Blog for Zipline Attraction in the Smoky Mountains
Located in Pigeon Forge, TN and near Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
The Island In Pigeon Forge Is A One-Stop Family Destination
By Ross Bodhi Ogle
Posted on June 6, 2017
One thing Smoky Mountain visitors like so much about this area is that it offers everything they could ask for in a family vacation – all in one convenient and beautiful location. With a wealth of lodging, entertainment, attraction, shopping and dining choices available within the confines of a single county, the Smokies make it easy for visitors to meet all their vacation needs with a minimum of travel.
In that respect, The Island in Pigeon Forge is a microcosm of the Smokies at large. Packed into a single span of acreage in the heart of town is a development that delivers it all – from accommodations and restaurants to specialty shops and fun family-friendly attractions. If you haven't experienced everything The Island has to offer yet, maybe this week's teaser will get you thinking about stopping there next time you're in town.
Lodging – Folks who drive to The Island will find it to be an easily accessible location, with plenty of free parking available just a short walk from the entrance. But those who stay on site overnight at the Margaritaville Island Hotel can fully immerse themselves in the Island experience. A perfect blend of mountain latitude and singer Jimmy Buffett's trademark island attitude, this four-star hotel offers contemporary, mountain-themed aesthetics with high levels of service. Amenities include fireplaces, private balconies, an outdoor pool and a coffee shop.
Restaurants – You'll find nearly 20 restaurants on The Island property. Notable among them are Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville (just steps from the similarly themed hotel) and Paula Deen's Family Kitchen, where guests can enjoy unlimited portions of Deen's family recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There's also Paula Deen's The Bag Lady, where diners on the go can grab a homemade selection of sandwiches, salads and sweets. Other eateries include Mellow Mushroom pizzeria, Timberwood Grill, Dick's Last Resort and snack stops like Poynor's Pommes Frites, Cinnabon, The Fudgery, Island Yogurt and the Yee Haw Snack Shack.
Shopping – Save the wear and tear on your feet by focusing your shopping energy on The Island's collective of more than 40 unique retail and specialty shops. Spend a few hours relaxing at the St. Somewhere Spa, browse the kitchen gadgets at The Paula Deen Store, let the kids get hands-on at the Build-A-Bear Workshop or Doc's Magic Shop, or you can pick up a jigsaw puzzle at Puzzled and guarantee that everyone in your travel group will be challenged for days.
Attractions – There are plenty of attractions within walking distance of The Island, but you'll also find hours' worth of entertainment at your fingertips inside the borders of The Island itself. The centerpiece of the The Island is its iconic Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a giant Ferris Wheel that takes passengers up in climate-controlled gondolas for sweeping panoramic views of the entire region. Another anchor attraction is the Alcatraz East Crime Museum, a 25,000-square-foot museum with more than 100 interactive exhibits exploring our nation's crime history, forensics and more. Also look for fun stops like a ropes course, gem mining, a mirror maze, a dark-ride adventure, escape room, bumper cars and more.
While The Island has a lot going for it, one thing Smokies visitors won't find there is a Pigeon Forge zipline attraction. Fortunately, Smoky Mountain Ziplines is conveniently located near The Island, just a short drive down the Parkway and then only two miles off the main road. Next time you're in town, we hope you can make both destinations a part of your travel itinerary.
