There is no better place to spend Thanksgiving than the Smoky Mountains. Immersed in ancient trees with leaves that are changing color, the town of Pigeon Forge offers wonderful food beautiful hiking, and old-school Southern charm. There are many things to do during a Pigeon Forge Thanksgiving. In addition to offering some great places to have dinner, the town also has activities that are perfect for a family on vacation.
Pigeon Forge Thanksgiving Activities
For most people, Thanksgiving is really all about roast turkey, stuffing, (or dressing depending on your traditions) pumpkin pie, and all the other tasty Thanksgiving foods that fill our tables and stomachs. But there are other aspects of the Thanksgiving holiday to take advantage of. There is still plenty of fall color to enjoy at Thanksgiving, and it’s the real start of the Christmas holidays and holiday festivals.
Enjoy the Beauty of Fall Foliage and Amazing Scenery
Peak leaf viewing season may have just passed a week or so ago, but there are still plenty of bright reds, oranges, ambers, and golds filling the mountains and valleys to enjoy. And even better, the peak leaf viewing crowds are gone! This is a great time for a leisurely hike through old growth forests of maples, hickories and sweetgums, past abandoned mills and homesteads, and along bubbling streams up to cascading waterfalls and panoramic views. Any trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers amazing scenery, but a few popular hikes include Abrams Falls, Clingman’s Dome, Rainbow Falls, and Grotto Falls.
You have so many options for amazing views of the Smokies and Gatlinburg! Besides hiking up Mt. LeConte or another top spot in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you can take one of the area’s tramways. The Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway offers spectacular views as you make the slow ride up the mountain, and there is no better spot for panoramic views of the area than the Gatlinburg SkyLift and SkyBridge, which should definitely be on your list of things to do while you’re here.
Anakeesta’s Mountaintop Park, right in the middle of downtown Gatlinburg, offers those amazing views from its gondola ride, observation tower and elevated walkway. And you may be able to enjoy a few quick glimpses of the view as you zip through the trees on the zipline or mountain roller-coaster.
Enjoy a Few Fall Festivals
If you’ve come to Pigeon Forge, a trip to Dollywood must be on your agenda. And at the holidays Dollywood is even more fun. From the first week of November through January 1, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas turns the park into a sparkling, twinkling magical, winter wonderland. It’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit.
And you can get a start on your holiday gift buying at the Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show. Members of the talented Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community fill the civic center with booths of handmade soap, ceramics and pottery, jewelry, fine art and more.
Where to Eat
When somebody mentions Thanksgiving, the first thing you think about is food. There are a few restaurants in the Pigeon Forge area that offer Thanksgiving Day feast.
The Old Mill
Address: 164 Old Mill Ave, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Hours: 8:00 am to 9:00 pm daily
You’ll never have trouble finding this place because of the old gristmill that sits right outside of it. They offer a large traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and they have vegetarian options and other meals. All of the food is served with a side of corn pone and the restaurant’s famous biscuits. Although dinner during thanksgiving in Pigeon Forge maybe filling, you will not want to miss the kitchen pecan pie. Get there early because reservations are not accepted.
Mama’s Farmhouse
Address: 208 Pickel St, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
8:00 am to 9:00 pm daily
This local eatery is famous for its homemade biscuits and eponymous beer. It is popular with the locals for Pigeon Forge thanksgiving. It has a clean comfortable and quaint atmosphere. It is the perfect place to take a family with young children.
J.T. Hanna’s Kitchen
3214 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
11:00 am to 9:00 pm
This restaurant is rustic on the outside and filled with fun on the inside. The drinks are strong, and the crowd is always up for a good time. They serve a fantastic traditional Thanksgiving meal with a selection of tasty desserts.
Have a Homecooked Meal During Thanksgiving in Pigeon Forge
If you prefer to make your own Thanksgiving dinner, The Cabin Rental Store can find you the perfect rental cabin in which to enjoy your Thanksgiving meal. Our homes come equipped with state-of-the-art kitchens with every appliance you could ask for. We will provide all the dishes that you need for your entire family and cleanup is easy with our large dishwashers. Our homes are a popular place to spend Thanksgiving in Pigeon Forge, so give us a call today to rent your cabin!
