Historic Sites in The Smokies

Our beautiful area in the Smokies is packed-full of mini golf, go karts, amusement parks, and all the fun things you dream of on vacation. Now, while we encourage having a blast with family at amazing attractions like Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud, Toy Box Mini Golf, TopJump Trampoline and Extreme Arena, and of course, here with us… we also encourage you to take a little time to explore the history of our hometown!

If you don’t know where to start, we’ve got some ideas for you!

• The Walker Sisters’ Cabin

Perhaps the most interesting bit of history (in our opinion) is this little cabin. 6 of the 7 Walker sisters stayed in this cabin long after the Great Smoky Mountains were turned into a national park. You can walk through this cabin for a traditional Appalachian experience. For more fascinating information, check out this blog by our friends!  

• The Dolly Parton Statue

While this statue was just erected in 1987 and hard to imagine as “historic”, it showcases our hometown’s icon; Mrs. Dolly Parton. It portrays Dolly as a young woman holding a guitar and smiling! You won’t want to miss this unique feature in Sevierville. Find it at the Sevier County Courthouse!

• Cades Cove

A favorite among locals and visitors alike, there’s a good reason we want to include this marvelous place in our list. Cades Cove is an untouched piece of our national park that displays wildlife and nature in a way only the Smokies can boast. Drive through the loop and park for a while to explore and picnic. Take it all in and capture memories from Cades Cove. It’ll be a day you’ll remember forever!

• The Old Mill

Did you know that The Old Mill is the only building in Pigeon Forge listed under the National Registry of Historic Places? It’s still working, too! It’s in a beautiful area, just next to Patriot Park and along the Little Pigeon River. The area is now surrounded by pottery shops, boutiques, a distillery, and of course, The Old Mill Restaurant. You won’t want to miss out on this piece of history!

These are places you won’t regret spending time at. Be sure to take in the history of the Smokies on your visit!