Category Archives: Handicap Friendly Smoky Mountains

Find great places to visit that don’t require a good deal of walking and that provide areas for special needs.

A Mountain Quiltfest 2023 In Pigeon Forge

“Online Class Registration: Tuesday, March 7 @ 10AM EST
Quilting Classes: June 5 – June 8
Quilt Show & Vendor Hall Open: June 6 – June 8
Quilt Show & Vendor Hall Admission: FREE
Quilt Show Hours: June 6 & 7 from 9am-5pm. June 8 from 9am-4pm.

Celebrate the art and heritage of quilting at the 29th Annual A Mountain Quiltfest™. Quilters from all around come together at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge for this quilting event. Quilters have the opportunity to attend classes that are based on skill level and technique. There will also be a quilt show that displays a variety of quilts for your viewing pleasure.

Quilters can choose between different categories to enter their quilts. The winners will go home with some great prizes!

Be sure to check out the vendors’ booths for a variety of quilting necessities and unique accessories.

2023 Featured Instructors:

* Anita Chaisty
* Jacqueline De Jonge
* Sue Bouchard
* Patti Carey
* Carol Ann McCandless
* Carmen Geddes
* Vickie Johnson & Janie Foster
* Rebecca Lidstrom
* Vicki McCarty
* RaNae Merrill
* Kathleen Rountree
* Joyce Teng
* Brenda Henning”

See the main event page for A Mountain Quiltfest at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/quiltfest.

Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival And Games in Townsend, TN.

This year’s annual Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival is taking place at the Townsend Visitor’s Center in, you guessed it, Townsend, TN, on the main road on May 20th and May 21st. The Smoky Mountains have a large presence of Celtic, Irish and Scottish communities that have been here for hundreds of years, so a celebration of Scottish highlander culture in the Tennessee highlands goes together like a black bear and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

Here’s what the official website writes about the Scottish Festival and Games:

“Scotland in the Smokies is calling you!!! Celebrating its 41st year, the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games is Tennessee’s oldest festival of Scottish, Irish and Celtic culture. Presenting folk, roots, rock & pop music, highland athletics, pipes & drums, highland and Irish dance. Whisky tastings, vendors and a great selection of beer and food from the Scottish, Irish and British homelands. Enjoy a weekend of family fun in the beautiful foothills of Townsend, Tennessee, just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Heavy Athletics
Marvel over the feats of strength in this sporting spectacle of champions. Scottish heavy athletics owe their roots to the Highland warriors who would keep in shape between battles by competing amongst themselves with everyday implements. A stone, a blacksmith’s hammer, a tree trunk (caber) became tools for building strength for battle.

Piping & Drumming
Enjoy bag piping and drumming throughout the weekend during competitions that bring players from all over the world to compete in different levels ranging from beginners to professionals.

Highland Dance
Scottish Highland Dancing is an exciting celebration of the Scottish spirit! The dances are a combination of strength, agility, movement, music and costume. They are generally danced solo and in competition unlike other dance mediums. Dancers typically dance to traditional Scottish music such as Strathspeys, Reels, Hornpipes and Jigs all played by accompanying bagpiper. Dances are made up of different parts, called steps and are usually four or six steps to a dance.

Highland dancing was traditionally performed by men but is now performed by men and women. It is one of few arenas where men and women compete equally. In most competitions, the number of women competing far exceeds the number of men.

In addition to perpetuating a great cultural tradition, highland dancers appreciate the athletic challenges, competitive goals, performance opportunities as well as the opportunity to meet and become lifelong friends with dancers from other areas, both nationally and internationally.

Scottish Clans
Find out if you belong to a Scottish Clan! Clan hosts can help you learn more about a clan, including their tartans, as well as welcome you into membership should you decide to officially join a clan.”

See more on this event at https://www.smokymountaingames.org/.

Pigeon Forge Rotary Craft Fair – Spring

Reposted From The Pigeon Forge Tourism Page:

“The Rotary Spring Craft Fair starts two weeks from yesterday on Friday April 21st and runs through Saturday April 29th at The Mountain Mile in Pigeon Forge Tennessee. The hours are 10-6 everyday. Admission is $3 @and your money goes to support charitable causes. Please share this post and come check out the craft fair!”

