When you stay at Cherokee Lodge, you will be just a five minute walk from one of the most popular destinations in Pigeon Forge! Constructed in 1830 along the Little Pigeon River, The Old Mill has played a central role in the history of the Smoky Mountains. This old fashioned grist mill helped manufacture Union army uniforms during the Civil War, provided electricity for Pigeon Forge until 1930, and has ground grain into flour for well over 180 years.
Today, The Old Mill is flanked by wonderful shops and restaurants that make use of the mill’s freshly ground products. Here are three advantages of staying at our Pigeon Forge TN condo rentals near The Old Mill Square.
1. Fun for Kids
Vacationing close to The Old Mill means that your little ones will never be bored! The Square is full of activities that kids absolutely love. Some of our favorite things to do with kids in The Old Mill area include:
Blacksmithing Demonstrations – The Iron Mountain Metal Craft Shop in The Old Mill Square hosts regular demonstrations where a third generation blacksmith heats, molds, and bends metal into knives and other objects. Watching the demonstrations are free, but if you pay a fee, your kids can get a hands-on lesson in blacksmithing. Every participant is given protective glasses, gloves, and an apron. At the end of the class, your kids can take home knives they made themselves!
Feeding the Ducks – The Old Mill is a great place to make some feathered friends! The Little Pigeon River is home to plenty of ducks and geese who are accustomed to being fed by visitors. Pick up some duck food at The Old Mill General Store for about $1 per bag and watch your kids become very popular with the area’s water birds.
(See Also: The Remarkable History of The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge)
2. Options for Eating Out or Dining In
The Old Mill Square features two of the very best restaurants in Pigeon Forge:
The Old Mill Restaurant – Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this legendary restaurant offers mouthwatering Southern cooking. Enjoy scenic views of the Little Pigeon River as you dig into delicious dishes that incorporate the freshly ground flour, cornmeal, grits, and oats from the onsite mill. Be sure to sample The Old Mill Restaurant’s famous corn chowder and pecan pie!
The Pottery House Café and Grille – Located in the former home of Douglas Ferguson, the founder of the Pigeon River Pottery shop next door, this unique restaurant’s bowls, plates, salt shakers, and bathroom sinks were all handmade by local artisans. The Pottery House Café is open for lunch and dinner and offers a varied menu that includes steaks, burgers, salads, trout, salmon, and other comfort foods.
If you would prefer to dine in, you can pick up one of the mixes at The Old Mill General Store to prepare at Cherokee Lodge. All of our Pigeon Forge TN condo rentals come with fully furnished kitchens, so you can easily whip up a tasty meal right in your home away from home. The Old Mill General Store is stocked with a variety of specialty mixes for pancakes, biscuits, fritters, catfish breading, fried chicken breading, soups, dips, and so much more.
3. Something for Your Sweet Tooth
Anyone with a sweet tooth will love being within walking distance of these two shops:
The Old Mill Candy Kitchen – This old fashioned candy store uses copper kettles and taffy machines that have been in service for over 75 years. Your family will love sampling the Candy Kitchen’s fudges, chocolates, brittles, and other treats.
The Old Mill Creamery – What could be better than a trip to the ice cream parlor on a hot afternoon in Pigeon Forge? The Old Mill Creamery offers traditional varieties of ice cream and some flavors that you won’t find anywhere else, like Biscuits ‘n Honey, Salted Caramel Candy, and Oat Mill Cream Pie.
To start planning your vacation near The Old Mill, check out our complete selection of Pigeon Forge TN condo rentals!
