and dancing islanders It’s more than just Dollywood: How Dolly Parton’s theme park dream became an empire Pirates Voyage is one of the dinner attractions partly owned by Parton Some of her other Pigeon Forge business ventures include Dolly Parton's Stampede the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud and Comedy Barn Internet Explorer is no longer supported. Try downloading another browser like Chrome or Firefox If you already have an account, Sign in. Guests can also enjoy a custom planetarium show that ties into the message they’ll have heard during their VR experience Here are some photos of the ongoing construction: Truth Traveler in Pigeon Forge is expected to open by the end of May and we’re hiring in preparation for the exciting launch If you’d like to be part of our Truth Traveler team in Pigeon Forge, TN, I encourage you to come to one of our open interview days: Monday, April 14, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. or Tuesday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn at 2481 Teaster Lane in Pigeon Forge. If you can’t make it to an open interview day, we’re also accepting applications online Construction also continues on our Branson location and I’ll provide an update on that attraction in the future (it’s projected to be open sometime in June) Praise the Lord for how he’s reaching people through this ministry and our varied outreaches Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry, dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ Learn more Repairs on the bridge near the historic Old Mill in Pigeon Forge will take longer than expected The project that started in January and was originally set to be completed at the beginning of this month Wondering if you should travel to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg this week after the Hurricane Helene floods The area was largely spared of major damage tourism officials say you are welcome with open arms Many sections of East Tennessee were ravaged by floods but the flood-prone Little Pigeon River through Gatlinburg stayed within its banks Check the highways on your route Interstate 40 on the Tennessee-North Carolina border washed out Sevier County spokesperson Tyler Basler, who could only authoritatively speak on conditions in the county not in individual cities such as Sevierville and Gatlinburg said there were no major issues on county roads Great Smoky Mountains National Park leaders earlier this week were asking visitors to reschedule trips to the park Some smaller roads and areas of the park were still closed as of Oct Some specific neighborhoods in Sevier County don't have access to water namely east of Pittman Center and Gatlinburg (more on this below) If you like to visit Cosby when you're in the area That region was hit hard and doesn't have water Here are some more specifics on setbacks and positive things to think about when contemplating your trip: but you probably already know from your hotelMost of Great Smoky Mountains tourist areas have full access to water in the wake of Hurricane Helen floods but communities just east of Gatlinburg and in Cosby might not have water for weeks Webb Creek Utility District provides drinking water and other utility services to 580 customers in Cobbly Nob, Cosby and Pittman Center, including hotels and resorts that are all currently without water The district’s only water supplier is Newport Utilities Board which has suffered severe damage to its distribution system due to the flooding “We’re just kind of waiting,” Webb Creek Utility office manager Karen Huffaker “(Waiting) until they can get everything assessed and get a game plan going then we’ll have a better idea of when we’ll get water.” Treated water can't circulate to customers because of severe damage Service will be restored gradually while repairs are made in the “coming weeks,” according to the NUB update Hotels and resorts in the affected area are sending notices to guests and canceling reservations “There’s really nothing they can do,” she said “They will have to cancel their reservations until we get water back because there's no way for us to get them water.” Power has (mostly) been restoredThere were 212 verified power outages according to the Sevier County Electric System outages map the afternoon of Sept Major attractions and restaurants are in fine shape when it comes to electricity For visitors looking to enjoy some of the major attractions and themes parks Anakeesta and WildSide are operating on regular schedules Dollywood's popular Harvest Festival is going on now Ober Mountain is open, too, and closures for specific activities at the adventure park are available at x.com/OberGatlinburg Great Smoky Mountains National Park campgrounds and visitors centers closed this week because of damage and safety concerns and visitors are urged to reschedule visits to the park It's complicated; the park needs repairs after the storm and staff resources are limited as park employees in both North Carolina and Tennessee assist surrounding areas attend to emergencies at home or are unable to drive to work due to closed roads If you’re able to safely drive down Interstate 40 and take the famous Exit 407 that leads to Sevier County attractions like Dollywood Drivers were filling up their tanks and eating Beaver Nuggets at Buc-ee’s and along Winfield Dunn Park Way shopping areas were full including Smoky Mountain Knife Works and Smoky Mountain Gateway when Knox News drove through the area Oct People were enjoying Margaritaville post-Helene and The Island entertainment district in Pigeon Forge was active with shoppers and guests “In the City of Sevierville … our attractions are open our restaurants are open and they’re ready to welcome guests,” Sevierville Visitors Bureau spokesperson Amanda Marr told Knox News Oct She also noted that city roads are clear and popular attractions have water and power Two campgrounds along the French Broad River did experience flooding, though, Marr noted. Ripplin Waters Campground and Two Rivers Landing are waiting for waters to recede The Sevierville Visitors Bureau and visitors’ center have been inundated with calls about hotel and campground reservations so long as you can travel here safely and have a good route to get here there's no reason to cancel your plans (or) to change your plans and we are ready to welcome you,” Marr said and kind of keep tabs on what's happening,” Marr advised Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208 Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe With East Tennessee communities hit hard by destructive floods from Hurricane Helene fall break tourists have been worried about conditions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge But the truth is pretty simple: Gatlinburg is open and welcoming visitors “We’re receiving several inquiries from potential visitors about conditions in Gatlinburg. Our businesses were unaffected by the recent hurricane and Gatlinburg welcomes those who can safely travel using open, clear routes,” Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau notes at the top of its website Though the Little Pigeon River through Gatlinburg is