Great Smoky Mountains Park It Forward Program

It is possible you’ve heard the news already, but if not, we’ll be happy to introduce you to it here. Beginning March 1st, 2023, the Smoky Mountain National Park will require parking tags on vehicles for parking accessibility at National Park destinations. Daily passes are $5 and weekly and yearly passes are also available.

Let’s get this out of the way: while the most immediate and obvious reasons for the Park’s decision to sell parking access seem counter-intuitive, this program, called the “Park It Forward” program, is actually designed to improve driving safety and traffic issues that had been increasing for visitors and locals in recent years. The “Park It Forward” program will improve traffic conditions in the National Park by making planning ahead for parking conditions in the Park mandatory as well as produce a large new potential revenue source for maintenance and further improvements.

From the GMNSP headquarters website:

* Three tag durations are available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types:
Daily – $5
Weekly – $15
Annual – $40
* Parking tags are not replaceable, refundable, transferable, or upgradable.
* Each tag is valid for a single vehicle and must include a license plate number matching the vehicle in which it is displayed.
* Parking tags are available for purchase both online and onsite.
* Display of physical parking tags in each vehicle is required. Digital representations are not accepted.
* Parking tags are not location-specific. A parking tag is required to park anywhere within the boundaries of the Smokies.
* Parking tags are not required for motorists who pass through the area or who park for less than 15 minutes.
* Interagency passes (senior, access, etc.) are not accepted in lieu of a parking tag.

“Annual parking tags must be displayed in the front, lower passenger side windshield. Daily and weekly parking tags must be placed face-up on the front, lower passenger side dashboard.”

See more information at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm or https://www.gatlinburg.com/great-smoky-mountains/parkitforward/.

Winterfest In The Smokies 2022

As of writing, it has just turned October of 2022 and the gorgeous Autumn colors and season is now going to start coming into the Smokies. But while we’re watching the leaves turn and sipping down anything with pumpkin spice in it for the next 30-something days, a question comes up that asks, “Is it too early to be thinking about Winterfest after that?” Years of experience with the Winterfest celebrations in the Smokies says that thinking and planning even as early as July is not unreasonable for the amount of activities the season will provide, along with their popularity making availability for some events and accommodations not guaranteed.

If you are wanting to come to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville for Christmas events and other holiday fun, the time to start planning is now. This will be the last month where cabin availabilities may be found and hotels will have unoccupied rooms, as well as restaurant reservations for Thanksgiving and Christmas (or even near enough). Winterfest in the Smokies does get popular enough that even tickets to Dollywood may get sold out for the day. The early bird gets the worm in this case, and those who plan ahead for their Smoky Mountain vacation and will definitely get worms! Welcome to Winterfest in the Smokies 2022!

And what are some of these events that are so hyped up? We’ll list a few of the big ones right here:

* Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas *
November 5th to January 1st.

From their website:
“Wander through more than five million holiday lights shining bright throughout the Dollywood park, delight in the spectacular holiday performances, soak up the warm Christmas atmosphere, and it’s easy to see why Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas is such a beloved holiday tradition.

Celebrate the holiday season with award-winning entertainment throughout the holiday season.

* Christmas in the Smokies, a heartwarming tradition enjoyed by families for years, returns indoors to centerstage at the Celebrity Theater.
* Heart of the Holidays is a new show featuring several members of Dolly’s family and a mix of some of her holiday favorites alongside songs from her new Christmas album, A Holly Dolly Christmas.
* Heart of the Holidays takes place in the DreamSong Theater.
* Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs, another returning guest favorite, can be found at the Pines Theater.”

See this event at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/dollywoods-smoky-mountain-christmas.

* Gatlinburg Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff *
November 10th

From their website:
“Celebrate the kickoff of Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic! Gatlinburg hosts this annual event on Thursday, November 10 from 5 to 8 PM at the Shade Tree Parking at 120 Historic Nature Trail. Festivalgoers will enjoy free, live entertainment offered throughout the event.”

See this event at https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/gatlinburg-winter-magic-kickoff-and-chili-cookoff/16/.

* Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights *
November 13th to February 19th.

From their website:
“See more than 5 million shining Pigeon Forge holiday lights when you take the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights! Along your driving tour, you’ll see bear, deer, fox and other critters native to the Smoky Mountains “wandering” through Pigeon Forge. Sparkling lights, giant ornaments, and tall, tall trees are seen on Island Drive and throughout the Island in Pigeon Forge. Even the 200-foot-tall Great Smoky Mountain Wheel shows off the holiday spirit with red, green and white lights.

Get a glimpse of some of your favorite fairytale characters lighting up the Pigeon Forge Parkway. You’ll see Mother Goose, the giant clock from Hickory Dickory Dock, the cat and fiddle of Hey Diddle Diddle fame, and Humpty Dumpty, complete with all the king’s horses and all the king’s men. Another highlight of the Winterfest Driving Tour of Lights is a 60-foot-tall tree adorned with colorful lights, ribbons and sparkling ornaments from the very bottom to the twinkling star on top.”

See this event at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/winterfest-driving-tour-of-lights.

* Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade *
December 2nd

From their website:
“Beginning at 7:30 p.m. from Baskins Creek Bypass and East Parkway, a spectacular parade line-up of balloons, floats decorated by local businesses and community groups, and high school marching bands, spans through downtown before ending at traffic light #10. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early on parade day.

City officials will host a grand illumination ceremony of the Gatlinburg Christmas Tree at 7:25 pm on the Parkway Plaza at Traffic Light #3. The Parade route begins at Baskins Creek By-Pass, travels to Traffic Light #3, turns south onto the Parkway, and ends at Traffic Light #10.”

See this event at https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/fantasy-of-lights-christmas-parade/36/.

* Sevierville’s 60th Annual Christmas Parade *
December 3rd

From their website:
“Downtown Sevierville offers a full day of holiday merriment on December 3. Begin the day with Sevierville’s 60th Annual Christmas Parade (December 3, 2022 at 11am EST). This traditional hometown parade is a great way to add a little more joy to the holidays. Then come back to downtown Sevierville that evening for an old-fashioned tree lighting at the Sevier County Courthouse. Enjoy children’s crafts, photos with Santa, and plenty of delicious holiday snacks and music during Christmas at the Courthouse (December 3, 2022 at 6pm).”

See this event at https://visitsevierville.com/Winterfest.aspx.

Smoky Mountain Recommendations For The Visually Impaired

As part of our series on providing recommendations for attractions that have disability access for disabled guests, we have a handful of attractions here that have programs and processes for the visually impaired visiting the Smokies. These items include links to their relevant web pages and their official statements.

* The Alcatraz Museum in Pigeon Forge *

“Alcatraz East welcomes the general public to its exhibitions and programs. Tickets are required for admission. Visitors who need special assistance to tour Alcatraz East or participate in its programs should contact Alcatraz East a minimum of fourteen days prior to their visit so that Alcatraz East will have sufficient time to arrange for appropriate assistance. Alcatraz East will make a reasonable effort to accommodate all of its visitors’ needs.

Audio tours are available for our guests with severe vision impairments. Trained service animals are permitted to accompany visitors with disabilities. For guests with lighting sensitivity, a flashlight may be requested.”

See more on their website at:
https://www.alcatrazeast.com/accessibility/

* Wonderworks in Sevierville *

“WonderWorks welcomes the general public to enjoy an interactive experience and will make a reasonable effort to accommodate any special needs. Visitors who need special assistance should contact WonderWorks 72 hours prior to their visit allowing sufficient time to arrange for appropriate assistance. WonderWorks will make a reasonable effort to accommodate all of its visitors’ needs.

Trained service animals are permitted to accompany visitors with disabilities. Exhibits that focus on the sense of touch and feel include: Hurricane Shack, Titanic, Bed of Nails, Pull Yourself Up and Wonder Simulators.

In accordance with the American Disabilities Act, service dogs or service mini horses are allowed. The approved service animal(s) must be trained to perform a specific service. We do not allow therapy animals.”

