1. Bears in the Smoky Mountains – Bears are cute and cuddly from a distance, but residents of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg warn visitors that they shouldn’t get too close to our wild black bears. Over the years bears in the Smoky Mountains have become less and less scared of people. They are more willing to get closer to humans, paved streets, and downtown businesses than ever before. In order to avoid getting eaten it’s good to refrain from feeding the bears (or they’ll associate food with your hand!) It’s also wise not to get too close. Bears can be aggressive and territorial. See a cub? Don’t get friendly with it! Usually where there’s a cub there’s a mama bear close by.
2. Bobcats in the Smoky Mountains- Bobcats aren’t nearly as large or dangerous as bears. They’re nocturnal and territorial so it’s less likely that you’ll see them in the day. They can reach up to 3 feet in length and are about twice the size of a domestic cat but don’t be fooled, they can kill deer and dogs.
3. Snakes in the Smoky Mountains- There are many types of snakes in the Smokies but two species that make their home in the Smokies are poisonous. Rattlesnakes and Copperheads both live in the Smoky Mountains. It’s wise to be cautious of where you step when in grassy and woodsy areas. There aren’t any reports of death due to a bite in the Smokies but visitors should still be aware.
4. Elk in the Smoky Mountains-  Elk were reintroduced into the Smoky Mountains as an experiment to see if they would flourish. Because of this, it is illegal toget within 50 yards of any elk. Males can weigh up to 700 pounds and can have antlers with up a five foot width. Elk can become aggressive if they feel challenged and may even lunge in defense. If you see a baby, don’t get close. Their defense is to play dead and usually if there’s a baby then mama is close by.
5. Raccoons and skunks in the Smoky Mountains- While small in size these two animals can be frustrating to visitors of the Smokies. Raccoons tend to pillage through food and skunks can spray you with a putrid odor not easily removed. Both carry rabies which is a deadly disease.

Detroit Speed is presenting their Detroit Speed & Engineering Modern Muscle Award during the Shades of the Past Hot Rod Roundup which will be held September 10^th and 11^th of 2010. The winning car owner will be given a fabulous prize and so will the second place owner. Hot rods will be judged on attention to detail, drivability, engineering, performance, function, and theme. The first place prize is a ’32 Ford Roadster. The second place prize is $10,000.

A map for the event can be seen here http://www.shadesofthepast.com/2010data/map.gif. For visitors to the Shades of the Past Hot Rod Roundup in Pigeon Forge admission is $10 for adults and free for children. Car enthusiasts will absolutely enjoy this hot rod show! Cars will be parked to show so visitors will get an up close look at these beauties.

Winners from the 2009 event include a ‘32 Ford, ’53 Buick, ‘72Nova, ‘50 Tin Woody, and a ’69 Camaro, just to name a few.



Which stable for horseback riding in Pigeon Forge will you choose?

There are several factors that differ between the horseback riding stables in Pigeon Forge and we’ve created a helpful list that may assist you in choosing the perfect one for your family.

Adventure Park at Five Oaks Horseback Riding Stable–
Price:?
Coupon: They offer a $5.00 coupon here mypigeonforgeandgatlinburg.com/coupons/

This stable for  horse back riding in Pigeon Forge has 70 acres of land in the Smoky Mountains to ride in. They are very well known in the area, partly because they are so easy to spot coming into town. Their phone number is 865-453-8644.

Walden Creek Horseback Riding-
Price: $25 for an hour long trip but they have several different types including a trail that goes to the mountain top. It’s a two hour ride and costs $60 per person.
Coupon: They offer $2.00 off each horse at waldencreekstables.com/spec.htm

This Pigeon Forge horseback riding stable has over 500 acres and several paths to take. They also have scheduled evening wild west shows. They Their phone number is 865-429-0411.

Big Rock Dude Ranch at Ponderosa-
Price: $24.95 with a coupon, $28.95 without a coupon. Coupon books can be found in almost every coupon book in town according to a Ponderosa employee

This horseback riding stable in Pigeon Forge has no weight limits and boasts a Gilliham and Associates #1 rating for safety. Their trail is a 3.5 mile mountain trail with some nice views of the mountains. Their phone number is 865-428-9398.

Douglas Lakeview Stables-
Price: $29 (includes a cowboy hat for each person and one color photo for the group.)

This horseback riding stable near Pigeon Forge has some nice lake views. They also state that during certain times of year you can ride the horses out to some of the islands on the lake. Their phone number is 1-(865) 428-3587.

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Hummer Tours in Pigeon Forge

There’s tons of things to do in Pigeon Forge. It isn’t hard to keep a whole family busy during a vacation, but sometimes keeping busy means spending money. In Pigeon Forge, the Parkway is full of fun things to do for kids, but most of them will cost you something. Luckily, there are still places in town that understand the need for recession proof pricing. A few offer free tickets for kids with paying adults, so it’s kind of like you only pay what you would have paid 8 years ago before the kids, but you still get to have them around.