prone to flooding that was not the case as Helene passed through the area Ober Mountain and the Gatlinburg Space Needle were very busy this week who works at the Sevierville Welcome Center said the phones have been ringing a lot more than usual with people asking if the area is flooded It's our friends to the east that got whacked really bad it's business as usual,’” he told Knox News Oct Minimal flooding in Pigeon Forge had receded in most areas soon after the storm, according to an update by the Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce There were no major issues on Sevier County roads Local officials do suggest visitors call ahead to hotels and vacation rentals directly to confirm their status or if they had any damage related to Helene A small pocket east of Gatlinburg is without water but hotels and rental owners have notified guests Visitors will be critical to rebuilding and recovery efforts obviously tourism is so important to our economy but it just helps the whole community,” Sevierville Visitors Bureau spokesperson Amanda Marr explained “We just want to make sure that people know that they are absolutely still welcome to come and keep their travel plans with us.” Much of the damage is closer to the North Carolina border Tourism transformed Pigeon Forge from a speck of an outpost to a travel destination Dollywood − which celebrates its 40th season this year − cinched the deal but a series of other theme parks paved the way first Those early parks might not have become the institution that Dollywood is today and many still have fond memories of visits to Dollywood's predecessors in the days when they were more than just traces left behind who operated the Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock similar attraction in not-yet-incorporated Pigeon Forge in November 1960 the Knoxville News Sentinel reported that year was to include a 3.25-mile scenic route by train with a replica 19th-century town near the station Several locomotives were transported to Pigeon Forge from Alaska remains at Dollywood today as one of the engines for the Dollywood Express according to a News Sentinel article that month "Rebeltown" by the station included a blacksmith shop newspaper office (with "ye editor") and post office A News Sentinel article from August 1961 described how the ride had become a favorite of many children taught the Rebel yell and charged with delivering supplies to fellow soldiers while fighting off Yankee troops along the route Goldrush Junction comes on the sceneIn 1964 Rebel Railroad changed its name to Goldrush Junction Five years later, the Cleveland Browns purchased the park A May 1969 ad in the News Sentinel touted the Log Flume and Lady Gay Saloon and promised visitors a free photo of their favorite Cleveland Browns player and experiences participating in shootouts with outlaws or "fighting off" Native Americans from the train Browns leaders announced they would change the park to have "an authentic mountain village" theme it had completed a half-million-dollar expansion that included a sawmill two pools and a trail named in honor of News Sentinel columnist Bert Vincent the owners of Silver Dollar City in Branson When it opened for a new season a few months later over $300,000 had been spent to revamp the park the News Sentinel reported in June of that year making buildings look more antique to match its theme and adding craft demonstrations the News Sentinel reported the park would share the name of its owners' sister park in Missouri: Silver Dollar City The Pigeon Forge park opened for its second season in 1977 with a new flooded mine ride five-year expansion plan that would continue to improve the park Parton entered a partnership with Silver Dollar City in 1985 to turn the existing park into Dollywood it’s time for pythons and frogs to shine at Zoo Knoxville The zoo’s amphibian and reptile conservation area has been recognized as one of the country’s best zoo exhibits in the spring USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards earning praise for its range of species and educational components Also receiving honors is a Pigeon Forge mini-golf attraction which claimed the top spot in its category These East Tennessee destinations are making big splashes this spring Here’s why they were crowned 10BEST winners and why you might want to visit Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay features two unique putt-putt adventures that go from the deepest depths of the sea into the clouds “Spend the day swinging and swashbuckling through 18 holes of the Clouds Sky Pirate Golf Adventure, then head indoors for the Under the Seas Mermaid Golf Adventure, with another unique 18 holes featuring coral reefs and giant sharks,” 10BEST notes Earlier this year, 10BEST named Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay the No. 1 best new attraction deeming it a “must-visit experience for all ages.” Lost Mine Mountain Coaster and Mini Golf in Pigeon Forge came in No The Clayton Family Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Campus at Zoo Knoxville houses over 95 species of reptiles and amphibians. The 2.5-acre, 12,000-square-foot state-of-the-art area is a leading conservation center, the zoo's website says dart frogs and rare predators like the Cuban crocodile,” 10BEST notes “Other areas range from an outdoor wetlands section to a specialized space that allows visitors to watch the zoo's herpetologists perform their daily duties.” The USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards highlight the best in travel Pigeon Forge is a busy place no matter the time of year As we get closer to the warm summer months events like Rod Run and other festivals and parades become more common place ST. LOUIS, Missouri—Drury Hotels announced its newest hotel is under construction in Pigeon Forge The resort-style hotel is the sixth Drury Hotel in Tennessee and is now accepting reservations for Sept The new Drury Plaza Hotel will offer more than 250 guestrooms the hotel will provide views of the Smoky Mountains and the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River The hotel is 15 minutes from the area’s attractions It will be the closest hotel to the LeConte Event Center which offers more than 230,000 square feet of concert “Our team is busy preparing to bring Drury’s trusted service and value to travelers in Pigeon Forge,” said Chuck Drury comfortable stay with the amenities they’ve come to trust as they enjoy all the attractions and scenery the area offers.” The Drury Plaza Hotel Pigeon Forge will offer amenities Drury Hotels will plan for team member recruitment and hires in the Pigeon Forge area as construction efforts continue the hotel will employ approximately 70 full-time and part-time team members We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze how you use this website and provide the content and advertisements that are relevant to you These cookies will only be stored in your browser with your prior consent You can choose to enable or disable some or all of these cookies but disabling some of them may affect your browsing experience Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns