Pigeon Forge: Fall Colors, Blacksmithing, and a Lot of Nuts

By the time we rolled into Pigeon Forge, we were ready for a little mix of relaxation and mountain adventure. Luckily, our KOA campground delivered just that—it had an amazing pool complete with a lazy river. Floating under the warm fall sun with the Smokies in the distance felt like the perfect reset. While hanging out at the pool, we struck up a conversation with a fellow traveler who told us about the Frying Pan Tower off the coast of the Outer Banks. My husband immediately started googling how we could stay there (of course). I quickly put my foot down with a big “hell no!”—no way was I spending the night on an old offshore lighthouse tower in the middle of the ocean.

A view of the fall colors from the Smokies

Back on land in the Smokies, we soaked up the fall colors. The rolling hills were blanketed in fiery shades of orange, red, and gold, making every drive and overlook picture-perfect.

One of the highlights of our stay was stepping back in time to try our hand at blacksmithing. My husband and I made our own knife out of an old railroad tie, hammering, heating, and shaping the steel into something we could proudly say we created. It was hot, sweaty work, but incredibly rewarding—and now we each have a one-of-a-kind keepsake to remember the experience.

Our knife was going through the final finishes, which required a true blacksmith to complete it

Of course, no trip is complete without a little fun shopping. We stumbled into the Try My Nuts shop (yes, that’s really the name!) and couldn’t help ourselves. From spicy to sweet, we stocked up on way more nuts than we probably needed, but hey—it was too fun to resist.

When it came to food, we tried the Old Mill Restaurant, a popular spot in town. We ended up waiting forever for a table, which built up our expectations. The food itself was just okay, but it seemed to be one of those must-stop places for tourists, so at least we could check it off the list.

This is a view of the Old Mill Restaurant, which had a consistent line for food.

Exploring beyond Pigeon Forge, we drove along the Tennessee Foothills Parkway, where the mountain views stretched endlessly and the colors of fall seemed to glow in the afternoon sun. On that same drive, we unexpectedly came across the Bush’s Baked Beans Visitor Center—yes, the Bush’s Beans! We loved it way more than we thought we would. Between the history, the displays, and of course, the beans, it turned out to be one of those hidden gems that made the trip even more memorable.

You received a complimentary six-pack of beans upon arrival! Duke kept his mouth shut about the secret.

A view of the smokies on the Tennessee Foothills

Pigeon Forge gave us everything from lazy river afternoons and mountain beauty to blacksmithing sweat, tasty snacks, and surprising roadside stops. It was quirky, colorful, and exactly the kind of mix that makes road trips so much fun.