It’s been a zillion years since I’ve had a chance to write about this trip, but there were some great parts of Tennessee that I wanted to make sure that you knew about. Try to check out these locations the next time you are traveling through Tennessee and happen to find yourself in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area.
The Mountains
One of the best parts of this road trip was the ability to see the countryside first hand. I mentioned in my previous post on this subject that the drive along I-75 and our side trip into the Cumberland Mountains area was beautiful, but driving through Tennessee was the first time I really felt like I was in the mountains. I could feel the climb, even if I didn’t immediately notice the elevation changes visually. The sky seemed clearer and rock colors appeared more brilliant. It had warmed up, so we were able to open the windows and smell the fresh mountain air. During one day in Tennessee, we took the boys for a trek in the Smokey Mountain range, where we stopped at various points to let them climb and explore. It was a fantastic experience for them and one I would highly recommend to anyone with families.
Happy Boys!
Pretty Water Feature On The Side Of The Mountain
This Child Insisted On Going Out To That Rock!
They Were Hoping To Find A Frog 
A Bed With A View…
I’m a self-professed Embassy Suites fan, but I wanted to try something a little different during our stay in Pigeon Forge. My friend Dawn had stayed at a condo complex in the area called RiverStone Resort & Spa. She spoke very highly of it, and since I trust her, I decided we’d check it out while spending three nights in the area. There are 4 condo buildings in the complex and we stayed in building #4. The complex is labeled as having luxury accommodations and this was no exaggeration. Our condo was on the top floor and the view from my bedroom was of the Little Pigeon River and the main road that runs through Pigeon Forge. If you stayed in one of the other buildings, you could get a view of the golf course behind the resort, but I was quite happy with the view I had. I could watch the wild life near the river and see all the people walking near the main road. People watching is always fun, especially when you are doing it with a drink in your hand from an extra large balcony!
The condo had a beautifully appointed kitchen, with a bar where the kids could eat plus a full dining room table. The great room had cathedral ceilings, plush furniture, and a gas fireplace that was nice to turn on when the evenings got a bit chilly. The great room had its own entrance to the balcony, so the view of the river and main street extended to this area. The first bedroom (near the front door of the condo) had two large queen beds and the linens and pillows were so nice and cozy we had a hard time keeping the boys out of the beds.
The bathroom for the first bedroom was right across the hallway, so it was convenient for occupants of the first bedroom or for anyone in the kitchen/great room area. The master bedroom (where I slept) had similar types of linens plus a desk where I could put my laptop and do a little blogging. There was also an attached master bathroom and the tile in the bathroom was spectacular. I especially loved the shower area. It was very open and there were multiple shower heads, which made for a very relaxing shower. The only thing I would have wished for was a large garden tub, but it didn’t occur to me to request one when making the reservation. Next time I’ll rectify that mistake!
There were two options for parking for our building. You could park in the garage underneath the building or in one of the parking spaces in front of the building. I used both and found the garage especially handy when we got some unexpected rain. Our building was right next to the lazy pool area, which the boys enjoyed. We were there in April, so the water in the outdoor pool wasn’t quite as warm as the boys would normally like, but they still had fun swimming in it. It was also a very easy walk to the front building, where the indoor pool, hot tub and fitness center were located. I enjoyed using the fitness center, but don’t expect state of the art weight machines. They could use a little updating. Also a word to the wise about the onsite spa. It looked very lovely from the lobby, but I made the mistake of not calling before we arrived in Pigeon Forge. Once we were there, there were no spa appointments available during the three days we were visiting. If the spa is your type of thing, make sure you make your appointments a few weeks in advance of arrival.
Overall, I thought the RiverStone Resort & Spa was a great place to stay. I paid just under $200 per night for the room and thought it was an excellent value, considering all the space we had and the proximity to everything in Pigeon Forge. To learn more, make sure you visit the RiverStone Resort & Spa website.
Dixie Stampede
If you love to eat food with your hands while watching a show, the Dixie Stampede is the place for you! If you are familiar with the Medieval Times concept, this is the southern version. Instead of knights fighting for the princess, you’ll find southern belles dancing and lots of rodeo tricks. The food is your standard fare for this type of establishment – chicken, ribs, corn on the cob, corn bread, etc…pretty much anything you can eat with your hands or slurp out of a bowl. As expected, the finale focuses on a battle between the north and the south. I can’t say that I was surprised when the south won, but my boys (and Nana too) had fun cheering for the north to save the day. The cost of admission is a little pricey, but I’ve seen plenty of discounts online and in Pigeon Forge attraction books. The kids will really enjoy this, so that’s one reason to actually check it out. For more information, visit the Dixie Stampede website.
Forbidden Caverns
I’m not a fan of bats, but I’ve always wondered what it would be like to explore caves winding through and under the mountains. I got my chance in Tennessee. Below the Smoky Mountains are the Forbidden Caverns. The guided tour we took was fabulous and we learned about stalagmites and stalactites plus we got to see walls of onyx and underground streams. And, as I mentioned above, you’ll get to see a few bats, which will make you happy if bats are your kind of thing. During one point of the tour they turned off the lights and surrounded us in complete darkness. This is not the kind of darkness we are used to in our homes at night or even out in the country where there are no streetlights. This is the kind of darkness that would make Edgar Allen Poe write a poem about trembling under the floor boards, wishing for just a little natural light to invade the empty space. This tour is not for the faint of heart and one of my boys really didn’t like being thrust into absolute darkness. That being said, I would recommend it for any adult who has even the smallest curiosity about caves and rock formations and for kids who aren’t afraid of the dark. For more information, visit the Forbidden Caverns website.
Looking Up At The Wall Of Onyx
The Old Mill Restaurant
One morning we didn’t feel like cooking, so we ventured out for a late breakfast/early lunch. We’d driven past The Old Mill Restaurant on previous days and this time decided to stop. This is southern cooking at its very best. I tried the Southern Country Fried Steak and it was nothing like the stuff they serve you at Bob Evans. The beef was very tender and the breading was phenomenal. The meal also came with homemade corn chowder and fritters. This was my first time trying either, and I was pleasantly surprised by how flavorful both were. They were good enough that we stopped in The Old Mill Store to buy mixes to make both at home. And a plus for the boys – from our window seat while we were eating, they got to watch a water snake in the river. My Mother and I weren’t overly impressed, but it was a pretty cool sight for two 8 year old boys.
In addition to the restaurant, there are a bunch of other shops in what is officially call The Old Mill Square. We stopped by the creamery and had some very tasty ice cream and the pottery store was full of beautiful and impressive creations. I would recommend spending a few hours here shopping and eating. And don’t forget your stretchy pants so you’ll have room for all the extra food you’ll want to try! For more information, visit The Old Mill Square website.
Final Thoughts
In my quest to see all 50 states, Tennessee was number 26. I wasn’t expecting to be impressed, but I find that the beauty of the south intrigues me every time I visit. Even with the typical tourist traps, the time we spent in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg was memorable. I don’t typically do a return trip of any area that I’ve visited because of my quest to visit all the states in this glorious nation, but I will make an exception for Tennessee in the future. I want to come back with my husband sans the kids because I know that he’d love seeing the caves and spending time in the mountains. And next time, I’ll make sure my condo has a garden tub with enough room for two.
Happy Travels!
