In the 1700s, Scotch-Irish and German settlers co-mingled with the native Cherokee and Algonquin tribes to evolve what is known today as Appalachian culture. Within the far-reaching range of eastern North America’s Appalachian Mountains, you’ll find a wealth of subcultures, micro-expressions of the overall Appalachian lifestyle and worldview. One such region exists in the Great Smoky Mountains, a haven for Southern-style cuisine, down-home dialects, bluegrass and folk musical styles, artisanal crafting techniques, rich natural history, and so much more. For your next travel adventure to these distinctive highlands, dive into a fascinating cultural immersion with the following Gatlinburg entertainment and Pigeon Forge attractions.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
When in the mountains, hiking is a must! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not only the prime destination for hiking, camping, horseback riding tours, scenic driving routes and ATV rides, but it also preserves the diverse flora and fauna that make the area so geographically special. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as black bears, deer, rabbits, elk and even salamanders. Native to the Smokies are over 30 brightly colored salamander species, locally referred to as “spring lizards.”
After the park was established in 1934 to preserve over 175,000 acres of old-growth forests, the landowners moved out and abandoned their farmsteads, barns, grist mills, schools and NYS boater safety exam churches. These old log structures have since been rehabilitated as historical sites and can be seen on trails such as Cades Cove, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Cataloochee and Oconaluftee. Explore the timeless beauty and historical significance of the world’s oldest mountain range at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery
It wouldn’t be a complete cultural experience of the Smokies without a sampling of the local moonshine. As Tennessee’s first legal distillery, Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery artfully crafts moonshine and whiskey, based on family recipes dating back to the 1800s. Learn about the local heritage through your tastebuds with a tasting of moonshines like White Lightnin’, Blue Flame, Apple Pie and Honey Charred. While you’re visiting any of their three Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge locations, you’re also likely to encounter some live music. The open-air concerts are free to the public and feature performers of bluegrass, country and gospel. Sit back in your rocking chair with a glass of good ole Tennessee moonshine in hand and let the warm folk music lift your spirits!
The Old Mill
The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge is now a proud listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1830, its giant water wheel continues to spin on the Little Pigeon River today, and you can even take a tour of the working mill. Surrounding The Old Mill, you’ll find a variety of boutiques showcasing locally-made artisanal pottery and specialty Appalachian foods, such as jarred jams and jellies, biscuit mixes, spices and seasonings, desserts, pickles, honey, and more. Take home some souvenirs of these classic Smoky Mountain flavors, and then let the experts show you how the cooking is done at restaurants like The Old Mill Restaurant and The Old Mill Pottery House Cafe & Grille.
Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community
One of the most comprehensive collections of Appalachian handcrafted art and goods hails from the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. This 8-mile loop is brimming with the shops, cafes and studios of over 100 artists. Since 1937, this community has preserved the local heritage through pottery, jewelry, ceramics, paintings, textiles, photography, watercolors and much more. Stroll through the galleries to shop for souvenir quilts, stained glass, leather, apparel, carvings and weavings, and come to cherish the centuries-old designs of the Smokies.
Spanning from Mississippi up to New York, the Appalachian Mountains have played a significant role in its inhabitants’ lives for centuries. As a result, nowhere else in the world will you find a folk culture quite like Appalachia. The food, music, arts and crafts, local history, and natural wonders described here only scrape the surface. When you visit the quaint mountain towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, you’ll begin to understand why for so many diverse peoples, the Great Smoky Mountains will forever be considered home.