See more on their website at:
www.wonderworksonline.com/pigeon-forge/privacy-and-ada-policy/.

* Titanic Museum *

“The Titanic Museum Attractions are self-guided with an audio guide included in your purchase to enhance the tour. The museum has elevators available for all wheelchairs and strollers.”

See more on their website at:
https://titanicpigeonforge.com/tickets/general-inquiry-frequently-asked-questions/

* The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge *

“The Old Mill property and its businesses are completely handicap-accessible for our guests. Many of the entrances are on the ground level; those that are elevated have ramps.

Walkways are made of concrete, brick, and stone and can be a little bumpy in some places for guests in wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and children in strollers, but they are all passable by wheelchairs. Guests who are visually impaired should be able to navigate the more organic paths with a little care.”

See more on their website at:
https://www.old-mill.com/accessibility

* Ghost Walks of Gatlinburg *

“Most every place we will take you on our tour is accessible by wheelchair. But please be aware that some areas may present a greater challenge than others… such as leaving the paved surface to explore the cemetery (which is also uphill)… as well as other parts of the tour that are a part of the downtown area of the City of Gatlinburg. We will make every effort to assist the handicapped.”

See more on their website at:
https://www.ghostwalkofgatlinburg.com/policies

* Dolly Parton’s Stampede *

“Our family of six recently headed to Sevierville for spring break and decided to check out Dolly Parton’s Stampede. Our family is unique because in addition to multiple ages and stages of life represented, we also have different abilities. Our eleven-year-old daughter is functionally blind and we are always on the lookout for family experiences that feel inclusive for her. Stampede is a wonderful show that includes tons of visual elements, but we observed many great auditory and kinetic elements that made Lola feel included, too. The audience is asked to stomp their feet instead of clapping—mostly because hands are occupied with eating whole chickens!—but the result is much louder than simply clapping. Additionally, the stadium seats literally vibrate when the audience stomps. This is a wonderful element for a visually impaired child to experience. The emcee of the night, who is charismatic and fun, also describes every event in detail. If the pigs are coming out for a race, you know exactly what’s happening without having to rely on sight! Lola was a full participant in every moment and that made the experience even more special for our family. She also loved meeting the performers and petting the horses at the end of the show—all of the kids did, in fact!”

See more on their website at:
https://insiders.dollywood.com/dolly-partons-stampede-a-sensory-and-action-packed-adventure/

Kids Love The Trout Farm!

Have you heard of The English Mountain Trout Farm? Located in the Sevierville area just off 411 are several attractions we know the kids and the family will enjoy. One of them is The English Mountain Trout Farm.

Enjoy a beautiful ride to a less visited area of Sevier County and the Smoky Mountains. English Mountain Trout Farm is located at 291 Blowing Cave Rd., Sevierville, Tennessee 37876. English Mountain Trout Farm has a little bit of fun for all ages. You don’t have to have children with you to enjoy your visit, however, we highly recommend this visit for toddlers and children. This attraction is also a very good wheelchair accessible location for those with special needs.

At the Trout Farm you can catch your fish and have them cook it for you! You Hook ‘Em and We’ll Cook ‘Em you will hear them say! Bait, fishing poles and fishing attendants are all part of the experience when you pay your small fee for your license for the time you are fishing. If you prefer to just enjoy their delicious Trout, then you can simply order and eat, they are known for their delicious home cooked foods.

Dine In or Take Out, Outdoor Seating, High chairs and wheelchair access makes The English Mountain Trout Farm one of our favorite picks for things to do with Toddlers and Children in the Smoky Mountains.’ Did we mention the Gem Mine? Oh my, who knew it was so much fun to Gem Mine. The kids will love it and so will you. This is such a great place for families!

The English Mountain Trout Farm is highly rated by Trip Advisor and others. Expect a wonderful experience when you visit.

https://www.englishmountaintroutfarm.net

Great Experiences for Special Needs Part 1: National Park Attractions

One question we see visitors, interested parties and even some locals is where they can find special needs accessibility for themselves or their child, parent, grandparent, etc. Certainly the idea of spending a family reunion in the Smokies or getting out in the fresh air to enjoy the wonderful nature and events we have for Spring and Summer is universally appealing, but for those with special needs, they face challenges many of us who do not have special needs take for granted. We do not normally have to take into consideration whether a tourism area with extreme elevation differences is going to be a barrier or not.

