I wanted to share a few more attractions we visited during our recent stay in the Pigeon Forge area. If you missed the recaps of our visits to the Titanic attraction and to the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, be sure to go check them out. They were both incredible places to visit, even with kids!
As part of our trip, we were provided tickets to two family friendly attractions, the Dixie Stampede dinner show and Parrot Mountain and Gardens. While I think anyone would enjoy checking out both locations, I think they are particularly great for families with kids.
Dixie Stampede
This dinner show, which is owned by Ms. Dolly Parton, is so much more than a meal! Guests are allowed into a saloon an hour and a half before dinner actually begins, and can get yummy specialty drinks (like frozen slushes or fancy soda combinations…no alcohol here) and some popcorn. And you get to listen to a tremendous 3 piece band play songs that you are pretty much guaranteed to know, which makes it easy to sing along.
Darah was completely mesmerized by the banjo player (he serves as Dolly’s banjo player when she tours!). We weren’t supposed to take photos of the performers, but I snapped one of Darah in her trance!
After the pre-dinner show, we were ushered into the arena where the main event would take place. Everyone had assigned seating, so there was no actual “stampede” to get inside, which I appreciated. And once I saw the arena, I realized that there wasn’t a bad seat in the house. The tiers between rows are quite large so that views aren’t obstructed, and the performers in the show do a fantastic job of going all over the performance space so that everyone can get a good view. Once again, no photography was allowed once the show started, but here’s a shot I snapped before that time.
Throughout the show, we were served our delicious meal, which included a really yummy creamy vegetable soup (my personal favorite!), a whole rotisserie chicken (yes, a whole chicken per person!!!), a hickory smoked bbq pork loin, corn on the cob, a homemade biscuit and a herb-basted potato. For dessert we had an apple pastry that was quite yummy, and we also had unlimited Pepsi products, tea or coffee throughout the meal. To say it was a feast would be an understatement! And I appreciated that they offered doggie bags so that you could take home your leftovers.
I haven’t even told you about the show, yet. It is a very playful competition between the north and south, and includes some truly incredible trick riding on horses, great audience participation, and fun songs. It was REALLY GREAT entertainment, and our 4-year-old was on the edge of her seat the whole time! This experience, in my opinion, is really a must if you visit the Pigeon Forge area.
Parrot Mountain and Gardens
This is a very unique attraction, friends! Parrot Mountain and Gardens is basically a bird sanctuary. It is a must see for any bird enthusiasts, or even for anyone who wants a bit of a break from the hustle and bustle of most other Pigeon Forge attractions. This attraction is much more secluded in its location and its feel.
Parrot Mountain and Gardens is the largest bird park in the Southeast, and there you will find toucans, horn bills, magpies, and countless other birds. Additionally, you will see tens of thousands of flowers and plants. It is a really beautiful area, I have to say! We particularly enjoyed our stroll through the secret garden, where many different types of birds are flying freely.
We loved our trip to Parrot Mountain a few years ago–our only complaints were the slightly scary drive to actually get to the sanctuary, and the ton of stairs at the entrance–my mom has knee trouble and those stairs were daunting! The birds were wonderful though. We especially enjoyed the baby birds we got to see, and of course, the bird that lets you hold it like a baby! My daughter still has a cherished blue and yellow feather she bought as a souvenir.