A Smoky Mountain Christmas

Photo courtesy of The Old Mill
Photo courtesy of The Old Mill

Staying true to the area’s roots is equally important to the other shops and businesses that you’ll find in Old Mill Square, including a working blacksmith forge where you can create an item yourself; hand-crafted Pigeon River Pottery, which has been in the square for more than 50 years; and Old Forge Distillery, which uses grain from The Old Mill in its spirits.

The Island in Pigeon Forge

Photo courtesy of The Island in Pigeon Forge/Lock & Key Productions

One of the town’s most popular areas to spend the day is The Island in Pigeon Forge. More than 60 retail shops and dozens of activities are located here, anchored by the Margaritaville Island Hotel, Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen restaurant, and the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel with climate-controlled glass-enclosed gondolas that hold up to 8 people. In the middle of all the action is The Island Show Fountain, which features a water and light show choreographed to more than a dozen pieces of music that runs every hour on the hour.