Fortunately, technology advancement for special needs visitors of all ages has made leaps and bounds in the last decade alone and continues to do so. In this article, as of Spring 2022, we have the following recommendations to make for how our visitors can enjoy the many attractions, restaurants, events and more that Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and the rest of Sevier County offer!

National Park Attractions

* Cades Cove *
Cades Cove is an 11-mile driveable loop near Townsend, TN, that does not require visitors to get out of their car or vehicle to enjoy the sights and atmosphere. Cades Cove is easily accessed via Little River Road or Wears Valley Road to Townsend. Cades Cove will provide opportunity to see a variety of past scenes from settlers in the Cove to wildlife that you can keep an eye out for such as turkeys, raccoons, white tailed deer, bears and even coyotes. Some establishments are accessible by wheelchair, but not all as a measure of preservation to the buildings. There are several pull-off locations, one with a visitors center that will be friendly to special needs.

See more on Cades Cove at https://wearsvalleyvisitorscenter.com/cades-cove-wears-valley/.

* Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail *
Roaring Fork is a 5.5-mile driveable loop that does not require visitors to get out of their car or vehicle to enjoy the sights and atmosphere. It is a one way loop that takes you through the Twin Creeks and Roaring Fork areas of the park. You will find pull-off locations and end the vehicle trail at Ely’s Mill, which is one of the most beautiful areas of Gatlinburg.

See more on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail at https://gatlinburgrecovers.com/2019/07/08/gorgeous-roaring-fork-in-the-smokies/.

* Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail *
A walking nature trail near the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg that is completely paved and accessible for people with wheelchairs, mobility scooters or similar special needs. It is a 0.5-mile trail that goes deep into the woods and features safely accessible terrain to get close to the water.

See more on Sugarlands at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm.

* Little River Trail *
Little River Trail is a 6-mile walking trail near Elkmont that can be accessed with wheelchairs and crutches, however it is not paved like Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail is and may not be a fit for all special needs visitors. The first mile of the trail is reported to be smooth enough for powered wheelchairs up to the first mile or mile and a half. Little River Trail is deep into the woods and has trail space next to water like Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail.

See more on Little River Trail at https://hikinginthesmokys.com/little-river-trail/.

* Clingman’s Dome *
Famously considered one of the steeper and more potentially difficult trails in the Smokies, Clingman’s Dome is nonetheless fully paved and some special needs visitors have reported being able to do the 0.5-mile trail and reach the Observation Tower. Curb Free With Cory Lee reports that he was able to reach the Observation Tower in his powered wheelchair. Visitors with a manual wheelchair or crutches may also be able to reach the Observation Tower with assistance. Discretion is advised. Special needs parking is also available and views across the Smokies are immediate just from the parking lot alone.

See more on Clingman’s Dome at https://themountainsarecallingyou.com/2022/03/26/get-to-know-clingmans-dome/.

* Mountain Farm Museum *
Mountain Farm Museum is at the Oconaluftee Visitor’s Center on the other side of Newfound Gap near Cherokee, NC, and both the farm museum and visitor’s center are accessible for special needs visitors. The path to the Mountain Farm Museum is hard-packed gravel and may require assistance under certain conditions (such as weather), but the historic house on the property has an access ramp. The visitor’s center is fully accessible.

See more on Mountain Farm Museum at https://www.greatsmokies.com/mtn-farm-museum/.

* Gatlinburg City Parks *
While not being (totally) within the boundaries of the official national park, the multiple city parks we have in Gatlinburg are all deeply surrounded by the same thick forestry and access to water streams and bodies that our hiking trails have. Gatlinburg has three parks: Mynatt, Miles, and Herbert Holt, each of which offer pavilions, stream access, bathroom facilities with special needs accessibility, and often wildlife can be spotted in the parks as well. City parks are also typically open during times when the National Park might not be (for weather or similar reasons) and may be considered a safer alternative for enjoying Smoky Mountain nature when other attractions may not be available.

