Blog for Zip line Attraction in the Smoky Mountains
Located in Pigeon Forge, TN and near Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
Pigeon Forge Coming Attractions
By Ross Bodhi Ogle
Posted on June 6, 2023
Each year, we typically devote at least one blog post to previewing new businesses coming to the Smokies, from attractions and restaurants to retail destinations and unique accommodations. This year, however, it seems that things are continuing to change so quickly that simply doing a single preview in late winter or early spring won't effectively cover the state of development in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
So it's time for another update. Read on to learn about some coming attractions that we haven't previously mentioned this year and to get the most recent news about some we've already touched on in the past.
Buc-ee's – We've had our eyes on this one for a while. The increasingly popular, Texas-based convenience-store chain is getting closer to opening its new 74,000-square-foot location at I-40 Exit 407 in Sevierville. It will, for a short period of time, be the largest convenience store in the nation, providing dozens of gas pumps plus a mind-boggling selection of food, snacks, drinks, apparel, travel essentials and more. The most recent projection for the opening date currently stands at June 24.
Array – There's a new show in Pigeon Forge. The Array variety show features musicians, singers and dancers performing hit songs from all genres of music and spanning several decades. There's also comedy, specialty and variety acts to keep audience members of all ages entertained. Look for aerial artists, jugglers, magicians and more in this family-friendly presentation located on the Parkway.
Flyaway – This indoor skydiving attraction has been a mainstay among Pigeon Forge attractions for decades. But soon, it will have a new home. The longest-running wind-tunnel operation in the world is getting a brand-new 50,000-plus-square-foot facility on Teaster Lane. It will offer two separate wind tunnels as well as onsite lodging for camps and courses, a gym and a recovery center.
Gateway to Adventure – We've touched on this in previous posts, but this is going to be one of those big and noticeable new projects in the Smokies. We mentioned Buc-ee's above, but that's actually just one component of this larger development at Exit 407. This shopping, dining and lodging destination will also include an entertainment district called Smoky Gap. Operated in cooperation with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, it will have an early 1900s theme, from the storefronts to the giant clock tower. Also look for an attraction devoted to celebrating Cherokee history as well as a new Courtyard by Marriott hotel property.
Eagle Mountain Sanctuary – This habitat for non-releasable bald eagles is an operation of the American Eagle Foundation, which has partnered with Dollywood to care for these disabled birds since 1990. Visitors to the theme park are already able to view the eagles inside a 30,000-square-foot outdoor aviary, but now, the foundation is currently in the process of building new enclosures for even more birds at a 55-acre site in Kodak, Tennessee.
Lots of hotels – Folks booking accommodations to the Smokies in the near future will have more hotel options than ever thanks to the opening of a whole host of new properties throughout the area. As the year progresses, look for HeartSong Lodge & Resort at Dollywood; DreamCatcher Hotel adjacent to the Tower Shops in Pigeon Forge; the Cambria Hotel, Delta Hotel by Marriott and Allegory Hotel in Gatlinburg; and Sanctuary Treehouse Resort in Sevierville.
So if you're looking for things to do, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville will have more to offer than ever this year. And that includes established attractions like Smoky Mountain Ziplines. We're located just two miles off the Parkway in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains.
