Title 137

Real Travel Adventures International Magazine

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Fun In Pigeon Forge

By Bonnie Neely

Our lucky bride and groom, who were selected for Real Travel Adventures "Bridal-Give-Away," continued their fun and entertainment in Pigeon Forgeand Gatlinburg, with a variety of fun events and wonderful places to eat. They recommend beginning any day with the wonderful pancakes for which these mountains are famous. You can find a pancake house on any block, but they selected the Log Cabin Pancake House, which is located in both towns. The huge, homestyle breakfasts with pancakes and biscuits, ham, sausage, bacon, or whatever you could think of, will keep you going almost all day. The bride reported that her husband made a pig of himself! Charmaine, our bride who is from South Africa, was introduced to Southern grits here, which she says is very similar to a South African favorite dish. Charmaine even wrote to friends in Johannesburg that she has learned to say "Y'all."

The honeymooners spent a day enjoying museums, lovely shops of hand-crafted gifts, and fine art galleries in Gatlinburg and then had fun with spending their gift certificates graciously provided by Tanger Outlet Malls of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. The bride reported she had never seen so many bargain prices anywhere! They had fun shopping for their home in South Carolina.

They were also hosted by two of the area's favorite restaurants for evening dining. Our honeymooners said Park Grill and Bar has a cozy, hunting lodge atmosphere with log and stone walls and mounted animal trophies. Even in the restrooms sound of nature are playing softly. They were excited to eat here because so many locals they talked to recommended

Another special restaurant for fine dining, which our honeymooners also enjoyed was The Green Brier Restaurant , located at 370 Newman Rd. in Gatlinburg. The Shuckers spent a happy evening here in the dark, cozy atmosphere. The food was delicious...they reported they especially found the fresh made bread delectable! They also had a very good wine selection at affordable prices. The Green Brier was built in the early twentieth century as a hunting lodge and sits picturesquely on the edge of a mountain. Due to its beautiful location, the restaurant is closed in extreme weather. Call 865-436-6318 to be sure before you go and to ask directions.

Park Grill & Bar The Greenbrier Restaurant

To The Old Mill Restaurant (865-453-5748) for breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Our young couple elected to go there for a mid-afternoon main meal when the lines were not long...an important consideration during peak tourist times. This famous site of unbelievably good home cooking, just like grandmother used to do, has been photographed for by nearly every tourist passing by for decades. It is located above the Old Grist Mill on the Pigeon River at Traffic Light #7 in Pigeon Forge. They reported every bite is delicious, but the portions are large enough for two of the biggest eaters, and the prices quite reasonable. Be sure to see the fiber art "painting" of the Old Mill as you enter the dining area. And plan to take out some sweets from the bakery for later. After stuffing themselves ("It was too good to stop!") they enjoyed shopping at the Old Mill Shops and watching the potter at work. They found the Old Mill General Store at the mill wheel irresistable, with its quaint, warped wood floors and overflowing with goodies of every kind from food to toys, like the authentic old country stores of the past century. Although you can choose from hundreds of restaurants and eateries in the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area, these were the favorites of our bride and groom and are our favorites too! You'll be happy you tried any of them (unless you are on a diet!)

Or you might want to go to a dinner theater. Our lucky couple were also given tickets to The BlackBear Jamboree Dinner & Show, and what a treat it was! The dinner is not a typical, bad food, rush-em-in-by-the-busload kind of theater meal. It is an excellent dinner of chicken and barbecued pork with all the trimmings, including delicious, homestyle rolls and a wonderful apple dessert. The show changes seasonally. The colorful stage set and costumes enhance the show theme, and our own experience there was better than the NY City performance of the Rockettes! Our honeymooners got to enjoy the Christmas Show with all their favorite Christmas music performed magnificently. The Black Bear theme is just a small part of the story line to keep children, who are admitted free, entertained. If you are there after March you will also have the opportunity of a Breakfast Show at this theater with the Blackwoods Singers entertaining. (1-800-985-5494, or 865-429-5494)

An evening of laughter followed at the Comedy BarnTheater Yes, you can do both in one evening! This show is good, clean comedy fun with country, mountaineer theme and will keep you laughing for hours. It is suitable for the entire family, and our honeymooners were well-enteretined and got some good laughs. Many people return year after year to laugh with these comic acts, as they change frequently. Children will love it too, and many animals are part of the act. (1-800-29-LAUGH or 865-428-5222)

Now no visit to this section of East Tennessee mountains would be complete without a day at Dollywood, where our winning couple found that it is definitely not "hokey" as they had imagined. To the contrary, it is a state-of-the art theme park with shows and rides equal to Disneyland. What fun for any age! The shows are top-notch and hourly all day and evening. There are many choices of restaurants, and all the food is really good. The park is also a shopper paradise with unusual items...some with a country or mountain theme, some really collectible art and antiques, and many hand-made items. What a great place to do their Christmas shopping! Our honeymooners, who are both extremely creative, reported their favorite place to spend the most time was at the Dollywood Craft Preservation School. They want to return for a week-end of classes. As guests of Dollywood, they had planned to spend only a few hours but ended up staying all day and into the night because they were having so much fun! They also reported their favorite ride was the real train ride into the mountain valley which was decorated for Christmas. Even the train was completely outlined in lights, steam engine and every car! Call 865-428-9488 for information.

Our honeymooners reported, "The Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge-Sevierville is an area we want to go back to often. It isn't just catering to tourists. Even the locals seem to get out and enjoy their own area. The Great Smoky Mountains are beautiful and well worth the drive...from anywhere!"

Continued: Read about the Fairy Tale Honeymoon

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