Pigeon Forge Tennessee Attractions

Dinosaur Walk Museum
Blast back to prehistoric times when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Dinosaur Walk Museum offers a look at the world when varieties of these barbaric reptiles trampled the earth – leaving their footprints behind for latter-day scientists. The museum, located next to the National Freedom Museum, showcases more than 50 life-size replicas of dinosaurs – the world’s largest collection.

Dolly’s Splash Country
Wild water rides and loads of fun await new visitors of Dolly’s Splash Country – a premier attraction in the Smoky Mountains area. Visiting adults and children can look forward to an adventurous splash down as they prepare to brave the park’s fun-filled rides, including the new Mountain Twist slide and Soaker Springs. Both attractions are part of a new two-acre area that the water park debuted in 2003. Dolly’s Splash Country, at 1020 Dollywood Lane, spells fun for the whole family. Call the theme park at (800) Dollywood (365-5996) for information about its operation hours and admission fees.

Dollywood
Dolly Parton created Dollywood to show off the Great Smoky Mountains. Its visitors enjoy music shows, rides, as well as arts and crafts. During the summer, Dollywood’s Showcase of Stars concerts feature some of country music’s greatest celebrities. The theme park entertains its guests with a variety of outdoor and indoor shows. Dollywood is located near Dolly’s Splash Country – a water park that features a 25,000-square-foot wave pool, double tube slides, family raft ride and much more. Operation hours vary at Dollywood throughout the year. Call the attraction at (865) 428-9890 for more specific information about its hours and admission fees.

Elvis Presley Museum
Tourists may see the world’s largest private collection of Elvis memorabilia, outside of Graceland, in Pigeon Forge. Visitors, during a self-guided tour of the Elvis Presley Museum, may browse through precious mementos that belonged to the rock ‘n’ roll icon. Elvis’ cars, jewelry, and costumes are among items on display at the museum, which is located at 2638 Parkway in Pigeon Forge. The museum was temporarily closed for renovations at the time of this writing. Its reopening is slated for spring 2004. Call the museum at (865) 428-2001 for more information.

The Old Mill
The Old Mill, more than 170 years old, was the heart of the town when people settled it during the early 1800’s. Looms were set up during the Civil War to make clothing for soldiers. Old Mill visitors get to see how corn is grounded into meal with a technique using antique machinery. Settler William Love stopped up the Little Pigeon River and used 14-by-14 Poplar logs and river rocks to build the mill. Some of those logs are still visible at the site today. The Old Mill, located at 175 Old Mill Ave., is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Pigeon Forge Gem Mine
You can’t pack up the Great Smoky Mountains and take them home with you, but you may scoop up a portion of Pigeon Forge for safekeeping. As a Pigeon Forge Gem Mine prospector, you can buy dirt that comes from the gem-rich soil of Franklin, N.C. Try sifting the dirt for precious stones such as rubies and sapphires – just some of the gems you could take home with you. You might also want to look-on as workers make jewelry and cut stones at this attraction, which is located at 2865 Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Call the mine at (865) 453-4733 for information about its business hours and admission fees.

Smoky Mountain Car Museum
Tourist can take a self-guided tour to learn about the development of cars at the Smoky Mountain Car Museum. It has a collection of more than 30 cars, including one used by James Bond in the movies “Goldfinger” and “Thunderball.” There is also a 1915 Ford Model T on display. Cars aren’t the only items on exhibition; there are newspaper clippings, photographs, and antique gas pumps for guests to see. Smoky Mountain Car Museum is located at 2970 Parkway. Call the museum at (865) 453-3433 for more information.

Veteran’s Memorial Museum
The spirit of proud patriots pervades this museum, which is a collection of wartime exhibits dating back to the Revolutionary War period. The Veteran’s Memorial Museum, at 110 Showplace Blvd., features life-size bronze sculptures that pay tribute to the various branches of service. Call the museum at (865) 908-6003 for information about its hours of operation and admission fees.