Blog for Zipline Attraction in the Smoky Mountains
Located in Pigeon Forge, TN and near Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
By Ross Bodhi Ogle
Posted on March 7, 2017
Millions of visitors flock to Sevier County, Tennessee each year, primarily to enjoy the majestic sights of the Great Smoky Mountains and to experience firsthand all the beauty and outdoor activities that their namesake national park have to offer.
But that's usually just the tip of the iceberg of the typical Smoky Mountains vacation. Whether you're staying in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Sevierville, this area has a lot more to offer, from theme parks and other forms of outdoor recreation to world-class attractions, unique shops and fun special events.
Regardless of how you construct your next vacation to the Smokies, however, there's one thing that every visitor will have to do, at an average frequency of three times per day. And that's eat. It's an escapable fact of life on the road, and while some folks may hit up the grocery stores and do some of their own meal prep in a cabin or hotel suite, we highly recommend that you also get out and try some of our restaurants.
Our communities offer a wide range of cuisine, but you might be surprised to find that you can treat your palate to flavors from all over the world. We have an impressive selection of international eateries for you to try, so whether you're partial to Mexican, Asian, Italian or even Indian, we definitely have something to share with those looking for something other than grits, pancakes or barbecue. Here are just a few suggestions for restaurants to visit:
Best Italian – This long-time local and visitor favorite has two locations on the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg – the original, between traffic lights 8 and 9, and the newer one, between traffic lights 6 and 8. At either, you'll enjoy some of the most authentic Italian dishes in the Smokies, from pasta dishes and Italian-style treatments of beef, fish and poultry to a tempting selection of pizzas and calzones. The portions are hefty and will definitely leave you satisfied.
El Paso Mexican Restaurant – You'll find this low-key Mexican-food eatery in a shopping plaza on Winfield Dunn Parkway in Sevierville. The décor is quaint but distinctive, and the atmosphere is laid-back, but you'll find pretty much anything you could think of to tame that south-of-the-border craving. The menu covers all the bases from beef-, chicken- and seafood-based recipes to familiar categories like burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, tortas, tacos and house specials like chimichangas, taquitos and Nachos Grandes.
Thai Basil Restaurant – In the same shopping plaza that's home to El Paso Mexican Restaurant, you'll also find this Thai-food eatery. Again, the setting is unpretentious, but the food is worth the trip if you're a fan of Asian food in general or Thai food specifically. The menu delivers authentic stir fry, Thai curry, noodle, seafood and fried rice dishes, all of which can be tailored to your preferred level of spiciness.
Smokies Cuban Café – If you've never tried Cuban cuisine, treat yourself to this restaurant on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. The owners are from Cuba, so they know what they're doing when they serve up dishes like traditional Cuban sandwiches, empanadas, steak, shredded beef dishes, Cuban coffees and even breakfast.
Sitar Indian Cuisine – Some people just have to have their fix of Indian food wherever they go, and if that's you, then you might want to check out this little spot on the Parkway in Sevierville. The setting is pleasingly upscale-casual, and the kitchen cooks up everything from fish tikka masala and chicken curry to lamb biryani and vegetarian dishes like matar panir. Order off the menu or dive into their buffet.
Between meals, remember that we're now open for the season at Smoky Mountain Ziplines. Give us a call to confirm our daily hours before booking a trip, but otherwise, we're looking forward to having you out this year to enjoy our zipline in Sevierville, TN.