See more on Gatlinburg City Parks at https://smokymountainwelcomeguide.com/free-area-parks/.

There are many other attractions and items of interest in our area that offer special needs accessibility, but these are the main ones we felt a decent list should start with.

More information can be found on these links:
– The Smoky Mountains For Special Needs Visitors Part 2
– Scooters And Wheelchair Rentals And Sales
– Cory Lee’s “A Wheelchair Accessible Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Guide”.
– Best Wheelchair Friendly In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

“Who has special needs accessibility in our special needs [group member] be comfortable enjoying the Smoky Mountains? We are happy to report that the Great Smoky Mountains and the area around in its communities and attractions are indeed friendly to those with special needs. In our article we hope to provide you with helpful information for your special person to enjoy the Smoky Mountains.

Find Scooter and other Rentals Here!

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a 5.5 mile

Metcalf Bottoms is a picnic area in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park that is also located along Little River Road or accessible via Wears Valley Road. Metcalf Bottoms is a spacious area with a picnic pavilion that can be reserved through recreation.gov. We love Metcalf Bottoms as an accessible area in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Free Parks with Access and Fishing

Herbert Holt Park in Gatlinburg, Mynatt Park in Gatlinburg and Metcalf Bottoms in the Wears Valley area of the National Park all have fishing opportunities for everyone. Kids can fish free! Learn more about the Free Parks in the area here.

Attractions and Dining

There are several areas in the Smokies we would recommend for those who use a scooter or wheelchair as they offer special spacious areas and accommodations. The Island in Pigeon Forge would be a favorite. Offering drop off and parking locations specifically for those who are chair bound, The Island is a pleasant experience. Enjoy a meal, do some shopping, sit and watch the fountains (and the people!)

The Mountain Mile in Pigeon Forge is a spacious, multi experience area where they have set up space and activities for people of all kinds to enjoy. Some of today’s hottest names in retail are at the Mountain Mile. Enjoy a meal at Junction 35 or pick up some spirits to take to your cabin. Enjoy a spacious area for walking, riding, enjoying the beautiful area they have created. You will find The Mountain Mile at the corner of Teaster Lane and East Wears Valley Road in Pigeon Forge.

Walden’s Landing is a great choice for a good experience! Spacious parking with accommodating restaurants make this area a good choice if you have a chair bound member in your group. Shopping, attractions and restaurants will be fun and accommodating to all! Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud is a family favorite!

We know the Wonderworks, The Titanic, and the Alcatraz museum are also great stops. All of the larger attractions will have accommodations for those with scooters or wheelchairs where possible.

The Fun Time Trolley System is Handicap and Wheelchair friendly. Learn about their paratransit pass if you live within 3/4th of a mile of the route. You can locate Scooter Sales and Rentals on the parkway in Pigeon Forge at 3536 Parkway. https://www.pigeonforge.com/trolley/

What about Sensory Friendly?
Those on the Autism Spectrum may find they need a sensory friendly area to enjoy the Smoky Mountains. Several of the attractions in the area provide a sensory friendly area for those who are especially sensitive to over stimulation. Dollywood is very friendly to special needs, just ask! Wonderworks hosts 10 Sensory Friendly days each year and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies hosts a Sensory Friendly Night at the Aquarium for those who are interested. Don’t be afraid to ask! We want you to have a fantastic vacation as our guest.

These Menus At Sunliner Diner Restaurant in Pigeon Forge

In this small article, we wanted to highlight a recent trip to the Sunliner Diner restaurant in Pigeon Forge and their clever integration of Pigeon Forge identity and the listing of food items and services commonly referred to as a “menu”. We just wanted to highlight this bit of creativity you can find from a newer and very popular restaurant in our area!

Yes, the menu for their burgers, fries, chicken tenders, waffles, chicken and waffles, appetizers, meatloaf, fish and chips, sandwiches and more are all printed on the back of this page. It’s a wonderfully nice touch for a restaurant designed to make you feel like you’ve gone back a couple eras!

See the Sunliner Diner online at https://www.sunlinerdiner.com/pigeon-forge/.

