Ready to ride into a new season and catch the latest acts? I was pondering the other day about Skeeter – the comedic heart of Dolly Parton’s Stampede dinner show in Pigeon Forge. As the Stampede enters its 39th season, I wonder how many people have had the honor of donning the Tennessee hat and overhauls and earning the right
Ranking the properties owned in the Smokies owned by Dolly Parton and her partners You might have thought that Dollywood and the Stampede would have been enough. But Dolly Parton’s footprint in Pigeon Forge continues to grow. By my count, including Dollywood, Splash Country, and the two resorts as separate entities, Dolly and her various partners have a total of
Going whole hog in a locally historic culinary location Barbecue in the Smokies has become something of a cottage industry. BBQ joints – or joints that also sell BBQ – are everywhere. I haven’t done a full survey, but I think BBQ is now more omnipresent in the mountains than even the fabled pancake, upon which the region’s culinary traditions
Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Dinner Theater: An honest review “When I drink whiskey, I drink whiskey. And when I drink water, I drink water,” Barry Fitzgerald’s Michaleen Oge Flynn in John Ford’s classic “The Quiet Man.” “When I eat dinner, I eat dinner. And when I watch theater, I watch theater,” John Gullion in the Smoky Mountains every time
A Smoky Mountain local shares a few hidden gems and things to do in and around Pigeon Forge, TN Pigeon Forge, Tenn., isn’t exactly a place for subtlety. The competition for tourism dollars is fierce. To be relevant and successful, you need to stand out from the cacophony of neon lights and the dazzling array of sound and fury. However,
In search of the best pizza in the Smokies Pizza is a culinary oasis on vacation. It is the answer to every dining conundrum. Got a group who can’t decide on what they want? Pizza. Do you have a picky eater? Pizza Tired, hungry and need something that can be delivered quickly and still be good? Pizza. And many of today’s
Does Dollywood’s All-you-care-to-eat family-style restaurant live up to the hype? I’ve had a standoff-ish relationship with Dollywood’s signature dining experience. Yet, it is ranked by USA Today as a Top 10 theme park restaurant in the country. It’s not because I don’t like it. I get why USA Today ranked it so, though I might quibble slightly. I have a
Local lists best dinner shows in the Smoky Mountains Sure, Vegas has Usher and Sting, and Broadway has some musicals based on Disney properties. But none of them have what we have in Pigeon Forge: Dinner shows with comedic musicals based on real-life events, feats of aerobatics, equine-based stunts and more – all delivered with a delicious multi-course meal. My
The top five ways to successfully navigate getting successful gifts in the mountains There are two reasons to do your Christmas shopping in the Smokies and only two. The first is the opportunity to find insane deals. The second? The Smokies offers a unique opportunity to find something that stands out, something you can’t find at WalMart or Target or
A local’s guide to the best breakfast in Pigeon Forge The Pigeon Forge dining scene is ever-growing, ever evolving. We’ve got gorillas and pigeons selling tacos now, so pretty much the sky is the limit. But breakfast? Ah my friends, breakfast is the last bastion of traditionalism in an ever changing world. Bacon. Biscuits. Sausage. Pancakes. That’s the menu for approximately