Here’s a list of a few shows that offer free things to do in Pigeon Forge for kids*:

Blackwood Breakfast Variety Show
Black Bear Jamboree
Comedy Barn
Country Tonite
Magic Beyond Belief
The Miracle
Smith Family Theatre
Smoky Mountain Jubilee

Shows are some of the most expensive things to do in Pigeon Forge so getting the kids in for free is a great treat! Imagine going to the park all day, then coming home to your cabin, showering, dressing up, and taking the kids out for a fun show. It’s a great way to get in some good quality time with the kids and there’s nothing like free things to do!

There’s lots more free things to do in Pigeon Forge with kids but we couldn’t possibly list all of them. We’ll also be posting a blog on restaurants where kids eat free in Pigeon Forge so check back soon!

*Some shows may only allow one child per paying adult.

Take a look at our family budget cabins!

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Family Tips for Visiting Pigeon Forge

Here’s our list of pet friendly cabins in Pigeon Forge:

Absolutely Wonderful
Alpine Rose
Creekside
Irresistible
Making Memories
Over the Top
Rachel’s Chalet
River Retreat
Serenity
Shady Shack
Star Dust
Top of the World
Wild Rose

Staying at a cabin in Pigeon Forge means that you don’t have to worry about how Milo is treating the dog walker, or how Otis is feeling abandoned. You can stay at a pet friendly cabin in Pigeon Forge and your furry family member will get to see you every day and enjoy the beautiful outdoors of Pigeon Forge right along with you.

While the whole city of Pigeon Forge is not pet friendly, cabins that we’ve listed on this page are so feel free to book a pet friendlly cabin with us and bring your furry friends on your next vacation. If you would like help narrowing down the choices even more than this then just give us a call. We’d be glad to help you pick the cabin that’s perfect for you and your friends and family. Our number is 866-513-7885.

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How to rent a cabin in Pigeon Forge

We’ve put together some tips on how to deal with the bears in Pigeon Forge.

#1 - When you stay at one of our cabins don’t, I repeat don’t feed the bears in Pigeon Forge! The other day we had a nice gentelman in our office who was talking about his last visit to the Pigeon Forge area. He casually mentioned that the last time his family came they got to see bears. The bears actually came up to the back of their cabin which sat on the mountain. The deck in the back was high enough that the family decided there would be no danger in throwing some food down to the bears. Um….that’s a big no no.

Don’t feed the Pigeon Forge bears. They are hungry creatures that can become aggressive when it comes to food. If they associate your cabin and your family as food sources, that could be bad.

#2 – Don’t leave trash out. If your cabin company provides trash containers that lock then use the locks. Bears love the smell of food and trash is no exception. The bears in Pigeon Forge will rip through bags and dig through garbage to locate any source of yummy food smells. Lock your trash up or put it in the dumpster that your cabin company provides.

#3 – Don’t keep food outside. If you’ve gone to pick up pizza, don’t stand outside with it. That might attract a bear in Pigeon Forge. We’ve heard stories like this before. Instead, take the food inside as soon as you get home.

If you do come face to face with a Pigeon Forge bear when you have food in your hands we suggest you put the food down. They want it and as long as you’ve got it there’s a chance they’ll come after you.

#4 – Don’t approach Pigeon Forge bears, even if they are babies. If you see a bear it is not wise to approach it. You’d be surprised how fast they are. If you see a baby bear you should heed the same advice. Where there’s a baby there’s most likely a mama watching over it. It is not wise to make friends with the Pigeon Forge bears.

Take a look at our great Pigeon Forge cabins!

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Ten things not to do in Pigeon Forge

Just imagine waking up to a gorgeous view of the Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge. Honeymoons are marked with lots of cuddling by the fireplace, rocking on the porch, flirting in the hot tub, and watching the sunsets.  Booking a honeymoon cabin in Pigeon Forge shouldn’t be stressful. We’ve put together some tips to help make the process a little easier

Here they are:

#1 – Think about romance. There are a lot of amenities available in honeymoon cabins in Pigeon Forge so to help you narrow down your choices you should think about what you like to do with your future spouse. Is watching cable tv romantic to you? If not then you may not need a cabin with cable. Is cooking part of a romantic evening indoors? If so then maybe the kitchen is an important part of your decision.

#2 – Make sure your Pigeon Forge honeymoon cabin has a view. Some cabins in Pigeon Forge have a woodsy view and others have a view of the Smokies. We think that on honemoons it’s nice to have a fantastic view to wake up to and to soak in the hot tub to. It just adds ambiance.

#3 – Hot tub is a must. Another romantic activity for honeymooning in Pigeon Forge is soaking in the hot tub.  Don’t miss on this opportunity unless maybe you’re coming into Pigeon Forge during peak temperatures in the summer.

#4 – Think about privacy. Some Pigeon honeymoon cabins are secluded while others are in subdivisions. If you don’t want to see anyone when you arrive at your cabin then you may need to book a cabin that is absolutely secluded. If you don’t mind neighbors then this might not be a big deal.