Fudge Shops In The Smokies

Want to know what some of the most varied unsung heroes of Smoky Mountain tourism are? The fudge shoppes. From downtown Gatlinburg to midway through Sevierville, the main connected road has more than a few cocoa confectionery places with a variety of flavors to suit tastes, along with sugar-free fudge available at many of the stores. Most fudge that can be purchased come in candy stores that offer even more taste-tackular options for the sugar-craven.

Here are some fudge places to hop through listed here:

* Old Mill Candy Kitchen *
177 Old Mill Ave, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(877)-653-6455
https://old-mill.com/

From their website:
“Appalachia has long been a haven for homemade candies. The Old Mill Candy Kitchen proudly carries on this regional tradition, with fudges, brittles, divinity, caramels, taffy, hand-dipped chocolates, and hard candies to satisfy every sweet tooth. From bubbling copper kettles cooking up brittle to our vintage taffy-wrapping machine, The Old Mill Candy Kitchen is filled with old-time candy-making fun. And we add a fresh twist with seasonal favorites and our own innovations like our famous Bear Paws. Stop by or shop online today!”

* Country Candy Kitchen *
3341 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-453-6006
http://countrycandykitchen.com/

From their website:
“See taffy being made daily in our stores (times vary somewhat). Choose your favorite flavors or grab a handful of assorted. The copper kettle fudge is our original recipe, and really is handmade in copper kettles. Choose assorted or your favorite flavor, a handy knife is included (Peanut Butters are not included in assortments). Marble slab homemade fudge is a new recipe and comes in 8 oz. slabs all the way up to 6 pound slabs. Great for parties and family get-togethers! Our hand-dipped chocolate candies come in an assortment of nut clusters, caramels, pecan turtles and jellies. A wonderful choice for gift giving or sampling.”

* Farmhouse Sweets *
3220 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 366-1283
https://farmhouse-sweets.business.site/

* Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen *
744 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-436-4886
https://www.olesmokycandykitchen.com/

* Fudge Shoppe Of The Smokies *
716 Parkway #114, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 430-5052
https://www.fudgeshoppeofthesmokies.com/

From their website:
“Fresh delicious fudge. Seasonal and year around programs. Low minimum orders. We combine sugar, pure cream, butter, corn syrup and the base flavoring to make each batch. For example, we use real imported Dutched Chocolate for the chocolate bases and pure natural vanilla extract for the vanilla bases. All the base ingredients are combined in a big copper pot and cooked until they reach the correct temperature. The base is then poured onto a marble slab and allowed to cool. After about 10 minutes of creaming air into the fudge it begins to get thick and its much harder to toss. That’s when we swap out the paddle for a small spatula and continue the creaming process. The final step is for you to come and enjoy some for yourself!”

* Kilwin’s Chocolates *
645 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(888) 454-5946
https://www.kilwins.com/

From their website:
“We at Kilwins always enjoy serving you the highest quality, best tasting products we possibly can. As we work through the recovery phase of the pandemic our caring store owners are doing their best to serve you. Each store is now open subject to that store’s specific needs, requirements and guidance from national, state, and local authorities. We continue our concern and support for those impacted by the pandemic with our number one concern being health and safety. Please call your local store or select the “Locations” link at the top of this page to find a Kilwins store near you for store hours or any questions you may have. Thank you very much for your patronage, which we really appreciate. We continue to do our very best.”

* Chocolate Monkey *
2631 Parkway #1, Pigeon Forge, TN 37862
(865) 366-3181
https://chocolate-monkey.business.site/

1001 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Located in Ober Gatlinburg
(865) 436-8244

* The Fudgery *
131 The Island Dr #3106, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-774-7800
http://www.fudgeryfudge.com/

* Big Rock Candy Kitchen *
131 The Island Dr, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865)-366-1701
https://islandinpigeonforge.com/poi/big-rocky-candy-kitchen/

From their website:
“Homemade sweets and treats made from scratch. Between salt water taffy, creamy fudge, crisp caramel apples, gourmet popcorn and gelato you are sure to find something to satisfy your sweet tooth. Come on down, meet our friendly staff and taste the best candies in the Smokies! Free samples anyone?”