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Posted by Jon Hoffman in Smoky Mountains
Great news! Exciting new attractions are coming to the Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg area. Look for cool planned developments like these....
All-New Expansion for Dollywood
Dollywood. It started (under a different name) as a tiny tourist attraction, with a vintage steam locomotive and an old-timey general store.
Today that modest outpost has become one of the most popular theme parks on the planet, drawing nearly three million visitors in a typical season.
Named after its current co-owner, country music legend Dolly Parton, Dollywood covers 150 acres in Pigeon Forge, TN, at the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. And that's not even counting its adjacent Splash Country water park (35 acres), DreamMore (20 acres), and Stampede Dinner attraction (five acres).
Over the years, Dollywood has continually expanded, adding thrill rides and themed attractions celebrating Smoky Mountain history and culture. Just last year, it opened Wildwood Grove, a six-acre, $37-million expansion featuring all-new rides inspired by Dolly Parton's childhood dreams. And in April 2020, it launched a new Flower and Food Festival, complete with giant topiary sculptures and banks of colorful blossoms.
Now Dollywood is expanding again. According to local news sources, a new development is planned for a site just behind Splash Country and DreamMore. When completed, it will include a 15,000-square-foot conference space, a 325-seat restaurant, and more. All told, it will cover 82,000 square feet and employ more than 100 people.
Details are still being worked out. But, if the past is any indication, the new expansion will have an authentic Smoky Mountains feel, with a tangible, thematic connection to Dolly Parton's storied career.
Stay tuned for further info. And, in the meantime, check out the Smokies' other new highlights such as....
The Tower Shops at The Mountain Mile
Nestled in the heart of Pigeon Forge you'll find The Mountain Mile, a new 174-acre development featuring fashionable shops and eateries. In coming months, this upscale shopping destination will welcome premium retailers ranging from REI to Appalachian Apparel to Coffee Armory.
The payoff? You can shop till you drop – and nosh on yummy cuisine – all at one scenic site in a beautiful mountain setting.
New Orleans-Style All-Day-Breakfast Diner
Hankering for a taste of New Orleans? Come to Ruby Sunshine at 105 Reagan Drive in Gatlinburg for scrumptious all-day breakfast with a flavorful Creole twist. Savor classic N'Orlins favorites like luscious Eggs Cochon, Brioche French Toast, BBQ Shrimp & Grits, Buttermilk-Biscuit Sliders, and sautéed Bayou Shrimp. And wash it all down with authentic NOLA-style cold-brewed coffee. Magnifique!
New Pigeon Forge Chair Lift
If you love the chair lifts in Gatlinburg, you're in for a treat: Pigeon Forge is getting its very own chair lift, too.
Slated for construction in 2020, this spanking-new lift will carry you comfortably up a gradual incline to the top of a new 85-foot observation tower, where you'll enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding Smokies. Don't miss it!
All This and So Much More
The Great Smoky Mountains offer endless delights, from world-famous hiking trails to legendary food and entertainment. Contact Volunteer Cabin Rentals now to book your Smoky Mountain cabin with all the comforts of home and then some!
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