#5 – What are you going to be doing while you’re honeymooning in Pigeon Forge? If you want to spend a lot of alone quality time in your Pigeon Forge honeymoon cabin then you may want to book one that has a pool table for competitive fun and a fireplace for cuddling closeness. Some cabins also have indoor Jacuzzi tubs for added romance.

Good luck on your search for a honeymoon cabin in Pigeon Forge! Let us know if we can help you in any way. Our phone number is 1-866-513-7885

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Romance in Pigeon Forge on Valentine’s Day

1. Plan to drive your family to Pigeon Forge in the morning before 10am or at night after 7pm. – This will help you avoid some of the major traffic that hits Pigeon Forge. Another part of this tip is to travel with your family to Pigeon Forge on a day that isn’t the traditional weekend or holiday travel day. These days bring more traffic so if you can, come when it’s less packed. Keep this tip in mind for leaving town as well. Sunday afternoons are very hectic in Pigeon Forge so your family might enjoy a nice Sunday brunch and afternoon stroll instead of spending that same time stuck in 12:00 traffic that will keep you here till late afternoon anyways.

2. Stay in a Pigeon Forge cabin - Cabins provide lots of entertainment so you won’t feel obligated to spend every moment in downtown Pigeon Forge. In a cabin, mom and dad can enjoy the sunset from a steaming hot tub, while the kids are inside playing a foosball game, watching tv, or playing a board game. Not only is there entertainment in a cabin, there’s also a kitchen. Eating out for every meal can get expensive so instead you can plan on having breakfast or dinner at the cabin.

3. Take turns picking the activity – Let everyone choose something they want to do while vacationing. We suggest doing this before you come with the family to Pigeon Forge. If everyone gets to pick then the family is more likely to enjoy the vacation. Kids tend to pick fun things too so you and your spouse will have fun with the kids and get to feel young.

4. Pick things the whole family will enjoy- Pigeon Forge has attractions for the whole family. A comedy theatre show, a trip to Dollywood, a one hour shopping trip, a visit to Wonder Works, a trip to the Dinosaur museum, a lunch at the Pancake House, an arcade game family challenge, and a trip to the indoor water park are all activities that the whole family could enjoy. Let’s not forget that there are plenty of outdoor activities for the family like zip lining, horse back riding, tubing down the river, white water rafting, hummer tours, and atv rides. Talk about fun!

Good luck planning your family trip to Pigeon Forge! If you would like to book a cabin give our team a call. We would be glad to assist you in picking one that fits your needs. Our phone number is 1-866-513-7885

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Tips for Avoiding Pigeon Forge Traffic

Pigeon Forge Traffic Tips:

1. Don’t come to town when everyone else does. This is difficult, but there are times when Pigeon Forge is less busy than others. We don’t have nearly as much traffic during September as we do in July. So, if you can, try to book your Pigeon Forge vacation during a time when we’re not quite as packed.

2. Travel at odd hours. This may be hard to avoid, but hear us out. Traffic is worst in the afternoons and early evenings. If you can come to Pigeon Forge in the morning or late evening you’re more likely to avoid the hectic Pigeon Forge traffic.

2. Avoid weekend arrivals. Again, this is another one that is practically unavoidable. But, if you have the option, come to town on a less popular day and hour. Traffic in Pigeon Forge is at it’s worst during the weekends! If you can come in on Monday you’ll hit less traffic than if you come in on Friday.

3. Plan on walking. When you are in town, try to walk as much as possible. There’s lots to do on the Parkway and families can be tempted to take a car but that means facing the Pigeon Forge traffic. Instead, consider parking in a central location and walking to your destination. The perk about this option is you’ll burn off some of the calories from our home cooking.

Okay, so now that we’ve given you the tips for avoiding Pigeon Forge traffic we’re going to give you a great back road that can help knock some time off of your trip. There is a road in Pigeon Forge called Veterans Boulevard. This road connects the Parkway at traffic light #8 in Pigeon Forge, and Dolly Parton Parkway. That means that you skip 7 lights in Pigeon Forge and the Outlet Mall traffic in Sevierville when you take it. This is a great way to get to Pigeon Forge from Sevierville or to get out of Pigeon Forge without having to hit all of the traffic.

Pigeon Forge Alternate Routes:

FROM ASHEVILLE

From I-40 take Exit 443. Take Foothills Parkway to Highway 321 South which will take you into Gatlinburg. Take a right on the Parkway and follow to Pigeon Forge.

FROM CHATTANOOGA

Take Exit 81 on I-75 North. Then follow Highway 321 through Townsend. Then take Highway 73 to Gatlinburg.Take the Parkway to Pigeon Forge.

FROM NASHVILLE

From I-40 take I-75 South to Exit 81. Take Highway 321 Townsend. Next take Highway 73 to Gatlinburg. Turn right on the Parkway and follow to Pigeon Forge.

FROM VIRGINIA

Take I-81 South to I -40 East to Exit 435. Then follow Hwy 321 South to Gatlinburg. Turn right on the Parkway and follow into Pigeon Forge.

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How to Rent a Pigeon Forge Cabin