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One in a series of travel articles

By WARREN RESEN, member of the Outdoor Writers Assoc.

Recession? What Recession? It was midweek in mid October just after the worst stock market downturn in Wall Street’s history since the Great Depression and the roads, restaurants and attractions in Dolly Parton’s home town were packed with vacationers, not just retirees, but families with children of all ages. The area’s tourist bureaus were reporting record attendance at all venues.

Where once the main attraction were the views from the overlooks in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina, people now use the roads to speed through the park to get to the attractions down below in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is purported to be the most visited national park in the continental United States with an estimated 11 to 13 million visitors per year.

But I’ll let you in on a little secret...cars are counted going through a check point where a multiplier is used to estimate visitor counts whether or not they stop, or even open their windows to take pictures. The cars are on their way to the motels, shows and restaurants down below.

Before Dolly opened what was admittedly a minor attraction to basically provide employment for family members, this was an economically depressed area in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Today, new commercial and residential construction is visible everywhere: tourist attractions, restaurants, motels, condos, time shares and single family homes.

The economy has altered the way people travel. But as Americans we still want to travel, and consider it a right. The reason for this area’s success is its proximity to so many people. This part of the Smoky Mountains is only a day to a day and-one-half drive from two-thirds of the population of the continental United States. We all know what a hassle it is to travel by plane today, and of course expensive for families. The price of gas is less than the price of an airplane ticket for the family.

The chambers of commerce in this area and the visitor’s bureaus are fiercely proud of their offerings. However, visitor’s rarely know if they are in Sevierville (pronounced Severe-ville), where Dolly Parton was born, or Pigeon Forge, or even care. They know about Dollywood and perhaps several other attractions. And that’s what they’ve come to see and experience.

Dolly Parton is no longer just a singer and a personality. She has become an institution as up to 4 million visitors a year come to the venues in which she has an interest: Dollywood, the Dixie Stampede and Splash Country. You cannot visit the area without seeing her impact. There’s even a life size bronze statue of a young Dolly Parton in the heart of Sevierville.

To get an accurate idea of the sheer number of attractions beckoning tourists, take a drive on The Parkway through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge at night when all of the neon signs are aglow. It can be a little intimidating.

While every chain restaurant and motel known to the Great American Public is also here, it would be a real adventure if visitors tried local offerings rather than the things they can get back home. After all, you are on vacation.

Accommodations run the gamut from basic motel to upscale themed resort, and because of completion, rates generally are very reasonable. A suggestion from me for a family stay would be “Wilderness at the Smokies” in Sevierville. Besides not having the feel or look of a motel, it is a water park resort with a soon to be completed, year ’round 50,000 sq. ft. indoor addition.

Dining, always a major topic of discussion, is every fast food addict’s dream here. The choices are mind boggling, especially for lovers of fried foods which even includes pickles, ice cream and cheese cake. There are some restaurants though that rise above the standard fare and should be considered as part of your vacation plans.

The Apple Farmhouse Grill in Sevierville, originally a farm and then apple orchard, serves large portions of delicious food at reasonable prices in an unusual setting where you can eat and shop in an atmosphere unlike any national food chain. On-site are two restaurants, a candy factory, winery, creamery, bakery, general store and Christmas gift shop. Then there is Damon’s Grill in Pigeon Forge where dinner is not to be rushed but enjoyed.

The main lure for visitors has to be Dollywood, a human-scale sized theme park displaying the arts, crafts and traditions of Appalachia but with lots of rides for kids and adults. One price covers everything and it is an enjoyable day’s outing. Check with the park...I believe a one day pass might get you in the next day also. But, there is one attraction, unique to the area, that should not be missed. It is The Cirque de Chine or Chinese Circus.

Housed in its own building, The Smoky Mountain Palace, acrobats and motorcyclists perform jaw dropping feats. A word of caution though, don’t try these things at home.

Sevierville is home to a brand new outdoor experience, one that is becoming popular in many areas of the United States. The WAHOO Zipline whisks you up over and through the forest at speeds of up to 50 mph. The only proviso is that you have to be under 250 pounds to experience this thrilling ride, something that might be problematic after visiting the area’s restaurants.

Traversing from above the trees to below the ground is easy to do if you take a tour of the Forbidden Caverns. This fascinating natural formation with its grottos, and natural chimneys has the largest wall of rare cave onyx known to exist anywhere. And better hold on to something or someone when they turn out the lights.

This area of the southeastern United States offers an enjoyable and affordable experience for the traveler. There literally is something for everyone in all price ranges. Besides the regular tourist haunts there is hiking, canoeing/kayaking, fishing and even a breathtaking helicopter ride that takes you up over the hills for an unforgettable view of what you might have just seen down below.

Then of course there is Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the attraction that started it all. If you’ve had enough of the tourist trot for awhile and want a break, the park is still there. The vistas are still breathtaking and every season offers a different view, and who knows, maybe your car will be counted twice, adding to the annual visitor count!
The Internet displays extensive listings for each municipality and major attraction. So when you go there, pick out what is of interest and enjoy browsing.

Bronze statue of Dolly Parton

Too much fried food...

Forbidden Caverns...ungrounded vista

Author on a zipline. Photo by J.G. Nash

Dollywood train ride